Take 2 vintage racing bikes and you are guaranteed to find the inscription 3ttt on the handlebars and stem. This Italian manufacturer of handlebars and stems still exists and now even makes carbon road bikes under the name 3T Cycling. The main competitors of 3ttt were the Italian Cinelli, ITM (Italmanubri) and Ambrosio, the Japanese SR Sakae Ringyo and in France Guidons Philippe Atax.
History 3ttt
3ttt has been founded in 1961 in Turijn by Mario Dedioniggi, who previously worked for Ambrosio, then the largest producer of handlebars and stems. The name 3ttt refers to Tecno Tubo Torino.
In 1967 the name was changed to 3ttt which was easier to pronounce and also easier to use as a logo. The company and its reputation grew rapidly and many professional cycling teams used the light yet very sturdy and therefore reliable handlebars and stems.
In addition to handlebars and stems, 3ttt also made saddles and seatposts.
1970 the first aluminum handlebars and stems
1970 was an important step for 3ttt as they introduced the first aluminum alloy handlebars and stems on the market. Unlike steel, these aluminum components were much lighter and that's what cycling is all about now: weight.
The models that were on the market at the time were named Record Grand Prix and Record Competizione, where you could choose from the Merckx and Gimondi and Tour de France models. For the sporty racing bike there was the Touriste.
In 1975 they released the Superleggera with a weight of only 240 grams which was the lightest handlebar in the world at the time.
From the 1980s, like most manufacturers, 3ttt also started experimenting with aerodynamics, resulting in an ox-head handlebar that Francesco Moser used in his attempt to beat Eddy Merckx's world hour record. His attempt succeeded, he covered no less than 51,151 km in 1 hour, after which the steering wheel was named 3ttt model Moser 51,151.
Over the next few years, the ox head handlebar became the standard for time trialing until it was replaced by the triathlon handlebar in 1989 thanks to Greg Lemond.
In 1989, 3ttt developed the model Forma SL with a weight of 280 grams but increased aerodynamics with a notch in the handlebar for the brake cables.
From classic headset to the Ahead headset
In 1980, John Rader, then only 20 years old and an avid mountain biker, experimented with a variant of the classic headset, which resulted in the invention of the Ahead headset. This type quickly became widespread and 3ttt also released its version of the Ahead in 1984, called the Forgeahead.
From 3ttt to 3T Cycling
In 2003 the company name was changed to 3T Cycling. This is reportedly due to a name registration error where 2ts disappeared and only 3t remained. The name change was in line to boost sales figures because the company was not doing so well, bankruptcy was imminent.
In 2007 kreeg 3T een nieuwe CEO: René Wiertz, die nieuw leven moest blazen in het bedrijf. Wiertz breidde het gamma aan producten uit met onder andere wielen en voorvorken.
Wiertz begon terug met sponsoring van pro wielerploegen en ging ondermeer een samenwerking aan met Gerard Vroomen van Cervélo wat later resulteerde in een toetreding van Vroomen in 3T Cycling. Wiertz en Vroomen zijn sedert 2015 voor 100% aandeelhouders.
The main products that have been marketed since the acquisition by Wiertz are the following:
- 3T Carbon Rotundo in 2008
- 3T Scatto in 2012
- 3T Revo aerobar in 2016
- 3T Exploro bike in 2016
- 3T Strada Bike in 2017
3T Cycling today
Vandaag is 3T Cycling een gezond bedrijf. De grootste productie gebeurt in Taiwan maar sedert 2018 bestaat er terug een afdeling in Italië.
In 2018 werd namelijk beslist om een deel van de productie terug naar Italië te halen. In Bergamo werd een nieuwe fabriek met kantoren en opslagplaats gebouwd.
The first product to be made in the new factory and therefore 100% made in Italy was the 3T Torno crankset. In 2020, the first Gravelbike, the 3T RaceMax, rolled out of the factory. It was the first aerodynamic gravel bike made in Italy.
