Cyclocross - Coming Home to Bianchi

After several years of study, shopping, and bargin hunting I have finally chosen my new bike. The only "road" bike I have owned as an adult is a Bianchi Axis that I bought new in 1988. It is still a great bike and I plan on keeping and riding it. At the moment it is used for commuting to work several times per week and afternoon rides on those days I don't commute.
I have been looking for a newer bike and after considering the Cannondale CAAD 9, Giant Defy, Specilized Aliez-Robinouix-Sequia. I decided that I wanted something studier; perhaps a touring frame or another Cross. I was 90% sure I had settled on the Surley LHT, but really wanted to go with aluminum due to the climate on the gulf coast. I almost went with a Cannondale Touring frame, but was not 100% sold.
When I found this frame, I was sold. It's nice to know you can go home again...
Pictures to follow:

Let's try this...

150895

Not sure what year this is, but i am thrilled to have found it!

With this fork..

150896

Congrats?

Actually I know what you mean. For me it's the Specialized Tricross. Specifically the 2006 Comp model. Love that bike. Does any type of riding I may possibly do. If I lost it today, I'd search until I found another one. I've tried and tried to get rid of it in favor of a better bike, but out of the many, many bikes I've had over the years, this is the only one that's stuck.

More pictures coming soon. Progress so far:

Had Cane Creek 3 headset and fork installed.
Decided to stay with the square taper BB and installed a Sugino XD 600 Crankset.
Changed direction from a 9 speed to 8 speed build. Ordered SRAM 11-32 cassette.
Traded my 9 speed brifters and 105 derailleurs to Nomad for 8 speed barcons plus.
Ordered LX derailleurs.
Installed Avid Shorty 6 cantis'.
Installed Mach 1 rims on xt hubs with DT spokes.
Tires are Schwabe Marathon Cross.
Bars Salsa Bell Laps 31.8
Levers 105.
Ordered Candy C pedals.

I'm stalled out now waiting for my stem to arrive from Jenson......

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/bamacrazy/Axis1.jpgThis is my bike after the fork, headset, crank and wheels were installed.

I wanted the Schwalbe Marathon Cross for off road and occasional commutes.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/bamacrazy/axis4.jpg

I like Candy pedals. The only ones that REI had were at a great price and look great on the bike!
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/bamacrazy/axis4.jpg

Looks like a solid ride . I had one of those winwood forks a couple of years ago ,very strong but a somewhat harsh ride. Nice bike.

I like Candy pedals. These were a great price and a good match!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/bamacrazy/candypedal.jpg

Looks like a solid ride . I had one of those winwood forks a couple of years ago ,very strong but a somewhat harsh ride. Nice bike.

Thanks. I'm happy with the way its coming along. I'm stalled out waiting for my cable cutters to land in Mobile.

I found some matching Jagwire!
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/bamacrazy/jagwire.jpg

I could not wait any longer on the cheap stem to arrive. I picked up one locally so that I could install the bars, 105 levers, and bar end shifters.
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/bamacrazy/Salsa105barend.jpg

Want to trade some 8 speed brifters (sora and almost brand new) for those barcons?

That is an awesome color. Is the fork a Winwood dusty? I have the same fork on my road bike with V-brakes and love it.

Want to trade some 8 speed brifters (sora and almost brand new) for those barcons?
Thanks. but no. I had a set of tigra 9 speed brifters that were traded as part of the deal that brought me the bar ends. I started out to build a 9 speed, but opted to change to 8 speed.

That is an awesome color. Is the fork a Winwood dusty? I have the same fork on my road bike with V-brakes and love it.
Yes, its a Winwood Dusty CX carbon fork. Glad to hear you have had good luck with yours!

I finished my bike yesterday and rode for the 1st time this morning. I'm still grinning. I'm completly happy with it. As an added bonus I now know a heck of a lot more about bikes than I did. My copy of Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance is well broken in now. :D

Awesome! Photos?

Coming up!

Complete!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/bamacrazy/Axixcomplete2.jpg

The green tires may be too much... :lol:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/bamacrazy/87Axisg1.jpg

Nice ride! No problems with kneeing shifters out of the saddle with the stubby stem and uncut bars? (on the blue bike)

No problem so far....