General Cycling Discussion - Scored a bianchi celeste green frame today!

As some of you may know, i've been looking for a bike to build up. I've always wanted a celeste green bianchi, and today at the San Rafael bike swap meet, i found a mid 80s bianchi frame. It's celeste green, and it says nuovo on the side. I paid 100 dollars for it.

Did i get a good deal?

I'm also planning to build up the rest of the bike with a shimano 105 grupo, not sure how much that is though. I have a friend with hook ups in a bike shop. I'm planning to spread the buildup throughout several months, i'm in no hurry.

Also, i've noticed there are some small dings in the paint. Is there somewhere i can get celeste green touchup paint?

I'm also thinking whether i should take the bianchi decals off... they look kinda ratty and their design is straight out of the '80s (the ugly lettering). Please discuss.

Questions for JohnE! I'd say you scored. I don't know all the particulars, but I'd consider setting it up with downtube shifters, you should be able to get up to an 8-speed rear. I'm sure you could get touch up paint. Bianchi has changed their celeste over the years. (I think celeste is really supposed to be kind of a "celestial" sky blue, but I digress.) In any case, the paint has probably faded some and so an exact match may be a problem. Replacement decals, if you want them, are also available... talk to a bike shop or do some web searching.

Why downtube shifters? I like them on the handlebars better.

OH yeah, on my frame it says "nuova racing 12/v"

Does anyone know what model it is?

You really don't need this frame. You should send it to me to use as a spare. You really don't need it. But if you keep it, could you consider building it with Campy parts? :D After all, there is nothing like "all I-tey" Best, and congratulations on youre good fortune.

I'm trying to decide whether to get a shimano 105 group or a fixed gear. What do you guys think? The hills in SF will own me, if i get a fixed gear. But it will be so much cheaper, i can splurge on nice Gipiemme Tecmo wheels, a nice seat, etc.

Also, no campy parts for me... i'd rather go with the cheaper and good enough shimano stuff.

Originally posted by phat bahsturd
Why downtube shifters? I like them on the handlebars better.
It's your bike, get what you like. I was thinking that it would be more in keeping with the whole retro thing. Plus, I'm sort of partial to downtube shifters. Fewer cables all over the place on the h-bars, shifting feels more precise (from shorter cables I guess), less maintenance and lever rattle (my Ultegras are a constant source of annoyance). Shift up or down as many gears as you want. Ah heck, I just miss my old Bianchi.

Don't get me wrong... the h-bar shifters will serve you well during those standing climbs around SF.

Off of bianchi's website, they have 2 types of touch up paint: a spray paint can kind, or a vial of celeste paint.

Has anyone used any of these before?

My favorite bike up until this year was a Celeste Green Bianchi Volpe that I bought new in 1997. Wish I could duplicate it on the Randonee I just got, but the deep blue will do just fine. No one in my area of NC sells Bianchi now. Raleigh is the capital city and I would have to drive to Charlotte I think to get one. The Randonee has the same feel though, I just miss the the green and seeing "Bianchi" on the down tube.

IMO, you'll have stratospheric street cred with the original stickers still on it. Remove them, and it becomes just another 80's frame made of Columbus tubing. The model name indicates what component group was on it, probably Campy Nuovo Record, which would have been the 2nd most expensive gruppo in the line-up. Bianchi Celeste is supposed to be green. Keep it. I'd guess that the vial is for touch-ups and the spray is for re-paints. See if they sell the stickers for that era, or find a sign shop that can duplicate for you.

:)ensen.