Originally Posted by
non-fixie
While there have been reports of Mexican examples with quality issues, many lower-end Benottos are still around and doing well. I have seen quite a few 800's over the years at various C&V events.
The gen on the net says that the columbus Mexican bikes had overheated bottom brackets, cracks appear at various places.
The 800/850 were plain hugh-carbon steel, so not affected, nor were the Italian-made ones - some clues can be Modello/Modelo, a made-in-Italy decal, and sometimes bb markings.
The gen also says the very top-end bikes (3000) were only made in Italy.
So buy low or buy high.
(Even the 800/850s are nice riders.)