1978 Atala Grand Prix....Needed An Italian
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1978 Atala Grand Prix....Needed An Italian
Seeing as I had a French, English and pseudo-American bicycles, I felt I had to find something that was Italian, and though I perhaps overpaid for this Atala Grand Prix (local CL $280) I'm not unhappy.....yet. The finish is not superb, but not bad given the years and the parts do seem to be all correct with the Campy Valentino gearing, hubs and alloy rims, and even Cinelli "Criterium" bars, which I don't think were standard? It fits my 6' frame well also, though I think the seat will have to go for a used Sella leather saddle. They don't seem to make them with that "Fire" paint color anymore. Just have the 1 photo at moment, will post a couple views when I have the time.
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You have the basis of a very attractive bike. Saddle as you wrote, hoods (there are decent reproductions now) remove the pie plate, no decent Italian after the Cambio Corsa era needed one, I would consider different pedals with toe clips and straps.
Later depending on the gearing... a better quality Campagnolo rear dérailleur. Just for performance and mass reduction.
Later depending on the gearing... a better quality Campagnolo rear dérailleur. Just for performance and mass reduction.
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Thanks for the tips, I am all for the straps and ridding the plate, let me know if you have a good "period" recommendation on the pedals.
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We sold a few bike boom era Atalas at the Peugeot-Nishiki dealership where I worked, and all of us were impressed by the ride quality and handling of even the lower-end models.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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Those pedals are original. Are the rims? It came with steel rims.
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#8
Newbie
Before I became a fossil, I had an Atala 104 Grand Prix. The wheels were probably the best thing on the bike: Campy Tipo LF hubs with Fiamme Yellow clincher rims (aluminum). Brakes were also nice: Universal Centerpull -- a nice pair of hoods will help the appearance and comfort of these levers.
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Oh right. It had aluminum rims, not steel. Yeah those hubs were pretty good.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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More than one Atala has come my way, over the years, and I have always been stupid enough to sell them off. But not anymore. Like the OP, I am a proud new owner of an old Atala, the Record 101 professional, in this instance, from the very late sixties. Another forum member mentioned having an Atala thread. Good idea...
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#11
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Nice one...The "Professionale"..... the Grand Prix- Yes, it has the aluminum rims, the center pulls are Weinmann's on mine, I guess those were so0metimes substituted. I gave it a quick spin last night on the road, I like the tracking and feel. J Sven
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I have a lightly used Vetta leather saddle coming for it.
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