Funny , I just spoke to Lewis Imports ( the original importer of Tommasini
"Thomas" bikes) about SLX yesterday. He said SLX was introduced in 78 or 79
and that it was originaly introduced as a seat tube only as a fix for a rash
of broken seat tubes at the front derailleur braze on location on SL tubed
bikes. Builders eventually figured how to do the front derailleur braze ons
with SL and not have the breaking problem. SLX was introduced to help
spread the heat out through the tub better durring brazing.
SLX cost more = must be better, Right! and so therefore people in
the U.S. in particular started asking for it. It didn't take Columbus long
to figure out they had a new hit on their hands, so they produced a complete
tubeset. Most of the first SLX bikes were sold in the U.S.. European
Professional teams continued to ride SL for 2 or 3 more years before the
Marketing forces and Money over took the hole situation and they were riding
SLX too. Next was TSX and an even harsher ride before things changed to
oversized tubing.
I always have liked the "Ride" of SL much better than SLX. And my favorite
ride is an 81 Tommasini Super (SL tubed) bike.
Sterling Peters
San Diego
> > Does anyone know when the first SLX frames were showing up for sale to
the
> > public? In a 1986 De Rosa catalog they show frames using these
tubesets.
> > Anything earlier?
> >
>
> If I recall correctly, the tubing was available for sale in the US in
1984.
> It came out shortly after the original braze on front derailleurs with the
> "can opener" style of mount appeared. The tubing was partly an effort to
> stave off seat tube failures at the braze on.
> Stevan Thomas
> Alameda, CA