casusbellisf

I am looking to buy this frame and fork. The claim is that it's a Pinarello Montello SLX. What do you guys think? If it is what it's claimed to be, what is it worth? It's a 48 cm (for my wife), and I would really like to buy it inasmuch as it is difficult to find 48 cm steel frames.

https://img35.imageshack.us/i/img3233c.jpg/
https://img188.imageshack.us/i/img3234n.jpg/
https://img196.imageshack.us/i/img3236j.jpg/
https://img30.imageshack.us/i/img3237x.jpg/

prettyshady

Well it is a pinarello, but what typre of pinarello is a good question. There is some information on the montello slx on wiki saying about the brake cable being internally routed and the back end being chrome. ( like this --> 1985)

Sangetsu

I also had a Pinarello Montello with the SLX frame. It also had chromed stays.

T-Mar

it is very tempting to jump on the bandwagon and scream non-Montello based on the cable and lack of chrome seat stays, however, I would be cautious. The configuration on models changed notably dependong on the market.

In this case, please note that it has a number peg, indicating intended use by a pro or high end amateur team. Often, these teams would defer to tradtional brake tunnels, as it was much easier for mechanics when replacing cables.

I have pictures I took at from the 1989 G.P. des Ameriques and the Reynolds team is clearly riding Pinarello with SLX (or TSX} decals, no chrome and external rear brake cable routing.

This is not to say that the subject frame is a Montello, but it could be. The decal is certainly SLX, but it is placed over another decal and is therefore suspect. To be 100% sure you would have to be able to look inside th BB sheel for helical reinforcements on the stays, seat and down tubes. Barring that, the next most reliable indicator would be the presence of the bridgeless bottom bracket shell.

55/Rad

Montellos did not have a bridge between the chainstays - just behind the bottom bracket shell. Can't tell from the photos but if yours looks like this - it may be a Montello.

garboplex

It certainly is a Pinarello, you can check inside the tubes (from the bottom bracket shell)with your finger to feel for the internal rifling (small spiral ridges) to verify the SLX tubing, but the frame looks correct to me.

Reynolds 

Other Pinarello frames, like the Asolo, didn't have a chainstain bridge. Maybe the reinforced BB lug as in your photo could be a sign of high end frame?
TSX is rifled too.

casusbellisf

Hey, thanks everyone for the speedy responses. The seller claims it was made for a Latin American racing team (manazna postobon), and also cited the number holder as proof. Additionally this photo shows that the bottom bracket is bridgeless. Either way, I feel that it is a pretty bike that will build up quite nicely. I'm going with some vintage campy record parts that I have lying around waiting for a frame.

Oldpeddaller

Your good lady should be delighted!

prettyshady

Looks a like great frame, better than my pinarellos since both mine have their stickers missing!

mensch

For what it's worth, I own a Pinarello Montello, which I bought new in 1986. The bridgeless bottom bracket looks correct, but mine has an internally-routed rear brake, fully cromed rear triangle and fork (including the crown), and Campagnolo dropouts. Mine also has an old-style head badge (riveted on, rather than a decal). In fact, it looks just like the catalog image prettyshady posted.

On the other hand, I've seen official Pinarello catalog pics of Montellos that looked more like this one than mine, so maybe this frame is just a newer edition.

Regardless, the Montello is a great frame. Check that it's really SLX; this looks like a good example, and if the price and the fit are right, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. It'll make a beautiful bike.

vjp

Cool bike, SLX seems like overkill for a frame this size but it looks like a pro frame so what do I know...

I have owned almost 40 bikes and one of my regrets for "one that got away" was a Pinarello SLX Montello that I test rode. I hopped on and rolled down a slight incline and immediately it was omg. All the little things that add up to a great ride for me were there. I wasn't in the market for another bike but 2 hours later I couldn't stop thinking about it and called the seller back....GONE!! I am weaning myself off of TOO MANY bikes but if another Pinarello presents itself to me I will jump on it.

vjp

bbattle

A lot of frames built for pros did not have the full chrome treatment to save weight. I haven't seen any Montellos on the internet without the internal cable routing, though.

RobbieTunes

My 1989 Montello SLX did not look like that, but I wouldn't say that means it isn't, especially in a much smaller frame size. Mine had internal routing for the rear brake, more chrome on the stays, and a chrome fork.

luker

mine was internally routed as well, but that certainly is the right bottom bracket shell. Pinarello would not have installed the tubing sticker over an existing decal, though. Be sure to check the inside of the tubing for rifling (unless the deal is really good, then it just doesn't matter...it is a quality pinarello).

casusbellisf

Thanks again to all who posted. I (finally) got the frame today, and I checked it for internal rifling. Seems to me it is an slx after all (although I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking for). I felt ridges inside the seat tube that seem to be what you all are talking about. In any case the frame is pretty and I'm sure my wife will love it as soon as I'm finished building it!