Bicycle Mechanics - 2010 kestrel talon build with 80s components

Hi,

I have a acquired a 2010 kestrel talon and I currently have a 1984 bianchi virata. I would like to use as many parts from the bianchi and replace them with newer parts over time. I know the quill stem is a no go, and that's fine...specifically I'm wondering if my bottom bracket will work...it is a stock shimano ultegra 600 and has the old square type crank mounts. I don't mind replacing the bb...but please tell me my cranks will work. Also I have braze on down tube shifters...what options do i have there? Those sti bar shifters are so freaking expensive.

I have upgraded my wheels which have 130mm hubs so they should work fine.

I'm on a shoestring budget so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ron

1) Crankset is useable, may need an english BB if the one you have on your bianchi is italian
2) No frame mount shifters will work on the talon
3) Your wheels are fine
4) Front derailleur must be a braze on on your bianchi, if not new one of those
5) Brakeset must be recessed nut type, or they won't go on the talon

Your biggest obstacle is figuring out what shift system you want to go to.

P.S It doesn't make sense to upgrade a bike piecemeal in this fashion if your end result is a 'modern' road bike with STI's. This is something you should plan out before sinking money into a modern road frameset.

all of the bianchis i have worked on had english bottom brackets. my guess is it would work. give us your full component specs. if you already have decent cranks, brakes, bottom bracket, derailleurs and wheels it may not be completely crazy. you may only be shifters away from a decent build. what size is the bianchi?

all of the bianchis i have worked on had english bottom brackets. my guess is it would work. give us your full component specs. if you already have decent cranks, brakes, bottom bracket, derailleurs and wheels it may not be completely crazy. you may only be shifters away from a decent build. what size is the bianchi?

Then you haven't worked on a lot of bianchis have you. Plenty of them out there with italian BB's. Especially older steel vintage.

Then you haven't worked on a lot of bianchis have you. Plenty of them out there with italian BB's. Especially older steel vintage.

more than most people my age... i fully understand there are many italian threaded ones, i am not dense. remember, many of the 80s bianchis were made in japan and have english threads. the virata was one of those japanese frames...

atleast it was japanese made in the late 80/early 90s

For shifters, you can convert the downtube shifters and turn them into bar end shifters. http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/bar-end-shifter-pods-mounts/17-068

$34, if it is a shimano downtube shifter you will need to buy a $4 spacer. I bet this is the cheapest way to put shifters on your bike. A lot cheaper than dishing out $250 for STI shifters.

Either convert your dt shifters to bar ends with the Rivendell mounts referenced above or start with complete new bar end shifters or consider Kelly Take-Offs (www.kellybike.com) to mount dt shifters under the brake levers.

Thanks for all the info I appreciate it.

Ron