Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Bianchi Forza (circa 1992)

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jslopez
02-05-05, 01:06 PM
Maybe I'll have more luck here. I'm still looking for that good bike to convert to a fixie and I'm now being offered a bianchi forza 1992 exage brakes and derailers, 12 speed, grey and blue (with white lettering). Searches on the forum or on the net hasn't really produced anything and I'm just wondering if anyone has had this bike or knows where I can get some details.


I'll see it later and assuming it's in good condition, how much would you pay for something like this?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

icithecat
02-05-05, 02:02 PM
According to Sheldon's Shimano hierarchy, the Exage is seventh from the top out of nine groupos. The frame should be regarded similarly.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/shimano.html
jslopez
02-05-05, 02:10 PM
According to Sheldon's Shimano hierarchy, the Exage is seventh from the top out of nine groupos. The frame should be regarded similarly.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/shimano.html


Interesting point, would you then discard this for a fixie conversion project?

icithecat
02-05-05, 02:22 PM
No. I would not discard it. I would just price it mentally and haggle accordingly. A mint heavier steel frame bought complete for under a hun could be an exellent working bike. It will not give you bragging rights, except in the 'it only cost' category. You could be on the road for under two hun, in which case you win the 'who give a ...' category.
icithecat
02-06-05, 05:05 PM
So. Did you buy this bike?
jslopez
02-08-05, 09:35 AM
Looking at it today, I'm really on the fence on it as it apparently has vertical drops (not usable for fixies?) and the owner wants at least 160 for the bike. I may go out during lunch to finally see the bike and who knows how the winds will sway me.
fixedpip
02-08-05, 11:56 AM
... it apparently has vertical drops (not usable for fixies?)

Vetical drops can work. You can either get lucky with your gearing, where you have a gear you can actually ride and gives you the perfect chain length (theres a website that allows you calculate this, but I don't have it to hand) ie ends up being on the 1" or 1/2" boundary. The main problem now is getting the chain on and off but I've seen people do it.

Or you can use something like an ENO hub which has an eccentric axle. Do a search for the ENO hub. Some people like 'em, others hate them and they a little over a hundred dollars (may be more retail).

It would definitely make a good singlespeed but fixing it may be harder/more costly than with other frames.