RE: [CR]Palo Alto on eBay

(Example: Humor)

Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
Subject: RE: [CR]Palo Alto on eBay
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 10:41:45 -0700
In-reply-to: <4666943D.5010200@cox.net>
Thread-Topic: [CR]Palo Alto on eBay
thread-index: AceoKhHy+Fop3jo6TY6IaC2RouPhgAANIHBg
References: <4666943D.5010200@cox.net>
From: "Mark Bulgier" <Mark@bulgier.net>
To: "Rick Cool" <cool_one@cox.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>


Rick Cool wrote:
> Has anyone noticed the allegedly Ritchey-built and on-topic
> Palo Alto on eBay?
> http://ebay.com/<blah>

Definitely Italian-built, not Ritchey. Seller does say it is by Biemmezeta, an Italian builder. (I think seller might have added this info after Rick saw the auction - it does say "Revised".)

I'm pretty sure it is newer than the seller thinks it is too. That particular type of squashed-down fork tips and stay ends at the dropouts is a technique I didn't notice until mid-eighties I think. The fork crown, lugs, under-BB cable guides and chainstay bridge all look eighties to me too.

It may have been PA's top of the line, but it's distinctly B-grade, semi-mass-produced. Might ride sublimely (giving it the benefit of doubt here) but the workmanship is not great.

Side note, Biemmezeta is simply a phonetic spelling-out of the way an Italian would say the letters B-M-Z -- "bi - emme - zeta". A few other Italian bike companies are/were named that way, but the only ones I can think of right now are Gipiemme for GPM, and Duegi for GG ("due - gi" or "two Gs"). Who wants to think of some more?

Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA