Cyclocross - "02 Bianchi SL CX frame...anyone?

I'm contemplating the purchase of one of these at a LBS. It's a steel franmeset I can get built up with mostly LX components. I'm wanting steel for the ride quality. Anyone have this frame? Also, anyone know the weigh and wheelbase? I probably won't do much off-road, but I will ride some rough crushed limestone railtrails and bad urban streets. Thanks, John

If this is what I think it is, then you are a lucky dog. Bianch discontinued their Reparto Corse built frame sets in 2001 or 2002. Very few were available through Bianchi USA last year and they were old stock. I was about to buy one but by the time I made up my mind they were all gone. It's an excellent steel frame set. Bianchi has made them over the number of years and they have sort of a "classic" CX frame status. Basically that's what a CX frame should be like. A friend of mine had one but he managed to damage the frame (I don't know how) and instead of repairing it he sold it. Then he bought a Bianchi Axis frameset, and he told me that it was a very bad decision. The steel frame was repairable and offered excellent ride, whereas the Axis one was simply too rigid. The last time I checked on these frames they were about $600 for a NOS. I think that's a bargain. If you can find it in the right size and for this oreven lower price, GO FOR IT!

Many thanks, I AM after the steel ride quality. I'd still like to know the weight. John

I agree w/Stric. Almost bought one myself. Sold out before I could get one for myself also.
I recall that the frame and fork went about 4.8 lbs. I'f this is the "Cromolite cross" tig welded and not lugged. Don't let this one get away. What size? and whats the phone # of the shop if it dosent pan out.

Rollo made a good point. There were some frames that were lugged and those are really really good. Tig-welded one are also good but not as sweet as the lugged ones.

Like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5136134860&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Guys, You've been awesome! Yeah, the one in the previous post on Ebay is pretty much it, but is not my size. Yes it's a TIG-welded frameset rather than lugged. I called the LBS and they put it on a scale and it came out more like 6.5lbs. Still lighter than the Surly Crooscheck I was looking at around same price:$450. I think I'll pull the trigger tommorrow, being as the LBS will go layaway. If something goes awry I'll post the Bikeshop's name and phone#. Thanks again!!! John

Yeah this is the tig-welded one but the real jewel is the Reparto Corse - lugged one.

Like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5136134860&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT


In fact I mean more like this one
http://gianni.bianchiusa.com/2001/sections/bikes/reparto/sl_cyclo/index.html

Stric, That's it exactly. Evidently it was made in '02 by the Reparo Corse. The weight I referred to earlier was for Frame/fork together, so 4.8 for Frame-only sounds correct. Again, Thanks much. Any component suggestions? I have a roadie with all 105 and a Frankenbike with an LX/8-speed Ultegra.

In fact I mean more like this one
http://gianni.bianchiusa.com/2001/sections/bikes/reparto/sl_cyclo/index.html

That's a much nicer looking fork too.

Stric, That's it exactly. Evidently it was made in '02 by the Reparo Corse. The weight I referred to earlier was for Frame/fork together, so 4.8 for Frame-only sounds correct. Again, Thanks much. Any component suggestions? I have a roadie with all 105 and a Frankenbike with an LX/8-speed Ultegra.

Components can be very pricy. I use Campy Centaur group on my Pinarello CX bike and this didn't come cheap. There are some decent build kits on www.cyclocrossworld.com and you should check them out even if you're not planning to buy them so you can get an idea what the kits consist of. Just to give you a hint I think that it'd be nice to equip a classic Italian CX frame with some nice Campagnolo components.
However, if you have some leftover MTB parts (front and rear deraileurs, cassetes, chanrings, cranks... whatever) you'll do just fine. Yet the vast majority of the MTB components out there is Shimano and this is not a problem if you will combine it with Shimano shifters, brakes and so on. The problem is that if you try to use components with non-Shimano groups; they might not work properly.
If you are patient enough you can buy parts (either peice by peice or as a whole group) on eBay. Sometimes some very sweet components come up there for a low price.
If you're on low budget, stick with some Shimano. Shimano will be generally cheaper than Campy. Campy on the other hand offers yo rebuildability that no otehr manufacturer does (it appears that you can order just about any part for just about any component from just about any time period from Campagnollo-I can't confirm this though). Yet Campagnolo is a bit pricier.

Now there's 2 lugged frames on ebay...too big though. Dangit.

Stric, I tried to send a private message. I've put a $200 deposit on this frame but I've been debating to go for a Colnago frame the same shop has. Any interested in buying this Bianchi frame? It's a 55cm. Let me know and I'll fwd more details. John