My atala corsa. I am wanting to do something with it, deciding between doing a resto mod on it, putting a cartridge bottom bracket and new cranks, new bars, lighter rims etc, to make it a bit more “modern”. Or just clean it up, make sure it’s in good health and leave it. Curious on opinions? I’ve already re wrapped bars, new saddle, new tires, new cables, but that’s it so far.
by piprito
7 Comments
I had an Atala Grand Prix as my first vintage bike some years back. I think mine was maybe 1 step up in the model line, but they’re very similar.
The great thing about these bikes is they have a lot of Italian flair and they turn heads. The less great thing is behind that flash they are pretty basic and heavy.
Yours looks to be in really good shape. Personally, I would keep it more or less as is and not do a restomod on it. I’d look for a higher end frame for that kind of thing and keep this one as an everyday rider.
As stated, not a high end bike. I don’t know Atalas that well, but I see stamped dropouts and basic lugs, though they made fancy window cutouts. Steel derailleurs. I can’t see the tubing decal, but would guess it’s not high end stuff.
These ride well and are nice, but putting parts on it that are better than the frame might not make sense. It’s a sharp looking bike in nice shape.
Looks like French shifters, huret, kind of low low end but serviceable, I’d keep it as is. If you want something better look for a whole bike that’s more modern. That’s a nice thing as is, most cheap bikes have been completely destroyed.
I had one as a kid. It was a cheap bike, but my entry into a lifetime sport. It’s really not worth restoration or upgrading though.
Knurled rims! Also kind of a wacky crankset. Gearing looks high but good luck finding chainrings for it. I hate the spoke protector but that’s a personal peeve of mine. Looks like an early 70s Bike Boom bike but on the cheaper end of things from when people would buy pretty much any ten speed. Only thing that mildly surprises me is that it looks like there’s brazed-on cable stops on the top tube; my fancier 1975 Motobecane Grand Record is all cable clamps (Campagnolo clamps, mind you, but clamps nonetheless).
It’s a basic ten-speed of the early 70s, a solid quality bike, but nothing special. Not worth putting much money in. If you really want to use it, I would replace the derailleurs with something more modern, they’re the most stone-age item on here. Everything else is heavy but functional.
I wouldn’t change this bike too much. The components are very cool, and will last basically forever. I’d buy a cotter press and learn how to rebuild the bottom bracket properly. The best upgrade you can do would be to upgrade to alloy rims and learn how to lace wheels. That, plus a Brooks saddle, and it’ll feel like a whole new bike.
For a bit of flair, you could also install [these](https://www.ebay.com/itm/364295625476) too. Just make sure you know whether you need 5mm or 6mm center bolts.