Bottecchia with chrome lugs — trying to learn more about it
07-26-18, 09:26 AM
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Bottecchia with chrome lugs — trying to learn more about it
Hey all, bought this one from a bike shop in Portland, Oregon about 15 years ago. It was a frame and they built it into a single-speed for me (it has a reversible fixed-gear on rear wheel but I never used it.)
I'm trying to determine what year it's from — I don't see many Bottecchias without the logo on the down tube. I'd also like to know if it was a low-, mid- or high-end bike. It has a Campy components logo on the seat tube, if that means anything. I think it has Campy dropouts, but hoping someone will be able to say definitively.
I found a number carved into the bottom bracket, 10-2407, but I can't tell if it's the serial number or not. Photo below.
Yes, the paint job has seen better days. I'll work on it soon.
I may sell it, depending on what y'all think it might be worth. I'd love to hear estimates.
Thanks for your help with my mystery...
Robby
Love these high-flange hubs
I'm trying to determine what year it's from — I don't see many Bottecchias without the logo on the down tube. I'd also like to know if it was a low-, mid- or high-end bike. It has a Campy components logo on the seat tube, if that means anything. I think it has Campy dropouts, but hoping someone will be able to say definitively.
I found a number carved into the bottom bracket, 10-2407, but I can't tell if it's the serial number or not. Photo below.
Yes, the paint job has seen better days. I'll work on it soon.
I may sell it, depending on what y'all think it might be worth. I'd love to hear estimates.
Thanks for your help with my mystery...
Robby
Love these high-flange hubs
07-26-18, 09:51 PM
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1973 manufacturer's catalogue page -
(same frame employed for both models shown)
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1973 manufacturer's catalogue page -
(same frame employed for both models shown)
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07-27-18, 06:37 AM
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Value here as it sits is very low, given rough condition and XL size. Hopefully your market is better. I'm surprised those bars fit in that stem.
07-27-18, 06:47 AM
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@NightSide - Agree with @wrk101. Although this frame set is the top of the line for Bottecchia, it is still a bit heavy and the workmanship is not quite up to the level of other Italian's. It is a bit heavy as well. The whole frame is chrome but only those exposed areas are smooth. The rest is rough for paint to stick. If it were me, and I have one, I would restore it if I had the parts. It is a nice rider.
The DA stem is worth some money as are the handlebars. No component on the bike is original.
BTW, I bought mine unknowingly thinking it has value because I am a sucker for chrome lugs. I compensated for the disappointment by hanging period parts on it from my parts bin. Both the Giro and the Pro have the same frame set. What was different was everything else.
1972 Bottecchia Giro D'Italia (Professional conversion), on Flickr
The DA stem is worth some money as are the handlebars. No component on the bike is original.
BTW, I bought mine unknowingly thinking it has value because I am a sucker for chrome lugs. I compensated for the disappointment by hanging period parts on it from my parts bin. Both the Giro and the Pro have the same frame set. What was different was everything else.
1972 Bottecchia Giro D'Italia (Professional conversion), on Flickr
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07-27-18, 06:49 AM
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Low value? As in "under $200"? Under $150 even?
I admit I've done that with Cinelli bars once or twice, until I had a stem go "ping!" on me while prying the clamp to fit those over-sized bars in to a regular stem.
07-27-18, 09:41 AM
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As presented I would say $125-150 and expect that it might take awhile to sell in most markets. As said this bike likely has more value as a rider so I would be inclined to keep it and fix it up some and ride it. The lower end single speed build really hurts the market for this one people looking for used SS/FG bikes want something to ride under $200 and those looking for a vintage Italian bike want a bike that is mostly original.
07-27-18, 09:50 AM
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As presented I would say $125-150 and expect that it might take awhile to sell in most markets. As said this bike likely has more value as a rider so I would be inclined to keep it and fix it up some and ride it. The lower end single speed build really hurts the market for this one people looking for used SS/FG bikes want something to ride under $200 and those looking for a vintage Italian bike want a bike that is mostly original.
I live in New York City so I don't really have space for this one, as lovely as she is. Will take my chances with the market. Sigh.
You guys are amazing with the knowledge!
07-27-18, 10:37 AM
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from what can be seen in the posted images not a single fitting from the original cycle remains.
you might do better from a sales standpoint to offer it as a bare frameset.
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from what can be seen in the posted images not a single fitting from the original cycle remains.
you might do better from a sales standpoint to offer it as a bare frameset.
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07-27-18, 10:53 AM
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The number scratched in the bottom bracket is some prior owner’s social security number.
07-27-18, 01:57 PM
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+1, it's an early to mid-1970s, Botteccchia Professional or Giro d'Italia frame. Given the large frame size, the tubing is almost certainly Columbus SP. While a high end Bottecchia, it is still a production frame from a mass volume manufacturer and does not exhibit the workmanship found on smaller volume brands. In particular, this one has a small and cold looking braze between the seat lug and stay.
07-27-18, 04:29 PM
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I don't understand the numbers scratched into the paint on the BB. If it's a Bottecchia it should have numbers & letters stamped into the steel. If it's a Columbus frame it should have the letters SP or SL stamped into the BB. I call Bottecchia the "Schwinn of Italy" because they built everything from entry level to high end Tour de France stuff. That looks like a pretty good one. But, hard to tell.
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