Our history

THE EARLY YEARS

Founded in 1961 in Turin by Mario Dedioniggi, 3T began as a specialist in high end bicycle components: handlebars, stems and pioneering solutions.

1961

THE STORY BEGINS

3T’s story began in Turin, Italy, in 1961 when Mario Dedioniggi left Ambrosio to establish Tecnologia del Tubo Torinese (Turin Tube Technology), a company with a humble start but huge ambitions.

1967

BIRTH OF THE LOGO

Its name soon changed to the more manageable 3ttt and the brand quickly found a foothold in the industry by supplying bars to Italian pro riders, building a reputation for light, strong and beautiful products.

1975

SUPERLEGGERA

By the mid-1970s, 3ttt was experimenting with advanced aerospace materials including 7075 Ergal Alloy, which resulted in the brand launching the world’s lightest cycling handlebar: the 250g Superleggera.

1980

TITLES WITH 3T COMPONENTS

In 1980, aspiring racers and pros alike were treated to a range of handlebars featuring the same bends used personally by the likes of Eddy Merckx, Felice Gimondi, Giuseppe Saronni and Nino Defilippis.

THE AERO ERA

The Aerodinamica handlebar, designed for Francesco Moser’s Hour Record in Mexico City, marked the beginning of a new era, components shaped by the wind.

1984

AERODINAMICA

Following the launch of the world’s first aero racing handlebar, the Aerodinamica in 1983, Francesco Moser used a 3ttt design to set a new hour record one year later, the aero bullhorn design dubbed the 51’151” in honor of the victory.

1989

FORMA SL

In 1989, the 3T changed the drop bar forever by creating the Forma SL, which featured a revolutionary anatomic grip that would go on to become the cycling world’s most copied bar design.

1994

FORGEHEAD

Remaining always at the cutting edge of cycling technology, 3ttt embraced the introduction of the threadless headset with the industry’s first forged a headset stem, fittingly named the ForgeAhead.

CARBON KICK IN

The quest for lightness, stiffness and modularity was revolutionized by carbon. Super light components drove a wave of innovation that culminated in Carlos Sastre’s overall victory at the 2008 Tour de France.

2000

WORLD’S FIRST FEMALE HANDLEBAR

In 2000, the brand changed its name to 3T and ushered in even lighter bars, carbon stems and improved ergonomics as well as producing the world’s first female-specific handlebar, the Eva, in 2003.

2007

A NEW ORDER FOR A NEW ERA

The catalogue was revitalized by a totally new component range that introduced the three-tiered Pro, Team and LTD product
design. 3T also set in motion plans to return to pro sponsorship.

2008

THE CARBON ROTUNDO

2008 was a huge year with Carlos Sastre’s Tour win using 3T components. The Merckx bend was also reimagined as the carbon Rotundo and forks joined the 3T line-up, the Funda becoming Cervélo’s fork of choice.

2012

SCATTO & GIRO WIN FOR HESJEDAL

3T’s ultra-aero sprint bar, the Scatto, became the go-to cockpit for track riders in 2012 while the brand created the first integrated superbike TT cockpit for the Cervélo P5. Ryder Hesjedal also won the Giro using 3T components.

FROM COMPONENT TO BIKES

With the launch of the iconic Exploro and Strada, bicycles ahead of their time, 3T transformed from a component maker into a full bicycle brand.

2015

VROOMEN JOINS FROM CERVÉLO

In 2015, Cervélo co-founder Gerard Vroomen joined 3T as a co-owner. This enabled a refocusing of the company, reinvigorating and reaffirming its commitment to innovation.

2016

EXPLORO LANDS

The first fruits for 3T arrived in 2016 with the reverse-grip Revo aerobar and the Exploro, a go-anywhere, aero-optimized
adventure bike that begs riders to explore cycling in a new way.

2017

THE STRADA

3T launched the Strada – a new take on the road bike that combined wide tyre optimized aerodynamics, a 1x drivetrain and disc-brakes.

The bike was ridden by the Aqua Blue Sport UCI Pro Continental team in 2018.

PRODUCTION BACK TO ITALY

A long-nurtured dream came true in Bergamo: not only carbon components, but also carbon frames returned to being fully produced in Italy.

2018

BRINGING PRODUCTION BACK TO ITALY

It has always been our dream to manufacture right here at home in Italy, and in 2018 this dream became a reality. A new building for office, warehouse and factory in Bergamo, with the Torno super aero 1x crank as the first product.

2019

START ASSEMBLY IN ITALY

Bike assembly is an important part in our conversion from a part to a bike company. By doing the assembly in-house in Italy, we
ensured quality, quick delivery and constant feedback on all the components we spec.

2020

LAUNCH OF THE RACEMAX

The original Exploro took the gravel market by storm, and even in 2020 there was no other aero gravel bike available. Still 3T decided to forge ahead with the Racemax: a bike that looks like a road bike, rides like a road bike but it also rips through gravel. For the first time, riders could have a gravel bike that is as fast as a normal road bike.

2021

60TH ANNIVERSARY

Founded in 1961, 3T proudly celebrated 60 years of
innovation in 2021 with the "Dreambox": a real dream come through
with this 100% ‘made in Italy’ 3T Racemax with this unique garage motorized box
to store the limited edition 60th anniversary RaceMax Italia.

2022

RAMP UP OF MADE IN ITALY PRODUCTION

This year we significantly ramped up production of the Racemax Italia. The factory changed from a ‘start up’ to a serious factory with volume production from Italian soil.

2023

A BOOST TO BE FIRST

The contribution of new Italian investors was a boost that reinforces the company’s essence at being first. The new Racemax Italia and Extrema Italia, both with Integrale technology featuring the More stem, are the distinctive product of this transition.

2024

BACK TO THE ROAD, WHATEVER THE ROAD

The Strada Italia is our comeback. A bold proposal for the road world, inspired by a contemporary road concept. A bike designed not just for the freshly laid asphalt of the pure road cycling, but for real soils, from cycle paths to white roads. All to be ridden at high speed, maintaining the unparalleled comfort, performance and aerodynamic capabilities required by professional riders.

2025

2025 RIDING THE HIGH LINE

As the gravel wave rises higher than ever, 3T continues to innovate with a complete ecosystem of bicycles, designed and mainly built in Italy to meet the expectations of
every kind of rider.

Today, the production process is complete in every step: from carbon fiber thread to the finished bike, ready to ride.