Road Cycling - Thoughts on Tommasini???

Okay, so I am a big guy, 6'5", 255 lbs. Have jumped back into cycling after a 10 year hiatus after finally deciding, I am too old to continue to play basketball and tired of having knee and ankle problems. Anyway, I have been riding my 1987 Schwinn Premise for the past three months. Have logged over 1,000 miles, so feeling pretty confident I am going to keep riding.

I am planning to buy a new bike, and want this to be one I will likely keep forever.

The loca bike shop is suggesting the Tommasini Techno. I have not kept up on the cycling manufacturers and products over the past 10 years, and with the number of manufactures out there today, not sure I am going to be able to figure it all out.

Any thoughts on the pros or cons of this frame manufacturer? Any happy or unhappy Tommasini customers?

Thanks.

http://www.tommasini.com/eng/telai/tecno.html

Awfully nice. I think the frame MSRP's for about $1500. This model has a classic reputation though I understand they are using a newer steel on the '04's.

Just don't get them mixed up with Tommaso.

55/Rad

Tommasini frames are on top of their game. Mr. Tommasini is very active in the business. Cycling did a write up on and photo tour of their factory ~ 2 years ago. Very professional looking outfit. I would buy one of these before alot of other independent builders. You could also contact Tommasini direct by sending them an e-mail with your measurements, weight, and any other questions and see how they reply.

www.tommasini.it

I've owned 3 Tommasinis including the Sintesi, which appears to be very similar to the Techno. This is a retro frame, but a very good one. At 255 lbs I think you are going to find that it will be very flexible, being thin tubed steel.
With current exchange rates, I don't think the best value is in an Italian frame. Right now, American made frames look like a pretty good deal.
My comment on Tommasini frames is that they are beautifully made, but ride a little "numb" in aluminium. They seem to do their best work in steel. I prefer my Cannondale for feel and handling.

I just built up a Tommasini Fire and absolutely love it. I personally could not be happier with the end product. It rides like a dream and fits me perfectly. No, it may not have been the best value but there is something about owning a hand made Italian frame that does it for me. It truly is a thing of beauty.

Not to mention going from a Shimano 105 group to Campagnalo Record. Wow!

BTW, are you in Tennessee?

I just built up a Tommasini Fire and absolutely love it. I personally could not be happier with the end product. It rides like a dream and fits me perfectly. No, it may not have been the best value but there is something about owning a hand made Italian frame that does it for me. It truly is a thing of beauty.

Not to mention going from a Shimano 105 group to Campagnalo Record. Wow!

BTW, are you in Tennessee?

Yes, I am in Nashville, or actually Franklin/Brentwood. Glad to know you love it. I am likely going to go with the Techo frame and Campy components. Lot of money to sink into a bike, but hoping it motivates me to keep riding it.

I have learned that the MOST important thing is fit. My previous frame, a Lemond Buenos Aires, was a bit stretched out for me and I just couldn't get comfortable on it. My Tommasini has a 1 cm shorter top tube and that did it. Again, I could not be happier with my new bike. It fits me perfectly, rides like a dream, and is just plain beautiful to look at.

If I knew how to post a picture off my computer I'd let you see it but I think it has to be hosted somewhere on the web and I have no idea how to do that. :)

BTW, Lynn at Gran Fondo will definately put you on a bike that fits. I could not be happier with the service they have given me and would definately recommend them to anyone in this area looking to get a new bike or just wanting a professional fitting.

Lynn is the one recommending me the Tommasini and I have heard nothing but great things about him, which is better than I have heard about some of the other LBS.

Lynn got me set up right too. Also, there was a very nice young lady (obviously an avid cyclist) that helped me very much in the beginning. I wish I could remember her name because she deserves a plug! I haven't been back to the shop since I bought my Virata. I will be going back soon, so I will get her name and make sure to post it for other peoples benefit.

Lynn got me set up right too. Also, there was a very nice young lady (obviously an avid cyclist) that helped me very much in the beginning. I wish I could remember her name because she deserves a plug! I haven't been back to the shop since I bought my Virata. I will be going back soon, so I will get her name and make sure to post it for other peoples benefit.

Could have been his wife, Vida (sp) (great story about how they became husband and wife), or I think her daughter, Catherine. Everyone in the shop was great, in my opinion.

At 255 lbs I think you are going to find that it will be very flexible, being thin tubed steel.

I think this is why you should e-mail Tommasini with your weight, dimensions, etc... to see if the will reply and what they recommend.

Could have been his wife, Vida (sp) (great story about how they became husband and wife), or I think her daughter, Catherine. Everyone in the shop was great, in my opinion.

Catherine! That was her name! Ok, I feel better now. That was bugging me so much I thought I was going to have to go during my lunch break. She was great. I don't think I have met Vida yet.

i have a tommasini carbo fire and love it

gran fondo in nashville is the US importer for tommasini. lynn greer is a master bike fitter and an owner of the store...and catherine does a great job as well. travis built my bike and my new wheels and he did a great job...all their mechanics are first rate though ...and they tolerate me with a smile

i was 235 when i got back into riding...initially bought a felt from them...rode the stink out of it

when i decided to upgrade i was down to the 190 range and any of the steel tommasinis would have been great...if i had waited 3-4 months i would have gotten the ultrafire. i am a big time masher (rode mtb 10+years ago )...i cant flex it one bit. i currently ride at about 185.

you should not have a problem with the techno at all

the exchange rate does hurt though :(




if you decide you like cannondale...gran fondo has those as well :)

That Ultrafire is a thing of beauty. But I guess I'm partial to my Fire. The ride is phenomenal. I've been getting my morning rides in but didn't today. I'm debating going out right now and risking running into one of the scattered afternoon showers we've been getting lately.

I was a masher as well but since getting my Tommasini Fire with 170 cranks instead of 172.5 I find myself riding in smaller gears and spinning quite a bit more. I'm only 5'9" 135 lbs. so the 170's are great. I was really nervous making that change but I am glad I did. Like I mentioned before Lynn definately knows what he is doing when it comes to fitting someone for a bike.

BTW, gbreetz, those Tecno's that they have up at Gran Fondo are really good looking. I find myself staring at them everytime I go into the shop. Something about that lugged steel that really catches the eye.

Hi,
at 6' 5" and about 250 you need a stiff frame. What works for short guys like me will turn into limp sphaghetti when stretched out that long. Don't buy if you can't test ride. The vast majority of frames simply won't work for you. This is not to say you don't have choices. You do. In steel I would personally call Waterford talk to them. Cannondale makes a couple frames for tall fellers.
Rivendell makes a frame for tall guys called the Redwood.
Waterford knows bikes inside out.

Hopefully this works.

My Tommasini Fire:
Campagnalo Record group with Chorus front derailleur
Record seatpost
FSA cranks
Mavic Open Pros with Record hubs
Easton EC90 Equipe Composite handlebars
Easton EC70 Composite stem

http://img27.exs.cx/img27/517/PDR_0013.jpg