T-Mar

Tommasini introduced the AiR crown circa 1985. I have see three distinct versions but what defines the AiR crown is the taper from front to back, similar to an airfoil profile. Earlier Tommasini crowns were also flatter. The AiR sloped more, hiding more behind the caliper and resulting in shorter blades for a stiffer fork. The fork blades did not fit into sockets like on a conventional crown but fit over internal sleeves, giving a sleek, integrated appearance. It also eliminated the need to braze reinforcing tangs onto the inside of the fork blades. Later versions would become more conventional, sporting reinforcing tangs and then outboard spear points, but the taper and slope remained.


The shape was reported to have been inspired by the roofs of Asian pagodas but it also clearly owes much to Cinelli's fully sloping, integral fork crown. It follows the Tommasini philosophy of products that are not not only functionally superior but also aesthetically appealing. The original AiR crown nicely balances the sleek, integrated, aero styling that was popular in the mid-1980s with elegant but restrained embossing.

Dean51 

Thank you for responding @T-Mar.....I had hoped you would! I had read about the "aero" profile of the Columbus AIR tube sets and I examined the fork blades on my bike for any evidence of the same. They appear symmetrical to my eye. I've got the wood stove in my workshop fired up to "warp ten". As soon as it warms up a bit I'll get the Tommi up on the repair stand and examine the fork crown for the front to back taper you noted. Thanks again!

Dean

Dean51 

Well.....my Tommasini Air fork crown does taper from front to back. No wonder I feel a tiny bit faster on this bike.....mystery solved!!

Dean

easyupbug 

Thank you T-Mar, your encyclopedic knowledge is a treasure to this Forum, that said I am now going to be out $800+ thanks to you.

flx100

Early 70's (i believe, judging by other frames i've seen online) Refinished by Ben Falcon. Decals by Cyclomondo.

This is the 'before'. There was some surface rust here and there plus someone had drilled a hole for a brake in the bridge.

Kevindale

Sweet pista Tommasini! I think that early Tommasini DT decal style didn't start until 1975 at the earliest, and probably 1976. More interesting to me the seat stay caps, with the 3 lines but no 'T' embossing. I've seen one like this before, on a 1980-81 strada. That's an unusual fork crown, though I haven't tracked that many track bikes, and they didn't get the same crowns as the road bikes. It does seem like an earlier one, since track bikes from the early 80s usually have a sloping crown fork. Overall I suspect it's more from the later 1970s. I'd love to see a shot of the underside of the bottom bracket shell.

flx100

here you go!

rlorenz2

Finished up the build on this 85th anniversary frame. It of course carries on the Tommasini tradition of not only looking amazing, it rides amazing as well. The photo does not do the cromovelato/retinato paint justice. It is black cromovelato paint (had quite a time deciding between red or black), which in some light has a blue cast to it, I love it.

Speaking of Tommasini history, anyone know when/why the signature on the top tube went from "Tommasini Irio" to Irio Tommasini"? It seems many of the older frames had the last name first.

Kevindale

Thank you. Are there any serial numbers on there?

Kevindale

Stunning! Great job! I'm curious, did they bring back the 'T' drain hole cutout in the BB shell? And can you decipher the SN?

In all my obsessive comparing various Tommasini graphics styles, I never noticed that the signature was changed! Good catch. People rarely take a closeup of that decal, and I just assumed it didn't change and never paid too much attention. Now I'll have to go back and see if I can find enough hi-res photos in my data base to see when that change too place. I'm going to guess it was in the early 1990s, when the ST graphics changed.

flx100

nope

Kevindale

Thanks, @flx100.
@rlorenz2, I just checked a few dozen photos in my database. The signature decal first went into use around 1981-1982. There are a few bikes I can fairly confidently date to 1980, and they lack that decal. All the bikes with FD tabs have it. Moreover, virtually every bike in my database with the signature decal has the "Tommasini Irio" style decal, which is why I didn't notice the change. I have only gathered photos on a handful of bikes that are from about 1994 or later, and only one of these bikes has the "Irio Tommasini" style. So my guess is sometime in the mid-late 1990s is when the change happened. If we get more people with more modern Tommasinis putting their info here or in the Tommasini Timeline thread, we can pin it down more accurately.

rlorenz2

Thanks @Kevindale
The 'T' cut drain hole is not back unfortunately. It has the 3 diagonal lines in the BB with channel cable guides and the small bridge integrated with the BB.

The serial number at least for this limited run of frames is quite easy and clear as appose to my earlier frame. S/N: 007H018; '007' is the frame production number, 'H' is the month (August), and '18' for the year.

Last but not least, received feedback from Barbara regarding the top tube signature. She stated "In regards to the signature, it started to change in mid 90's in favor of a more "friendly" way of signing."

Bianchigirll 

This information has been in the bag with my Bianchi catalogs for years. I don't where it came from and I don't see any dates other then the Bicycling magazine date of '92. Maybe a got it from a Rep or something.

shanone9

Thanks for posting the article. Thought I saw my frame in the catalog pic, but not.

Can anyone say when the Super Prestige went to a chrome head tube lug?
My late 80s/early 90s "Marbo Nero' example has painted head tube lugs, not chrome.

I'd post some pics but the site won't let me until I have 10 posts.......

shoota 

Adding my new addition to this awesome lounge.

shanone9

"Adding my new addition to this awesome lounge"

Nice...I have its 'Nero' twin. Looks like same size too.

Curious if you know the year of the your Super Prestige?
Mine does not have chrome HT lugs either. Also, my rear triangle is chrome, looks like your is painted.

(Someday I will be able to post pics....i know I have more than 3 posts now.....)

shoota 

Barbara said it was probably 86-87. Send me a PM with your pics (or I can send you my email) and I will post them for you if you'd like. I really want to see it.

T-Mar

Your frame should be 1988-1990. Marble was introduced in 1988 and replaced by Colonia for 1991, at least in North America. The standard marble frames, as depicted in company literature for this period all had painted head lugs.

teisco 

Have chance to buy a used but very nice 80's Tommasini Super Prestige SLX, no Campy record but instead sports Chorus and C record Cobalto brakes and Campy Vento wheels..red with chrome legs and chrome front lugs ....asking $600. Should I? Always wanted in this club and now is my chance but need to be resonable as well.

jimmuller 

I'd end up spending more than that to build a good bike. You aren't likely to find a good one for less, I'd think. The question is, is it in good shape and does it fit? I guess that's two questions, isn't it? Oops, now it's three.

shoota 

Man if it's in good shape I'd say that's more than reasonable.

Dean51 

From your text description, I'd be VERY interested at that price. Pics please if you proceed with purchase!!

Dean

teisco 

Bought it....pics to follow....

Dean51 

Welcome to the Lounge!!!

Dean