[CR] TIMELINE of TVR Frame

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:48:30 +0000
From: "Norris Lockley" <nlockley73@gmail.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR] TIMELINE of TVR Frame


GEORG... I think that you are mistaking the British TVR glass-fibre racing and sports car, with the French TVT carbon-fibre-tubed-and alloy-lugs cycle racing frame.

Although the TVT is more likely to be associated with riders such as Indurain, Kelly, Lemond and many other top continental Pros - even Colnago had badged up TVTs in the early 90s - the brand does fall within the CR time-line.

The first TVTs ( *T*echnique *V*erre *T*issee) were produced at the very end of the 1970s, but only became available to shops in about 1980. At that time they were called *TCT *which is thought to mean either Technique Composite Tisse or Tubes Carbon Tisse or some combination of the two.

The firm specialised in the production of tubes in composites made by the resin-transfer moulding system and built such products as masts for yachts, power masts to hold up electricity cables etc etc. They saw the opportunity to use their extremely strong tubes in cycle frame applications, by bonding them with epoxy adhesives to high quality aluminium alloy lugs.

The firm, under the guidance of M Foret, the Managing Director, prototyped the frames and then released small quantities into the cycle trade where they proved very succesful. About that time French business man and entrepreneur Bernard Tapie who had just bought out the LOOK ski company and developed the LOOK clipless pedal, decided that he wanted his own LOOK frame to equip his LOOK-LaVieClaire team

He cottoned on to TVT - the parent company of TCT - and, in 1983 signed a three-year deal whereby TVT would supply LOOK with carbon-kevlar tubes and LOOK would bond them into frames. All LOOK frames from that period had chainstays with the TVT brand moulded into the chainstays.

Unfortunately the LOOK company made a mess of building the frames with many of them debonding during riding, sometimes causing serious injuries to the rider. The new Managing Director of TVT, Alain Darrin decided that the TVT/TCT frame design was basically extremely good, when the bonding was carried out effectively. Not wishing the carbon-aluminium bonded frame concept to develop a bad reputation - thereby depriving TVT of future sales of its tubes - Darrin took the very bold step of cancelling the contract with Tapie and LOOK in 1985.

WIth threats of legal action by Tapie ringing in his ears, Darrin undertook the next development of the TVT frame - this time to be called the TVT 92. The first TVT/TCTs had seat-stays joined together by an aluminium brajke bridge, whereas the TVT 92 had a one-piece moulded seat stay unit shaped like a letter H. eliminating the bonded and screwed bridge. This is the red frame ridden to Tour-de-France success by Pedro Delgado in 1988.

Therefore in terms of complying strictly with the CR requirements only the TCT/TVTs would be acceptable...but these do turn up on Ebay from time to time.

Hope that explains what you were looking for.

Norris Lockley

Settle UK