Originally Posted by mrrabbit

I really don't mean to rain on your party...but as a former owner and still a lover of Benotto bicycles I have to say the following:

DO NOT RIDE YOUR BENOTTO!!!

Here's the reason why...

From the early 80's all the way to when they stopped sales of Benottos in the United States - Benotto frames failed. Only two models were spared...

Modelo 800 - Made with hi-ten steel was not affected.
Modelo 850 - Made with Columbus Zeta - cracked where seat tube entered the bottom bracket lug.
Modelo 1000 - Made with Columbus Zeta or Aelle - cracked where seat tube entered the bottom bracket lug.
Modelo 1500 - Made with Columbus Zeta or Aelle - cracked where seat tube entered the bottom bracket lug.
Modelo 2000 - Made with Ishiwata 019 - cracked where the seat tube entered the bottom bracket lug.
Modelo 2500 - Made with ??? - cracked where the seat tube entered the bottom bracket lug.
Modelo 3000 - Made with Columbus SL? - cracked where the seat tube entered the bottom bracket lug.
Modelo 3500 - Made with Columbus SLX - separated where the down tube entered the head tube lug.
Modelo 5000 - Made with Columbus MS / Gilco - not affected.

Basically these issues appeared when Benotto moved production to Mexico. The clinical judgement of a local frame builder was that the brazer in Mexico was overheating the tubes during brazing resulting in a premature onset of "brittleness".

Also, Benotto forks are outstanding forks. So if you do happen to own or come across a cracked Benotto, salvage the forks.

To the original poster, good luck with your Benotto. It looks really nice!

=8-)


The Modelo 800 was unaffected due to cheap hi-ten steel being able to take a little overheating abuse.

The Modelo 5000 was unaffected due to it being the model still produced in Italy. Some Modelo 3500's may have been made in Italy - but some are known to have also been made in Mexico.

As an owner of a Modelo 2000 I was heart broken when mine cracked. A fellow owner of the same model suffered the same. All my buddies had bought them as well and we practically rode as a club. Anyone with a model above the Modelo 800 suffered the same. I and one buddy actually sold Benottos out of a shop.

The rear triangle of my Ishiwata 019 tubed Modelo 2000 ended up getting reused as a rear triangle of a cart-bicycle made by Dale Saso. So in some sense, my Benotto lives on.

Your refurbished Benotto looks absolutely beautiful. Please...wax it and hang it up as an art piece - not an everyday ride. It will crack if you keep riding it.

The reason I love Benottos is simply that they seemed to be the only manufacturer of a low cost entry level racing bicycle that had true racing geometry. Most others labelled sports-touring bicycles as "entry level" racing bicycles such as Peugeot with their 501 tubed model.

The Modelo 800 had a tight rear triangle with a thumbs space between the rear tire and the seat tube and was a true toe toucher with medium and large toe clips much giving it almost a solid criterium front geometry. Parts were pretty bad but upgrade options were simple easy and affordable. Every low end Benotto could be turned into a really decent bike.