Opinions on this Atala
#1
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
Opinions on this Atala
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/881848347.html
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.
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.
$60 firm, cash only, local pickup only. No offers or trades please.
Thanks.
#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
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
#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.
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.
#4
Death fork? Naaaah!!
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.)
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.
#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
#6
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
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.
#7
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
BAM!!! The seller was quick with his reply. I had a return message from him by the time I finished my previous post.
The 27" wheels and cottered crank makes it a pass for me, someone will buy it though.
27" wheels
Model unknown.
SunTour deraileurs, cottered crank.
Lots of interest but amazingly not sold yet. First with cash gets.
Model unknown.
SunTour deraileurs, cottered crank.
Lots of interest but amazingly not sold yet. First with cash gets.
#8
Death fork? Naaaah!!
FWIW, mine has chrome fork tips and a half-chrome rear triangle, but painted fork crown.
Top
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.)
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.)