swif

Hello C&V, I've come to you guys for some information on my old Bianchi. As far as I know, I am the third owner of this bike (one being a close friend). Unfortunately, in my early ignorance, I removed and disposed of the stickers when I repainted the thing (to my credit, both the paint and stickers were in very poor condition). From what I have been told, it is an early 80's Bianchi Nuovo. I did find 3M and 1745 on the seat tube. Some research leads me to believe the 3M indicates a 1983. Original paint color was black. So here is what I have established about my bike. Since the picture I have wrapped the handlebars and got toe straps. I also crashed the bike, resulting in a bent front wheel, bent front brake, and bent saddle. Therefore they have been replaced (except the front brake which I swapped out with the rear).


Rest of the pictures can be found here: https://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...katsu/Bianchi/

Bars and Stem: 3ttt
Brakes: Modolo Sporting
Headset: Ofmega
RD: Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport
FD: Campagnolo

Oddly, the big chain ring is a Superb, but the cranks look like Campagnolo. The only writing I could find on them was 170 Strada 9/16x20F.

In particular I would like to know the clamp size on the stem. I want to get some classy bullhorns, so if anyone has any suggestions for some nice bullhorns, vintage or otherwise, let me know.

Thanks for the help guys!

John E

I think 1983 is a good guess (see my signature). Bianchi made a wide variety of models, with slight differences in components and tubing. My Campione d'Italia has "B" pantographed on the chrome fork crown and a few other fancy touches. Mine came with Modolo Speedy brakes, Ofmega CX crankset, Campagnolo NR derailleurs, Ofmega hubs, Campagnolo Gran Sport pedals, and Campagnolo dropouts and seatpost.

swif

Thanks John! Mine has a B stamped on both the seatstays and fork crown. I think some of the parts have been switched out though, my friend doesn't quite remember exactly which parts he replaced.

Kommisar89

That's a Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport gruppo. As you noted the rear derailleur is marked. You can tell the front derailleur by the CPSC lip combined with the lack of holes in the cage. The chain ring has obviously been replaced but that is a Campagnolo Nuovo Gran Sport crankset too. I can't be sure without consulting a catalog but the shifters might be Record. I thought Nuovo Gran Sport used the older style levers with raised writing and knurls while the Record/Super Record used that newer style with the cast logos and stuff.

swif

I did some more research on the shifters, and I think they are just Gran Sport, not Record.

Anyone know the stem bar size, or is there a way to tell? Would my LBS be able to tell me?

T-Mar

A 3TTT handlebar of this era should have a 26.0mm center diameter.

In lieu of calipers, it is possible to measure the diameter by wrapping a thin strip of paper around the bar and carefully marking were it overlaps with a sharp pencil.. Measure the distance from the end of the strip to the mark and divide this measurement by 3.14 to obtain the diameter. Using this method, it is possible to consistently measure diameters within 0.2mm.

swif

Oh wow, thanks T-Mar. Never thought of that. Is there any leeway in the bar size? Or do I absolutely need a 26.0mm?

Kommisar89

There's no leaway but you can get a shim to let you use a 25.4mm bar in a 26.0mm stem. Those are pretty common.

swif

Anyone know some good bullhorns to look for? I like the Modolo Kronos, but I don't know where I could find some besides getting lucky on ebay. The Cinelli Tempo is nice too, but I think the bar ends are too high for my liking. I'd prefer to keep it Italian if possible.