I recently posted a thread soliciting advice on whether my vintage Steel Pinarello was a Montello or not. The resounding consensus was that it is indeed a Montello. Now I want to narrow down whether or not it is constructed of columbus SLX tubing or not. The frame is a repaint and is devoid of its original Columbus decals. Did mid/late 1980s Pinarello Montellos come in any tubing other than SLX? I am no seasoned bike mechanic and unsuccessfully attempted to take off the bottom bracket to feel for the "SLX rifling", but the bracket was uncooperative and rather stuck. I gave up after nicking the bottom bracket shell a time or two, which pissed me off because the paint was perfect till I nicked it.

Any how, if there are external characteristics that are hallmarks of SLX, please let me know. I've sort of been led to believe that the bridgeless bottom bracket/rear triangle seat stays was indicative of SLX but then again, I'm no expert. So any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, and I'm eager for enlightenment.

Here's some pics if that helps.

Pull out the bottom bracket and stick your finger into the seat and down tube to check for rifling. If it's there then it's SLX and if not then it's SL or something else.

I'm with Henry III, I don't know any other way than to feel inside the BB. Maybe (i've never tried) you can see it by removing the seatpost and shining donw into the tube with a flashlight? The rifling will not start until about 30cm down.

That´s an easy one.

Get a repro Columbus SLX decal, stick it on the seat tube, bingo, instant SLX.

Seriously though, good luck finding this one out. I mistakenly bought an SL Olmo believing it to be SLX, someone had added (very neatly) an ´X` on the decal with a sharpie, I never noticed until by chance I checked a photo of the seat tube. Oops!

The finger test.

Turn your head and cough ?