Mchaz

Hello. I am looking to build a decent, cheap, complete road bike for commuting out of two vintage road bikes in my garage. The 1st bike is a early-mid 70's (I think) Bottecchia Campion Del Mondo. I did some research, and it looks to be the lower end model with Campagnolo Valentino components. I wish I could just use this bike, but the problem is that the frame is about two sizes too big for me. The other bike is a Centurion Cavaletto. I have no idea on the year of this one, but I'm thinking it's in the same era as the Bottecchia. It has Suntour derailers, and Dia-Comp brakes. Both bikes are 10 speed with 27 x 1/4 wheels.

What I want to do is to take the wheels from the Bottecchia and use them on the Centurion. The cogs, and axle bearings on the rear wheel of the Centurion are in pretty bad shape, while the Bottecchia's Campy hubs seem to be in smooth operating order.

Here comes the first question. Are the Campy hubs compatible with the Centurion frame? I mounted the Bottecchia's wheels on the Centurion. On the back, the axle seemed narrower than the original wheels, and on the front I had to spread the fork legs a slight amount to get the axle to slide in. Is this a problem?

Second question. The Bottecchia's wheels are quick release, while the Centurion has threaded axles with nuts. Will the QR hubs work on the frame intended for non QR?

The other components on the Centurion seem in good condition. The bottom bracket and the headset bearings still spin smoothly. The frame has some rust, but none of it penetrates too deep into the metal. Basically the only major problem is the rear wheel.

Sorry if my idea of mixing components is blasphemy to the vintage purists out there. I'm looking to get a functional bike for as cheap as possible.

Any other advice is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

el twe

Hey, I think it sounds excellent! Those old Centurions can be pretty sweet.

wearyourtruth

i haven't worked with either of those bikes, but i think i can help a little...

that's fine, as long as it's not TOO much, that's the joy of steel, it's flexes, shouldn't be a problem

should be fine too, the frame is, in essence the same thing, not really "intended for" either one, as long as the quick releases are in good working order, you should have no trouble

one thing you might think about is putting all your campy components on the centurion, might be cool to still have a full campy setup, but it just comes down to personal taste.

what size is that Bottecchia frame you won't be using? pics? be sure to keep us updated!

Mchaz

Pics, yeah, here are some pics.





I've thought about putting the full Campy setup on the Centurion. I might do it in the future, but right now, I'll leave it with the Suntour.

As for size, the Bottecchia is about 24" from the middle of the seat tube to the middle of the head tube, and about 35" from the ground to the top of the seat tube with flat tires. Here are a couple of pics for comparison.





Thanks for your help guys. I'll get to work this weekend.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I scored both of these bikes for free.

OuchMan

I think I had the same Bottecchia in the late 70's or the step below. The first thing my dad did after we got the bike was throw the derailleurs away and replace them with Suntour (V-GT and a Seven?) The Campy Tippo hubs, however, were nice (aside from the quick-releases) as where the Valentino shift levers (basically NR without the chrome and D-ring.)

It sounds like you have a fun project! If you decide to swap the shift levers remember Campy uses an undersized stopper plug on the end of their cables.

Sigurdd50

I DO have that same Bottecchia... but from a couple years earlier.
Same frame, same chrome lugwork and seat/fork stays (I love those old bikes with the chrome up front and back)
Believe these likely had sew-ups (tubular) tires as OE
mine is a 72 or 73 w/Record stuff
I got it for 10 bucks from an old feller in the neighborhood (the only other owner).
The front hub was unfortunately, trashed by incorrect choice of bearings (too large, they shredded the cups and races)

It is just a wee bit big, but I still clear the top tube with me crotch
When a new road bike went down due to accident, I rode this old steed for a few days to train... over 50 miles one day. NOt quick off the line but once it got going, it was smooth.

It's tempting to adapt my Bott for commuting --
either a freewheel single speed or strip off the large cog and go with a five speed
with moustache bars or flat bars and a rack

Good luck with your project
I think borrowing parts from one old bike to add to another to get some usage is better than hanging it on the wall and doing nothing with it
these likely have long horizontal drop outs
If you end up with a stripped frame... there is your potential Fixie/single speed

Mchaz

Just picked up cables, a new chain, and some bar tape at the LBS today. I'll need to go back tomorrow to take the wheels in for a hub bearing overhaul (I don't have the tools). I'll look into getting the tools to do it myself. I might end up being the same price, but I can keep the tools to do it over and over in the future. Gonna' have to use a car to get there because of the wheels. Argh.

T-Mar

My concern is that the axles may be too long for the dropouts on the Centurion. Generally, bicycles with quick release hubs use thicker dropouts, typically forged dropouts. If the Centurion has thinner dropouts, the axle ends may protrude beyond the dropout, the closed skewer will be restricted by the end of the axle and may not clamp sufficiently to the dropout. The axle must not be so long that either end protrudes beyond the dropouts.

Mchaz

I checked, and it barely clears. Thanks for the warning.

I got done recabling the bike today. I sanded down the seatpost rust, regreased, and remounted it. I also de-stickified the derailers, and got them moving silky smooth again. All that's left is to wrap the bars, clean/grease the shift levers, put on the chain, wait for the wheels to get back from the shop, clean the cogs, and readjust all of the cables.

Mchaz

Whoo, just rode the bike for the first time tonight. I got the tires aired up, the brakes adjusted, and slapped on the chain. I couldn't wait to get a feel for the bike, so I flew up and down the asphault block a few times at 9:30 in the PM. I forgot what riding a road bike was like. Fast. It was just me gliding through the night air, devoid of the sound of knobbies smacking the road, and drivetrain squeaks.

All I need to do now is adjust the derailers, and put on the bar tape. So close.