All In a Day's Work

It’s all in a day’s work (well it’s still night time inside my body) producing bikes for Tommaso Bicycles. This is my 7th trip to Asia and I still get excited walking down the streets of Taipei, Hong Kong or Shanghai. The first step is to trick your body into the 15-hour time difference. I do this by changing my watch as soon as I get on the plane. I also pick flights that land and get me to the hotel in the evening. This way I go to bed and start getting on the new schedule. After a 14-16 hour flight sleep comes quick.

Overseeing bike production is a fast-paced week to 10 days depending on the amount of bikes in production. I usually arrive to see the final part of frame preparation. The decals and paint have already been approved and a couple hundred bare frames are ready to be dressed with paint, decals, clear coat and components. Production has been scheduled months in advance so when it’s time…it’s time. There is no waiting or delaying the process.

Outside the main manufacturing arm of the factory is a huge room full of ordered parts including derailleurs, bars, wrap, saddles, tires and everything else you need to make a complete bike. Collecting and having a precise inventory of these parts is a massive job and takes a couple weeks and a couple people to complete the task. If one part is missing the production train comes to a halt…that is not good. Standing in a room with enough parts to build a thousand bikes or so makes you wish you brought an extra suitcase or shopping cart!

The first time I walked into a bike factory my mouth fell to the floor. The process is amazing and the people involved are very talented. The skilled hands of the wheel builders can throw spokes through a hub flange in seconds. They actually can do eight spokes at a time! This makes for four quick shots per 32 spoked wheel. Then it is laced up, tensioned and put through a machine to check for tolerances. As you walk through each station there is always action and movement. The artist with the torch welding frames and the masters with the paint guns working the paint booth are something I could watch all day.

Turn the corner and the hand applied decals procedure is an art form in itself. The frames are marked off with masking tape to show the exact spot on the frame for the decal. Then as the bike comes by on a padded hook the decal applying crew pulls the water transfer decals from a large pan of water and goes to work. They line up and apply the decal perfectly while the frame is in motion! I can’t even put a sticker on my bike straight when it is locked down in a repair stand.

Once a frame is finished it goes to the assembly line to be adorned with components. The frame is then placed on the assembly line upside down. The line has seat post nubs that hold the frame in place in the seat tube. This allows the bike to be rotated and worked on from any side. It starts as a frame on one end and finishes a complete bike at the other end. The final touch is pulling the bike off the nub and pairing it up with the proper seat post and saddle.

This is a quick overview of the actions on the production floor. Of course there are many other details that I will gladly share during my visit to Tommaso Bicycle production. Stay tuned!

Hey Winter...Go Away!

I realize it has been a cold Dec/Jan for most of Tommaso Nation so I won’t complain about the 5-degree temps this morning in Boulder. The good news is that we should get up to 50-degrees this weekend! That means the bike comes off the trainer and we all head back out to the open road! That also means a quick check over of the machine before you get suited up.

If you have been putting in the miles on the trainer catching up with your favorite DVD’s then you want to check the rear tire to make sure it isn’t as squared off as Mr. Jameson’s hair in the Spiderman movies. A square tire will cause the bike’s handling to be unstable and you can almost guarantee that the center stripe is very thin and easily punctured. Some tires not only get worn square but also take on a shine that is very slick when you dip into your first corner off the driveway. If your rear tire looks like a square it is time to replace it. I have a pile of old road tires than I use through the winter so I don’t ruin the good stock on the trainer. Some tire companies like Continental and Hutchinson make a special trainer tires that are very thick and heavy and are only to be used only on the trainer.

For those of you heading back out on the road remember to keep up on the fluids. Just because it is cold outside it doesn't mean you aren't losing fluids. We lose fluids just by breathing and after a lazy holiday season we all seem to breathe a little heavier in the winter. I'm amazed at how many of my riding partners come back from a two hour ride with full bottles. When it is cold people forget to drink.

I hope we all get a boost in temps and can ride outside on a regular basis soon. Check that rear tire and give your bike a little cleaning love as we prepare for Spring, Summer and Fall. For those still doing time on the trainer please wipe down your bike after each workout and invest in a fan to keep you cool in the house. Losing a ton of water weight is not getting fit...it's just getting dehydrated and slowing recovery. Stay cool and get fast!

Team Tommaso

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

The Gift of Cycling

I have written a lot of holiday articles about shopping for a cyclist in the family or training tips this time of year when the treats are plenty and the miles are few. This is a crazy time of year. Bad weather and out of town guests push one’s patience to the limits. That is why I have taken the following approach for so many years. Now is the time to invest in you, set a goal and reinvent yourself and start anew.

Don’t waste your time on a New Year’s resolution that rarely survives the first week. Start today, choose a goal and go after it now! A bicycle is a lifeboat in a sea of fatty foods and aging. A bicycle is a very important part of my life. So much so it has become part of my identity.

This year listen close to table talk during the family get together. Over Thanksgiving I heard “Remember Uncle with the beard and the pick-up truck…” and “Oh that is your grandma. She had a lot of cats and when you walked in her house…” You get the picture. When I go home the first thing that is tied to me is my bicycle. My Aunt will say “I heard you rode you bike in Switzerland this year” and “We watched you online at Ironman…” That is how I want to be remembered. Don’t you?

Buying a Tommaso bike won’t change your life. It will help, but you need to change your life. The Tommaso bike is just a tool to take you on your way. I will say it every year as long as I live; riding a bike has made my life so much better. All the good in my life can be traced back to riding a bike. My health, my friends and my job all have cycling as the background theme. Being a part of Tommaso Nation is a great feeling.

If you want to get fit, explore the outdoors or feel like a kid again get yourself a bike. In my 16-year career in cycling I have always enjoyed the first moment when a customer is getting on a bike. As soon as they start pedaling the biggest smile appears and they light up with joy.

Get your bike this year, don’t wait. I've never known anyone to get fit buying a big screen TV. Start off with a reasonable goal and go after it. When I started I was overweight and out of shape. My goal was to ride 20 miles in one day. It took me some time but I made my goal and wanted to go farther. A year or so and 40-pounds later I was preparing to ride a MS-150 ride in honor of my mother who I lost to Multiple Sclerosis. I rode my bike so hard the first day I was going through the check points so fast they didn't have water for me. They weren't ready. I had to have a friend pull up next to me in a car and hand me water. I know it is not a race but I just wanted to show my Mom how much I missed her and pedaling as hard as I could seemed like a fitting tribute. The second day I did the same and I knew then that cycling would always be a part of my life.

Whatever reason gets you on a bike embrace it. Ride for fun, to lose weight or to raise money for a good cause. A bike is an investment in you. Fad diets will not get you where you want to go. There is no video game that can create the feeling of finishing your first 100 mile ride. There is no better way explore the roads and scenery than on a bike. You’ve been good this year. Get your bike!

The Tommaso Mondial Rocks!

Every now and then I get a moment to stop and write about a Tommaso bike that I love to ride. Of course as a Tommaso Product Manager I have the chance to ride a lot of bikes, but there are some that catch my attention for personal reasons. This has to do with time in the saddle as well as my history in cycling. Let’s just say I was racing on down tube shifters and wearing a neon pink racing kit…yeah, I’ve been in the game a little while.

One of the bikes that returns to my attention often is the Tommaso Mondial. It comes up more frequently than Kiss songs on my iPod. The Mondial is a rock star in its own right. It has the time-tested Ultegra 6600 STI shifters, Ultegra 6600 rear derailleur and Ultegra 6600 front derailleur. There’s nothing to worry about and no need for an upgrade. The Ultegra is an amazing group that appears on a couple of my bikes. I have Ultegra on my travel bike (it’s been around the world a few times) and it comes out of the case shifting every time. One of the best parts about the Mondial spec is the FSA Gossamer crank. Most people don’t know that a certain World Champion time trial God prefers the aluminum Gossamer over the carbon FSA cranks because of the Gossamer's stiffness. We feel that if it is good enough for him it should be good enough for Tommaso Nation.

Another nice feature of the FSA Gossamer crank is the compact 50/34 tooth arrangement. Compact cranks are great for just about everyone except the most elite cyclists. Then again some pros have used them during the mountain stages of well known races. Choosing a compact crank makes good sense for many reasons. It's lighter and the gear range is better, making it much easier to use than a triple. The compact gives you all gearing options that you need, especially when the road points upward. That's where you'll really enjoy the 34 tooth front chainring.

The cockpit of the Tommaso Mondial is very comfortable. As a product manager I have a collection of handlebars. I travel the world and have been known to amuse others as I try out every bar that I can get my hands on. I maneuver into the descending position, get into sprint mode and climbing position. I ride the tops, drops and hoods. After years of racing, training, centuries and MS-150 rides, I know what fits most hands comfortably. If you check out the Tommaso Blog you will see that I have written a piece on what is involved in choosing good handlebars. If you ever see me on a long ride I will be happy to discuss my insane testing system for cycling saddles, bar wrap and even sunglasses…I’m a little bit of a freak.

The color of the Mondial is another draw for me. In the sunlight the bold blue is killer! It looks incredible with the black paint and white decals. I do enjoy bikes that look fast even when not moving. The 12K weave on the fork legs only enhances the racy feel of the bike. The carbon TRS Tommaso fork is stout with no wimpy fork flex under the duress of white knuckle descending. I am amazed at how much vibration and deflection I have noticed in super-light (READ: Super Expensive) boutique forks that feel great in your hands but offer very little in real-world performance.

Riding a Tommaso Mondial is pure joy. All the parts come together in harmony and the ride is wonderful. The gearing allows for an all around smooth ride, the Shimano components take care of the work and the comforting shapes of the saddle and handlebar leave your attention where it belongs-on the road. The 32-hole Alex 450 rims were chosen because they are workhorse rims. They can be easily trued and the machined brake surface is a welcome comfort when the weather gets nasty.

When you step on the pedals the Mondial accelerates very quickly. The geometry allows me to sit “in” the bike and not “on” the bike. It's almost as if the Mondial is reading my mind. When I think "turn" it dives in and rips right through. If I see a hole in the pack it jumps right in and when the road goes up the bike answers to standing on the pedals with a healthy return of speed.

The bottom line is that cycling is about your time away from worry, work and traffic jams. Isn’t it nice to know when you get home you can grab a Tommaso and disappear for a comforting ride? The bike is going to last. The parts are chosen to get the job done at a price that is unbeatable. Tommaso wants you to go for a ride and not be taken for one.

After a race this summer I was asked, "Who are the members of Team Tommaso?" I replied “Everyone that is smart enough to buy a Tommaso". In reading the great comments about our bikes on the Facebook Fan Page I am reminded that we are all part of the same great team. Here’s to the long rides and journeys we take on our Tommaso Bikes.

Team Tommaso