Bikerider007

Helped a friend find a cheap road bike. he will use for short commutes to light rail and wanted a something vintage. Trying to figure out year and quality ranking for their models as there is no number and many do have. I know it is Mexico as it has a Mexico decal. No serial on BB, still need to look for.

Bikerider007

Frame is aero top, bottom and seat tube.

T-Mar

Shimano New 105, if OEM, places it 1987-1989. It appears to be the 6 speed version, which would narrow it down to 1987-1988. During this era, New 105 bicycles were typically considered lower mid-range. This bicycle does have the full New 105 group so it may have been upgraded but the graphics are correct for this period.

The Benotto model with new 105 was the model 1800. It used a Columbus SL frame. To verify this remove the seat post and check the size stamped on it, which would be 27.2 for Columbus SL. Also, remove the front wheel and check inside the bottom of the fork's steerer tube for five spiral ridges (see photo) that are indicative of the steerer used on Columbus SL.

Bikerider007

Thanks TMar. Seatpost is a Laprade 26.6, no ridges and bike feels on the heavier side. Does the dropout help at all? I still have not located a serial either. We are going to break it down next weekend so it is ride ready and I will get a better look.

Supposedly this is how it came, second owner said he bought, rode a year and parked for seven.

Not sure parts will narrow any more but;

Brakes, levers and derailleurs (front just says Shimano) are 105, shifters are 600.
Hubs are stamped "Touring" with "Patent" below that.
Headset is Benotto
Cranks are Coronado
Pedals are VP 380
Fork and rear dropouts stamped Benotto.
Pics pretty much show the rest.

I found this link but it appears to be for pre mexico, the stays are Diamond and not indented so I know some of this changed, as there is no way this is above low mid range at best. The analysis of steel and dropouts is interesting but again probably changed.

Benotto Bicycle Restoration ? How to identify a vintage Benotto bike frame?s year and model ? Part 2

T-Mar

I overlooked your 2nd post where the aero tubes were mentioned. That would make this a Benotto Triathlon. These frames were hi-tensile steel and this is corroborated by the post diameter. Typically, New 105 wasn't spec'd on hi-tensile frames and I haven't see any Triathlons with new 105, so I'm still assuming replacements. Known original derailleurs were Shimano Light Action or SunTour SVX. The Thun crankset is also known OEM spec. The Triathlon was available from at least 1986 through 1988 and in stock form was an upper, entry level model. So, not much change in the timeline.

Bikerider007

@T-Mar, I hope you are cataloging some of the stuff you know and firsthand experiences! You have come through on many occasion and its appreciated.

In case anyone else comes across one like this. Forgot these parts,; skewers are Miche. Freewheel is shimano MF Z012. Bars are 3T.

With your help I found some info in the range, nothing exact and this has probably been posted before, but I thought it good and was amusing. Supposedly 87' models;

T-Mar

The results of my (Asian) serial number analyses have been posted in a single location, for posterity. That will probably have more value to future cyclists than everything else I have posted, combined.

Yo Spiff

Thanks for all the good info. I've been trying to identify my Bennotto and the information in this thread, and a couple of other sites, has helped me identify it as a Triathlon. Mine has been repainted similarly but not identically, but all the construction details appear to match what is shown above. Thanks. (BTW, the single speed thing wasn't really to my liking, and I am refitting it as a geared road bike)

T-Mar

Yes, it definitely a Benotto Triathlon frame based on those seat and down tubes. Glad we could help.

rjhammett

Looks pretty close to the Modelo 2000 that I recently finished up for my daughter.

Bikerider007

That is definitely in the same year range. Is the seat tube aero on those? Kinda looks that way in pic. The only other obvious difference is the Triathlon decal on the top tube. I think his was 88' due to the 105 but not positive, the ad above is 87'.

BTW, it was a ton of work and took a lot of beer , we finally did it this past Saturday. Broke it completely down and it cleaned up very nice, but all the grease was super sticky and degreaser would not take off. What does everyone use for that really old sticky stuff? Any simple or cheap solutions?

rgver

I had one, the original seat had little stick figure triathletes. a was a nice rider but I had no space in my fleet at the time

rjhammett

The seat tube is not aero. One other difference is that my daughter's bike has a chrome fork. I have no idea what the original groupset was. It had a mix of fairly high quality parts when I got it. I put a Shimano 105 groupset on it that I had. I pulled a very nice Suntour Superbe crankset off it.