I found this great deal that I'm going to check it out tomorrow
They are both 80's bike

Benotto baby blue 46 cm
Marinoni royal blue 49 cm


The seller doesn't have pics so I don't know what they look like exactly.

Other than sizing(i can probably ride both with reasonable saddle height adjustment)
What should I look for?
Which one would you choose?

Buy both, and sell the Benotto to East Hill. The Benotto may be a Mexican-made bike, still not bad if the price is right, but if so, and I had to buy just one, I'd opt for the Marinoni...look for the tubing decals, compare the components and the build quality of the frame, don't forget the wheels.

A previous thread a few months back said that some mex benottos, were vulnerable to frame failure, he had a list with pics. Regardless go with the Marinoni,( if I had a choice based on no pictures.)

I'd likely go with the Marinoni if it was in good shape. The Benotto is a really small frame so I wonder if they geometry would be compromised to make it that small and still have normal sized 700C wheels.

Go with the Marinoni, no questions. I'm not biased or anything...

Actually, maybe we could work out a deal with w0lffian?

I'm close to the BC border, and heading down to California...hmmm?

East Hill

early to mid-eighties Benottos...

Modelo 850 to 3000.
(Possibly 3500 as well - though not verified...)

They will fail...

Now if you run into a Modelo 5000SL in Gilco/MS - jump on it...

=8-)

Thanks EH,
can you get the specs on the Bennotto? or even pics if you look at it
I'd be interested..
and I should have been clearer about my search
idealy I want 700c or 650 wheels, I know it makes it tougher
but for the right bike and deal

Well, let's see if we can't get something going here...

East Hill

Maybe not. The reach may be very different as well, due to top tube length. And saddle height is going to impact your saddle to handlebar drop...which you may not have stem quill length to compensate for.

I'll also agree with an above reply that at 46cm the geometry may be compromised to fit 700c wheels.

How tall are you?

I saw that and thought, I can't believe I am not in vancouver. BTW the talbot is as good as both those bikes. The marinoni is probably the nicest though IF it is a special.

I'll also agree with an above reply that at 46cm the geometry may be compromised to fit 700c wheels.

it's a pretty good bet that if it has 700s that it's compromised.

of all the research on the net.. the best of it was here in the search function

lots of great information

since this is such an odd size, would it increase the odds of it being a

custom made in italy?

Thanks. Turned out the seller miscalulated.
The benotto is 49 cm
The marnoni is 56 cm.

I ended buying the Benotto 'cause it fits me (the Talbot is just too tiny)
and 'cause my first bike was the exact same modelo 850,different colour tho...
So Benotto's got special sentimental value for me...

I'll post pics soon

congrats SK
does this mean the talbot is available?

pics please! I must see lots of close-ups of the lugs, drop, outs and fork crown and know the serial number. I am giddy with anticipation that it is an early 80s model with bizarre features.

It's a Modelo 850. Almost certainly it's made in Mexico. Serial Number #252
Columbus Zeta tubing, full chrome fork
Complete Shimano 600 Arabesque components
Christophe toeclips and straps

The pearl baby blue colour is gorgeous, but nicked pretty bad in places

I think you did real well Special K, it's purdy
and if it makes you feel any better, and for what it's worth, I have an email from the original owner, who bought it new, and was told it was from italy.

that would be mighty awesome if it were actually made in ITALY