BengeBoy 

Hi, I'm new here but would appreciate some help understanding the history of a Tommasini bike I bought this week. I purchased from the original owner, who says he bought the frame in about 1988. The frame says it is the "Prestige" model. It has a chrome fork, chrome seatstays, nice detailing on the lugs and a sticker saying the tubing is Columbus SPX. The bike has been ridden a lot but very well cared for; the finish in is fantastic condition except for a little corrosion on the forks, normal wear elsewhere, and some damaged decals.

Some questions:
- I have seen reference to another model called the "Super Prestige." What was the difference?
- Any idea what the retail price of this frame would have been back in the day?
- I haven't seen much information about Tommasini on the web...just a little here and there. Any suggestions on more information about this maker?

The prior owner built this bike up using (mainly) Campy parts he rescued from a wrecked Bianchi that was new in the mid 1980's. I intend to replace the Bianchi parts on the bike (seat, seatpost, stem, handlebars) and put 80's era parts on it...then use it as my Sunday/dry weather ride.

Thanks,
BB

CV-6 

Can't help you with info, but nice bike. FWIW, the quick release on the front wheel should be on the other side. Can't have you going out looking like a noob.

GCRyder

Just in case you haven't found it already, there is a good collection of photos of the bikes of Irio Tommasini at Classic Rendezvous:

https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Ita...ssini_home.htm

BengeBoy 

Thanks for your comments. Yes, I had the wheel on backwards...I had just unloaded it late last night, had it in my garage for a quick check and photo session, before taking it to the LBS for the work I'm not comfortable doing myself (bottom bracket overhaul).

Just got back from the LBS where we went through the one urgent issue the bike has (headset problem). But even after a very thorough check it's in better shape than I thought.

The one thing I really need is a Campy 27.2 seat post.

This bike has a really nice Campy (Super Record?) fluted seat post but it's engraved with the Bianchi brand on it. I would be happy to swap this Bianchi seat post with anyone who has a non-Bianchi Super Record seat post (27.2).



BB

Wino Ryder

First off, thats a beautiful bike 'bengeboy'. (love that paint)

Tommasinis' are relatively rare as compared to other high end Italian frames builders. The quality is superb though, as they are completely handmade in Grosseto, Italy. The Super Prestige was the top of the line Tommasini back in the day, and I've seen them come in both Columbus 'SPX' and 'SLX'. I would imagine yours would come in right underneath them. A few years back a 'Roadbike Review' forum member sent me a scanned copy of an old 'Colorado Cyclist' catalog (circa: 1990) that listed their Tommasini line. If memory serves me correctly the 'Prestige' was a near carbon copy of the 'Super Prestige;, the difference mainly being the type of 'Columbus' tubing it used. The price for the frames were around $900 in 1990 I remembered.

At that time, 'Colorado Cyclist' and 'William Lewis Imports' were the only U.S. distributors for Tommasini. I remember e-mailing them both in 2001 when I got my own Tommasini (comp) with 'Columbus 'SL'. Do a forum search on this site, and also 'Roadbike Review', and you'll find there are still some of them around. Tommasini bikes, especially the lugged steel, are world reknown for their quality and craftsmanship, and superb ride, so I'd say you definitely got you a great bike if its in good condition.

BengeBoy 

Thanks for the info. I have done searches on this forum and not seen a lot, but I have seen mentions of Tommasini here and there. Quite the psychedelic paint jobs; when I get mine back from the shop I will post pictures in its new finery.

BTW, the Columbus decal on mine says it has SPX tubing. I understand that SPX was a little sturdier than SL tubing and was used on larger frames (mine is a 60cm) or on frames that were meant to be a bit stiffer.

When you mentioned you had scanned copies of the catalog, are they electronic copies you could email?

Thanks,

BB

RideTommasini

send me the code stamped into the bottom bracket of your frame and I can tell you the history on the frame. Also if you need to learn more about our company please let me know - you can call anytime.

Wino Ryder

Hi, sent you pm

BEETLE

Hi I have just become the proud new owner of a life long dream and purchased a mint condition 'TOMMASSINI SUPER PRESTIGE'
the frame number is 13 GB any help you can give me with the year of manufacture ect would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

BEETLE

Hi I have just become the proud new owner of a life long dream and purchased a mint condition 'TOMMASSINI SUPER PRESTIGE'
the frame number is 13 GB any help you can give me with the year of manufacture ect would be much appreciated.