Billato material codes / markings reference.
 

Having a couple of Billato built bikes myself, and having spent too much time researching Concorde stuff, it occurred to me that I had the beginnings of a list of Billato markings for which frame material was used.... So I did some research, asked a few people in specific cases (many thanks to those people) and have come up with the following list. The list seems applicable roughly to 1986 lets say to nearly 2000 I suppose. If any of you who have a Billato creation can add or correct let me know and I'll update what I have in this first post. And a disclaimer, I have no intention whatsoever of becoming a Billato historian, ain't nobody got time for that.

For those that don't know Billato built, in that sort of era, for Tomasso, Masi, Guerciotti, Concorde, Giordana, Lemond, Marin, Look, Fondriest plus others I'm sure.

Example of a typical format, size and tubing. List follows below, with explanations where I am not sure. I can't make any claim that these letters were used consistently through the whole period, but it is hopefully a useful resource for someone nevertheless.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3c2376df68.jpg

Columbus Tubes:
3E Aelle tre tubi
C Cromor
M Matrix
SL SL
X SLX
XN SLX NEW
TX TSX
Y PRX
?? MAX in theory there should be one for Max (if we assume Billato built Max frames) but I've never seen it.
B SP this one I'm not convinced that the one example I've seen is a Billato, even though there's an argument it should be.
NO Neuron, based on a Look I've been able to examine (small sample size so far)

Excell tubes:
GLX GLX verified by fb user Doug H, thanks

GL GL a bit of a guess, not seen this myself, makes sense in theory

Chromex and Podium I'm no expert on the Excell tube line , unsure if Billato used these 2 much or at all

I'll help best I can. I've had 10, or is it 11, Billato built bikes over the years.

My Concorde had the 3E which I'm not sure if I ever found out for sure it was Aelle tre tubi but I sure suspected it was.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6a81982b50.jpg

All the Lemonds I had were marked as you've indicated. Tubing type stamped under the frame size stamp:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c847308146.jpg
Ventoux in Cromor
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...daecacc0ae.jpg
Maillot Juane in TSX, I also have a Team Z marked the same way.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c1467050fb.jpg
Team Gan no picture of BB but had a "GLx" stamp. The GL looked to be one stamp with a smaller out of line x next to it.

The Giordana's are not consistent.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5add4667d7.jpg
Antares in Cromor

Neither Podium tubed Giordana XL Supers is stamped:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ffffc3f051.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b6935d365c.jpg

Unfortunately, I don't have any underside BB shots of the SLX Polaris or the SL Scorpius. I can't remember if they were stamped or not.

I also have the shot of the NOS Giordana ECO tubed fork I got from Gita with the one XL Super Frame. ECO was in between the Cromex and Podium tubing, the second best per say.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d1b83355b2.jpg

Billato resource

Facebook Owners Club page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/437412037076241

James, thanks for those. Here are some of the others I have found, with thanks to the bike owners (where noted) for sharing the information.

XN > SLX NEW on a late Concorde Aquila... from fb user Steven C
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6280a8e462.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e5a55e4d1c.jpg

SL > SL Concorde Prelude from 1994/5
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49022075fa.jpg

GLX > Lemond , from fb user Doug H.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f638e23905.jpg

X > SLX Concorde Squadra
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bed027f8c1.jpg

Y > PRX (very uncommon) Concorde Prelude bikeforums user sumgy
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5e62a07e1f.jpg

B possibly meaning SP, I'm not yet convinced this is Billato, I'd value an opinion either way. This is an eBay one
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7c7f93514f.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a7836b5642.jpg

I own two Billato built bikes (Giordana Spica and Tommaso). Both are built of Columbus TSX and both are marked with TX on the bottom bracket shell.

Excellent, thanks. I seem to be finding unknown materials faster than I am adding to the list, but so be it. A friend of mine just picked up a Billato Look in Neuron, so I should have that in a few weeks, once it arrives. Columbus, I have seen EL and Ego used, but no info on them yet. Maybe @aceves still has their Ego Concorde and could share what that has. In the Excell tube I'm pretty sure there should be a GL, just haven't seen one yet. More updates as they come in I guess :thumb:

Columbus Neuron, code seems to be NO, based on this Look 243 a friend of mine just received in the post. I seem to recall N was already used, but will have to go digging and see what I can find, or if I'm just imagining things (again :foo:).

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...95344115bd.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dba6bd79dd.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b0925f2426.jpg

Two Masi Nuova Strada. Both SLX/SP and both stamped "X".

I just picked up a Concorde Prelude and remembered this thread. So I had a look.

The S in SL is barely visible, if at all:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8f2d2f2e32.jpg

Today have added M for Matrix, which changed it's name to Cromor later after a legal issue between Trek and Columbus over the Matrix name.
Seen on a Tommaso (Ten speed drive imports), which was actually stickered as Cromor. Seems like this would put it right around the changeover of the tubeset name.