R.I.P. Irio Tommasini

[Jesper]

   

One of the best framebuilders from the past 65 years has left the mortal coil to cross torches with those who preceded him.
He made no compromises; he made only racing bikes of the highest quality and craftsmanship. Look past the fancy paint jobs of the 80s and later, and you will find that his frames stand out, and stand the test of time.

My first time riding a Tommasini (early '80s Prestige model) was easily one of the few times I could tell the difference in frame performance over another top tier bike. The frame was a bit too large for me, but I did not care, as I was not going to pass up a great deal on a great bike. I still have that bike and had my hands on it a couple weeks ago pondering riding it; but I had swapped out some parts and wanted to put it back in order with better componentry.

My heartfelt condolences to his family.

[Painkiller]

What an icon! sorry to hear but it was a good run!

[GirishH]

Thank you, Jesper, for this post. To be honest, I knew very little about Tommasini, but after reading your words, I looked deeper into his legacy. It was only then that I realized, with regret, that while in Tuscany I had been just a day's ride away from Tommasini's current workshop.

I've often wondered about the deep connection between Italians, their iconic brands, and cycling. When my friend told me how much he spent on his "Campagnolo" components, I was astonished.

However, as a true aficionado and someone with deep knowledge of these simple yet fierce beasts, you've helped me understand that my friend wasn’t crazy..

Rest in peace, Irio Tommasini. You have gifted cyclists around the world with beautiful, enduring machines. Your legacy will ride on for many years to come.