Classic & Vintage - Atala - good find?

This is up for sale for about $150. Good deal or run away?

Thanks,

Guy

http://gallery.mac.com/danspeirs/100079/3/web.jpg
http://gallery.mac.com/danspeirs/100079/1/web.jpg
http://gallery.mac.com/danspeirs/100079/2/web.jpg

That is a low level Atala. They look good with the chrome lugs and all, but there's no way I'd pay $150 for it.

Stamped dropouts. Nuff said.

Yeah, it's easy to be blinded by the chrome lugs, but that's definitely not worth $150.

I have an Atala Grand Prix of similar vintage, and am a big fan - but I paid less than that for a complete road-ready bike.

$150 is too much dough for that frameset, But I've been riding a similar Atala for 34-odd years. Not real light, not high zoot, not Columbus, but not a bad ride for an entry-level bike-boom frameset.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/top506/Atala.jpg

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I concur with everyone else. The lack of a derailleur tab on the right rear dropout generally denotes a low-end frame. Don't let the Campagnolo decal fool you -- they made many lower-end components during that the bike boom era.

The chrome dropouts and lugs are nice touches, and in remarkably good condition, but I still would not pay $150 for it.

but we don't know where he's located. This frame (being perfect for a fixie/SS conversion) could fetch $150 in an over-heated marketplace swarming with addled hipsters...oh yeah, I'm talking about SF, how'd you guess? ;)

but we don't know where he's located. This frame (being perfect for a fixie/SS conversion) could fetch $150 in an over-heated marketplace swarming with addled hipsters...oh yeah, I'm talking about SF, how'd you guess? ;)

Agreed.

I'd keep looking, Dan. Besides, the Pinarello and Medici wouldn't want the neighborhood run down by that low end bike. ;)

I used to wrench and sell those Atalas. When new (early/mid-70's) the complete bike sold for $129.00. Granted, it was a high end cheapie given the competition at the time, but today? Remove the "1" from the price, and I'd jump on it very quickly. And that's the highest I'd pay.

Oh yeah, to restore it correctly, you need a steel cottered crank, Campagnolo Valentino derailleurs and levers, steel rims with three piece hubs with quick releases. Steel seatpost, cheap 70's saddle (plastic), alloy stem, steel bars. I seem to remember cheap Universal centerpulls.

Atala had the smarts to chrome the lugs, making the bike look like it should have sold for $100.00 more to the unitiated. I really enjoy owning one, but I'd never go over $50 for the frame or maybe $125 for the complete original bike in nice shape.

but we don't know where he's located. This frame (being perfect for a fixie/SS conversion) could fetch $150 in an over-heated marketplace swarming with addled hipsters...oh yeah, I'm talking about SF, how'd you guess? ;)

It's in Morro Bay, CA.

SLO ain't SF...save your $$ and wait for a better deal or offer the seller about 1/2.

Those are about the most "horizontal" horizontal rear drops I have seen! Certainly a fixie dream!

SLO ain't SF...save your $$ and wait for a better deal or offer the seller about 1/2.

It's close to a major university, and that frame (while low end), has no braze-ons or RD hanger.

"Fixed gear deluxe".

It'll go for the $150 because being hip is priceless to some folks, and you gotta admit that frame has a little style, visual appeal, and individuality - low end or not.

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It'll go for the $150 because being hip is priceless to some folks, and you gotta admit that frame has a little style, visual appeal, and individuality - low end or not.

Agreed, well said.