In a message dated 11/5/03 7:19:45 PM Pacific Standard Time,
aphillips9@mindspring.com writes:
> could be totally wrong, but it seems like spacing ought to date a bike
> you know is original (but spacing is so easy to change!) My Monte was set
> at 120 spacing. Seems like if Vasco was getting his frames from a
> contractor, the spacing would be pretty much what was the going deal for
> other frames built by that contractor, unless Vasco had a lot of 5 speed
> hub sets he needed to use up. I'm pretty sure 126mm spacing became the
> standard in the mid 1970s.
>
> Any other definitive clues on dating Italian frames?
>
> Oh, and I'd pay good money to finally settle for once and for all, who
> built the Montelatici frames... Hear that Matteo?
>
On factor I recall hearing regarding spacing is that (allegedly) amateur teams continued to use 120 spacing long after professional teams switched to 126.
Regarding the builder of the Montelatici frames, I can tell you from very
close examination, that the placing of the brazing pegs in the individual lugs,
is exactly the same as similar vintage Cinelli frames. I know Matteo is trying
to get something on paper, but the relationship between Vasco and Cino (going
back to when they raced as juniors) was pretty well known in Italy.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA