Bridgestone rb1 vs. Tommasini Super Prestige
 

Figured I let some folk weight in on an internal debate I'm having...

There are two bike for sale locally that peaked my interested as a classic and vintage rider, collector, swapper, buyer/seller.

Bike 1

Tommasini Super Prestige

Tommasini air fork (threaded) / campagnolo corsa record headset. Shimano durace shifters and brake levers. campagnolo chorus brakes from and back. Rear derailleur shimano ultegra.

Not all original but a nice steel italian frame in my size (54 cm)... Cosmetics 7-8 /10, good mechanical shape

Cost $700 maybe negotiable... originally listed for $1200 two months ago

Bike 2

Bridgestone Rb 1 1993... all original shimano 600... Cosmetics and mechanics 9/10 size 53cm

cost $657 maybe slightly negotiable listed for 1 month.

Debate... if I was to only buy one to ride now for a while and sell later which should it be and what should I pay for it.

waiting to here your thoughts!

$700 for a Tommassini Super Prestige with STI versus $657 for a Bridgestone RB-1 with barcons, but in slightly better condition. I'd buy the former, hands down, despite the slightly frankenbike build.

+1 (and then some). To use an automotive analogy, you're comparing a Nissan Z and a Ferarri, for essentially the same price. (Except of course that Italian bikes aren't as high maintenance as Italian cars.) BUY THE TOMMASINI!

SP
Bend, OR

I'd get the Tommasini Super Prestige (I tend to prefer Italian steel frames, generally). I think they are built with Columbus SLX tubing. Not to say the Bridgestone don't have their loyal following - but I probably wouldn't pay $657 for it.

If you are going to actually ride it... which one is the right sized frame? OK 53/54, both center to top or one C-to-C?

and the top tube length, is another fit question..

Well that was a fairly overwhelming majority... in favor of the Tommasini... I tend to like both italian and japanees steel...

The Tommasini is a slightly better fit but the bridge stone is all original and in near mint condition... Tommasini has been well loved but taken care of.

I'm going to take a second look at both and see what happens

Thanks for the input

The orignal post says it's eventually going to be flipped. The Super Prestige will have broader appeal and a better ROI.

Check the inside of the fork legs at the crown of the tommasini for vent holes, if they are there the fork may be prone to fail - per discussion on the classicrendezvous site.

I've owned quite a few Tommasinis.

Three years ago, I walked into a package deal, as a friend owed me a sum of money, and I was paid with a Sintesi and a Tecno.

I did Ragbrai on one of these, and even though the frame wasn't a great fit, she was a hoot to live with for a week.

I sold both of these soon after.

Flash forward to a year ago when I came across another Sintesi.

Snapped her up and promptly installed a 10 speed Chorus gruppo.

What an incredible bike.

I also had a very nice Super Prestige frameset and the finish was outstanding.

That frameset went to a close friend, and he rode a little over a hundred on the bike last weekend with us.

This winter I am rebuilding my Sintesi with a 2009 Centaur gruppo I have here, as the Chorus is being set aside for a custom build.

Buy the Tommasini.

My vote is for the Tommasini!!! Nothing like that Italian magical feel and ride. I own a Gios, and a Cinelli. Every time get on them, they are like, WOW. I buy and sell vintage road bikes, and try to get them in my size so I can have some fun and compare the difference and pretty much I will always favor the Gios and Cinelli. Just to qualify my opinion, I've owned and rode Carbon Fiber, Aluminum and Titanium road bikes, but nothing beats the feel, comfort, workmanship of steel made by the European craftsmen!

Cheers, Mike

I like the Bridgestone, but I am a dork.

Well, the RB1 will sell when you tire of it.

Probably make your money back as well, I did. :)

For a flip, the RB 1....for a keep, Tommasini-you'll ride more being a better fit/no?

I'm thinking about making an offer on just the frame... what would be a good buy for the frame including headset and bb....

and if I did get the frame any suggestion on how to build it up... any idea of the approximate year of the frame...

I have a 82 campy record front and rear derailleur I could put on it... and a campy crank set from another bike that is probably early 90s... no Idea what the cranks that are on it now.

Also have a set of modolo breaks (year unk) and set of campy wheels from 1993

here is a better pic...

more details on the bike as it is

Frame paint 8/10
54 cm
columbus tubing... SLX
Ultegra rear derailleur
Campy front derailleur... unk group
Campy chorus breaks
Durace shifters/levers
unk crank set with shimano rings
old spd pedals
cinelli handle bar
lemond seat post
turbo saddle... need replacing
Front Wheel... Matrix Aurora rim with shimano 600 hub
Rear Wheel... Matrix Aurora rim with mailard hub

If I should get the complete bike as it... what should I keep on it and what should I replace?

Thanks

I want to make an offer today...

What is a good buy range for the complete bike as is and for just the frame?

The components would be a near throw in for me.

If it were me, I'd offer $500 for the complete bike.

$300 to $400 for the frameset as long as there are no dings or major rust issues.

I won't say what I paid for a Super Prestige frameset last year, but it would have been very near the price I mentioned.

The one I purchased was fresh as a daisy, a true 9/10.

I'd start saving then for a modern Campy 10 speed gruppo.

I've seen some crazy deals out there, and I just picked up some goodies on the way home tonight.

I think the bike would look awesome rebuilt with 2009 Campy Centaur. Alloy of course.

Campy Centaur alloy levers are tricky to find, but I purchased a set online a month ago for a great price.

I'd start over on the wheelset as well.

Find a nice used Campy hub/Mavic Open Pro combo. They do come up used.

I just bought one (wheelset) today that looks like it has 100 miles on it. Cost me 40 to 50% less than new.

If you do buy the complete bike at a great price, ride it while you collect the pieces I mentioned.

Good luck and post some pics when you pick her up.

You won't regret your purchase.

+1 Tommasini makes a spectacular riding frame.

Having ridden and raced a Sintesi and an RB-1, I can tell you they are both awesome bikes. That said, my Sintesi broke at the chainstay under normal use after four years and 12k miles. The RB-1 I sold with 20k on it going strong.

BL

Did you race the Sintesi that broke at the chainstay?

If so, that's pretty heavy duty use for any frame.

Lots of crashes and abuse in Cat 4 races as I remember.

Even more when I was the rider.

I'm picking up the Tommasini this afternoon...

Way to go!

Got it... wanted to ride it this morning but we've got snow... now I just stare at it and contemplate what to do with the build...

Any saddle suggestions.... brand, style, color? I'm thinking of going with the Blue and white color scheme.