Originally Posted by
T-Mar
Tubi Speciali Rinforzati is Italian for 'special butted tubing ' and was used or the SL, SP, MAX and Cromor sets. The SLX, SPX and TSX sets stated Tubi Speciali Superbutted, so we know it's not those. Of the previous sets we can eliminate MAX and Cromor, as those labels specifially stated the tubeset name. Also, plus is visably non-round and fatter, and Cromor used a silver decal. Only early versions of SL or SP did not have the tubeset name on the decal. It's obviously SL or SP or a combination. That, plus the tre tubi statement, indicates it's an upper, mid-range frameset.
I almost totally agree with T-mar here (if his luck holds he'll prove me wrong 5 different ways; just watch!). A while back I spoke with Chairman Bill about the tubeset on my early Mondonico, which has the plain Columbus Renforzati label, and a Columbus Dove stamp in the headtube, as to if it could be SL or SP. He was pretty sure Antonio Mondonico was not building any of his named bikes with the heavier SP (corrected from "SL"), although finally checking this claim is nearly impossible.
If it's not a Tretubi tubeset as previously thought, and it has this same label, I'd think it's rather safe to assume it's SL. If it's a Tretubi, I think the guages should be as in the Tretubi charts. The alloy is probably the same as for the SL and SP, I think it was called "Cyclex." Again, hard to test it for confirmation.
My Mondo is quite stiff even as an SL frame.
Either way, either maker, this Torelli is a very fine frame worthy of good use as a fast rider. It is NOT any sort of junker or entry-level.
Road Fan