Identifying Italian road bike frame

[Junky]

Hi. Can anyone help identify the frame. It was bought second hand in Italy in the late 80s. The previous owners son said his dad always referred to it as his bianchi. He remembers the original head badge being red, green, yellow and black stripes.

 

[Frankenorange]

Paco is the make as stamped into the top of the seat stay and the P in the fork crown. Small high end builder and probably something to do with Raffaele di Paco who was an italian cyclist. Definitely 1980's vintage.

 

[Foreigner]

Full picture of the frameset, serial numbers under bb etc etc would help...

 

[Junky]

Full picture of the frameset, serial numbers under bb etc etc would help...

 

[Junky]

Paco is the make as stamped into the top of the seat stay and the P in the fork crown. Small high end builder and probably something to do with Raffaele di Paco who was an italian cyclist. Definitely 1980's vintage.

Pretty sure it's not connected to di paco as he was riding 50 years before the bike was made.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Pretty sure it's not connected to di paco as he was riding 50 years before the bike was made.

Framebuilders often borrow racers names to add a (historic) air of authenticity to their brand.
If the racer is current or living, money will change hands.

If not, it might be claimed as pure coincidence.

 

[Junky]

Framebuilders often borrow racers names to add a (historic) air of authenticity to their brand.
If the racer is current or living, money will change hands.

If not, it might be claimed as pure coincidence.

Framebuilders often borrow racers names to add a (historic) air of authenticity to their brand.
If the racer is current or living, money will change hands.

If not, it might be claimed as pure coincidence.

Thanks this has been so useful in assisting me in identifying the frame.

 

[Jesper]

@Junky I have a late '80s/early '90s Paco panto'd frame with TSX tubing. "PACO" may the actual builder's name and not a reference to any previous racer, but that is pure supposition as I have no evidence to confirm that hypothesis. I also cannot confirm that "PACO" existed as an actual brand other than the very few (now 3) branded frames I have seen, including mine though I am sure there are many more. It is possible that they were contract built (by an artisan builder or large scale operation, i.e. Vetta, Billato, etc.) for a small shop of that name, or they were bespoke frames custom made for racers living in the area of the builder. My frame has a racer's name on it, but I have been unable to trace the name and I have no idea at what level he competed though I assume given the high-end level and cost of the frame when new that it was raced well above entry level competitions.

Given the size of your frame I would assume it to be Columbus "SL" or "SLX" (usually taking a 27.2mm seat post; is there any tubing decal remnant? Oria tubing was also commonly used); but it could easily be a "Tretubi" type frame, or mix of tube types depending on its model and price point. I still think it would be a full "SL" frame at minimum. I would place it about mid '80s so it could easily have "SLX" tubing, and that can be verififled with the BB assy removed and looking/feeling for the helical ridges in the down and seat tubes. "SL"/"SLX"/"TSX" fork steerers all had helical reinforcement ridges (5 total "ribs"; see photo). My frame has a vented Silva BB shell, not the Cinelli.

 

[LondonClassic]

Thanks this has been so useful in assisting me in identifying the frame.

Sarcasm like that - to what seems like a genuine attempt to help you - is going to put others off doing the same.

 

[Junky]

Sarcasm like that - to what seems like a genuine attempt to help you - is going to put others off

@Junky I have a late '80s/early '90s Paco panto'd frame with TSX tubing. "PACO" may the actual builder's name and not a reference to any previous racer, but that is pure supposition as I have no evidence to confirm that hypothesis. I also cannot confirm that "PACO" existed as an actual brand other than the very few (now 3) branded frames I have seen, including mine though I am sure there are many more. It is possible that they were contract built (by an artisan builder or large scale operation, i.e. Vetta, Billato, etc.) for a small shop of that name, or they were bespoke frames custom made for racers living in the area of the builder. My frame has a racer's name on it, but I have been unable to trace the name and I have no idea at what level he competed though I assume given the high-end level and cost of the frame when new that it was raced well above entry level competitions.

Given the size of your frame I would assume it to be Columbus "SL" or "SLX" (usually taking a 27.2mm seat post; is there any tubing decal remnant? Oria tubing was also commonly used); but it could easily be a "Tretubi" type frame, or mix of tube types depending on its model and price point. I still think it would be a full "SL" frame at minimum. I would place it about mid '80s so it could easily have "SLX" tubing, and that can be verififled with the BB assy removed and looking/feeling for the helical ridges in the down and seat tubes. "SL"/"SLX"/"TSX" fork steerers all had helical reinforcement ridges (5 total "ribs"; see photo). My frame has a vented Silva BB shell, not the Cinelli. View attachment 948308

This is amazing. Thank you for your insight and knowledge. And especially for taking the time to write such a comprehensive reply.