Bianchi Help Please...
03-09-23 | 05:12 PM
#26
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,818
Likes: 1,790
From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
One of my most disastrous purchases was this 1960's Bianchi. I believe I paid $230 for it.
Turned out to have headtube damage (a bit of a ripple) that was hidden by the DT levers having been secured to the head tube.
And the integrated headset bearing were rusty, the lower head tube lug had been reinforced, the 151mm cranks were even of different length, so it was a sh** pile for sure, with the chromed lugs painted over (obviously, after the torch work).
Perhaps it has value as a decoration fixture, but I'm done wasting any more time or money on it. Do I even own it any more? Did I hide it so I didn't have to look at it perhaps?
Turned out to have headtube damage (a bit of a ripple) that was hidden by the DT levers having been secured to the head tube.
And the integrated headset bearing were rusty, the lower head tube lug had been reinforced, the 151mm cranks were even of different length, so it was a sh** pile for sure, with the chromed lugs painted over (obviously, after the torch work).
Perhaps it has value as a decoration fixture, but I'm done wasting any more time or money on it. Do I even own it any more? Did I hide it so I didn't have to look at it perhaps?
03-09-23 | 05:42 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 929
From: Germany
Bikes: 80s Alan Super Record, 79' Somec Special, 90s Rossin(?) Columbus Ego Triathlon, previously: Bianchi SBX Reparto Corse (stolen) and so on...
One of my most disastrous purchases was this 1960's Bianchi. I believe I paid $230 for it.
Turned out to have headtube damage (a bit of a ripple) that was hidden by the DT levers having been secured to the head tube.
And the integrated headset bearing were rusty, the lower head tube lug had been reinforced, the 151mm cranks were even of different length, so it was a sh** pile for sure, with the chromed lugs painted over (obviously, after the torch work).
Perhaps it has value as a decoration fixture, but I'm done wasting any more time or money on it. Do I even own it any more? Did I hide it so I didn't have to look at it perhaps?
Turned out to have headtube damage (a bit of a ripple) that was hidden by the DT levers having been secured to the head tube.
And the integrated headset bearing were rusty, the lower head tube lug had been reinforced, the 151mm cranks were even of different length, so it was a sh** pile for sure, with the chromed lugs painted over (obviously, after the torch work).
Perhaps it has value as a decoration fixture, but I'm done wasting any more time or money on it. Do I even own it any more? Did I hide it so I didn't have to look at it perhaps?
03-09-23 | 05:53 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,107
Likes: 9,464
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Exactly this, don't screw around, start with Celeste and go from there.
I have 5, all Celeste and would probably not buy any other unless it were something like this.
03-09-23 | 05:58 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,107
Likes: 9,464
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
One of my most disastrous purchases was this 1960's Bianchi. I believe I paid $230 for it.
Turned out to have headtube damage (a bit of a ripple) that was hidden by the DT levers having been secured to the head tube.
And the integrated headset bearing were rusty, the lower head tube lug had been reinforced, the 151mm cranks were even of different length, so it was a sh** pile for sure, with the chromed lugs painted over (obviously, after the torch work).
Perhaps it has value as a decoration fixture, but I'm done wasting any more time or money on it. Do I even own it any more? Did I hide it so I didn't have to look at it perhaps?
Turned out to have headtube damage (a bit of a ripple) that was hidden by the DT levers having been secured to the head tube.
And the integrated headset bearing were rusty, the lower head tube lug had been reinforced, the 151mm cranks were even of different length, so it was a sh** pile for sure, with the chromed lugs painted over (obviously, after the torch work).
Perhaps it has value as a decoration fixture, but I'm done wasting any more time or money on it. Do I even own it any more? Did I hide it so I didn't have to look at it perhaps?
03-09-23 | 06:07 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,107
Likes: 9,464
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Sorry for being a Newbie but how does the rear spacing affect the ride quality? (I'm assuming that's what you mean?) I'm currently riding a Specialized Ruby. It's considered an endurance bike so more like the Ergo?
I don't think that I'll be putting on many long rides wth a Vintage bike. Anything more than 30 miles will most likely be on the Ruby.
I don't think that I'll be putting on many long rides wth a Vintage bike. Anything more than 30 miles will most likely be on the Ruby.
With any luck, we'll get you there.
Most C+V can be retro modded and many of us do, they make for fantastic riders as you can see from many posts here.
03-09-23 | 06:12 PM
#31
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 24
Likes: 17
From: Northern California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Ruby Pro, Trek Fuel
03-09-23 | 06:13 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 929
From: Germany
Bikes: 80s Alan Super Record, 79' Somec Special, 90s Rossin(?) Columbus Ego Triathlon, previously: Bianchi SBX Reparto Corse (stolen) and so on...
Yes... and not without reason. Of course these integrated headset ones are a bit more challenging than the rest, still the reward is bigger as well. I know it for sure, The Paris Roubaix frame for EUR 250 I missed out for a few hours of hesitation because the seat tube tip with the serial was filed off is a podium entry of my long "never forgive myself passing that one" list.
03-09-23 | 06:14 PM
#33
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 24
Likes: 17
From: Northern California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Ruby Pro, Trek Fuel
Thank you for that! I was thinking that I'd get flamed for even the suggestion of a retro-mod.
03-09-23 | 06:17 PM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,107
Likes: 9,464
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Yep, these are the exception IMO, they and others came in this, blue, red, black, green and probably others so it would be luck of the draw, black would be my least favorite for one of these.
But would still have to jump if the right one came along.
But would still have to jump if the right one came along.
03-09-23 | 06:20 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,107
Likes: 9,464
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Welcome aboard, glad you found us, you're in the right place.
A finer more capable group of enablers you will not find.
Most of us have riders done up as such, my daily one and I have several.
Last edited by merziac; 03-10-23 at 01:00 AM.
03-09-23 | 08:43 PM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,106
Likes: 2,758
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
You can bend it more than once but not a great idea.
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
03-09-23 | 09:25 PM
#37
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 24
Likes: 17
From: Northern California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Ruby Pro, Trek Fuel
OK, so spacing is a gear ratio thing. My road bike is a Shimano 23-11 and it's an 11 speed, so the spacing is very close to 1? It's set up for a sprinter. 120 or 130 seems huge. I guess I still don't understand, but if it's really a gear ratio thing, I'm OK with whatever.
03-10-23 | 12:46 AM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,107
Likes: 9,464
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
03-10-23 | 08:02 AM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,106
Likes: 2,758
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
[MENTION=17433]myk[/MENTION]gtant - The spacing is about the inside distance between the rear dropouts.
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Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
