Originally Posted by
Catnap
Thanks, but as noted in my original post, I've already checked Machiine.com's articles pretty thoroughly. Based on the rear derailleur cable guide position and 27.0 seatpost, it seems like this is a Model 2000 made from Columbus SP tubing. But what trips me up are two things: the seatstay cap treatment and the fork. I haven't been able to find photos of any Benotto with the style of seatstay caps found on this bike; most use a cap that has the Benotto logo cast into it. The forks on 2000 models also seem to have the Benotto logo and/or are chromed. This one is neither. Also, the logo on the head tube doesn't match most of these examples I've seen, as it has the Benotto crest instead of their logo.
The lack of embossing is explained by the age of your bicycle. As previously stated, it is likely pre-1978 based on the dropouts. Based on extant catalogues, we know that Benotto still wasn't embossing their frames and stay caps at least as late as 1977. As for the head tube logo, remember that is almost certainly a re-decal. as it has the Columbus repaint decal and the paint is far too gold for the traditional Benotto nickel-beige.
I find it strange that a bicycle this small uses a SP gauge seat tube. I wonder if the post is slightly under size and/or if the seat tube was slightly distorted? Regardless, since it does not have the Columbus steerer tube and appears to have a Columbus main triangle, a Benotto 2000 would be the correct model for the tubing configuration and era. Of course, there's always the possibility that it is not a Benotto, as the frames did not have any proprietary markings, fittings or unique serial number format during this era. The most suspcious feature are the fluted stay caps. I can't say that I've seen that on any Benotto. They are typically flat, when not embossed.
I'm attaching the catalogue image of the 1977 model 2000. The catalogue has been mis-identified on many sites but is almost certainly 1977, as it references Moser's 1976 World Championship in the Pursuit but not his 1977 World Championship in the Pro Road Race. Both were won on a Benotto and took place late in the summer. Most manufacturers introduced the new models just after the World Championships, to exploit any victories. Notice that the stay caps are not embossed. The fork crown is hard to see but it's likely not embossed, given the stay caps. It also has the long dropouts like your bicycle.
