TTT
Tecno Tubo Torino
TTT
stems were originally
known as Ambrosio, which also made bars and rims, both in aluminum and
steel. The Ambrosio "Champion" family goes back to at least 1953 (page
190 "World of Rebour"). The "Champion" was available in polished
aluminum or chromed steel, and was still being sold as late as 1964
(Reliable Cycle catalog, 1964, page 42) Also available was the
Ambrosio "Super Corsa" adjustable alu stem. The "Champion" came in 8,
9, 10, 11, and 12cm lengths. These stems were stamped "AMBROSIO
CHAMPION" on top of the bulge where the bar passed through.
By 1963 Ambrosio had introduced the "Gran Prix" stem, which updated
the "Champion" by eliminating the point at the rear, behind the edge
bolt head (Evian Cycles catalog, 1963, page 43). This was soon updated
again, to a recessed allen-key wedge bolt. Some of these stems
included the text "MADE IN JTALY" (sic) on the right side, and "GRAN
PRIX" on the left.
There was also a lighter version of the late Ambrosio stem, with wedge
cuts running side-to-side on the base rather than front to back, and
an I-beam section to the extension. This stem said "MADE IN ITALY" on
the right, and "AMBROSIO SpA" on the left.
Sometime between 1964 and 1973 Ambrosio became TTT (Bike World
Magazine, October 1973, page 18). In 1973, TTT still made the old
Ambrosio adjustable, the Gran Prix with allen-head wedge bolt, and the
"Record", which was lighter than the Gran Prix by 1 ounce! The Record
had the extension length cast into the stem, and was available in 6.5,
8.5, 10.5, 11.5, and 12.5 mm lengths. By 1979 the Record stem has an
allen-head bar clamp bolt, and came in sizes 60mm to 140mm in 5mm
increments (International Pro Bike Shop catalog, 1979). The Record was
the first to be anodized...the
others in the family had all been polished bare aluminum.
Wholesale for an Ambrosio "Champion" stem in 1964 was $2.65. By 1980
the retail price for a TTT "Record" stem had soared to $16.95!"
Aldo Ross
|
Record stem circa 1960s ~
early 70s
Super light
(SL) bars
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