Made in Italy

MADE IN ITALY

We dream we build. From Design to production. Since 2018, more than 10 people are involved in creatingthe best ever products in our HQ Factory in Presezzo.

100% MADE IN ITALY

Just a dream 6 years ago, reality today: our Italian carbon factory is ready to build frames. 3T's in-house manufacturing project takes the next step. After the award-winning Torno aero crank, it's now time for frames that are 100% Made in Italy. 3T's in-house manufacturing project takes the next step. After the award-winning Torno aero crank, it's now time for frames that are 100% Made in Italy.

FIRST: THINK DIFFERENT

As you may know, 99% of carbon frames are made in Asia, even the very high-end ones. Almost all use the same process, which involves the manual lay-up of pre-impregnated carbon/epoxy and lots of manual labor in finishing. So much labor has two problems; it affects consistency and is totally impractical for Italy. How would we design the production process from scratch for a carbon frame in Italy?

SECOND: KEY TECHNOLOGY

After a review of all the manufacturing technologies, two key decisions were taken for our Italian carbon factory: 1. Filament winding instead of manual lay-up to improve consistency and reduce labor in lay-up 2. Dry fiber and resin injection instead of pre-impregnated carbon to reduce labor in finishing

FILAMENT WINDING

Nobody makes a filament winding machine suitable for bike frames, so we designed and built our own. Its standout feature is that it can wind fibers at zero degrees, which traditionally is not possible (as the mandrel rotates, the fiber is per definition not exactly along its axis, but we absolutely need zero degree fibers for optimal stiffness in a bike frame). Today, 90% of the total frame fiber weight is applied in automated fashion while the remaining 10% produced in the traditional process

RESIN TRANSFER MOLDING (RTM)

Traditional pre-preg material has fibers pre-impregnated with resin in sheets. These are then cut in shapes and applied to a core. This leads to waste and limits the use of the material as it starts curing as soon as you take it out of the freezer. The bladder- assisted production process also creates a less-than-perfect surface, requiring lots of finishing. Instead, RTM injects resin into the mold after the dry fiber frame is loaded into the mold and a vacuum is applied to remove all the air inside the mold. Removing all the air prevents voids and creates a much better surface finish (less labor in finishing). By splitting the fiber and the resin, we can choose each specifically for the application, creating shorter curing cycles at lower temperatures.

SUSTAINABILITY

Producing in Italy means following all EU environmental laws and regulations. No waste material from cutting pre-preg sheets as winding applies the fiber directly and only exactly what is needed. Dry fibers don’t need to be stored in energy-slurping freezers and do not expire. Curing happens at lower temperatures and curing times are shorter, reducing energy use. Molds are stationary and heating is integrated which is more energy efficient than the traditional presses or heated plates. No toxic fumes are released during the entire process. Avoiding the long sanding process strongly reduces the release of particles into the environment. Lower CO2 emissions from transportation by producing closer to market.

Made with passion

The greatest products are born from the passion and desire of great men to make dreams come true. The Racemax Italia frame was born from a bold idea to bring production back to Italy. Today, in our factory in Presezzo they came to life from the dedication of people who are making it real. Among these, there are also many passionate cyclists. We Dream We Build.

3T Racemax Italia

A groundbreaking method that starts from the carbon fiber with an artisan attention to detail and completed with handmade painting with our painters. For now, you can choose between 3 different colors inspired by the Italian flag: Green, White, and Red. For an extra personal touch, there is also an “RTP” version that can be customized as you want. Additionally, we are launching the Project X, a new special edition that is a tribute to the visible carbon layup.All of these frames are prepared for internal cable routing in combination with the More Integrale stem.

3T Racemax Italia

3T Extrema Italia

For Extrema, we have chosen two colours inspired by elements of nature, representing the habitat of this adventure-oriented model: Earth and Mercury. Both have a transparent box logo that reveals the texture of the carbon fibre. Similar to Racemax Italia, for Extrema, you can have a Ready-to-Paint frame to create your custom paint scheme or to have it with the naked finishing 'Project X'

3T Extrema Italia

3T Strada Italia

With this campaign we want to affirm a comeback with a convincing proposal on the road world, adjusted to the current road concept: no longer just the asphalt just laid for the passage of the Giro d'Italia but the real roads, the cycle paths, the white roads. All to be ridden at speed with an aero and performance bike. Comfortable for the everyday rider, yet equipped with the speed and aerodynamics demanded for professional use. It offers a truly radical feel (and look), proudly made in our Italian factory.

3T Strada Italia

Torno

This is our first made in Italy project, dated in 2018, all started from here. The idea was to renew the market, to change the concept, bringing the hands back in time, when the great products were created with craftsmanship attention to detail and a desire to innovate. The Torno is the lightest and fastest crank on the market.

Discover 3T Torno

The 3T Italia frames, ready to ride

If building your frame from the ground up is not for you, but you want a bike ready to ride with a solid and reliable set-up, you can choose one of the options assembled with SRAM 2x electronic groupsets, Zipp or 3T carbon wheels and Aeroghiaia LTD cockpit in combination with the new More Integrale stem.

EXTREMA ITALIA

RACEMAX ITALIA

STRADA ITALIA

Our history

1961

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

1967

BITH 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 COMPONETS: 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.

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 in 1984, the aero bullhorn design dubbed the 51’151” in honour of the victory.

1989

FORMA SL: In 1989, the brand 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

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

2000

WORLD'S FIRTS 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

NEW ERA UNDER RENÉ WIERTZ: 3T’s new CEO, René Wiertz, revitalised the brand in 2007 with 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 re-imagined 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.

2015

VROOMEN JOINS FROM CERVÉLO: In 2015, Cervélo co-founder Gerard Vroomen joined Wiertz, the pair becoming owners of the 3T brand. This enabled a refocusing of the company, reinvigorating and reaffirming its commitment to innovation.

2016

EXPLORO LANDS: The first fruits of the new partnership at the head of 3T arrived in 2016 with the reverse-grip Revo aerobar and the Exploro, a go-anywhere, aero-optimised 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 combines wide-tyre-optimised aerodynamics, a 1x drivetrain and disc-brakes. The bike will be ridden by the Aqua Blue Sport UCI Pro Continental team in 2018.

2018

BRINGIN 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 parts to a bike company. By doing the assembly in-house in Italy, we can ensure quality, quick delivery and constant feedback on all the components we spec.

2020

LAUNCH OF THE RACEMAX

2021

60TH ANNIVERSARY: Founded in 1961, 3T proudly celebrates 60 years of innovation in 2021 with this DreamBox. A real dream comes 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 ramp 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 investors is a boost that reinforces the company's essence at being first. The MORE INTEGRALE is 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 Giro d’Italia, 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.

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