Dougbloch 

I've read a lot about Atalas here and elsewhere, and this one seemed worthy of purchasing to me to build up into a fixed gear. I actually haven't picked up the frame yet but these are some of the pictures the seller sent me.

I've read that these are regarded as part of the early 70s bike boom and that production value varied on them - and that there was a big difference between their low end and high end models.

My best guess puts this as a 1972 Record Professional. Columbus tubing and Campagnolo dropouts. The bike came with frame, headset, the original front wheel, and a back wheel from another road bike for $100. The seller said no rust but you can see quite a bit of scratches. Here are some pics.

bikemig 

This will make a fine single speed and the price isn't bad.

3speedslow

Looks to be a short sized frame. Does it fir you?

+1 that would make an awesome Fixed gear!

Dougbloch 

My plan is to build it into a fixed.

I haven't seen it yet, but the seller took it to a LBS which she said measured the seat tube at 55cm.

juvela

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If she is a '72 her serial, stamped on side of seat tube, will begin 72A____. Headset is puzzling. Top model at this time would have received Campag Record headset and a midliner would have received a WAY-Assauto. This headset is neither. Perhaps it was fitted by a previous owner. Lugset is Prugnat 62/D. Frame size in inches, "21", will be stamped in two places on underside of shell.

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Dougbloch 

Serial number is 72A1021. I don't have any pics of the bottom. I will be picking it up later this month.

juvela

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Here is a page from the 1971 catalogue courtesy of velo-pages.com. Suspect it may have been kitted something like this ex-works. Rizzato terms this model Competizione.

randyjawa 

Pretty sure that you will love the ride quality of your Atala Pro. I have had the second from the top of the line...



And more recently, Atala's top dog, a 1969 Record 101 Professional and I have no idea what the Record 101 means...

devinfan

Will make an awesome fixed gear. Once owned the same frame and it was a beautiful rider. That's no 55cm, though. Maybe they measured it Centre to top? Looks like a 53cm to me based on the head tube.

Kevindale

Randy, I love the look of the Swallow saddle on that bike. I need to get hold of one and see if it agrees with my tush.

Doug, your new frame looks like a great fixed gear project. Perfect look for such a bike. I'd vote (not that we were asked) to just clean up the frame and protect it with some wax, maybe some judicious touch up paint, but preserve most of that patina.

juvela

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Here is an image of Rizzato's size marking on shell...

Dougbloch 

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not sure what size it is and won't be able to have anybody look at the frame until Monday. If it's too small, I will sell it.


How do I know if it's the Competizione or Record Professional?



Two beauties!

That's my plan!

randyjawa 

The Pro has a chromed seat tube lug, while the Competizione does not. This is not a cast in stone fact. I have been told that, sometimes, they both have chrome seat tube lugs.

juvela

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+1

Headset makes me think Competizione but then of course we do not know if it has been changed...

We had another one recently with a non-plated seat lug yet equipped with NR, suggesting it a Professional. Dated 1968.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...did-i-buy.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...vo-record.html


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Dougbloch 

I picked up this frame finally. It's surprisingly light! Looks to be in pretty decent shape to me. The frame needs some cleaning up but it will look good once that's done. It's 21" per the stamp on the bottom of the frame. The seat tube lug is chrome.

Now the question facing me is whether to build it up into a fixed or road bike. I actually don't have the latter, only the former. I don't do any long-distance riding now and everywhere I ride is flat. My commute is just short of 5 miles so fixed gear is fine, but it would be nice to have a road option.

No matter which route I go, I need to buy ttt stem, BB, seat post, crankset, and pedals. I figure I could build it up as a fixed first with a wheelset I have and then use a Simplex front and rear derailleur and shifters I have and and the wheelset it came with and try it out as a road bike second.

On that note, it came with an Araya VX300 rim laced to a Shimano 400cx hub on the front. There is a similar rear wheel on CL right now for $35 (Araya/Shimano/7-speed) for pretty cheap: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bop/5896475074.html.. Not my first choice in wheels but I'd only be in to the bike for $135 if I bought that one. Opinions? If I keep it a road bike and wanted to rebuild it to stock it could be very costly with that whole Campy set up.