Yesterday, somone gave me two extremely neglected low-end bikes. I'm not even sure accepting them was wise. I hope to provide pictures soon.

One is an Atala Corsa from approximately 1975. Plain carbon steel frame, steel rims, plastic Simplex derailleurs, solid nutted wheel axles, and brake calipers that look like Universals with the Atala name stamped on them. The calipers may make the bike worthwhile.

The other is an Astra five speed from about the same year. It has an elegantly styled mixte frame and matching fenders. Nothing on the frame appears to be salvageable except that if the headset is French-threaded, it -- or its individual parts -- could prove useful. The frame might make an interesting rebuild, though it would be a ground-up rebuild.