I'm a long-time, hardcore mountain biker, but am just crossing over into road biking. I've spent the last few weeks test-riding bikes in the Denver market and doing web research into what my options are for my new road bike. While I'd love to jump right into a nice Cannondale with an all Dura-Ace groupo, my wife would freak out if I laid out more than $3K on my first road bike. So, after a long, long research cycle (pun intended?) I decided on a Tommaso AS2 from Randall Scott Bike Company. They're an online store based out of Pompano Beach, Florida. The bike as outfitted with Ultegra/FSA groupo and lot's of carbon, is manufactured in Taiwan, but made of US-made Easton aluminum. The online price (w/ free shipping) was just too low to pass up... $1199 -- almost a $1K cheaper than any comparable bike here in the Denver market. I'm an info freak, so I tried to research Tommaso and find out more about them. The Tommaso site (www.tommasobikes.com) had info on their products, but nothing about the company, where they're based, etc. I did a quick "whois.org" search and found that the Tommaso, Inc. company listed in the Verisign info has the same address as Randall Scott Bike Company in Pompano Beach, Florida. This was a bit confusing (and just a bit suspicious) so I contacted Randall Scott and asked them about this relationship... this is what the response said:

"Currently Randall Scott Cycle Company is the US Distributor of the Tommaso brand. Tommaso is slowly rolling out their line in the US and as of now, we are proud to be their exclusive Tommaso Frame Mail Order distributor. Tommaso is sold internationally to dealers directly through Tommaso. Tommaso has informed us that they will be launching a new Tommaso site which will encompass both Tommaso International and Tommaso USA in one site and will have all history and information about the brand."

Anyway... I hope this information is helpful for anyone else who's researching or curious about Tommaso and their new bikes. More info will follow when my bike arrives next week... I'll post my first impressions and any additional info I get about Randall Scott (rscycle.com) and the Tommaso brand.

David from Denver

Tommaso use to be an italian brand,( as was tomaso or tomasso-sp?)The name was sold. Stuff now made in asia and primarily sold direct. generic frame,nothing special,but decent bang for the buck.Hope it fits.

I have an 80s Tommaso frame and have also wondered about the company.

I did a similar shopping exercise about a year ago and decided the AS2 was worth serious consideration. My wife was leery about ordering off the net, so I actually drove to Pompano Beach to see the retail store where the internet operation is based.

I met the manager, the phone sales people, and the bike mechanic who puts bikes together. He has 35 years experience in the business; once owned a store, but now just builds up and tests bikes. He is the man behind the "Pro-Build" they offer, and I actually witnessed him assembling then test-riding bikes that were to be shipped out.

I took delivery of the AS2 after my own test ride, and am extremely pleased with it. It is exactly as represented on their website; the frame is light, stiff, solid and beautifully painted - All Easton tubing, put together in the Far East (like virtually every other mass-market aluminum frame in this price range). Without pedals, it's a 17.5 lb. bike. For the price, it includes CF stem, bars, seat post and fork . Wheelset is Alex 300 - one that is widely used on $1000 to $1500 bikes - an upgrade opportunity at some point in the future. Mine was Ultegra-equipped except for brake calipers - an upgrade I'll make if I ever have problems with the ones they spec'ed originally.

Bottom line - Very good quality, good value, no issues with service/assembly, etc.

I beieive those were sold here by another now defunct company (an importer) "10 Speed Drive". I think that was just a House brand for TSD built by somebody in Italy.

I saw that Tommaso will be making a full carbon handmade in Italy bike. Will cost around 7k. Looks like they are back to making very quality bikes.

A friend has a tommaso she got like a year ago, full ultegra and she hates it....dont know why tho, she rode a 1999 litespeed and said its way better...and now is going to get a 05 Siena

Kent Bostick
Andy Paulin
Chris Huber

All used to ride for the Ten Speed Drive Import Team in the 80s.

No idea how Tommaso frames stack up today, but back in the day, they were top shelf.