IrishBike

I bought a Bianchi a couple of years ago and decided to change the wheels, pedals and saddle. I thought I would stay with the old campagnolo derailleurs, after all I had some respect for vintage. I have slowly come to the conclusion that what I like most about the bike is the frame and that I'd truely enjoy a perfectly meshed drive train and the cadence possibilities that modern equipment can provide. I've decided to upgrade to a 10 speed and while I'm at it a brand new paint job and restoration. I'm not yet decided about the crank, 2 or three gears. To keep costs down I've decided to stay with downtube shifters and the existing brake system - I don't mind downtube shifters and the brakes work fine. If I want to upgrade later I figure I can do so without compromising now or later. I'm going to stick with Shimano gear, also to reduce cost, as my wheel set uses a Shimano hub. I figure this is a not a difficult job, my current wheelset is already at 130mm, the bike has 126mm space between the dropouts (stretched out a wee bit).


Here's what I'm looking to get
* Shimano cassette ultegra or 105 - 10 speed - probably starting with 11 teeth (for speed)
* Shimano Cranks set ultegra or 105 - 2 or 3 speed, I haven't decided
* Shimano dura-ace downtube shifters - I think the only ones available
* Shimano bottom bracket etc.


I'm not a competitive cyclist but enjoy in equal measures cycling fast and in style, this bike affords me both, with a brand new paint job and drive chain I figure it will only get better. If I could get some input and opinions about my plans I would appreciate that. Also, some help to identify the year and type. There is one decal along the top tube that I can't decipher. The bike was purchased in Toronto, Canada.

bikemig 

People are going to want more pics esp. of the drive side and the frame material stickers; I can't make them out from the existing pics. In any case, this should be moved to a different forum since you are not really looking for a valuation. The paint job looks to be in really great shape for an old bike so I'm not sure why you want to repaint it. You'll pay a pretty penny (or lots of loonies or whatever they say in Canada) for the paint job you are describing. In terms of an upgrade, wheels are always a fun change and so is a drivetrain change. I'd get a compact crank to go with your ten speed upgrade and have someone build you some really nice wheels with mavic or velocity rims. The cranks don't need to be Shimano in any case but you clearly are going to want the rest of the drivetrain. You might want to get the medium cage ultegra rear derailleur rather than the short since this will allow you to have a larger cassette which will be useful if you ride in a place with a lot of climbing.

IrishBike

Bikemig, thanks for the input, I've taken your advice and re-posted to a different forum Classic and Vintage.

T-Mar

1988 Bianchi Campione d'Italia.

wrk101

"To keep costs down.... I am going to repaint....."


These two do not go together. A quality repaint and redecal will cost as much as the upgrades, and do nothing for ride or performance, and nothing for bike's value (actually, could reduce it some).

Bianchigirll 

Is this a double post? I replied to the other one.