Tommasini Air Lo Pro

Decided to make a separate project thread for this.

The frame is a 1980's Tommasini Lo Pro made from columbus air and most likely used by the Bulgarian pursuit team. There really isn't much info on these frames but from what I've seen they are extremely rare with only 10 or so of them made. There is no solid info on them though.

I don't know the history of mine but it has had quite a past. It has been refurbished by the previous owner after it had a large crack in the seat tube. The tube was replaced with columbus sl. The fork isn't original though it is made by Tommasini and also made of columbus air. It is close but unfortunately it is 700c and after discussion we concluded that the frame is made for a 650c fork.

I am planning to replace the fork with a 650c one. The likelyhood of finding a matching fork is very much impossible so I'm planning to get a custom 650c fork made from columbus max via orlowski. I've sent them and email, I'm just waiting for a reply.

Buildwise I'm looking at a full Campagnolo c-record pista group. I've just bought a headset, however it is the non pista version as I've read that the versions are the same except for the stack height, and that the pista version is very hard to find. It can be changed in the future. I'm also in the process of sorting a crankset. I have my eyes set on a Sheriff star wheelset however this might have to wait a while because the hubs are £££. I'm planning of getting the drive chain parts first before splashing the cash on the finishing kit.

I'm really excited for this build, I'm hoping I can do it justice!

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Dis gawn be good

You should just rebuild this fork to fit the smaller wheel.

Semicomplete c-record group. No hs, no pedals

In case of interest, write me

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If it's the same as mine then 1989/90.
Bulgarian National team.
Should look great when you build it up.

or maybe just "beat" it up as it is with some crecord group?

http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/cinelli-laser-pursuit-beater-17728

I've been doing some research and I don't think the current fork is made of columbus air. I think it is actually one of the new forks which Tommasini make to go with their 'classic' frames. You are actually able to buy them here. It says they are made from columbus nivacrom.

So I'm going to go ahead with my initial plan and get a pair made in columbus max. As you can see from the pictures below, the shape of the original air and max forks are quite similar.

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That thing is awesome. I do intend to ride it once it's built and not just have it as a collectible. I'll probably sort out a spare set of wheels and a riser cockpit to ride it on the street

Max looks a lot beefier and doesn't match the period the frame is from (/purist mode). If it's a boutique build that would be something to consider I guess.

Air forks aren't impossible to find, although it would take a lot more effort than ordering a newly made MAX fork :)

Hmm I just read online that max tubes were introduced in 1987 which wouldn't put it far out from my frame. I'd rather have something nice to use in the meantime while I look out for a real columbus air fork. I feel it is going to be a very long search.

tommasini can make you the original columbus air fork for something like 250 euros.

I'm pretty sure columbus air tubes are no longer available. I know that they make forks called Tommasini Air (which I mentioned above) but I'm confident that they aren't made of real columbus air tubes.

Orlowski replied and said that they only made straight max forks. I've now sent a message to rychtarski asking if they can make ones with a curve. I basically want the forks below but in 650c, they were made by rychtarski.

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Are you considering selling the 700c fork?

Potentially, I'm not sure yet.

Just get the real deal and in the meantime shorten the fork you already have.

This seems like the best option really.. Have you also spoke to the vaz brothers who are based in sauf?

I'm leaning more towards that then getting the ones I have shortened to be honest. I'll wait to see what Rychtarski say and then make the decision.

Not yet, I may try and call them tomorrow if I have time.

keep the fork as is.

mount 650 front wheel.

use the space between tyre and crown to fit a stem up side down.

mount bull horns.

win.

I have a frame on Columbus Air with 650c fork. Buy it.

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Super cool, well jells! Columbus Air and Max tubed frames are in my bucket list..

That sounds like a great idea, I'll keep it in mind ;-)

... How much?

For a frameset: 200€

I'm not sure that steerertube is long enough for the Tommasini.

Very reasonable price for that frameset!