Tommaso - picked up new frame but what tubing?

[GuyGadois]

Here is the last frame I picked up last week from a guy who sold me the lot. This one is obviously replainted to match the Irish flag. The frame is awfully straight looking and nice and light. There are no decals left but it is obviously a Tommaso which is a brand imported by Ten Speed Drive.

My question is, how can I tell which tubing is being used here? I haven't heard many good, great or bad things about these frames. Any riders still using them?

Here are the photos taken before I cleaned it up. Clean photos to come.

http://gallery.mac.com/danspeirs/100173/DSC_0510/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/danspeirs/100173/DSC_0511/web.jpg

http://gallery.mac.com/danspeirs/100173/DSC_0513/web.jpg

Guy

[Ken Robb]

what Irish flag? Isn't that red on the frame?

[GuyGadois]

what Irish flag? Isn't that red on the frame?
It is more orange in person...

http://www.33ff.com/flags/XL_flags/Ireland_flag.gif

[thinpin]

Very few Italians would call their bike Magee...but a Paddy...

[ShockTreatment]

Looks very similar to mine, which I bought new in 1987. Mine was Columbus SL. It was made by Bilatto for Ten Speed Drive imports. If you remove the bottom bracket and look inside the seat tube and down tube and see spiral ribs, then it's SLX or TSX.

I really liked mine. One of my favorites of all times. My teamate is currently using it as a fixed gear.

[CNY rider]

I think this is Frank's area of expertise.

[joy&revolution]

I've got a 86 or 87 i believe that is tsx tubing. Mine has internal cable routing on the top tube though, otherwise very similar to your frame. It is a wonderful ride. From what i've been able to come by Ten Speed Drive had Tommaso's made by the Billato(sp?) factory in italy; the same factory that did all the frame building for lemonds of the era. Either way i think you've got a great find there.

Cheers.

[GuyGadois]

I pulled the Bottom Bracket and felt the downtube and there is a rifle tubing feel to the inside. How can I tell if it is TSX or SLX? Don't they both have that type of tubing? The paint cleaned really nicely and looks sweet.

GG

[texbike]

I had a Tomasso a couple of years back and it was constructed of SLX tubing. It was a nicely put together bike and rode fantastic. A buddy of mine now has it sitting on his trainer.

The details on your bike look very similar to the one I had. However, the fork looks a little different. Is there a "t" on the top side of the fork crown?

As for SLX vs TSX, TSX should be ribbed down the entire length of the tube. SLX will just be on the end. If you shine a flashlight down the seattube, you should be able to tell.

Cool bike!

Texbike

[GuyGadois]

As for SLX vs TSX, TSX should be ribbed down the entire length of the tube. SLX will just be on the end. If you shine a flashlight down the seattube, you should be able to tell.
Texbike

Thanks for the message. Funny enough, I don't see any of the ribbing down the seat tube - just on the down-tube. I will double check the seat tube again tonight. It doesn't seem like they would put the ribbing in the seat tube to avoid problems with inserting the seat post.

GG

[Bill Bove]

I worked at Ten Speed at the time that that frame was new. It's SLX. SLX had top tube routing and a chrome fork crown, TSX had internal routing and no chrome.

[GuyGadois]

I worked at Ten Speed at the time that that frame was new. It's SLX. SLX had top tube routing and a chrome fork crown, TSX had internal routing and no chrome.

Like a voice from abaove, Thank you! :beer:

GG