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TECH NEWS
First ride: Tommasini VLC-3
This is the Tommasini VLC-3, the latest model from the Italian brand that started life in 1948. The company is still very much a family run affair - founder Irio Tommasini is still at the helm - and while many Italian bike companies have shifted production to the Far East over the last couple of decades, Tommasini still produce its frames by hand in Grosseto, in the Tuscany region of Italy.
The VLC-3 is a full carbon fibre frame built using Tommasini designed tubing and constructed using the tube-to-tube process. It’s a similar technique being used by other high-end frame brands, the likes of Sarto and Legend. A benefit of this process is that it allows Tommasini to offer a full bespoke frame option, so if the stock sizes don’t suit or fit, you can get a custom frame instead.
As you’d expect of a modern carbon fibre frame, the VLC-3 is packing some of the latest design features, the sort we’ve come to take for granted these days in high-end frames. There’s the tapered head tube (1 1/8in to 1 1/2in), carbon fibre dropouts, press-fit bottom bracket, internal cable routing and, if you want it, the option of an integrated seatmast. Weight for a 56cm frame is a claimed 960g.
And the price? It’s £2,750 for the frame and fork, and that’s the same whether you choose a stock size (there are eight sizes) or go down the custom geometry route. Tommasini also offer a stack of custom paint options, so if green isn’t your colour, there are plenty more choices.
Tommasini supplied (and personally delivered to our hotel) a VLC-3 built up with a Campagnolo Chorus 11-speed groupset, Miche SWR Full Carbon RC Clincher wheels, Vittoria Open Pave 23mm tyres and FSA/Deda finishing kit. On the scales all that kits adds up to 7.64kg (16.84 lb).
First ride impressions
So what’s it like to ride? Well I’ve been Italy for a week on the road.cc Italy Week trip, and before the Tommasini arrived, a spent some time on a Merida Ride, an endurance road bike designed with comfort in mind, with a tall head tube and 25mm tyres as standard. And jolly nice it was too, very comfortable on the rough and rattly roads in this part of Italy. Rough roads? Yes, honestly, you wouldn’t believe the state of some of the roads out here.
Getting onto the Tommasini, with its traditional long-and-low race bike geometry, carbon fibre wheels and 23mm tyres, and I was expecting the ride to be much firmer and harsher in comparison to the Merida. But it wasn’t. The Tommasini proved to be as smooth and compliant as the Merida.
The frameset, wheels and tyres worked in combination to provide a beautiful suppleness. The geometry proved comfortable too: I racked up the miles on the Tommasini to be sure, and even during the 210km recce of the 2015 Giro d’Italia stage during the week, I didn’t find the VLC-3 uncomfortable at all.
Then there’s the handling. This bike corners like the tyres are glued to the road. In the hills surrounding Riccione there are nearly every conceivable variety of corner imaginable, from fast open bends to tight and steep hairpins, a really good way to test a bike. Through every corner, the Tommasini blew me away with how easily it handled the turns.
The steering provides plenty of feedback and combined with the grippy Vittoria tyres and stiff carbon fibre wheels, the Tommasini carves through the corner. It’s very well balanced. During the turn-in phase of the corner there’s plenty of feel from the tyres, and sets you up to exit at full speed. It’s the most wonderfully fun bike to descend on. I had a real hoot on the Italian roads.
The VLC-3 feels fast. It’s quick and agile, it’s quite a vivid ride experience. There’s a fluidity to the way it flows and carves along the road. It’s a very stable and neutral bike and it easily lets you exploit the full potential of the frameset. I only spent the week with the Tommasini, but my first impressions are that there’s no question this is a very talented bike.
Exquisite handling, smoothness and comfort make the VLC-3 a standout bike, and it doesn’t fall short of its rivals at this price.
For more info contact Zetta Distribution (sales [at] zettadistribution.com) or head to www.tommasini.it/eng/index.php
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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20 comments
this is gorgeous and I want one
but it makes me a little sad too because it reminds me how much I miss my lowly old Racing Alloy which some b8st8rd nicked
These UK agents have a reputation. Not a good one.
Dear vinerlover2, it is easy to make unsubstantiated & slanderous comments when hiding behind a faceless forum log in… you should state real facts, in person eye to eye…
Interesting, I have had nothing but good experiences from Zetta, and I have not come across a more knowledgeable bunch when it comes to their own product.
Agree. I've dealt with Zetta quite a few times (I own a Tommasini Fire) and their customer service is superb.
Still got a metal Tommasini that I raced on in the 80's. Good to see that Tommasini still have great passion for the design of their frames.
Aren't all carbon fiber bikes hand-made?
I own a 1990 Tommasini Super Prestige. It's one of my favourite things I've ever owned. The VLC-3 is on my shopping list.
Nice. Is it a crazy-coloured one or something more sedate?
Go on. Post a photo.
Excuse the shitty pic. This photo doesn't do it justice unfortunately but it's the only one I have at the moment (I'm away from home). It's a crazy metallic pink that looks mental in the sun. It's also got Shamals on it now, those sciroccos were it's winter wheels. I absolutely love it.
Tommy.jpg
Superb. It puts a smile on my face and i don't even own it.
I can imagine how mesmerising it would be in the sunlight too. God, i want one.
I do love the lovingly hand-crafted and absolute quality aspect of Tommasinis.
Shame they don't apply the same quality standards to their website though.
Hi Kadinkski, Thank you for your comment.
Tommasini will be launching new website, the work has already started on new brand image and more detailed and interactive website.
In the meantime if you require any assistance with regards to any Tommasini product please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
Zetta Distribution,
Official UK Agent.
That's great to hear! I absolutely adore Tommasini (and love the logo). I was looking to buy one of your steel frames last winter, but it was just too difficult to get information from the website. I'm still looking for a steel bike so hopefully it will be sorted in time for next winter
So do you guys have anything to do with Malcolm Cross/bikebitsuk?
Zetta wrote:
Hi Kadinkski, Thank you for your comment.
Tommasini will be launching new website, the work has already started on new brand image and more detailed and interactive website.
In the meantime if you require any assistance with regards to any Tommasini product please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
Zetta Distribution,
Official UK Agent.
So do you guys have anything to do with Malcolm Cross/bikebitsuk?
No they don't. They took over the handling of Tommasini from bikebitsUK
Tommasini just got themselves put back on my list then!
+1 that. It's not the Italian brands' forte at any rate.
Agreed on the website. Reminds me of the sites for a couple of auto parts suppliers in the Po River valley.
Sack the marketing guy/gal now.
looks lovely - I even like the paint job, you'd stand out a little from the other carbon offerings from the main brands. Look forward to reading the full review, suspect it'll go to the top of my 'if I won the lottery' wish list, especially as they offer bespoke sizing
Being a Campag man I approve of the finishing kit too, but a bike like that deserves tubs I reckon.