1977 Benotto Modelo 3000??
 

I Bought this bike very used a while ago at what I thought was a total steal...$ 450 cash.
Campagnolo Super Record throughout.
Cinelli Giro D' Italia bars on Cinelli stem.
Mavic MA40 rims.

The only thing that bums me out is a pedal end cap is missing, and the chrome on the fork isnt holding to well.

Im just getting into collecting vintage road bikes, I am not very knowledgable but doing my best for being 19 and not having the fortune of growing up with the evolution of technology.

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w...benotto001.jpg

What I think I have here is a 1977 Modelo 3000, the reason I assume 77 is because of the decal under the top of the seat tube reads "1977 San Cristobal Venezuela... which leads me to believe the frame was out of Mexico. Other things on the bike lead to me believe its one of the last to come out of Italy.

If anyone can take a look at those pictures and tell me what I got going on here I would appreciate it.

beautiful bike. sorry, can't help with the ID, but it looks like it was a great deal no matter what.

The decal under the TT simply refers to the World Championships held in San Cristobal in '77. So the bike is post-1977. My best guess would be somewhere 1978-82 or so. From what I understand, some 3000's were made in Mexico and others in Italy. I'm not sure how to tell the difference. In any case, its a nice and iconic bike, though if it was made in Mexico it could have some durability issues.

Correct on the decals and age of the frames. I owned several Model 3000s back then The first was a 1979 or so, and had cable guides brazed on TOP of the BB shell. The 1981 3000 had the cable guides cast into the BOTTOM of the BB. I had no problems with my three frames other than the paint was not durable nor the chrome. Nice frames with good Crit geometry. Enjoy.

Quite a lot has been written about the poor brazing technique and ultimate failure of the Mexican Benotto frames on this forum. I was wondering just who has first hand knowledge of Benotto frame failures?

The ones that are posted (that I recall) have all been structurally sound.

This particular bike looks fine and would be a great addition to anyone's collection.

There have been a number of folks who have pointed out Benotto frame failure here and elsewhere. The prime singer of that song here is MrRabbit, who definitely has (extensive) first hand knowledge. I think your powers of being able to detect structural soundness from photos is quite remarkable. My personal conclusion is that maybe at least some of those bikes are unsound and just haven't failed yet - it doesn't happen the first time they're ridden. Perhaps some of the survivors we see here escaped the overheating problems. Still, I would personally avoid Mexican Benottos, as the evidence of potential problems is, IMO, very strong and should not be blithly consigned to urban myth status.

Very pretty bike...I always liked those chapagne ones...Your chainrings aren't Super Record,though....On SR, the inner rings of the chainwheels are cut out,or "relieved",as it's termed...

You seemed to have jumped to the wrong conclusion re my power to see frame failure from photos. What I was getting at was the frame ID questions and related enquiries regarding Benotto frames that we (the forum) have discussed recently (over the past couple of years) haven't had frame failures. The people asking the questions have had the opportunity to read the forum responses and check their frames. None have come back to their thread to say their frames were, indeed, cracked.

I have no doubt that MrRabbit has had extensive experience regarding Benotto frame failure; Iwas just wondering if other forum members had Benotto's with cracks. Personally, my Benotto is still holding on and that's after 25 years since it was built.

I have taken note about the potential for frame failure and do check mine when I give it a good clean.

i got a free benotto frame and fork on CL about a year ago that led to a lot of research. most of the reports i've read of frame failures (not just on BF) have been by serious riders and racers when putting a high level of strain on the frame (sprinting, climbing, descending etc) that doesn't mean it can't happen to the casual rider - just probably at a lesser rate. all said and done - i'd hate always wondering in the back of my mind if or when my frame could crack...

Hi,

Sorry for digging up such an old thread, it is just that I am beginning the restoration process of a benotto 3000 and it is remarkably similar to yours.

Can I ask you a few questions and get some advice please?

Are you downtube shifter bosses square or round? Mine are round with a key at the top and I am struggling to work out what shifter configuration to use. Are you able to offer any advice please?

You have a great bicycle to start you vintage quest on. I built a website, MY "TEN SPEEDS" just for people like you, and me, who are new to the vintage bicycle interest. Perhaps there is some information there that will help accelerate your understanding of vintage bicycles. You might also learn how to save a dollar or two when finding and building bicycles.

Hope this is a help.

i personaly own 2 of those bikes italian made and mexican made.....also my uncle has one mexican he trained and raced for many years and never had any issues with the bike.... nice bikes...