HI ALL! I'm Don from Bradenton FL. At the age of 16, I bought a Bertin. When the shop owner brought the frame out of storage, we found the frame had damage to the down tube and bottom bracket. He offered me a complete built Bertin bike for $50 more. At the moment I didn't have the extra 450 with me. Well, Good old dad stepped in at this point. I thought he was going to help me with the extra $50. nope he got the own to come down to the price for the built Bertin for the same price of the bare frame. Thanks Dad! My plan was to build the bike with all Campy. But with the complete bike I was able to ride it that day. Over the next 3 years I replaced all of the moving parts with the Campy I wanted. I keep the T/A crank and the head set. Since then, 32 years ago, all I've ever replaced was stuff like the tires, tubes, handle bar tape and chain. They are all due again to be replaced. The rest is still the stuff I bought back then. I love the bike. Sadly to say, over the years I've had to put the bike in storage a few times for a few years due to health reasons. She got pulled from storage last month and is up and running again! Oddly enough today the rear tire blow out! Off to the bike shop for me.
Just thought I would introduce my self. I threw together a few photos of
the old girl here.. http://www.mallettservices.com/
I do have a couple questions. 1st is more of a concern. The cracks in the paint on the 4th photo down. Is that telling me something bad about the metal under the paint? 2nd question is about the frame. I would like to know more about the history and reputation of the frame builder.
Thanks!
Donald Mallett
Bradenton Fl.