Road Cycling - Tommaso frame

Hey, I just bought a new frame, well its not exactly new, it's a 1990 Tommaso ELOS.

I have been riding a mid 80s Pinarello made with Columbus Formula Original steel. This new frame is made from Columbus EL, nivachrome which I understand is a big improvement over Cro-molly steel.

While I'm impatiently waiting for my frame to arrive I'll ask a couple of questions. Does anyone have experience with Tommaso frames of this type, or Nicachrome frames in general, am I going to notice a difference?

GHOLSON

Don't know much about Nivachrome or ride characteristics
but I do know Tommaso has been around a long time.
Made some nice "classic" italian bikes.
Will you notice a huge difference? I'm not sure.

Marty

nivacrom is the steel used in the columbus zona, nemo, el and [i believe] brain tubesets. it is an excellent quiality steel with fine ride characteristics. in terms of metallurgical technology, it is state-of-the-art, though more modern nivacrom tubesets are typically made with asymmetrical and shaped tubes.

the ride quality should be a bit livelier than straight cro-mo and since the el frameset was quite agressively butted, it should be a great deal lighter. you will find that the bottom bracket is a bit flexier than some other steels [like 853 or foco], but that's a good/bad thing, since it should also make for a smoother ride.

i ride a zona frame. i love it.

Originally posted by velocipedio


the ride quality should be a bit livelier than straight cro-mo and since the el frameset was quite agressively butted, it should be a great deal lighter. you will find that the bottom bracket is a bit flexier than some other steels [like 853 or foco], but that's a good/bad thing, since it should also make for a smoother ride.


Hmm,

I bought a frame on e-bay recently too (looked at that tomasso one, just a hair big for me)

Mine is Thron Columbus chromolly tubes, oversize downtube. a step below el I believe. Double butted. The frame maker is Univega.

Anyone know much about this tube set? I have read good reviews of this particular frame, but would be interested to hear how it compares to higher zoot columbus?

thanks,

Steve

My high-zoot 2002 Scapin is Niva OS with a "geode" assymetrical downtube and oversized seat and top tubes. Is very easily the most comfortable, stable and responsive ride I've been on. I have put 600+ miles on and it is just great (how's that for self validation of my choice). But is a big step up from my lugged steel Paramount (Columbus SLX) in terms of comfort and responsiveness in the hills. Has lugged chainstays with all else being TIG welded. As any good Italian bike should have, it is all Campy gear except the Ksyrium wheels. As stated above, Tommaso is a venerable old Italian name and you will be quite happy with your choice. That is, unless you suffer from Karmic backlash by putting non-Italian running gear on same. Enjoy!!

thron is good, comfortable, well-made columbus cro-mo. it'll be a bit heavier than a comparable [rount-tubed] nivacrom tubeset, but it's somewhatb lighter and stiffer than 4130 cro-mo. it's near the botom of columbus's steel line, but that means nothing, since columbus steel is at about the top of the line steel.

Tommaso is a venerable old Italian name and you will be quite happy with your choice. That is, unless you suffer from Karmic backlash by putting non-Italian running gear on same.

Count me guilty, I've been running Dura Ace on my Pinarello for three years now. Haven't been struck by lightning yet. Maybe I'm building up a huge mass of bad karma thats just waiting to be cashed in.