Tommasini Diamante - Italian red
 

Well, I'm happy to have a bicycle worthy of the C&V forum. I've had this for a little while but just finally got it all dressed up like I wanted.

I hope the photos are alright, but I think I need some of your pros to help me out. Anyway, with a few recent Tommasini threads and build-up pictures, you probably have an idea that they are pretty nice...with a bit of attention to detail in the frame:)

You guys can tell me if I'm more "classic" or more "vintage".


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/...7d191947_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443/...1ef5ac17_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/...b6f579b8_b.jpg

drooool

Glad you like it, Bob. But please, no drooling...I just cleaned it the other day.

Nice....

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/DSC02599.jpg

Tommasini = one of the holes in my "collection." Nice bike, OP. Nice bike, Jim.

Very nice, Jim! We have blue & red sisters (or brothers).

I was told when buying that mine was a 1990, but it seems that the 1990s had the DT shifters, where as mine doesn't. Maybe a 1991?

The bicycle is incredible to ride, I just kind of wish it wasn't so nice because I definitely can't ride it on a daily basis.

Also, for your Campagnolo experts, is my gruppo a Record, C-Record, or other? It is all matching with the Delta calipers. The amazing thing is that is was basically NOS with around thirty miles on it, then being put away for around twenty years. I hardly changed anything. The tires were a bit dried out, but they were Continental GPs, which I simply switched out for new GP 4000s. Changed the saddle and pedals (had toe clips) and computer, but that was it.

I really love how white bar tape has made a huge comeback lately and this "classic/vintage" bike with its original white Cinelli tape is suddenly hip and cool again:) Gotta love twenty year fashion cycles!

I definitely wouldn't say it was a hole in my collection, but it was too nice to pass up. I was supposed to wait two years for my next bike buy, but came across this, decide it was a rare opportunity and grabbed it. The funny thing was that after awhile of "will my next bike be modern carbon or classic steel" I had finally decided on classic steel, and then located this. I had also spent time on the Tommasini site configuring paint schemes, in the case that I would buy a new Tommasini in two years time.

Another special thing about the bicycle is that I had just gotten some money after my grandfather passed away and my parents wanted me to spend it on something nice, something I didn't need, but something that I really wanted...this fit that description!

And, it feels pretty great to have my "midlife crisis" Italian bicycle before I left my twenties:)

Thanks for the nice compliments! With a bicycle this nice I feel when I share it or show it to other enthusiasts I'm simply being respectful of the bike, not showing off. I think it is to nice to keep secret. I'd love to ride it tonight but it might rain...

Sorry, should have said "in my soul" (just kidding).

Do I need to post closer pictures or can someone tell me if I've got Record, C-Record, other gruppo? Again, think it is a 1990 or 1991 frame with original parts.

yes definitely C-Record, the rear derailleur is probably a later record derailleur (1993 or 1994 maybe) . Very nice bike btw, must be stressful to ride a bike with NOS C-record parts given the price they command these days, there is such a gap in price between very good and NOS.

Want.

Gorgeous bike!

I have always lusted after a Tommasini.
that is one gorgeous bike, and if any bike should wear Corsa Record
that's it.

Marty

Absolutely beautiful.

A Diamante in my size (60 or 62cm) is DEFINITELY one of my "grails". I had the other Columbus MS tubed bike available at the time, a Basso Ascot, and loved the way it rode. The Diamante, with its chromed lugs and intricate paint was just that much more flash.

It is truly a beautiful bicycle and based on its quality, it could certainly be considered a "classic", provided all the components are from the same era. I do not consider it to be "vintage", as I reserve this term to what is commonly refered to as "old school", such as non-index shifting, non-aero brake cable routing, toe clips and straps etc. A vintage bicycle is not necessarily premium quality, whereas a classic is.

I offer the following from my collection as examples. The first is my "classic" Mark Nobilette custom built frameset with index shifting, aero brake brake levers and clipless pedals. The second is my Ron Cooper frameset restoration in progress with Campy friction shifters, standard non-aero brake levers and quill cage pedals with toe clips and straps.

Thanks for all the replies and the kind comments!

Cool, I thought it was C-Record stuff, just wanted to check. Hmm, the RD is later? From what I was told it was purchased from a shop all set up with nothing changed. Then again, maybe he had a RD problem and changed it? I really don't care though (not going to track down a different/proper RD or anything) just wanted to know, since you can't own something so nice and not know anything about it, right?

Phew, best of luck finding a 62cm. Italians (like me) are much more modest sized:) Mine is a 53, just about square. The top tube might be a 53.5 or so. It fits me wonderfully.

It is stressful! I am MUCH more carefully riding it around than my 1998 Cannondale. I watch more closely for debris when cornering and I trust drivers not to do crazy things even less. I feel kind of bad not riding it more, but I just can't ride it daily. Too nice and too hard to replace parts (or expensive) if I were to put in 40 miles a day on it.

Thanks for the clarification, TT. I really like the fuzzy polka dot paint on the Nobilette. Very nice. I can handle having a classic Tommasini:)

The MS tubing is pretty crazy and really gives a fantastic ride. The sizing and feel and comfort of this bike has actually driven me to pick up another newer bike way before I thought I'd be buying again. The Diamante feels so great to ride that I can no longer stomach the feel of my Al Cannondale (and it has always been a bit long in the TT at 54.5). Two bikes in one calendar year? This hobby is teetering towards an obsession! But hey, why waste time riding a bicycle that you don't love and that doesn't feel perfect, right? I don't waste money on wine, good or bad, so I might as well spend it on a new bicycle.

TGIF to everyone and thank you for all the nice replies. I think I'll be taking this out this afternoon for a leisurely, fun ride with my girlfriend. Haven't had it out in a week or two. Nothing like starting the weekend by riding with two nice beauties;)

Enjoy your weekends!

Very Nice! I've always been fond of chromed lugs. I have them on a couple of bikes. Your Diamante has always been on my short list of faves. Classic Italian Flair!

Naaa... I checked , out of curiosity, and I was wrong.Looks like you have a 1991 Record RD and the rest would be a 1991-1992 group (first year for ergo)

LOL!

In my opinion, you have that exactly backwards.

Every bike is a "vintage" bike, some more than others. Vintage refers to the year of manufacture. This one is a vintage early 1990 bike which is old enough to even bother calling it "vintage". In my eyes, it is a relatively modern vintage, coming at the end of the era.

Now, the question becomes, is it "classic"? White tires? Frightening paint job? The brakes? Click shifting? Nope, in my opinion, this one is not classic. At least not yet.

I like the red base coat color. If they'd left it at that, I'd have no problem with the paint job.

I have no real problem with the brakes but they were a flash in the pan, only made for a few years. They may be rare but not "classic".

I love my click shifting bike. It just isn't "classic". Click shifting was a relatively new thing back 1990. Friction shifting was, and remains, "classic".

White tires? Well, I don't know what to say here, other than to say tan sidewalls are "classic".

Did I mention that seat yet? OUCH!

It looks like a great bike, it's just not for me.

I am awestruck. It reminds me of a hot summer's day, here in South Florida... the searing, white-hot heat, tempered by the cooling blue water. I love it... other than the bar tape, but hey! it's all about the paint.

:thumb:

That bike is drop dead beautiful and sexy. You can call it classic or vintage ---- either will sufice. Congratulations are in order. One hellacious score. Lp

I do have bikes that I am particular about everything being the correct and proper vintage, manufacture, etc. These are generally not bikes that I ride very often. The ones that really get ridden have acceptable (to me) interface parts, and I don't really care what others think about them. Saddles have to fit your butt. Pedals must work with your knees. Handlebar tape must be something that you can stand over a relatively long period of time.

You can always change those parts out if you have a bike show to attend...

Now, white tires...

OK - I have to comment on this beauty. I have the pleasure of owning an old Tommasini Racing. I got to know Irio and his family while studying in Florence years ago. Admittedly, I have four 80's obsessions... Ciöcc, Gianni Motta and of course the most-beautiful bike of the 80's - Tommasini. The fourth? Italian bikes made of EL, MS or MAX tubing - so ahead of their time, you gotta love it.

I'm truly jealous. This one is on my list in a 56. And built up pretty much just like yours. Oh yeah, red too!

So if this bike has indexed shifting, what model and year is the derailleur and brifters? When did Campagnolo first produce indexed shifting?

'93 was Campy's first year for Ergo/brifter levers but they first had indexing back around '86/7.

Tomassini wasnt able to nail down the date on my blue bike other than to say 'early 90's'.