Re: [Classicrendezvous] Atala

(Example: Framebuilders:Mario Confente)

From: <karl.frantz@juno.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 21:17:29 -0500
Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Atala


Oops, should have expanded that thought some more...

On Wed, 29 Nov 2000 20:41:50 -0500 <Karl.Frantz@juno.com> writes:
>
> Continentals and Varsities were heavy and outdated, sure, but they
> were well-made and actually quite good quality for what they were. I
> once fished a bottom-feeder Italian bike out of the recycling rack
> (a Nervi) and holy cow what crap. The Campy Valentino derailleurs on
> it were no prize either. Needless to say it went right back (except
> for the pedals which are on my fixed-gear because they were handy).

Anyway, the point is that I never heard of a Nervi before or since, but if someone told me he had a real nice Nervi, based on that example I'd need some convincing to even look at it. But a Paramount, now if I was only going by the Varsity, might not be the latest and greatest but I'd expect it to be sound and decently finished.

Of course Schwinn did a good job making sure everyone knew the Paramount was special.

What was wrong with that Nervi? Gaps under the lugs and other sloppy metalwork, rough blobby paint, flimsy badly-finished components, crooked decals... I've even seen a lower-mid-level Follis with one downtube decal upside-down, and a head lug under which you could see daylight. But I know Follis made nice bikes too.

Karl Frantz Sterling, Massachusetts -------------------------------------------------- Karl.Frantz@juno.com

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