Jeff Crowell’s 1993 Atala
1993 Atala road bike
The name Atala effortlessly evokes images of the Giro d’ Italia and old world bike racing.
One of most enduring Italian brands in the sport, Atala fielded a professional team almost continuously from 1908 until 1990.
Carlo Galetti and his Atala-sponsored team won the 1910, ’11 and ’12 Giri d’ Italia, and Atala-backed racers manage to win 43 stages of the Giro over its long history.
Columbus frame and fork tubing
Smooth looking Chorus equipment
8 speeds in the back
While Atala is a storied brand with great racing heritage, bikes that made it to this country were a mixed bag, quality-wise. Our friend Jeff Crowell solved that problem by going right to the source. On a college trip to Italy, Jeff had his dream bike built for him. This Atala features Columbus SL tubing, a popular steel that guaranteed a smooth ride. Campagnolo Chorus components compliment the Italian frame, as does the San Marco saddle, Italmanubri handlebars and stem.
Atala head badge
San Marco Regal saddle
World Champion Urs Freuler
The Campione del Mondo label on the frame is impressive. A World Championship trophy every year between 1981 and 1988. Would you believe that one rider is responsible for all of those? Urs Freuler, a Swiss track racer on the Atala team for most of his career, won the world championship points race almost every year for a decade.