Italian Rubber
As manufacturing in the bike industry has shifted to Asia, the companies that continue to hold out and make products in their homeland, number fewer by the day. Gommitalia remains, even though many have long since closed their doors.
Now just their top few tyre models are handmade in Italy but Gommitalia survives because of an unrelenting passion of cycling and of producing superb tyres that are ridden and talked about around the world.
Gommitalia manufacture both tubular and clincher tyres with models perfect for training or racing. The Velodromo tubular has a fine 290 TPI cotton casing that is very supple with low rolling resistance. This is enhanced by the latex tube which is more flexible and lighter than standard butyl tubes. The Espresso is constructed from a Core Spun Cotton/Polyester thread. This material composition has better abrasion resistance which allows Gommitalia to minimise the sidewall coatings for a very pliable casing. Champion is a full cotton training tubular with a butyl inner tube that is exceptional value considering the material construction. The premium Targa K clincher is a true hand made model and the pride of Gommitalia. It's casing is made from the highest quality Core Spun Cotton/Polyester, intertwined with fine lightweight Kevlar threads for additional strength.
To make the Targa, a naked casing is fitted to a rim and inflated before the tread is glued on by hand. With this method the tyre is under minimal tension, decreasing rolling resistance on the road, increasing cornering grip and maximising straight line speed. Standard construction for a clincher, places the casing and tread in a machine that compresses and vulcanises it under heat. This hardens the tread, affecting its grip and puts the tread under tension when it is fitted on the rim. The result is higher rolling resistance and lower speed. The Targa K is state of the art for clincher technology providing a dream like ride on the roughest of chip seal roads. Handmade in Italy. The Calypso model uses the same casing materials but in a different thread weave for extra durability. Just 15 grams heavier than the Targa, the Calypso provides a superior ride to other comparable tyres. The range is ro
unded out with several training models providing an option for every rider. Gommitalia is a small brand that rides on the success and satisfaction of its customers, cyclists who identify value and demand everyday ,the most of themselves and their equipment.
