I have several of the TTT Record stems, which were still available until very recently (it's even possible they are still being made, though I don't seem to have seen them listed anywhere for about a year). The newest Records have the current TTT decal on the nose of the stem, the expander bolt is covered by one of those rubber plugs, and it takes a 6mm hex key now rather than 7mm, but otherwise it looks remarkably like the Record stem of the early 70's.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
swampmtn wrote:
> Mike, Dave, et al,
>
> Here's more info on Ambrosio - TTT
>
> (from "All About Components, Part 3", Bike World magazine, August 1973)
>
> "A current fad is for stems to pull tight with an allen key fitting at the
> top of the expander drawbolt, instead of a regular hexbolt. These usually
> fit 7mm hex key wrench. T.T.T. began this trend about 10 years ago (the
> company was known as Ambrosio then), with their "Gran Prix" model."
>
> and
>
> "The two most popular makes of alloy handlebars among present racers are
> Cinelli and T.T.T. (also sold as Ambrosio)."
>
> Stem models available included Gran Prix, Record (very similar to Cinelli
> 1A), and Adjustable.
>
> This answers a few questions... the company "TTT" of 1973 was known as
> "Ambrosio" 10 years earlier (1963), and "TTT" stems and bars were also sold
> as "Ambrosio" as late as 1973.
>
> By 1978 the I-Pro catelogue only lists TTT "Record" stems, a close design to
> the Cinelli 1A.
>
> Anyone else have further info?
>
> Aldo Ross
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mike richardson <felice@abts.net>
> To: classicrendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 7:16 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Ambrosio stems became TTT sometime in the mid 1960s.
>
> > I have an Ambrosio alloy adjustable stem that came on the Peugeot Track
> that
> > I bought used in the mid seventies. It appears identical to the image of
> > TTT's adjustable in 1970 Ron Kitching's Handbook reprint(VeloRetro plug).
> >
> > The rear Campy Track hub on this bike is dated '69. I guess this could
> mean
> > this Ambrosio labeled stem is possibly pre '70 as well.
> >
> > Mike Richardson
> > Statesville,N.C.
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Aldo Ross <swampmtn@siscom.net>
> > To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 4:12 PM
> > Subject: [CR]Re: Ambrosio stems became TTT sometime in the mid 1960s.
> >
> >
> > >I have copies from a 1970s British magazine which mentions the Ambrosio
> > >becomeing TTT. It's pretty evident when you compare "late" Ambrosio
> stems
> > >with "early" TTT stems... they are identical. Also, I have yet to see
> TTT
> > >mentioned in new bike catelogues before the mid 1960s, or Ambrosio stems
> > >mentioned in new bike catelogues after the mid 1960s after about 1965.
> > >
> > >I have never seen the 1A-copy Ambrosio... could I be wrong about this
> whole
> > >"Ambrosio-becoming-TTT" thing?
> > >
> > >Aldo Ross
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: <Bikerdaver@aol.com>
> > >To: <swampmtn@siscom.net>
> > >Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 3:29 PM
> > >Subject: Ambrosio stems became TTT sometime in the mid 1960s.
> > >
> > >
> > >> In a message dated 1/31/01 9:20:52 AM PST, swampmtn@siscom.net writes:
> > >>
> > >> > Ambrosio stems became TTT sometime in the mid 1960s.<
> > >> >
> > >> This is a new one on me. My sister's bike has a Ambrosio stem on her
> late
> > >80s
> > >> Gios. Looks like a Cinelli 1A copy. Where did you hear that at? Did
> 3TTT
> > >> still use the Ambrosio name into late 80s? Cheers,
> > >> Dave A.