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
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.
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
ForgeAhead
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 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
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
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 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
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. It looks like a road bike, rides like a road bike but it also rips through gravel. For the first time, riders can have a gravel bike that is as fast as a normal road bike.
2021
Italian dream
After several years of developing new production technologies, our first Made-in-Italy frame launched. The Racemax Italia is the lightest Racemax ever built and offers several customization options for our customers.
