I've just bought a used , fairly modern, aluminium framed bike. It has no external welding showing, all joints are smooth. And it's fairly light, bike weighs about 10 kilos. I beleive the frame was bought and bike built by the private owner, so weight is obviously down to the components - and they are OK, but not the best. Frame was originally in a polished aluminium finish. I was told that it was built by a british firm based in Sheffield, England. This firm was owned for about 3 years by Bianchi before it closed. Does anyone have any information, knowledge to throw any light on this? There is , obviously, no name on frame but in the absence of any info I shall paint Bianchi on it - that should bring the Bianchi brigade out of hiding if they think I've got a rubbish bike ;-)

why would you want to paint bianchi on it? that's like calling an epiphone guitar a gibson because gibson owns the company. If it's not a bianchi, you're only lying.

Just my opinion.

How would you feel if you bought a bike with Bianchi art installed, only to find out that the bike was not a Bianchi, but only painted to look like one? Did you ask yourself that question?

Aside from an apparent ethical issue, it is common knowledge that only people whose last name is Bianchi(does not have to be a blood family member of company owners) are trained for and permitted to build Bianchi bicycles;-)

Your question is a good one though and, sadly, seems to be an ingrained part of the road bicycle world, certainly in days gone by, at least. I say this simply because people like Falerio Masi would build bicycles for the best of the best in the racing world. Mercxx road a Masi, painted up to look like a Peugeot or so I have been led to believe.

Your question got me to ask myself a question. Since it seems to been accepted practice in the road bike world of days gone bye, why not?

This is all in jest and but have fun with this philosophical dilemma - if there is one?

We already had something very similar - Joe's '80s Bianchi SC painted to look like a '60s Model B. I'm sure most of the fellows here remember the commotion that one stirred up.

-Kurt

I think some of you are missing the plot here ;-) I was merely asking for information on my bike. I ended by saying that if I could not identify it I would paint Bianchi on it. This was said partly as a throw away remark, but why should I not? I was told that it was originally built as a Bianchi (by a Bianchi owned British firm) by the previous owner, who had been told by the original owner. Now why do you think I bothered to ask for info on this forum? Obviously because I was as convinced as you guys! My entire knowledge of Bianchi is that it is an Italian firm building bikes - I assume. I've never owned one and wasn't particularly bothered when I bought the bike which firm had built it. The spec. and price sounded good to me so I bought it. I am interested in the name so I can put it on the frame, but I am not so hung up about it as some people. If I obtain information that tells me that it is not a Bianchi then fair enough, I'll put my own name on it. If, however, no one can offer any such info then why should I not believe what I have been told?
I do appreciate these forums and I enjoy reading them - I hope you do too ;-)

perhaps I shall repaint my minivan and put Jaguar or land rover decals on it. after all ford once owned both companies so perhaps it was made in one of those factories it could not possibly be just a ford it must be a Jaguar or land rover.

Being tongue in cheek does not work on the internet apparently.

Tongue in cheek, perhaps. Perhaps some will read and intelligently digest my post, it was actually a genuine question. Perhaps Bianchi owners think I'm about to devalue their pride and joy(s). In fact, what an idea! I could paint Bianchi all over my bike, then Bianchi owners will club together to buy it for an astronomical sum, just so they can burn it. Any offers? Money or info? Please, before posting another diatribe (is that the right word?) against me, please read my last post (carefully - you know, every word) you know it makes sense. All I wanted to know was whether Bianchi owned a shop/factory in Sheffield, UK, and did they produce bikes there and were they sold as Bianchis? If you have any info (preferably factual) I would be grateful to read it. Telling me that you had to live in Italy and have Bianchi for a surname to produce Bianchi bikes is pretty dumb, unless it's a fact. I mean, there must be a Fred Bianchi in Taiwan knocking them out....
that's it, I've cracked it - I'll paint Fred Bianchi on my bike and get all these owners off my back.
Roll up folks, for sale a genuine Bianchi with an Italian chain, Japanese gears, French handlebar tape, English air in tyres . I must get out more - nurse, my medicine please.

I would venture to say that since most of the members here are from the US and all our Bianchis come to us via Bianchi USA (made in the orient or Italy) we would have no idea. most of Her Majesties subjects who come here are more interested in old Philips and Raleighs. perhaps this is something you should research on you own. you can always write to Bianchi and ask. what years was this bike factory allegedly owned by Bianchi?

but I do strongly agree with the others if the provenance of the frame cannot be determined there is no valid reason to paint Bianchi on it.

I just checked and found a serial number under the BB, it's R15000215
Now I'm not expecting anyone to tell me that's a Bianchi number (well, not on this forum - I may check with Fred in Taiwan, though...) but just thought I'd sort of chuck it into this thread. One never knows what may turn up!

Not much help, but going to your original query, J E James Cycles in Sheffield have long links with Bianchi. I don't know if they ever produced any under licence, but it's a place to start. If they didn't build your frame themselves, they will probably know who did!

Thanks very much for that. It's the most helpful suggestion I've had. I'll get in touch with them and if I get any more info I'll post it.