Originally Posted by Kommisar89
Not that I'd ever want to disagree with T-Mar
but I rode the department store bikes and an "entry-level" Italian bike back then as it was all I could afford and I'd have to say there was a huge difference between a Huffy, Murray, or Free Spirit and an entry level Atala or Bottecchia or the like. I think a lugged hi-ten steel frame with Simplex or Valentino components that weighed about 26-lbs was a far better ride than a welded steel tank with Shimano Eagle or whatever it was back then (I forget) that weighed 30+ lbs. OK T-Mar, you can tell me I'm all wet now
But otherwise I agree it's a midrange Atala from the 80's. When did they start using Shimano? I know I've seen late 80's Italian bikes with Shimano stuff on them.
I welcome the disagreement. One function of the forum is to promote discussion. It's just opinion and everybody is entitled to their own.
However, having wrenched literally hundreds of boom era, entry level, Italian bicycles, I'll stand by my statement and state some of my reasons. They were better than the department store models, but I wouldn't say the difference was huge. And I'd say that, in general, they were worse than the French models and far below the Japanese. The fit and function of the the frame and components was usually poor. I can't recall receiving a shipment that I did not have to rework. But they did look nice, unless you looked real close. The French and British had far less rework, but the Japanese were noticeably better than them all.
I'd much rather have a Lark, Eagle or Honor than a Prestige or Valentino. The Prestige flexed like a wet noodle and wore out quickly, if something didn't break first. The Valentino was reliable, but was stiff and did not hold adjustments well. And don't get me going on their cursed front derailleurs, which required 1/2 step chainrings that were inadequate for the marketplace. I'd much rather have the Japanese components than their European counterparts. The Japanese components were basic and heavier, but worked well and were reliable.
The area I will concede to the Europeans is the frame ride characteristics, though not the frame workmanship or reliability. Those early Japanese frames had a terribly dead ride. The French were the most resilient, probably due to the smaller diameter tubing, but it was a little too flexy for me. I preferred the English or Italian frames, but for your typical customer, the Japanese frame was perfectly adequate and much better constructed and more reliable.
Your Special was somewhat of an abberation for the era, probably the beneficary of parts shortages. Getting aluminum rims in place of steel makes a big difference, probably the most significant upgrade you could make. Those hubs are a upgrade over spec too, given that they have Campagnolo hardware. What you ended up with is a bicycle that closer to mid-range than entry level and a couple of pounds lighter than your tyical entry level model.
Don't get me wrong, I love old bicycles, almost all of them. And I wouldn't turn down a properly fitting, good condition, entry level, Italian model, but overall, I'd rate them the worst value. Now the high end, Italian models from that era are a completely different story.