HunterBrosdale

I'm new to cycling. I recently bought this bike from Gumtree. Looking for help Identifying it. The guy I bought it from told me he thought it was from the 80s. Thats all the information I have on it. I'm hoping to Identify it to see wether or not its worth spending money on or if I should just save money for a better bike and use this one as is for now. Thanks in Advance

velofinds

Impossible to identify based on the photos/information presented, but it appears to be a low-end bicycle- that much is certain. To that end, responding to your question:

Save money for a better bike and use this one as is for now.

HunterBrosdale

thanks A lot for getting back to me. As you can tell i'm a newbie! What photos/Information would I need to Identify?

juvela

it is definitely an Italian Bianchi from the 1980's. appears some of its fittings have been changed out. the gear ensemble for instance is made of bits from three different manufacturers. hard to imagine that the asian crankset and pedals the bicycle wears are original to it. it is most certainly a machine which has been "worked on"...

best course might be to sell as is and keep an eye out for something else.

HunterBrosdale

Thanks juvela. I only Payed 40GBP for it. All part of the learning curve I suppose. Seems to Ride ok but then she is my first road bike so nothing to compare it to.

juvela

if she gets you about then that is perhaps all that is needed for now. does not merit much further investment.

HunterBrosdale

Yeh cheers for your help. I'd still be interested in knowing what year it was from and which model it is. Just for curiosity sake if anyone can help.

alcjphil

Doubt that it is a "model". What it looks like is a frame built up from random mismatched parts. The rear derailleur, for example, is probably 20 years newer than the shifters. A frame with forged dropouts like those would normally have a quick release rear wheel. Dating the various parts doesn't give you a year for the bike

3speedslow

Concerning the year range, I would pick the components which look like they are original to the bike. Pull them and see if any have markings that can be dated or look to Velobase.com for a manufacture year.

next find out about the frame, what diameter Seatposts is it ? What threading is the Bottom Bracket(BB). What are the drop out spacings front and rear. Is this the original colour.

where are you located ? Are there any long time bike shops in your area that might recognize the bike or sold them.

Detective work is what needs to be done for this one. Some enjoy this, others find it maddening...

I think it is kinda cool for a Bianchi and yes, looks like early 80's or late 70's IMO.

Not 70's... Cable brazens on top and bottle cage brazens

Good luck ! Let us know what you find out.

Bianchigirll 

I kind of agree with 3speed, it looks like maybe early '80s possibly very late '70s but the over the BB cable routing sort of rules that out. I also agree with it being a low end model. The rear derailleur certainly post dates the rest of the frame and components by at least a decade.

What country is that in?

HunterBrosdale

Hi guys. Thanks for all your input. The bike is in Glasgow, Scotland Bianchigirll.

HunterBrosdale

What do the numbers on the headtube mean? Excuse my newbie questions! They read 55314 1

juvela

that is the serial number. a common place for them on bianchi bicycles. machine produced in bianchi's chiorda facility, early 1980's.

juvela

dropouts made of stamped sheet, courtesy of agrati. frame constructed of agrati lugs, shell & crown as well.

HunterBrosdale

Thanks Juevla. You've been a great help.

juvela

Sorry the forum has not been able to give you more specific help with your newly acquired mount...

Here is a model crosstable from the 1981 Bianchi (US) catalogue. There is nothing which corresponds to your example, alas. My guess would be that it may be one model below the Rekord, or perhaps even a Rekord variant. Since you are in the UK it is possible that models distributed there bore some differences to those described in this crosstable.

HunterBrosdale

Please don't apologise Juvela. I found out information I'd never of found out otherwise. Very Interesting stuff too! In other news I bought a Job lot of four old bikes today from a garage clearance. I now own five!! oops..

juvela

although you only have ten posts this latest news certainly puts you as a member in good standing of c&v forum!

hope you have lots of fun with these new arrivals.

was thinking that you might be able to learn some additional model and year information about your bianchi if you could see some catalogues from the bianchi agent for the uk. or perhaps you could contact the company directly...

Bianchi - Performance bicycles since 1885

HunterBrosdale

I am now the proud owner of a Bianchi, Raleigh medale, sun solo, tensor international and a GT ZR 4.0! I have already put a couple on gumtree as I just don't have room for them all.. Impulse buying bikes already and its only been a few days! I'll try and get some photos up soon if anyones interested! And I have been doing a lot of researching Bianchi online, it's all very interesting.. Thanks again for the link

juvela

probably forgot to mention: the bianchi bicycle co. has gone through several ownership changes in its 130 year history. your example defintely hails from "the piaggio period." yes, "that" piaggio, makers of motor scooters and aeroplanes. it currently belongs to a holding company in stockholm called grimaldi.

HunterBrosdale

Thanks again, Interesting stuff!! do you own a Bianchi yourself?

juvela

there is one hanging in the racks. it is a model 980 from early in the piaggio time.

HunterBrosdale

One of my new editions. Seems a nice bike. It's pretty light.

juvela

WHOA, it even has hellenic seat stays!

HunterBrosdale

Ahhh google is a great thing yeh it sure does!