67tony 

Model? Worth?

FastJake

Wow that is really sweet! Can we get some better pictures? Even from the one blurry photo I can tell this is a really nice, high end bicycle.

howsteepisit

Probably one down from the top of the line, I cannot recall the model names, but the top had Nuevo Record, this one had a Stronglight 93 crank and and the Nuevo Tipo hubs, which were a step down. ITs likely a Columbus SL tubeset, but cannot tell without better pictures

T-Mar

The model with the Columbus SL frame and Stonglight 93 crankset was called the Competizone. This bicycle has lots of non-OEM, modern parts; brake levers, saddle, seat post, shift levers. It also looks has it has clincher rims versus the original tubulars. Can't identify the derailleurs from the pictures, but they look like upgrades (Nuovo Record?). Calipers are also non-OEM though may be period correct. Crankset has replacement dust caps. Lots of price killers here. Value is in the frame, crankset and possibly derailleurs but we'd need better pictures to determine the condition, properly identify the parts and establish a value.

Bianchigirll 

I don't know much about it but I would not mind seeing better pics.

67tony 

Thanks for the replies...you guys and girls never cease to amaze me.
From one lousy pic I learned a ton of useful stuff.
BTW, is it stock for the rear brake to be on the front side of the stays?

I'm not too sure about the $400 asking price, especially with the non-original parts, but it's still a bike that I will try to get a closer look at. For sure it looks like it could use a good cleaning.

More pics are attached...also, here is the text from the ad:

Atala 10-speed vintage Italian touring bike. One owner -- purchased new in 1973.

Columbus double-butted frame with great frame lugs. Great steel responsiveness on the road. Less than 5,000 miles total.

57cm / 22.5 inch down tube (top to ctr of BB), 56cm top tube. Classic geometry; relaxed wheel base.

Campagnolo derailleurs -- Nuevo Record rear; Campy large-flange wheel hubs.

New Continental Gatorskin tires; new Specialized saddle.

Ready for restoration, conversion, or fun riding now on a distinctive classic.

FastJake

For $400 I would go for it, if it fits you. Do you know if it's your size?

bargainguy

It always amazes me that people will mount new tires and a new saddle, but not replace grimy bar tape. Of course, I'm assuming that the present owner did those. If not, never mind.

T-Mar

I can't tell if this is a rerapaint or was just stripped of the originals then had had some, but not all, replaced. It's curious that it has all the small stickers, incuding the notoriously fragile Columbus sticker, but is missing the Atala and model stickers. Of course, those small decals are pretty generic.

If the bicycle were all original, I'd say $400 is a good price. The derailleurs are brand and period correct and are actually an upgrade over the OEM equipment, so that will actually increase the price slightly. Still, the brakes (yes, the rear is mounted backwards but they may be compensate for a reach issue) and all the previously mentioned parts are brand and period incorrect which, in my opinion, decrease the value by about 25-33%.

However, the one critical factor which we do not know is location. In a very high priced, metropolitan market that would be a good price, even with the non-OEM parts.

If I was looking at this bicycle, considering it already has the upgraded derailleurs, I would be trying to restore this as an Atala Professional, as the frames were identical. Basically, the only the OEM parts that need replacing would be the hubs and crankset.

randyjawa 

I have the identical bicycle, or at least used to have one, and the bike presented is Atala's second from top of the line Competizione. The Professional would have had a chromed seat tube lug but the Competizione does not. You can compare model features with this 1971 Atala Catalog.

I call my old Altala a Professional but have learned that it is not...



As for value of the bicycle, the asking price is not far off what I would pay. They are really nice old bicycles, in my opinion.

T-Mar

Randy, It's possible that your bicycle could have been a Professional. It's always been my understanding that they dropped the masking of the seat lug, later in the boom. Certainly, your bicycle had the derailleurs and crankset spec'd on the Professional. The only thing that ties it to a Competizone is the Tipo hubset.

randyjawa 

Thanks T-Mar and that is good to know. Sadly, the bike came to me as a frame set so I will probably never know for sure. None the less, I have to admit that my Atala was one of the nicest old road bikes I have owned and how I wish that I had not sold the bike.