evanyc

so this weekend while in boston i stumbled across this Benotto at a thrift store for $20 so i grabbed it up. i didn't know anything about the company at the time but i've done some research and it seems pretty good. i can't figure out what year/model this is though... anyone have any ideas?

components:

Alesa rims (belgium)
Maillard hubs (france)
Suntour SVX gear system
Modalo Corsa brakes
Aero Coronado PR cranks

that's what i've figured out so far...

so, i'm pretty sure i got a good deal. anyone have a better idea of how good a deal?

also, i've never worked on road bikes, so anyone have tips with what i should do with this? i'm thinking of turning it into a single gear with a flip-flop hub. what are some good resources for learning about working on/fixing up road bikes?

glevii

I would have snagged it as well. If it's in good condition it's a great deal.

TheDL

See if you can find out if it's Italian made or made in Mexico. THAT, will tell you just how good a deal you got! Looks nice.

Insanecyclist

you can always find some decent deals at thrift stores, most of the time they have no clue as to what they have. It is amazing how they will sell a bike for dirt cheap.

insanecyclist

(1981-1983)Trek 500 Series made from some new and some thrift store stuff:

Brakes: Diacompe
Shifters: Shimano SIS
Crank: Shimano 600 triple
Front derallier: Shimano ?
Rear Derallier: Shimano STX
Tires: Bontager Hardcases (Kevlar)
Wheels: Raliegh Aluminum alloy

Don Cook

Great buy!! I still ride a 1988 Benotto from time to time.

evanyc

the handlebars are the only benotto parts i can find anything on and they say "made in italy" cant find anything on the frame

so would this be a good bike to convert to single gear? it has horizontal drop outs should thats good right? where can i find info about conversion?

Don Cook

On my 1988 Benotto at the top of each seat stay, the name "Benotto" is embossed into the steel. On the bottom of the bottom bracket shell it has the serial number stamped into the steel. From the picture you posted the bike appears to have the retro/funky Benotto gel handlebar tape. Mine was red. The graphics on your top tube are similar to those that were on mine. As I recall, I paid something in the vicinity of$450 for my modelo 800 at the bike shop. I did a complete restoration on it a couple of years ago. It's now a DuraAce 18 speed with a new gloss black powder coat and all new Benotto decals. It weighs more than my newer road bike, but for some reason or another I ride my training routes just as fast on the Benotto as the lighter bike.

jfmckenna

Try the fixed gear forum here and the Sheldon Brown (search) web pages have a lot of info on conversion. That would make a great fixie or SS.

TheDL

yeah, should be a worthy frame for a conversion. From what limited history I can find online, my friend just bought a Benotto Modelo 2000, I think in the late 80's production of Benotto bikes moved from Italy to Mexico. From a collector standpoint the the bikes made in Italy are more desireable.

daneil

Some Benotto info

From Sheldon Brown:

Benotto:
An Italian company that moved to Mexico. Some of the Italian examples are exquisite. Such an N.R. bike should be worth perhaps $800. To pay a thousand or a bit more for a truly outstanding example with original paint would be fairly rational. Later Mexican production yielded nice but not terribly special bikes. For N.R. examples figure $600.

[In the late '80s, Benotto handlebar tape was the thing to have on a racing bike. It was a thin translucent plastic tape, and came with the world's worst handlebar plugs.]

And a link to some nice pics.

Don Cook

Italy's Benotto went out of business sometime in early 90's. Just like in many cases where there's a recognizable marketing name (Schwinn) the use of the name is purchased and used to front a completely new company. The Mexican Benotto isn't the Italian Benotto that simply decided to get on a boat and move production. There's no relationship.

evanyc

so are the benotto handlebars with 'made in italy' and the other various european parts enough to safely assume that this is in fact an italian benotto as opposed to a mexican one?

Don Cook

Check for the serial number stamped into the bottom of the bottom bracket shell. Compare it to mine which is #189 from 1988. My bars also have the Benotto name on the side of the stem with the Made in Italy phrase. Your picture makes me think it is also a late 80's bike. The graphics are similar to what were on mine when new, but in a different color. The crank arms look as mine did and the clincher for me is that yours is also a lugged steel frame. The pedals are much like what was common at that time: an alloy with toe clips.
Regardless of where it was made, you've made a great purchase for $20. Shoot me your email and I'll pass along a couple of pics of my restored Benotto.

evanyc

found 3 numbers stamped into the bottom bracket shell. 8 05 081

Fox Farm

I was going to guess late 80s but that number might hint an 81. About 1985, I came very close to buying one. It was classic with Benotto engraved on the stem and chain rings.

DieselDan

WARNING : Mallard hubs use a unique freewheel you cannot get easily. It is splined rather then threaded and needs a special lockring tool. If you convert it to SS, you may be able to sell the rear hub and freewheel for a better then average price then a normal freewheel hub of that era.

dereknc

Man, that is a great looking bike for 20 bucks!

evanyc

yeah, my friend just told me about the weirdness of the mallard hub... im not gonna deal with that craziness, i'll just sell the wheel set and get a new one... is ebay typically the best place to sell bike parts?

TheDL

My buddy's Benotto Modelo 2000 has the engraved Benotto stem made by 3ttt. I think what little clues we've been able to find we're dating pre-1988. It also has he engraved seat stay tops, made of Ishiwata 019. The logos are a little bit different than yours I think. It's so beautiful I could lick it.

Indolent58

You should. Lick it. Go ahead. You know you want to.

adampaiva

Awesome deal for sure at 20 bucks. I have an '82 benotto modello 1000. I think your bike would make a sick fixed gear. Check out www.fixedgeargallery.com for inspiration and links to instructional pages. Sheldon Brown's page is probably the best resource for technical instructions.

TheDL

adampaiva :: You wouldn't happen to know when the Modello 1000 last model year was do you? I'm trying ot date my friends Modello 2000.

eloconnor

Dan:

Good evening.

I also have an 80's benotto that i would like to know more about. I bought it in 1988.

When I first bought it, it had both chrome forks (internal crown) and a chrome rear.

In 1995, I snapped the frame and had R. Brian Bayless restore the frame (and remove the chrome.) It looks like the numbers on the bottom bracket were partially painted over. I can read the numbers 6179 on the one side and 58 which i'm guessing is the frame size.

What is really unique about the frame is the ovalized tubing and the crimp in the downtube to the rear tire to be as close to the downtube as possible.

Where can I find out more about this frame? It is Italian or Mexican?

b. regards,

eloconnor@msn.com

ZappCatt

I think you should just sell it complete, hopefully you will find a collector who would like to keep it in its original shape. Use the money that you get to buy another cheap bike and turn that into a SS or fixie if you want..

Just seems like a waste to rip apart a potentiallly "classic" bike which would be no better than most other beaters for a fixie...