Hey guys I’m looking for a vintage road frame to convert to a fixed gear and I found a benotto frame set for 70$ in my size but it needs a fork and paint. I have to questions
1 is it legit ?
2 I have a Peugeot from the 80s that is a different size than this frame set can I swap the fork? and if not what fork should I get ?
Thanks for your time
by WealthSuperb6003
6 Comments
You can use the fork if the threads on the steerer tube lines up correctly when the headset is installed. This will be an issue if the Peugeot frame was a completely different size that this one. You might also need a French thread headset depending on the age of the fork, but from what I remember the cups are roughly the same press fit size. I avoid French bikes for this reason, so I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to this stuff. It’s probably the real deal as Benotto frames aren’t as desirable as f.ex a Colnago, so going to the trouble of adding the logo to both the rear stays and dropouts in this way wouldn’t make munch sense. I don’t really care what you do with this frame as long as you’re not hacking off the derailleur hanger
Personally, I’d not buy a frame without a fork.the fact that it’s missing suggests t me that it may have been damaged, which presents questions about whether the frame has suffered a front-end impact. Then there’s the bother and expense of finding a fork with the correct geometry and steer tube length. Your Peugeot likely has a greater rake than did the original Benotto fork.
Secondly, this isn’t a great quality frame. The thickness and “squareness” of the seat lug, in particular, suggests that this is a lower-end frame, built with heavier tubing and commensurate higher heat. It’s a lower end Bentt, for sure.
Just one guy’s opinion, but I’ll bet you can find a better frame and fork for $100 or so.
I’d pass. It’s missing the fork so likely it was damaged and thus the rest of the frame would have experienced the same stresses. It’s also a pain in the ass to find a fork with the appropriate amount of rake for the head tube angle. Plus the paint looks crappy like almost house paint or something. I’m not sure about old benotto frames but if building up a vintage fixie I’d stick to English standards in terms of steerer threading, 68mm bb shell with 1.37×24 threads as that’s what almost all of my parts inventory is. I’d also steer clear of vintage French stuff as they used a 25.0mm fork vs 25.4 (that everyone else used) – try going to your local bike shop and buying a French headset or just finding a fork. Thus it requires a different stem which means that you can’t use anything but a French stem which haven’t really been made for 30+ years. The frame tubing is also a different size 26.0 top tube, 28.0 down tube, 28.0 seat tube on old French. Everyone else used 25.4 steerer and top tube with a 28.6 mm down and seat tubes. Clamp on cable guides aren’t compatible. That seat tube of an old French bike being 28.0mm means that it requires a weird and hard to find seatpost. Lots of quirks about old French bikes. Old French stuff had a lot of really neat stuff about it but is just asking for a time consuming headache. I will also add that if you stand up and pedal a lot a newer frame will be more durable due to oversized tubing. That said my daily rider is a 1958? Capo Sieger which I love.
30 mm steering tube is pretty standard, any 1 inch fork of sufficient length will do. EC30/26.4 head set cups and bearings. Then either quil stem (like Deda murex) or 1 inch aheadset (very hard to find).
I have a similar peugeot frame and this QR slot is long enough for chain ajustement without messing with half links or ugly tensionners
Missing fork is suspect.
I’ve got a Magny Ishiwata fork that will go nicely with that frame. It’s a similar stack height.