Thanks Bianchigirll: She sure is pretty, isn't she? And I do enjoy looking at her, and would love to keep her in the family, as its nice to have at least one looker in the house (other than my wife, in case she's reading!). But I'd like to be able to comfortably ride, too.

I have already PMed rccardr about trying to arrange a meet. We're pretty near each other, based on what he's told me so far, and it is worth it to me to have someone who knows more about this than I do take a look to see if there's anything fundamentally wrong. I'd love for the bike to be returned to real riding condition, but I don't know that I'm the guy to do it :-) Add to that the fact that it is just a little bigger frame than I ride in an ideal world, and I might just decide to sell it, and find another pretty project bike :-)

I had already concluded that someone had played with various components, based on a number of factors -- specialized saddle that seems way too new, a cheap QR fastener in the seatpost, etc... Thanks for the info on the brakes. Makes more sense, now, as they don't really 'fit' appearance-wise.

I was grading it 'bottom middle' based on using the Bikepedia info on 1993 Tommaso's, and using MSRP as my barometer: The most expensive bike is listed as having Columbus "Genius" tubing (with an MSRP of $4500!), the cheapest has Columbus Aelle DB tubing (MSRP $1360), and one other slightly more expensive model (MSRP $2800) had Columbus TSX tubing. The others both had SL tubing, and ranged between the cheapest bike and the TSX tubing model, depending on component sets ($1800-2500). Your explanation of the frameset/ component kits makes sense, and it is entirely possible that someone just bought the frame, without the component set, I imagine. I am also confident that the bike is older than 1993, based on the fact that she's got a 6 sp. cassette, not an 8 speed.

The issue for me is one of time and effort for return - if I'll never be really comfortable riding her, then maybe I'm better served by selling to someone who will give it love and enjoy riding. At the same time, I don't want to give up on the old girl too easily, because I fear I'll never find another bike quite as lovely.