mnmkpedals 

After a summer spent learning about bikes by playing with mostly lower end Japanese frames, I have been hoping for a while to find and try an Italian bike on a low budget and found one in my perfect size today and price was right. This one is going to be a keeper, so I am less interested in market value, but trying to get an idea of how old and what is and is not original on this. Question is, a lot doesn't seem to match the specs I can find talked about for these models in past forums. (not a huge surprise) but just trying to learn what I can about it before I get to work cleaning it up for myself.

Details-- Celeste Bianchi Eros;
double chain ring,
Bianchi branded cranks;
Campy Nuovo Record RDR (and FDR?);
Modolo Flash brake;
Super Champion rims, w omega hubs
bars and stem, I have no idea...

The old forums I read about Eros-es said they were usually triple chain rings. Also, none seemed to be nuovo record or modolo spec'ed.

Oh, and I saw these were also Japanese made... so maybe I didn't even get myself a pure-bred italian? a joke.

thanks for any insight. Pics are all fresh and uncleaned obviously.

Bianchigirll 

The frame dates to '90 or '91 but the US models didn't come in Celeste (at least not in the catalog. It is possible this is European model frame) and with the possible exception of the headset {can't see it well** and the bottom bracket nothing looks to be original. Those Ofmega cranks took an odd sized BB that I only ever saw on Italian built Bianchi frames, so it is very likely the cranks are on an incorrect BB.

The '90/91 Eros models had that style decal but were either black or while for 90 with a Suntour Radius (double) kit or Black/raspberry or white with a shimano RX100 (triple) kit.

Properly cleaned and tuned this should be a great riding bike. OH yes that is a Tiawainese built frameset.

mnmkpedals 

[QUOTE=Bianchigirll;16335425]The frame dates to '90 or '91 but the US models didn't come in Celeste (at least not in the catalog. It is possible this is European model frame) and with the possible exception of the headset {can't see it well** and the bottom bracket nothing looks to be original.


Very cool. Thank you for the information-- read all your posts for the other Eros inquiries and figured you'd have the answer. Seems I have a knack for finding odd ball frames. Earlier in summer had a curious Raleigh frame with a serial number and Japanese history that made no sense and was a stumper. Or maybe I am learning that in CV bikes, there's no such things as "standard." On that note, does it even matter? I mean in terms of resale, do people look for more "stock" or factory bikes and does that make something like this lower value to sell? Or is that market more for just purists? And the campy bits carry more weight than "original"?

Anyway, in starting to clean this, I did see there's a serial number under the BB, is that likely to tell me anything or narrow it down?

I am looking forward to seeing how it rides!

Bianchigirll 

That is the $64 question. for the most part I think most people buying a used bike are just looking for a transportation. The small sampling of the population represented here are different.

ThermionicScott 

I get the impression that the original owner bought this bike because it was a celeste Bianchi (that they could afford) and upgraded to fancier parts as they went.

Since this is to be a keeper (and my Bianchi Eros is as well), I'd recommend just enjoying it and putting out of mind that it's not an Italian.

mnmkpedals 

^^
That makes total sense. I was told it was a bike bought in college and the person went on to pretty successful career, so extra spending cash came later...

Bianchigirll 

I am not sure I agree. The parts predate the frame and perhaps other than the NR rd might be considered lower quality than the Radius or RX 100 that might have come on it. If the bike was bought new in the early '90s and the original owner went on to a successful career why would he upgrade with 8-10 year tech rather than Ergos or STI?

I think someone purchased the frame used, perhaps from a European ebay site, and built it with parts on hand. that is sort of how my Vento 603 w/ Sante came to be but I got it from the US buyer who bought it off Italy ebay. Another idea might be that it was a warranty frame for a late '80s Nuovo Alloro or something but personally I would be very upset if Bianchi had offered me this as a replacement for some grade of Columbus frame.

Whatever the origin you bought the bike to ride, didn't you?, and it should be a great rider for training, fast club rides and even some brevits.

ThermionicScott 

Your scenario sounds plausible as well, and I should have put "upgrade" in quotes, as I would (and do) prefer the Japanese stuff too. Maybe the PO tried to make a "classic" build of it?

mnmkpedals 

That all makes sense too... and yes, to BianchiGirl's point that I did buy it to ride it, so origin and evolution of how it came to be are secondary to anything else I suppose. Just trying to educate myself and I like to have some sense of story about what I am riding.

Thanks for the insights. I'm eager to take it out this weekend...

Wildwood 

Part of the fun of C&V. I had an '84 Japanese-made Bianchi (Ishiwata tubing) that was a great all purpose sporty rider.