Frame spacing on 84/85 Bianchi
 

You may have seen some of my recent posts about an early 80's Bianchi Alloro I picked up a few weeks ago. I had the rear wheel trued - but there is still a bit of a flat spot that is driving me insane while riding the bike and the tech told me that was as good as he could get it. Anyway - I also have a 92 Paramount Series 7 bike that has 8 speed Ultegra/600 brifters that I am seriously considering taking off and putting on this old Bianchi (the Paramount has 650c wheels vs. the Bianchi 700c). Since the Bianchi has a 6 speed rear cassette vs. the Paramount's 8 speed I have to assume the spacing is different on the frames - right? Is there any way to get the 8 speed on the rear of the Bianch - using newer/different wheels? Is there any difference in the front fork spacing?

Hello yes there is a spacing difference in the rear dropouts. the Bianchi is likely 120 or 126MM space and the 8spd 130mm. you can just fiddle with it to get in. but in the long run haveing a pro 'spread' the stays and align the dropouts and hanger is better. there should not be a difference in the front hub spacing.

I have a question for you.. what are you going to do for brakes? are you going to get a new bridge welded on to the seat stays and maybe fork? I think the smaller wheel not meeting your brakes is a bigger issue than hub spacing

I am not going to use the 650c wheels on the 700c bike - that would defeat the purpose! The only reason I am considering this at all is to get away from the odd 650c wheels in favor of a more standard and common 700c setup. People may think I am nuts - but in all honesty I think the Asian Paramount frame is a lot nicer than the Italian Bianch. The lugs are nicer, the workmanship is cleaner and it has a lot nicer details to it - plus it seems quite a bit lighter. I am having a tough time deciding what to do here!

If anyone wants to trade an early 90's Paramount Series bike to me for this Bianchi let me know. ;-)

of course I would have to diagree as to which is better LOL! but that is why there are so many bike out there right. do keep in mind while the Alloro is a lower echelon bike the Paramount is more akin to a Reparto Corse Bianchi. and of course you do need to consider the year of manufacture as weel as far a quality and looks go.

as for the wheels there are often post on her (more in the mechanic forum) where some one wants to put 650 wheel on a bike for reason or other. personally I never much purpose in having a 650 rear wheel.

Understood. I have been going round and round about what to do for 2 weeks now so nothing too new. I rode the Bianchi last night about 21 miles and it did ride nice so I thought maybe I would just keep it - but then I decided to throw it out on CL as a WTT add to see if I could get lucky enough to find a local person with a Series Paramount that wants to trade! You never know until you try I guess?