Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Opinions on this Atala

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Opinions on this Atala

Old 10-16-08, 02:42 PM
  #1  
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
 
treebound's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: between Milwaukee and Sheboygan in Wisconsin
Posts: 3,448

Bikes: 1995 Trek 520 is the current primary bike.

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times in 39 Posts
Opinions on this Atala

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/881848347.html
Selling for a relative! 70's Atala (Italian) lugged frame bike, interesting lug cutouts. Some rust, good fixie/SS conversion? Bike for parts/frame only, no test rides.

$60 firm, cash only, local pickup only. No offers or trades please.
I'm not real familiar with the Atala brand, don't need it, more like just curious about it, I might email the seller about it just for grins to see what components it has on it. Please educate me on the Atala brand.

Thanks.
treebound is offline  
Old 10-16-08, 02:57 PM
  #2  
Bottecchia fan
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 3,520

Bikes: 1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo (frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame), 1974 Peugeot UO-8

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Hard to make out any detail in that little picture but it appears to be an entry level bike boom era Atala. Straight gauge hi-ten steel with low end components. It would make a nice fixie or around town bar hoper. $60 is a good price.
__________________
1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
Kommisar89 is offline  
Old 10-16-08, 03:27 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 652 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
There's no chrome, so assuming boom era, this would make it the bottom of the line Corsa model. Derailleurs and shifters appear to have been upgrasded form the original Simplex along with saddle and possibly seat post.

As previously stated, hi-tensile steel frame. Balilla or Universal center brakes, Gnutti steel hubs and steel rims, cottered steel crankset would be original. About the only OEM aluminum you'll find would be the stem and bars.

Atala was Italy's largest bicycle manufacturer during the boom and produced a full range of lighweight models from the entry level Corsa ($95 US circa 1973) to the top line Record Professional ($385 US circa 1973). Atala competed directly with other full line Italian manufacturers such as Bianchi, Bottechia, Chiorda, Fiorelli and Legnano. While they were well respected during the boom, like most European brands there were often lapses in quality, so things like paint and brazing may leave something to be desired, particularly if you are familiar with Japanese boom era models. Most European brands during this period sold primarily on their heritage and ride, which was typically more resilent than Japanese models. The Italians also put a little more emphasis on cosmetic design. Slightly upscale models like the Atala Gran Prix were real eye candy with lots of chrome and panelized paint schemes.
T-Mar is offline  
Old 10-16-08, 03:43 PM
  #4  
Death fork? Naaaah!!
 
top506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Posts: 5,314

Bikes: Seriously downsizing.

Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 555 Post(s)
Liked 616 Times in 276 Posts
Originally Posted by T-Mar
There's no chrome, so assuming boom era, this would make it the bottom of the line Corsa model. Derailleurs and shifters appear to have been upgrasded form the original Simplex along with saddle and possibly seat post.
Could also be a Giro di Italia, next one up the food chain. Some of these were imported with alloy wheels (Fiamme rims laced to North Star hubs). Same cottered crank and Simplex comps.
My dad gave me one when Nixon was president, with the comment 'this is the last bike I buy for you'. It's still in the stable, although most of the comps have been replaced over the years. It is lighter and rides better than a gaspipe frame has any right to.
I'd fork over $60, for nostalgia if no other reason.
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.

(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)

Last edited by top506; 10-16-08 at 03:46 PM.
top506 is offline  
Old 10-16-08, 05:06 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 652 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by top506
Could also be a Giro di Italia, next one up the food chain...
Boom era Giro typically had chromed fork ends and crown.
T-Mar is offline  
Old 10-17-08, 07:15 AM
  #6  
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
 
treebound's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: between Milwaukee and Sheboygan in Wisconsin
Posts: 3,448

Bikes: 1995 Trek 520 is the current primary bike.

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times in 39 Posts
Apprecite the info and history lesson. I've just sent the seller an email and will see what he tells me about it. But I found another thrift shop bike on the way home from work yesterday so from what it is starting to sound like I'm thinking this Atala might be a pass for me. I'll wait to see if the seller contacts me just in case the bike has some features or upgrades that can't be seen in the pics he posted of it.
treebound is offline  
Old 10-17-08, 07:18 AM
  #7  
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
 
treebound's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: between Milwaukee and Sheboygan in Wisconsin
Posts: 3,448

Bikes: 1995 Trek 520 is the current primary bike.

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times in 39 Posts
BAM!!! The seller was quick with his reply. I had a return message from him by the time I finished my previous post.

27" wheels
Model unknown.
SunTour deraileurs, cottered crank.

Lots of interest but amazingly not sold yet. First with cash gets.
The 27" wheels and cottered crank makes it a pass for me, someone will buy it though.
treebound is offline  
Old 10-17-08, 04:10 PM
  #8  
Death fork? Naaaah!!
 
top506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Posts: 5,314

Bikes: Seriously downsizing.

Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 555 Post(s)
Liked 616 Times in 276 Posts
Originally Posted by T-Mar
Boom era Giro typically had chromed fork ends and crown.
FWIW, mine has chrome fork tips and a half-chrome rear triangle, but painted fork crown.
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.

(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
top506 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.