Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - This Benotto frame - good opportunity? (with pictures)

I have the chance to buy this Benotto frame for €170 ($200 approx.)

What do you guys think? It´s a 58, so my size +/-. The frame looks pretty unmarked.

I´d welcome any opinions, as Benotto is not a make I know anything about really.

Thanks in advance
Barchettaman

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From Sheldon Brown:

Benotto:
An Italian company that moved to Mexico. Some of the Italian examples are exquisite. Such an N.R. bike should be worth perhaps $800. To pay a thousand or a bit more for a truly outstanding example with original paint would be fairly rational. Later Mexican production yielded nice but not terribly special bikes. For N.R. examples figure $600.

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The frames from mexico in the 80's are infamous for failure. If this was made in italy then there's no problem.

see thread for examples - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=369168

Thanks for the info Shady.

Lets not forget the infamous Bennoto frame defects. A production run had overheated brazing that would often fail.

A rider I know said that his seatube came undone from the bottom bracket. It is true that this happened with some of the bikes. Make sure that your frame wasn't built in that time period.

I forget the exact year/years. Somebody ought to chime in. Or search the archives/google.

I bought 2 Mexican Benotto 3000 frames, new, their top of the line Columbus tubed frame, one in 1979 and one in 1981. Chrome forks, and a light gold color paint. Great bikes in the day, good criterium geometry. No frame failures. The '79 frame had cable guides on top of the BB shell, the '81 had the guides on the bottom side of the BB. The paint didn't last but one season, the cable guides on the top of the top tube would start rusting....common problem for all bikes back then.

Couldn't see your photos, so I have no idea what Benotto frame you are looking at

Couldn't see your photos, so I have no idea what Benotto frame you are looking at

me neither, so it is sort like: i owe a santini frame, what do you think? :p

greetz

OK, sorry guys, I will try and put the photos back up better.

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http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj158/simon_milan/benotto1.jpg

Looks nice. Looks like the one Merkx rode on.

Looks nice. Looks like the one Merkx rode on.

Oh my god - where did you come from ??

(The man's name is Merckx an he never, ever, ever rode a Benotto.
And that frame doesn't necessarily look like a modelo 3000 to me, either.)

Oh my god - where did you come from ??

(The man's name is Merckx an he never, ever, ever rode a Benotto.
And that frame doesn't necessarily look like a modelo 3000 to me, either.)


Yah, I had this movie stuck in my head and then I saw Merkx. I don't know how I put the two together. Early Alzheimers man I'm telling you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLriwXcQQfE

I've only really seen one guy ride a Benotto during the 80's. Wasn't that popular. The again, I've only seen 2 Cuevas's during the 80's and one of them was his son and we rode together.

Francisco Moser, one time holder of the hour record, raced on Benottos at one time....not Eddy

Yah, I had this movie stuck in my head and then I saw Merkx. I don't know how I put the two together. Early Alzheimers man I'm telling you

:p Oh yes, I can understand that - I experience the same from time to time (don't we all ... ;) ).
Or maybe you confused Eddy with another belgian with a capital "M" - Freddy Maertens rode Benotto for a short period.
Or with ...


Francisco Moser, one time holder of the hour record, raced on Benottos at one time....not Eddy

... that aerodynamic Moser guy, another "big M" and the most prominent and famous Benotto racer.

[Even if THE big "M" will always be reserved for "Big Mig", the "Campagnolo" amongst bike racers ... - my personal favorite of all time, hail Miguel :) !]