teagueAMX

Hi folks - first time here.

I bought this Bianchi Axis cyclocross bike sometime in the early to mid-1990's. I absolutely love the frame and put a lot miles on it, but it has been in storage for a few years. Now, I'm getting back into cycling and trying to figure out what year it actually is.

The paint is original, likewise the Suntour hubs, Suntour XC Comp front (top pull) and rear derailleurs, cassette (I've changed the cogs). The main tubes are Tange Cr Mo double butted, and the original front fork has a Tange Cr Mo double butted sticker on it.

Most of the other components have been replaced or updated for better quality units that fit me better. I took a wheel building class and built the Mavic wheels myself. The front original Suntour XC Comp mountain bike crankset was changed for a Shimano triple with 52-42-30 rings because I did a lot of road miles in addition to trails. It had the 1st generation Suntour Command shifters, but those are dogs, so back in the 90’s I managed to find a NOS 2nd gen set of Command shifters, which worked better than the Shimano alternative back then. I changed the seat post, the handlebars are wider, V-Brakes, installed a rack on it, etc.

At that time there was a higher quality cyclocross bike available. I'd like to find out what model it was and possibly obtain that original frameset, too.

It’s not life or death, but any help you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Bianchigirll 

Hello that is a very nice looking 1991 Axis. I love the Bianchi bikes from that era. the colors and graphics were a bit odd but the bikes had some great things going for them.

teagueAMX

Hi Bianchigirll. Thanks for responding so quick!

Yeah, my 22 yr old daughter gives me a hard time about it and says it's a girls bike (she may have a point). I got a good deal on it many years ago, and even then I think I only paid $200 for it new (could it be the color?). I really wanted a cyclocross bike for commuting and trails, but due to price I was thinking I'd have to get a Volpe. When I saw this one new in the right size I jumped on it. The store ended up splitting the cost of the Mavic wheels bc the stock ones were defective.

The color never really bothered me bc I like colorful things, and am not afraid to wear a pink or purple shirt to the office. Who knows what people are saying behind my back, huh?

So you think it's a 1991 model? That's great info. By any chance do you know the name of the next cyclocross model up from the Axis in that year? If I remember correctly, it was a reparto corse model that I would like to find (in bianchi celeste, of course - LOL).

Thanks for the info.

T-Mar

+1, 1991 model. The top CX modeel in 1991 was the Equinox, It was only available in the Off-Road Team color scheme, which had a white front end that faded to a yellow lower, back end and a silver upper, back end. This scheme was also used on their top ATB in 1991, the Grizzly. Celeste was used on the top road and cross-terrain (i.e. hybrid) models. Curiously, the 2nd form the top ATB and CX models were also offered in celeste, so you could always repaint your Axis.

Bianchigirll 

I do not think the Equinox was a Reparto Corse model. in '90 or '91 there was a cross bike from the Reparto Crorse that was built with Columbus Max the Interval.

as I said the colors and graphics were a bit off and Bianchi once again being on the leading edge of a trend was offering these great cross bikes before 'cross was real popular in the state. since most of the 'cross bike were top level pro models these "off the shelf" bikes were a bit heavier and since they had triples (rather then the traditional single) they had little apeal to true cross riders.
personally I would not paint that Axis. however I am very torn about wether to apint this frame I got from someone who claims it came from Europe


I made a slight error the Reparto Corse made cross bike was in 1990 but the name was Intercept Suntour equipped.

TimeTravel_0

anyone have a catalog scan of bianchi's 1990 lineup? I just picked up a 1990 Axis and I'm pretty excited.

Bianchigirll 

a '90 Axis very nice bike. what would you like to know about it? did you get the black or serria blue one?

TimeTravel_0

well, I'm not exactly sure of the year. the seller said 1990, but she was not 100% certain.

the serial numbers are: 9B21420

classic Bianchi celeste
Suntour XCD 6000
Tange double-butted cromoly
Sakae SX triple

I guess im looking for the year...and perhaps a catalog scan if they exist. just for info/fun. Not sure if this is a cross bike or a touring bike.

TimeTravel_0

Bianchigirll 

nice find that looks to be in great shape. it is a '89 model but the seller could have very well bought it is '90 as a leftover. as I said in the other post about a Axis they were intended to be 'cross bikes they were heavy. they do make great commuters and tourers aswell.

I don't have access to a scanner right now sorry. I need to act sit down one days and just scann everything and put it on a thimb drive

TimeTravel_0

thanks.

I am planning on swapping out a few components and adding wider tires, fenders, and a rack. The bike is for my girlfriend that will be used for commuting and light touring/bike camping. The frame is tiny; 47cm perhaps.

Not quite sure of how wide of tires I can fit on there with fenders. I am thinking 32mm with 40mm fenders would be the furtherest I could go -- even that would be pushing it; the front has plenty of space, but the seat stays in the rear provide only a small amount of clearance. I took some measurements and it looks like it might be an excellent candidate for 650b, though. If I cannot get at least 32mm + fenders, I might build up a 650b wheelset.

TimeTravel_0

Oh.

One more question: what's with the solitary boss on the downtube on the "B" in Bianchi? There's only one and it's far too low for DT shifters.

Bianchigirll 

LOL that is the best kept secret in the bike industry! if you look there is also a extra boss by the ST bottlecage. these were for a carrying strap for 'cross. I guess they came with the bike. I recall we used to have some webb straps with 2 stainless eyelets in them on the bargin table. if I had know thats what they were I would have snatched them up.

finders and tires will be interesting. I just put 'shorties' on my Equinox for looks. the bike came with a x35 knobby tire. that frame is pretty small you GF might be able to use a x28 or x30 instaed of the 32s. I put x32s on my Boarala and '86 Volpe and don't really like them, they are just a bit fat.

vintage_sfca

Thanks BG for posting all the great information. I've read your other posts. I recently purchased a 1989 Axis and was looking for additional information on it. Where was it manufactured --Taiwan or Japan? What was the original retail price? Where did it stand within the pecking order of other Bianchi Hybrid/Cyclocross models in 1989?

Bianchigirll 

The '89 Axis was #3 in the line up Equinox #1, Tangent 2, Axis 3, Volpe 4. The MSRP was around 600. I think these were made in Tiawain but I am not certain and the catalog does not say.

vintage_sfca

Thanks for the info BG

Here is a link to a picture of my bike

http://s1280.photobucket.com/user/mi...tml?sort=3&o=4

Conan

The Axis is sweet. As a guy I would love to ride that thing. Looks like it would be a fun gravel road bike.

T-Mar

Lacking a country of origin decal, the best way to determine the nation of manufacture if via the serial number. During this period oyu same Italian, Japanese and Taiwanese manufactured Bianchi. If you post the serial number, I may be able to identify the nationality and manufacturer.

vintage_sfca

Serial # 9B18236

T-Mar

Yes that should be an early 1989, Japanese manufactured frame. The serial number format is consistent with frames manufactured by (get ready for it, here comes the auto-censor police) Matsu****a. They're best known for their Panasonic brand bicycles and also manufactured for Schwinn, among others.