mgreen3691

Hello there,

I have posted a few threads on this 62 cm 1989 Bottecchia that I recently acquired. One question I have after some research is whether the tube set is SPX throughout or could it be a combination of SLX/SPX? The Columbus sticker and serial number only list SPX but I have run across a few posts on several different forums that suggest the tube set could potentially be a mix of SLX with SPX only in the down tube.

Any thoughts on this or anyway to confirm by looking at the tubing itself?

Regards,
Mike

Here is the bike in question

unworthy1

on a 62cm it could be either but I'd bet on it being ALL SPX rather than the downtube only...just a guess. You'd probably only KNOW for sure by weighing and comparing to a known product. Nice frame no matter what!
What's the seat post size?

Roger M

I had a late 80s Masi Nuova Strada, 64cm. It was a mix of SLX/SP. I don't know which tubes were SP or SLX, but here's a blurt from the 88 catalog. Sorry, doesnt really answer your question, but shows it is possible.

mgreen3691

Thanks for the input. My dial caliper measures the Campagnolo seatpost at 1.07 inch or 27.178 mm. Could that be right?

jiangshi

27.2

mgreen3691

Thank you Roger M. That is the kind of stuff I have been running into and then as I dove deeper I found posts specifically about Bottecchia that seem to imply there were some higher end models that may have used a mix. It is no big deal I was just curious if there was a way to identify it by just looking at it or some sort of test. I guess the weight thing could be valid and I could check that if I ever strip it down to a bare frame.

randyjawa 

My Miele featured SL throughout, with the exception of the down tube. It was SP. The reason given was to create a stronger training frame. My Miele also featured round, rather than oval fork blades...

Bianchigirll 

Unless you have reason to think it was replaced why don't you believe the tubing decal?

Beautiful bike though and my favorite CampI group. I just don't understand why they used the C-rec or Victory brake levers instead of the Chorus type with the quick release button on them.


FWIW: Bianchi's SLX bikes were all SLX/SPX mix (for the SuperSet frame) but only carried SLX decals.

Blue Belly

Are spx tubes fluted on the inside? If not, you can strip the frame down & see if you can gain access to the inside of the tubing. Some frames have drain holes at the ends of the tubes

JohnDThompson 

The ad copy may mean that smaller frame sizes are SLX while larger sizes are SPX; this was pretty common. Some custom builders would use SP(X) downtube and chainstays with SL(X) elsewhere. It would be difficult to determine which of these possibilities covers your frame without cutting it up and measuring tube thicknesses.

bikemig 

SPX (or SP) downtubes and chainstays were not uncommon on larger frames.

Roger M

I trust your knowledge on this, but the sticker on my old bike states both.

Bianchigirll 

Yes they are. SPX is the same as SLX but just slightly heavier for a stiffer frame.

Blue Belly

Good info, thank you! I had an spx frame & characteristically that would make sense.

mgreen3691

Bianchigirll, I believe the sticker to be original and it is most likely all SPX. I have read posts and things that got me wondering if it might be a mix. I thought I would toss it out there to see if anyone had first hand knowledge with this particular bike.

See, that's what I am talking about! Could this be true on mine?

Bianchigirll 

So it has a SPX sticker? I recall seeing your original post and my mentioning I thought I saw SLX sticker and was never corrected so when I came to this post I just assumed it was SLX.



*Edit* Your best bet is just lots of research but sometimes these questions can never be answered.

unworthy1

Right it's a 27.2 seatpost and based on that my guess is that at least the seat-tube is SLX (although it's not conclusive since an SPX seat tube could have been reamed to that inner diameter, just not as commonly done)...the typical size for an SP and SPX seat-tube would be 27.0, but typical doesn't mean always.
and YRMV
I blew up pic #2 in the OP's first post and that label sure looks like SPX to me.
If it's any consolation: you would probably NEVER feel any difference between the ride of either tubeset and the difference of a few ounces (assuming comparison to an all-SLX frame) amounts to nil in the real world...plus it has no effect on the value of this very nice frame.

mgreen3691

Thanks unworthy1 (I think you are worthy however). The sticker does indeed say SPX as does the stamping on the bottom bracket. I was wondering myself if the seat-post gave any clues. I think the 'rifling' in the S[L/P]X series would make the diameter smaller inside but as you said, perhaps it was reamed... who knows.

In the end though I am not too hung up on this and no matter what this thing is made of it is as stiff a bike as I have ever ridden. I mean it's a real cream puff and I am loving it. I just got back from an 83 miler through the Santa Cruz mountains and along the coast and I am so amazed how well this thing does it all. I'm just diggin' life on this thing.

If I ever crash it I will saw it in half, measure the wall thickness and let everyone know, just for the record books

mgreen3691

This is the kind of stuff that makes me wonder. Here is post from a different board that basically says if my seat post is 27.2 it has to be SL or SLX because SP/SPX is thicker walled and would require a 27. Whatever.

Bottecchia Seat tube Sizing

cyclotoine

Most later SPX and SP frame I have come across had 27.2 posts. I think the SP and SPX seat tubes changed the ID for the post to make it more standard sometime in the mid to late 1980s.

As for the OP determining if his is all SPX. I agree that you'd need an all SPX frame of the same seize and dimensions and lugs and BB and drop outs. and then compare. It's kind of chasing rainbows though. Not worth stripping.

cyclotoine

yeah that is total mis-information. It certainly does not have to be SL.