Tommaso Mondial: The new Tommaso Mondial has been getting a lot of attention…and with good reason! Tommaso took a double butted aluminum frame, added a great performing carbon fork and then dressed the bike up with amazing components. The Mondial takes Tommaso performance to the next level with proven Shimano Ultegra components, stiff FSA cranks, trusty Alex rims, Tommaso TRS handlebar, stem and seat post, and the San Marco Ponza Power saddle. Consider this bike your training companion. From the after work group ride, the epic long hauls to racing on the weekend, the Tommaso Mondial will provide miles of dependability and excitement.
Consumers and the bike industry have nothing but praise for Shimano’s Ultegra group. Every year Ultegra inherits the best qualities of the Dura-Ace group but the price is almost half of its big brother. For years Ultegra has been providing solid performance and dependability at a price to performance ratio that can’t be beat. Tommaso matched up the 10 speed Shimano Ultegra shifters with the amazingly reliable Ultegra front and Ultegra rear derailleur and Shimano 10 speed cassette. Putting all of this great technology in motion is the FSA compact Gossamer Mega EXO crank. Loved by the Elite athletes for its stiffness and praised by the press for its performance and value. With the 50/34 gearing the FSA Gossamer Mega EXO will take you anywhere the road goes. The beauty of the compact crank is its simplicity over a heavier triple crank while supplying the user a very user-friendly gear ratio that is easier to command. The FSA MegaExo bottom bracket is made up from two oversized external cartridge bearing. The larger bearings and their placement outside of the bottom bracket shell makes for stiffer cranks and better power distribution.
Product Managers Review 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 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.
The Tommaso Frame
The Tommaso Mondial’s foundation is a corrosion-free proprietary double butted aluminum frame. Tommaso uses a compact geometry and detailed tubing lengths per frame size. This ensures that the rider gets the lightest, strongest and best performing and fitting frame for the dollar. The compact design and geometry place the rider in the optimum position for steady handling and comfort. The Mondial has a carbon fork to absorb he high-frequency buzz from the road. This means more miles of comfort and better handling.
Tommaso, and other big names in cycling, such as Giant, Specialized, Trek, Masi, and Felt to name a few, rely on compact geometry to best serve the needs of the customer. Compact geometry has a number of advantages for the rider. First of all, the phrase “compact geometry” is signifying that the top tube (the bar you stand over when not in motion) is sloped downward from the front to the rear of the bike. This enables the rider to get on and off the bike easily. Traditional frame geometry has a top tube that is parallel to the ground and harder to get a leg over. By sloping the top tube we get into the second benefit of the compact frame: With less material used in producing the frame a lighter frame can be produced. Third, the more material sitting lower on the bike the better the bike will handle. By lowering the center of gravity the bike wants to descend, corner and sprint better.
The Tommaso Fit
Sizing a compact bike is no different, or more difficult, than any other style of bike. By reviewing the size chart you will see a measurement called the “Eff Top Tube” measurement, also known as the Effective Top Tube Measurement. This is what the top tube would measure if it was parallel to the ground. It is an imaginary line the runs from the center of the head tube to the center of the seat tube if the seat tube was extended like a traditional frame.. The size chart also lists suggested heights for the different frame sizes. This is far more helpful in sizing a bike than standing over the top tube and pulling up on the handlebars (which tells you nothing about the fit of a bike). Tommaso offers seven sizes to accommodate riders large and small. It will be easy to find a fit for all of our customers.
The Tommaso Feel
Other highlights include the light aluminum Tommaso TRS handlebar, stem and seatpost. These components are light, strong and built to last. Tektro supplies the braking power with its R350 dual pivot aluminum brakes with replaceable cartridge pads. The grip to the road is provided by the world famous Continental Ultra Sport tires. The small groove pattern in the tire provides better wet-weather grip and amazing corner traction.
The staff at Tommaso ride, race and believe in what they make. They approached the frame design as if they were building their own bike…in truth they are. A double butted Tommaso aluminum frame with compact geometry is utilized on the Tommaso Mondial. Up front is a carbon fork for smooth riding and precise handling at high speeds. The lower center of gravity makes for a curve eating machine that is easy to fit to the rider. The head tube length is designed to satisfy a wide group of riding styles and body types. The stem can be flipped and adjusted for a lower back-friendly position to a more streamline position in minutes.
The tested road geometry puts the rider right in the sweet spot of power and control. The result is a bike that feels like an extension of your body. You think it and the Tommaso Mondial does it. The 6061 aluminum frame with carbon fork is light and stiff enough for accelerating while complaint enough for the 6-hour rides in the summer. Get one before your friends and training partners do!
Tommaso Service
All Tommaso bikes are packed and shipped in a specially designed, reusable high density foam and cardboard box. This $100.00 value can be used for future trips and adventures on your Tommaso bike. The box contains three layers of foam to protect your Tommaso bike from any damage during transport.
Every Tommaso road bike arrives with our unparalleled risk free exclusive offer. No other major bicycle brand or retailer in America offers this risk free promotion.
●All Tommaso bicycles can be returned or exchanged for 30 days
●Full lifetime warranty on all Tommaso frames.
●All Tommaso bicycles are shipped in a reusable high density foam and cardboard bicycle box produced exclusively for Tommaso Bicycles. (A $100.00 value)
Tommaso makes road bikes because it’s their passion, and it shows in the superb quality of their bikes.
For additional information about Tommaso bicycles visit www.tommasobikes.com Randall Scott is pretty savvy when it comes to this whole internet thing. We are guessing since you are reading this that you are pretty hip to the ways of the web as well. If that is the case then checkout Tommaso on twitter twitter and on facebook.
VP-R80 Clipless Road Pedals - Special Price with Purchase of a Bike
For just $30 you can add the VP-R80 Clipless Road Pedals to your purchase of a bicycle. The VP-R80 is comparable to the popular Shimano R540 Road Pedal and is only half the price! Made from coated aluminum and built on a machined Cr-Mo axel with sealed ball bearings, these pedals are lightweight, and perfect for intermediate to advanced riders. SPD-SL compatible cleats included.
Specifications
Frame: Semi-Compact Butted Aluminum with Integrated Headtube.
Fork: Carbon Fiber with Aluminum Steer tube, 1 1/8"
Rear Shock:
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra
Shifters: Shimano Ultegra 10-Speed
Brakes Levers: Shimano Ultegra
Brakes: Tektro Alloy R350
Chain: KMC
Crankset: FSA Gossamer Compact 50/34T, (20 total gears)
