Can anyone help with info on a Benotto frameset?
 

I am looking at a frame that the owner knows nothing about other than it says Benotto on the headtube and they think it is from the 90's. They did say it has a 27mm seatpost so possibly SL tubing? There are no markings to say it is a Benotto or something else, only a B on the brake bridge. To my understanding they should have the Benotto name on the top of the seat stays and under the B/B shell, this does not. What is this frame, is it a Benotto or something else?


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d3556d30bb.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c96e8b374b.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cac36f3e03.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8b14e7eed5.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c4830888c9.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5ba7a3cdfa.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9cc53efc08.jpg

Do I see profiled tubes or am I wrong?
And a picture of the bridge, the B, would possibly help?

The tubbing is what caught my interest.

I never saw a Benotto with profiled tubes. But I'm not a Benotto-specialist.

Those Columbus Cromor decals are correct. I've seen numerous other Benotto with those fluted Cromor tubes but have been unable to determine the model number/name. That Cromor decal was only issued for 1987, though the frame could be 1988 or possibly later if they had leftover stock. USA market advertisements for 1987 listed six models but none with Cromor. Consequently, it may 1988 or possibly a foreign market model. I'd just go with very late 1980s and mid-range, with an extra dash of pizzazz.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c297de694e.jpg

Does the one pictured have the same seat stays as the one in question?

Iv've seen these frame with different stay configurations and amounts of chrome. The above photo was selected, as it best shows the manipulation to the Cromor tubeset. Attached is picture of one with the same frame characteristics as the one you are considering.

Cromor uses the same size seat post as SL - 27.2mm. A 27.0 mm post would be slightly undersize and normally used on SP., though given the frame size, I wouldn't expect SP. I suspect the owner used a slightly undersize post, possibly due to the build-up on the inside of the tube or a slightly distorted tube. Cromor is actually a very nice comprise between SL and SP, for riders who want a slightly stronger and more rigid frame than SL. Those flutes probably take the rigidity up to SP level, maybe even beyond.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...df78f0a20.jpeg

Thank you TMAR, I feel better about it now. I am going to get it but it will be a while before anything gets done to it.

Anyone have an idea/guess of the model name for this frame?