Does ANYONE know what this is?

[hova]

Well, this may be in the wrong section as I'm not entirely sure it's pre-98... sorry for the crappy photos, will take better ones as soon as I can.

A friend of mine who's more of a roadie gave this NOS frame to me, he had no idea what it was, either -

It's an Italian frame, labeled "Banino" (edit: I stand corrected... so embarrassed )... which I'm guessing was the name of the racer who commissioned this frame, as I'm not aware of any framemaker by the same name.

The tubeset is of decent quality, not amazing, but respectable enough - Dedacciai Zero Uno. Mix of very well-done, smooth fillet brazing and also your standard steel welds. Odd. It's quite light... has a 1 inch headtube...

It really is quite lovely, and I'm looking forward to building her up; would be great to know some history if anyone knows.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[KermitGKona88]

Looks stunning

I have no idea about it though sorry

Just wondering if this might be a frame contracted for a shop (A la Merlin) :?:

 

[Drencrom]

It's an Italian frame, labeled "Banno"...

Banino?

 

[feetabix]

It's an Italian frame, labeled "Banno"...

Banino?

......I didn't have the heart!.....

 

[KermitGKona88]

There is a village in Poland of the same name

 

[Drencrom]

......I didn't have the heart!.....

It might help with Googling. All I got was this, which is pretty cool:

http://www.styraxconsulting.com/premium/les_banino.htm

 

[hova]

It's an Italian frame, labeled "Banno"...

Banino?

......I didn't have the heart!.....

OMG... I could just say that it was a typo and save myself the embarrassment... but my wife, my mate, and I have all looked at the frame countless times and saw it as "Banno" every single time. WTF?! It's the angle of the lettering, I swear... I only just noticed that the viewing angle in the photo helps bahahahahaha...

Thanks guys... and next time... please spare me the "heart"!

 

[hova]

......I didn't have the heart!.....

It might help with Googling. All I got was this, which is pretty cool:

http://www.styraxconsulting.com/premium/les_banino.htm

Well, yes... it was only earlier this year that I read an EXCELLENT article about Banino himself... this is all becoming much, much clearer now...

Still needing to draw connections to why his name is on a mountain bike (if it is him at all)... but I can't help but to admit I'm well chuffed about all this!

And seriously guys... thanks for pointing out that it says Banino because I would never have realised it otherwise. Holy $hit! :shock:

 

[novekili]

Never heard of Banino here in the rotten Italy....

 

[hova]

Looks stunning

I have no idea about it though sorry

Just wondering if this might be a frame contracted for a shop (A la Merlin) :?:

Thanks! The frame really is painted quite well... the orange is brilliant and looks super "wet", if that makes any sense. I think you may be right... might be a shop special... it certainly doesn't seem mass produced, in any case.

Never heard of Banino here in the rotten Italy....

I know you don't like Italy, but ironic as it is, Italy is one of my favourite countries... I lived in piemonte for three months as a young man, and they were some of the best months of my life!