Really similar to Decathlon Cobra 700 (Columbus Thron) minus the pointy seat lug. The RC Bianchis usually had B xxxxxxxx serials, not BI, and by this time they almost always had inner top tube cable at least, some even had inner RD cable in the chainstay.


EDIT: Cobra 700 ad on ebay, still no pointy seat lug, yet the same code as on subject https://www.ebay.ch/itm/334827361118

Was Decathalon a bicycle frame manufacturing company?

The BI codes are not serial numbers for a bicycle frame manufacturer.

The BI is part of a homologation code. BI is for bicicleta.

The rear brake cable braze on's and style of lugs and welding would seem to point to a older bike from the 80's maybe 70's with possibly a none original fork. The pin holed bare cable under the the top tube braze on's ended in the early 80's about the same time the first semi vertical drops came out which is about the same time this style uni crown fork came out. So I would say look older on your ID attempts.

Yes, it was and still is, the cobra 760 which was in titanium was welded in Taiwan, their AG2R Dedacciai ABT 7003 replica model was handwelded in Italy.

I asked the question:

You replied "Yes" and then went on to say that frames were made in Taiwan and Italy. I am confused by your reply.

Edit: It sounds like Decathalon contracted other companies to manufacture the frames that had their brand name.

Again I ask, Was Decathalon a bicycle frame manufacturing company? If so, where was their manufacturing facility?

Prior to 2010 , Decathlon's lesser high end models which were tig welded in the Decathlon Lille plant before and this before turning into the BTWIN village approximatively 15 years ago which is where now Van Rysel, Triban and Rockrider models are assembled.

Okay, I don't know why I didn't get notified for these updates, but I think the mystery might have been solved! I've done some digging and it does seem to be a Cobra 700, as there are some versions of it with the pointy seat lug, the best example might be here, also with a closer blue tone: https://www.velovintageagogo.com/t21...-en-campagnolo

Another proof I've found was actually in that Ebay ad, there's a picture showing a bottom bracket stamp "BI 0778D", with the zero looking like an inverted C. It happens that mine has that same exact stamp, even if with a slightly different stamp layout, and the last digit does indeed look more like a D than a zero (perhaps meaning Decathlon?)

I'm very satisfied that this case seems to have been cracked, it had been here for nearly two months! Would love to find out an accurate year, it seems that the Cobra 700 might have debuted in 1995 but I still don't understand why some have the pointy seat lug and others not, maybe a little update somewhere along the production run?

Edit: and thank you Lattz for pointing out the Ebay ad, good call :)

Yes, a Decathlon. Your welcome.

I'm really sorry! You were indeed the first to mention that possibility and I looked a bit into it, but didn't find anything exceptionally hinting. I came back a while after and with the Cobra 700 ad I even forgot someone had pinpointed it before. You truly deserve the credit for the first clue! Thank you, Hummer :)

And thank you to everyone else who participated in this case, even if just for assumptions. It's always great to see a community of fellow knowledgeable bikers take part in this, sometimes from another side of the planet, and getting it solved.