Tonta Cycles - Holland

Came across Tonta Cycles when looking at gilco tubing.

http://www.tontacycles.com/

Anyone know anything about them? From the look of it, the frames seem good value, and some of the other items in their shop appear to be bargainous.

Jup, I bought a lot of items from Frank, he's a good guy!
Bought a headset and it was wrong so he sent me a new one for free.

I do live in the Netherlands so I don't know about the delivery but here it is pretty quick, aprox. 3 days.

Don't know about the frames though, but I believe their good.

Yes, he's a nice guy.

He sells new and old stuff.
He uses his Tonta name / decals also for resprayed frames.
So, it can be anything.
If you realy want to know something about a particular frame or bike, you have to ask him. I know that he replies quickly.

I just worry about 1 thing.
Why would one offer a new, custom made frame from Columbus Gilco for just EUR 300.- ?
Real Columbus?
Full set?
Seat post size?
Herman Braun building for fun ?

Ahhhm, is it Herman Braun who's building them? I was wondering who was behind it! I actually thought they were produced somewhere in Asia..

Great price for a custom build. Tempted to order a beater in dedaccai now..

Herman Braun?

Must admit to being a little dubious that you can produce a custom build frame and forks, and still make a profit on 200 euros. It would be nice to see a frame from Tonta. I assumed they were Asian imports. Would certainly look at a gilco frame for 300 Eur, but would be nice to have a little more provenance re. the tubing.

I've been umming and aahing about these since the summer...
Not sure what the link is with Classical-Bicycles.com - He calls his bikes "Tonta-based" and is shifting Dedacciai Ultra light Oval frames for €200 unpainted http://www.classical-bicycles.com/Self%20made%20bikes.htm
He's also got some pretty decent vintage frames up for sale too - like this NOS 59cm Concorde in columbus tubing of some form - yours for a paltry €140 http://www.classical-bicycles.com/New.htm

Ahhhm, is it Herman Braun who's building them?

I didn't say that.
Just a possibility, because Frank also sells/sold a number of "dead stock" Herman Braun frames. There's my connection. Just guessing though.

Again, I have good experiences with him and sometimes he sells for really attractive proces, but I would go for a bit more info / evidence.

Nope, you didn't say that, i assumed it ;)

But you're right.. E300,- for a Columbus Gilco build (with terrible welds imho) seems TOO cheap..
I also think it's kind of a shame that they are using "the last Gilco tube sets" (as they call it) for these beater "fixie" frames.. I would rather see them go to someone like mr. Pelizolli.

Hello All,

We started out with used frames and parts and we still use the site www.classical-bicycles.com for it, later we also wanted new parts and to built home made frames and we started with www.tontacycles.com.
The frames we makes are not from Asia and also not from my friend Herman Braun.
We tig weld the frames and the tubes come from Italy, because we are starting and want to built up a name we keep the prices of the frames as low as possible.
We have the last sets of Gilco tubing on stock to make some extra nice frames, and can be used on every frame.
The lugged frames we have are made by a friend and are made from Columbus tubing.
Making bikes and frames is very difficult if they prices are high, people complain.
If there cheap they also complain.
Now young people can afford a new frame that works, and it save to use.

Always feel free to ask.

Don't know about the frames but his service is awesome. Located about 40 km from Amsterdam he has twice delivered wheelsets himself to my neighbor (here in Amsterdam) because he was in the neighborhood. Sometimes he has nice NOS parts, but you can't order those because i need them. So all you English fella's move on ---->

I have just got a frame from www.classical-bicycles.com and I am very disappointed. I asked in two separate emails about dents and was told twice that the frame had none. When it arrived it had two dents in the frame and when I emailed I was told "sorry, I only gave it a quick look" and "we will offer you a refund but will not cover the cost to post it back (£30)". Pretty lowsy considering it was their fault for not checking the frame before sending it. Here are the pics below...

A lot of people seem happy with this guy but I thought I would just share my experience.

It is a shame that people post things like this before we where finished mailing.
We are willing to pay, but postage in the UK is* twice* the normal price and that is where we want to look into.
Before that the payment was drawn back, not very nice.
Now it is impposible to do anything at the moment.
We offered to take it back, even when it is a used 30 year old frame.

Shall I post the email trail? You said the frame was dent free twice (but it was dented!) and then said you refuse to pay the cost to send it back and then stopped responding to my emails! I have had to take it up with Paypal now due to your attitude! I understand it’s a 30 year old frame but you misinformed / lied about its condition so therefore you should have paid the postage back. Never mind, a lesson learnt I guess...

So what's up with these frames?
Did somebody get it and could tell about it?