Happy New Year!

2009 was a great ride for Tommaso Bicycles! We introduced some new models such as the Ninja, Old School, Tricked Out, D&D, Tiempo, Corvo and Superleggera and developed 3 tri bikes and 2 cyclocross bikes that will be released soon! We raced the prototype carbon Sixth Sense tri bike at Ironman Louisville and then followed up with a full season of racing cyclocross on the carbon SRAM Rival equipped Tommaso Diavolo. Along the way we revamped the carbon road frame and made some tweaks to the line of our aluminum bikes and even added a steel bike to the Tommaso family.

Tommaso also made a lot of friends on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. These channels of communication enjoy plenty of visitors. We welcome you to visit us on these formats and become part of the conversation and part of the Tommaso Nation. In 2010 we look to offer more insight into the process of developing and producing our bikes. The Facebook Fan Page is a great place to learn about the bikes and ask questions to the Product Manager. Our Product Manager spends a lot of time immersed in tire technology and frame materials so it is best he gets some human interaction on a regular basis.

Thanks to you all for making 2009 a successful year for Tommaso Bicycles. Our success is not measured by the amount of bikes we sell alone. Our success is measured by the joy our customers get from riding our bikes, improving their fitness and being a part of the Tommaso family…the Tommaso Nation!

Happy New Year!

Team Tommaso

Tommaso Announces New Carbon Road Bike Line

www.tommasobikes.com (December 11, 2009) - Tommaso Bicycles is proud to release a new family of carbon road bikes. The three new models are the Corvo, Aggraziato and Superleggera. All three models are based on the same high modulus monocoque carbon frame platform that weighs in at 2.2 pounds for a 52cm frame. According to the Tommaso product team this is the perfect balance of lightweight material to performance. The frames were tested for over two years and the new carbon frames from Tommaso have proven to be tough for wear yet comfortable to ride.

The Tommaso Corvo is the entry level model and comes equipped with Shimano Tiagra/105 componentry, Shimano R-500 wheels fitted with Hutchinson tires, FSA Vero compact crank and Tommaso bar, stem, seatpost and saddle. The lightweight carbon frame has a carbon fork with an aluminum steer tube to save money and provide the consumer with carbon at an aluminum bike price.

The Tommaso Aggraziato gets a facelift in looks and performance. This Tommaso carbon model comes dressed with Shimano Ultegra components, Shimano RS10 wheels with Hutchinson tires, FSA Gossamer compact crank and FSA headset. The frame is Tommaso’s high modulus monocoque carbon frame with a carbon/aluminum fork. Silver decals, matching silver handlebar tape and a Tommaso TRS saddle finish off the lightweight carbon frame.

The top offering from Tommaso is the Superleggera with its monocoque carbon frame and full carbon fork. On this model you will find Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 shifters and rear derailleur with Ultegra 6600 front derailleur, Shimano RS20 wheels with Hutchinson tires, FSA Gossamer crank and TRS Tommaso bar, stem and post. Tommaso has entered the component market with its own bar, stem, post and saddle on the mid-higher tier models in the line. With Tommaso having the ability to produce their own line of high quality components, they have found that it gives them greater control over what they can offer the consumer while the cost remains low and performance remains competitive.

2010 will see the introduction of more carbon offerings from Tommaso. There are plans for the release of a SRAM Rival carbon cyclocross bike and two carbon triathlon bikes. The carbon tri bike was developed during 2009 and raced at Ironman Louisville. The carbon cross bike has been appearing at the cyclocross series in Colorado for the last four months. This will be a big year for Tommaso as they are doubling the size of their line. Tommaso is also interacting with consumers on their Facebook Fan Page and Twitter (www.facebook.com/tommasobikes, www.twitter.com/tommasobikes) and listening to what the consumers want in a bike. TR Maloney, Tommaso Bicycles Product Manager, said: “If it makes good sense on a performance and a price level we’ll throw the idea in the mix. We really enjoy our interaction with the fans of Tommaso. How many other companies give you direct access to the people making the bikes?” This direct access has created what is affectionately known as Tommaso Nation, a group of customers who interact and give input on the direction of Tommaso Bicycles.

About Tommaso Bikes:

Founded in 1985 Tommaso Bicycle Company’s philosophy is to produce the finest bicycles in the world. We are committed to excellence in the design, craftsmanship, and distribution of our beloved Road Bicycles.

At Tommaso, we adhere to strict comprehensive quality control. Every bicycle must pass a relentless and rigorous criterion of tests before they ever make it into production.

Our systematic prepping process guarantees precision setups. Every Tommaso bicycles leaves our factories with a lifetime guarantee.

Our mission is to combine our old world tradition of maximum attention to detail in shaping our premier frame tubes and precision paint schemes with cutting edge technology and innovation.

Beauty and performance are evident in all of our models from their race proven geometries, cutting edge ergonomic design and inspiring and flowing elegant aesthetics.

Relish the sense of adventure and elegance captured on a Tommaso bicycle.

Tommaso has a presence on the web that is unrivaled by any bike company. You can catch up with Team Tommaso at www.tommasobikes.com, tommasobikes.blogspot.com, www.twitter.com/tommasobikes, and www.facebook.com/tommasobikes. Tommaso values your opinion and invites you to join in on the conversation, let’s make a better product together!

Where It All Started

Every year around this time I get a little nostalgic remembering the days of my youth. It must be the chill in the air that reminds me of those cold Midwestern mornings riding my bike. I fell in love with cycling at a very early age. When I was 3-years old I tried to ride my tricycle off the driveway into the street. Luckily my older brother stopped me…by grabbing my arm and accidentally breaking it…I must have been going fast! I was the youngest of seven children and when I needed an escape the bike was always willing to get me out of the house. Of course being the youngest also meant hand-me-down bikes and with mostly sisters I had a lot of step-thru “girls” bikes to ride. I didn’t care as long as it had wheels.

Then came a very special Christmas when everything changed. On Christmas morning there it was hidden behind the big chair in the living room…my very own 10 speed road bike! I flipped out! When you are used to hand me down clothes, toys and bikes a new anything is a reason to rejoice. When that new something is a bike you really thank the lucky stars. It was a yellow Free-Spirit from Sears. It was bright yellow and had black handlebar tape and stem mounted shifters (sure to impale one’s lungs in case of an accident).

To say I rode that bike is an understatement. I wore every bolt, cable and tire off that bike in the following years. I would wake up at 6:00 in the morning and wait for just enough sunlight so I could get out and ride. I would then circle through the neighborhood streets waiting for my friend’s lights to turn on signaling they were awake. At the end of the day I would race the sun to get home before the gas lamp lit on the corner of our yard. There was big trouble waiting for a 10-year old boy when he wasn’t home before dark.

Once I decided my little town wasn’t enough I started breaking the rules and crossing the bridge (a big no-no) into the next town. The bridge was very close to a highway and I was told to never go near the busy streets. I would anyway and I soon found myself little by little exploring new territory. The next town over wasn’t as nice as my town as the roads were a little rougher and the houses a lot smaller. I began to see a difference in lifestyles and economics. I started to really appreciate the hard work my mother was doing keeping us afloat in our part of town.

As with life there are ups and downs and one morning I woke up and my bike was gone. It was stolen from outside our house in the carport (dang I wish we had a garage). I was heartbroken and on top of that in trouble for not locking my bike. If my mother only knew how upset I was at myself I don’t think she would have buried me with further punishment. I had lost my freedom and my favorite bike. For days I hunted the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of my beautiful yellow machine. Even with the patches of missing handlebar wrap, wobbly wheels and shifter housing held down with electrical tape it was still beautiful to me.

I was back on my sister’s bike for the rest of the year. It was a 3-speed bike with coaster brakes. I was missing my speedy yellow machine with caliper brakes and road drop handlebars. Then on my birthday a new surprise was waiting for me in the living room. It was a Schwinn Phantom Mag Scrambler. I actually cried right there sitting on the glossy black bike. Even though we were struggling economically my Mom managed to find a way to buy me a nice bike. I was smarter with this bike and would bring it inside at night to keep unwanted hands off my machine.

I would like to think those moments are why I still ride a bike 30 years later. To me there is nothing better than owning a bike. It is part childhood, part escape, part fitness and a whole lot of fun. It’s small enough to store in the hallway yet big enough to change your life. My mom passed away years ago but I smile every time I think about the real meaning behind the gifts of cycling she gave me. I hope she knows how thankful I am for the independence, the fitness, the adventures and the great career. Thanks Mom!

Happy Holidays-TR Maloney