Thos1975

Hi all. I'm new to this forum.

I picked up this bike today for $300 in Los Angeles.

After scanning Craigslist for the last couple weeks, it was time to take the plunge and make a purchase. I realized that with gas prices the way they are, I can't be driving around day after day looking for a bargain and spending a considerable amount on gas in the process!

I was feeling very cautious because I actually bought my first bike three weeks ago, a 70's Nishiki Custom Sport, which was fine except for the fact that the seat post ended up being totally seized in the seat tube. I recommend everyone to always make sure to check for this when purchasing a used bike. I spent days torquing, torching, icing, sawing, etc. but the post just won't budge. I finally resorted to taking the frame to a machine shop but after four days, I received news that no progress was made. I guess it's just as well I learned my lesson on a lower end bike like that.

So anyway, I was hoping someone could inform me if the cassette on my Bianchi is original or not. It has seven cogs making the bike a 14-speed. I dated the bike to be a 1985 with the "AI" letter code on the back of the Suntour LePree dereailleurs.

The brakes are Shimano side pull (not sure what model though). Levers are Shimano as well. Pedals are Shimano 600. Crank is Sakae as well as the drop bars.

I was also wondering if it came with 700c Weinnman wheels which is what I have.

It actually rides much better than the Nishiki which is to be expected I suppose.



Thanks for any info!

Thos1975

Thos1975

Thos1975

TugaDude

"It actually rides much better than the Nishiki which is to be expected I suppose."

Why would you say that? Nishiki's were very nice road bikes. Kawamura made several brands of bikes and was pretty good quality. I don't know the exact model you refer to, but I'm sure it was respectable. The Bianchi is a Japanese frame, so it might have been made very similarly.

Regarding the bike's worth, I think the price was pretty steep. But of course you are on the left coast where I'm sure bike values are much higher than the midwest.

The Bianchi is a lower end bike, but still a very nice CR-MO frame with decent, if not spectacular components. A solid rider.

Do you suspect that the freewheel is not original? I would say there is a chance it isn't simply because of the lack of a spoke protector. That might indicate that the original freewheel was removed and the spoke protector discarded in the process. Just a guess.

Enjoy the bike, I'm sure it rides very nicely.

Bianchigirll 

that is a '87 Sport SX frame, it rides pretty good, but it looks like nothing is stock. stock equipment was Suntour Alpha 5000.

Thos1975

I know there are some really great nishiki's out there. I just think my custom sport is on the lower end because it uses one of those hanger plates for the derailleur which I didn't notice until after I bought it. Does that denote a stamped dropout? Regardless, that hanger is super annoying. Live and learn.

Yeah I figured the price was a little high but I needed to get something functional right away. At least it seems to be in line with ebay completed listings. LA is expensive and the road bikes are going quick because I think the fixie fad is winding down.

I still think it may be an '85 because I found another one online with the same LePree derailleurs. Maybe just coincidence?


Thanks for the feedback!

Thos1975

Oh yeah, regarding the freewheel, that's probably the case.
A very enjoyable ride though. I never realized how two same sized bikes can respond so differently.

Thos1975

I just counted the teeth on the cogs and it's a 12-23 cassette.
Seems to be somewhat rare. The only one I could find online that matched was a shimano Regina.

Bianchigirll 

do you have a Cassette or a Freewheel? I suspect you have a freewheel.

I am not familiar with your Nishiki but I would not be suprised to say the Bianchi feels better, simply because it is new. also if there is a big difference in the geomentry the Bianchi may feel faster. the Sport SX also takes advantage of Bianchi's SuperSet frame design with a slightly heavier DT and chainstays to make the bottom stiffer.

in '87, 88, 89 the Sport SX shares a frame with the Brava so it is a bit more performamce oriented.

Thos1975

Thanks for pointing that out! Yes, it looks to be a Shimano Sante MF-5000 freewheel.

Thos1975

Yes it indeed has that frame design...

Seat Tube Decal:

Bianchi SUPERSET

Magny Double Butted Tubes, Forks and Stays. Mixed guages. Ishiwata

Thos1975

I wish I didn't just research Magny... I guess my frame is lower end and heavy.

I can just call this my training bike now.

Thos1975

Bianchi Girl,

Here is a link to that other Sport SX I was referring to:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/705999-Bianchi-Sport-SX-year

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hope this link works. Previous one was broken.

I'm in Los Angeles.

Bianchigirll 

now you have me confused. are you in the US or canada? something seems odd. your frame looks just like my '87 but after looking closer the tubing decal is different. an '87 should say Tange double Butt ChroMoly.

TugaDude

Don't discount it just because it is a little heavy. Also, having a derailer hanger doesn't mean it is a stamped dropout necessarily.

Thos1975

You are right. I read more on the topic of weight and concluded that for a beginner like myself, a few pounds is irrelevant.

It almost seems like the hubs are a bigger issue as far as resistance goes.

Bottom line is that it's my favorite looking bike and the LePree's function smoothly.

Just need to upgrade the brakes possibly. Any suggestions for me? I'm not sure how to measure the reach.