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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1729.0. "old Botecchia - worth a rebuild?" by COOKIE::HELMREICH () Thu Sep 06 1990 14:27

I have the opportunity to pick up a 1974 Botecchia from my brother (he bought
it new).  The componants aren't much, (steel rims, inexpensive brakeset, etc.)
but the frame is in very good shape.  The frame has chromed lugs, and chromed
forks/rear dropouts and looks very sharp.  It is red, with big white decals on 
the downtube and seatpost.  

My questions is:  Is this frame noteworthy in any way - such as being a 
great frame to work with in rebuilding or upgrading this bike?  There's 
a little nostalgia value in it, but if the frame is not remarkable in any way,
I may just pass on it - not needing more clutter in the garage.

Opinions?


Steve
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1729.1GSFSWS::JSMITHChromed CannondaleThu Sep 06 1990 16:0615
    Steve,
    	Go For It.  The frame must be columbus tubing and it's possibly
    a grade that is still in production today.  If the paint is still
    good then it'll look fine once you put a new set of wheels (you can 
    use the original hubs since they are also probably bullet proof campy's), 
    cables, chain and bar tape.  Brakes and gear shifting (want to go
    indexed?) have come a long way since then so you might want to upgrade 
    those right away or do the rebuild in two stages, saving up for new brakes
    and shifting.  The big deciding factor that you didn't mention is
    frame size!  If the frame doesn't really fit you then all the money
    you put into it will be wasted since you'll ultimately want to get
    a bike that fits.  Have fun.  I envy you since rebuilding a bike
    around an old quality frame is a lot of work but the rewards are
    fantastic.
    					_Jerry
1729.2From the basenoterCOOKIE::HELMREICHThu Sep 06 1990 17:5522
	RE:   <<< Note 1729.1 by GSFSWS::JSMITH "Chromed Cannondale" >>>

Jerry,

	I think you've answered my question - it _is_ a quality frame.  Over 
the years, my brother put a Sugino crankset, a Suntour LeTech derailleur,
and an extended handlebar stem and seatpost on the bike.  The brakes and
cables are a mess, though.  I don't know about the hubs, but if they're Campy, 
I'm sure they're worth salvaging.   I'll try to find out what the tubing is.

	The frame might be on the small side.  If I'm 5'11", and I'm used
to a small-framed (20.5") mountain bike, what's the minimum suggested size?
21-22" - perhaps?   I know that frame size is highly debatable, but what's 
your opinion?


Thanks,


Steve

1729.323-inchWORDY::GRACEWait, I'm LIVING in Grace-land!Thu Sep 06 1990 22:2612
    Steve,
    
    Lucked out again, eh? If that frame hasn't ridden too much and seen
    alot of bad weather, you should have a good ride when (and if) you 
    set it up. 
    
    Knowing a little about you're torso/leg proportions, I'd suggest a 23" 
    frame (I believe that's approx. 58 cm). The general rule for
    mtn/off-road bike frame sizing is to go 2" shorter. Does that work out
    well for your brother's bike?
    
    Russ   
1729.4All Bottechias are not created equalCIMNET::MJOHNSONMatt Johnson, DTN 291-7856Fri Sep 07 1990 13:107
    Considering the low-grade components, the frame very well may NOT
    be made out of Columbus tubing.  There are several lower-grade
    steel tubings that were used by Italian manufacturers for their
    entry-level bikes in the '70s.  (For example, Zeta.) Some of these 
    are quite heavy.
    
    MATT
1729.5SUSHI::KMACDONALDIronFish Tamer.Fri Sep 07 1990 13:159
>                   -< All Bottechias are not created equal >-

Bottechias, like most other commercial producers had a whole range of 
bikes designed to hit a wide variety of market price-points. Check the 
frame for any stickers telling about the tubing used, and/or get the 
original price and year purchased for the bike. Chances are with steel 
rims, etc. that it was one of their lower-end bikes, but still may be 
worth upgrading to some degree...
                           ken