Originally Posted by
himespau
The internal tube routing with both the entrance and the exit on top was really only used my most steel builders for a couple years in the late 80's/early 90's (say maybe 88-92?). Most builders quickly realized that both entrances on top made great access points for sweat/water and led to corrosion, so, after a year or two, they first switched to the front entrance being on the side of the tube, and then the back a year or two later. I have a Colnago Super (maybe, it might be a Super Piu?) that's been estimated to be from 1989 with both entrances on top. I also have a Concorde Aquila that was contract built in Italy by an unclear builder (some think Bilato Bros, some have made other suggestions) in ~1990 that had the front entrance on the side. Don't know what your builder used or when, but that might help narrow build year down, as might the use of 8 speed Ergos (if they're original - but they'd probably push the build date back a couple of years). The Mavic Equipped stickers on the rear might imply that the Campagnolo setup is not original, but it also might be referring to the original wheels because there's a Campagnolo sticker on the bike too. That, and the name, could imply it was the race bike of a local, sponsored racer, A. Ettore. Don't know about Oria KK Chrome Moly tubing. Doesn't look oversized, is it? Is that a unicrown fork?
So, himespau, that's a bunch of great knowledge &/or educated guesses. Thank you for that!
I totally see & understand what you mean about the top routing entry/exit & it being an additional path for water to route in as well. My '93 or '94 Bianchi has the internal routing, but it's via the lower left side (from seated position) & exits top back
As for grouppo & badging, yes, I believe the ergo Record is original & that the Mavic was for the wheels as you mentioned.
Regarding the tubing, I was educated to the fact that
"[the] bike is built with Mannesmann steel (very pure CroMo steel) and the frame building was done by Oria, Verona. Good quality tubing!! Nice detail is that your frame has the lugless TIG-welded triangle and the solid lugged bottom bracket pot for extra stiffness."
All tubes are round except the downtube which is ovalized at the headtube & becomes rounded at the BB, & the seat- & chainstays which are all ovalized.
Oh, & yes, unicrown fork...
It's certainly nowhere near as light as my Bianchi which
is oversized tubing & I don't really care. I didn't buy it to compare against the Bianchi (closest I currently have that I could compare with), I just find it to be a cool bike, steel, well-equipped, & seems like it will be solidly comfortable, take whatever I throw at it (I'm not really hesitant to take my 23 or 25c-wearing road bikes into dirt & gravel if it's where I want to go) & last forever.
Anyway, your thoughts for era seem to hover toward the 88-92 era, but not exactly sure which way you're leaning when you say
"use of 8 speed Ergos (if they're original - but they'd probably push the build date back a couple of years)". Which direction are you saying? Chance of earlier or later? I'm just to good with dating Campy ergo gear.
Thanks again to you (& all others) for the great help & props. I am excited to dismantle it & clean it thoroughly (probably do a frame-saver kind of thing) & build it back properly.
Regards,
Saul