Bianchi Axis - Build or Sell?

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bliorg

Hi, all -

I've been a road rider my whole life, but last year picked up an '02 Bianchi Axis frameset for a couple hundred dollars. Money's tight now, and I'm trying to decide if I can affordably build this bike, or if I should just sell the frame and recoup my investment (hopefully).

Main problem is that I have no idea what options are for cross components. Anyone want to help me out with identifying good value components for this thing? Bargains good, used fine. I just don't know what to look fer.

Thanks for any help.
Scott

The BikeForums Team

-adv-

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)

Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
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M_S

Basically you use road components. with different tires and brakes.

Fortunately for the racer/rider on the budget, the cross scene is very tolerant of frankenbuilds.

Some cost-saving options:

-Singlespeed. You can ad gears later, but this is a cheap way to get into it. You can get a normal entry-level road wheelset from Nashbar/Performance/etcetera and then a nashbar singlespeed kit for about 20 bucks. This would be my route of choice.
-Bar-end shifters.
-1 x 9 build, possible with a single barcon to shift the rear cluster. There are lots of fancy chain guard options, but an old front derailleur will work.
-Old cantilver brakes that were high quality in their day (XT/XTR) go for a song on ebay a lot fo the time.

TBeghtol

If it is a 55cm I would buy it.

PM me.

Tim Beghtol

bliorg

Thanks for the input, M_S. After a bunch of waqffling, I'm finding I really want to build this thing. Think I'll be selling off one of my cameras (anyone want a 5x12 view camera?!) and start trolling eBay looking for deals...

gregam

bliorg

It's a project cam - an old VCW plate camera, with a retrofit 5x12 back of quartersawn sycamore. Not the most name kiche to it, but it works.

Pics of it here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott--/sets/72157601607692323/).

I have an old Seneca Competitor 5x7 I'm using almost exclusively now. The jump to 8x10 is going to have to wait (basically a choice between CX components and the 8X10... ;) )

M_S

Any idea how you'll build it up?

For what it's worth I'm thinking my next bike, a mountain bike, will be the geared frame and wheels with singlespeed kit route, possible upgraded to gears later when funds allow.

bliorg

You know, I don't know yet. I'll probably go piece-wise as things come up cheap enough. Gonna take a while, regardless.

Too many projects. :rolleyes:

bliorg

Lookit that: it's actually an '05 Axis frame and fork (http://www.bianchiusa.com/05_axis.html)! Woot!

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