Bianchigirll 

I have no idea LOL. I post my pics from my 'puter using the manage attachments thing in the advanced window. once the post loads I open the attachment in a different window and it gets supersized. the I edit my post and copy and paste the pic. I did pretty much the same with yours I opened your attachment in a new window and the copied it to my post.

blilrat

They aren't too expensive if they start off in terrible shape. Definitely was a money pit, but it's unique and takes me to the local coffee shop in the morning without complaint.

Bianchigirll 

I believe in chronological order this little "Sizzling Peach" beauty was the next Bianchi to find her way to my family. I was trying to get a different Bianchi (to be seen later) when a Member offered this gem. this is an '86 Volpe and it is the first year for this fantastic do all bike. the idea was for a comfortable road bike suitable for commuting, long moderate rides, light weekend tours but able to withstand a short cut over a dirt road or two. Eventually this idea also morphed into the Hybrid bike.


this is a pic from the seller


The frame is a Tange DB ChroMo in SuperSet design, and the kit was a period typical mix of Suntour (Cyclone GT for derailleurs) SR and DiaCompe. I did not like the function of the RD and upgraded to this Campi, and the black stem added by a previous owner.

This is after cleaning and overhauling


Unfortunately the bike sat in the hot Texas sun a bit too much as the paint is a bit faded, it is really something under the FD clamp. After cleaning her up I started adding racks and fenders and thought she might make a great Randonneurerer or Brevit type bike, not that I have time for either.

This is after adding the rear rack, fenders and Pannaracer tires, she also has a front rack now.

Chrome Molly

My Bianchi Randonneur. Swapped out the Rx100 double for the triple and added the VO fenders. This is one of my favorite bikes to ride; as modified it does it all well with no complaints.

bikingshearer 

My 1961 or thereabouts Competizione. This is the lowest-end frame that came out of the Reparto Corse at the time. Seamed tubing, but well put together.

I've owned it since 1973 or so, but it hasn't been riden since 1975. I just had it repainted and redecalled by Ed Litton. This is fairly close to, but probabaly a bit daker than, the original blue. The chrome on the head lugs, fork and stay ends, and on the seat tube was in bad shape, so I had Ed paint over it.





For comparison, here is what it looked like for the last 35+ years. I rattle-canned it way back when - hey, I was young and stupid, but at leat it protected the frame from too much rust. Also, it was a barn find (literally) and as I recall the finish was not in the greatest shape even then.

Bianchigirll 

I missed out on one these a few years ago, the owner decidied not to sell it after asking for a value here.

what is the rest of the drive train, it does look OEM

Chrome Molly

The original FD, RD, and Crank were RX100, but now they are Tiagra and a triple crank which reportedly was from a Specialized Allez. The FW is a nice shimano 7 speed (reasonably close ratio), levers still RX100, the bar and stem are TTT. Not sure if those items are original or not. Pretty sure the saddle was a replacement. I still have the original parts, but really I think the intended personality of the bike is enhanced with the triple. That, and the fact I sometimes use it to commute to work and have to climb the hills on the side of the Mississippi river once each way. Not bad for an $80 CL find. I'd really like to stumble upon a Volpe sometime, I think they are a little more responsive handling (the rando is a barge compared to most modern bikes - not in terms of weight, but handling).

Bianchigirll 

Actually there may not be that much difference between a Volpe of the late '80s and your Rando. aside froma 73 HT angle everything else looks pretty close according to the '89 catalogs geomentry chart.

OH Randonneurers didn't come with RX100 (atleast not the RX100 we know from the very late '80s early '90s with index and aero hoods) they usually came with Suntour and a pretty wide FW and triple cranks. someone did alot of upgrades to this one before you got her.

Chrome Molly

Good to know, now I can get scheming on another project with that RX100 stuff. Thx

velomateo

That's nice, he did a beautiful job on the paint & decals. Make sure to post once it's built up.

bikingshearer 

Well, if you insist . . . .

It will be a "period appropriate" build. It won't be like it was when new (sorry, I don't do cottered cranks any more). Instead, it will be more like someone bought it in 1961 and upgraded it over the next couple years. I have most of the stuff on hand now, so it will have a Campy crankset (151bcd, but I'm not sure of its exact age), Universal 51 brakes, Campy NR hi-flange matged to Mavic Monthlery rims with a Regina freewhel, Brooks Professional small rivet saddle, and some 3ttt bars and stem that look like they are from just after they switched over from the Ambrossio name. I even have the correct (and rare) 74-ss-120 BB spindle, although it has seen better days.

As for the derailleurs, it will have a Campy Gran Sport push-rod fFD and either a Gran Sport or 1960s Record RD (the one that immediately predated the Nuovo Record).

It will be fun, but it will not see any hills - a 46x24 low gear is simply not going to get this Clydesdale up the local hills. Since it is a bit small for me, and there is a limit to how high I can get the seat, even if I could mash such a tall gear up a hill, my knees would not like it at all. This puppy will be strictly a flat-lander.

Bianchigirll 

Are you going to post a build thread when the project starts?

jimmuller 

Nice fence too.

sced

Wife's mid 80's Brava. I added barcons, short reach brake levers, and dual pivots to make her feel safer; a wide range compact crank and 14-28 freewheel for the hills around here, and a few other Campy parts for bling.

Bianchigirll 

Very nice looking. I think we discussed this before, is that Chorus being used in index mode?


BTW Jim what is this? it looks like a Brava frame from '87

sced

Naw. It is a 1st gen Chorus RD but the barcons are Ultegra 8spd set to friction. I did try the index mode but it didn't work. Even in friction mode the barcons ratchet coarsely in a way that I had to fiddle with the cable tension to get it to not skip a gear. With the tuned ratcheting it feels a lot like indexing - click -shift, click shift.

When we started riding a few years ago, my wife was a bit afraid. She always rides in the drops so I set the bike up so that she doesn't have to move her hands much to control everything.

The wheels are Gel 280 tubulars laced with bladed spokes to Record hubs - I do love her.

jimmuller 

I'd say good guess but I know you weren't guessing. Brava '89, if I can believe both the SN and the guy who sold me the frame (and he may simply have read that from the SN).

I took it for its first non-trivial ride yesterday, though only 15.5mi. Now I'm curious about what the Brava was meant to be, other than inexpensive. It's an interesting frame. 4130 chromoly, seemingly steep angles, but with high BB and standover height as if it was meant for steep cornering. Also a short wheelbase but plenty of toeclip/wheel clearance. The ST measurement says it should be smaller than my other bikes but it fits me as if it was the same size. The steering is quick, and with those wheels (32 spoke MA40s, Gatorskins, Mavic501 hubs) it accelerates well and coasts forever. Finally, the ride is harsher than I'm used to. I'd guess that's the combination of the frame, the straight-gauge spokes, and the tires. (I'm considering re-stringing the wheels eventually if it will soften the ride.)

Bianchigirll 

Well you were hoodwinked!! the color and decals are off for a '89 but that does not mean the previous owner or original buyer did not get it NOS in '89. The color and decals make it an '87 and I have the exact frame on my Sport SX. That bike started my love afair with Bianchi.

Standard Issue

I started my own thread for this but I figured it belongs here, too.

jimmuller 

He! To be honest, I didn't buy it for the paint and decals or the year or anything, and certainly not for an authentic restoration. So I'm not bothered by the incorrect cosmetics. As I said, the SN says it is '89, so I'll believe that for now.

I just wanted a bike to build for fun, preferably different from my other bikes. It had to be my size, which is to say average, and decent average-size frames of any brand are very rare on either CL or ebay for minimalist prices. When this popped up on ebay I put in a modest bid expecting to lose. There were few other bids (perhaps the incorrect color explains why) which made me worry that it was a bad choice. After building it up I really like its focused black/silver/celeste appearance, and the ride is quite delightful.

BTW, the paint has enough wear to show that it was ridden a fair amount in its present clothes. If it was repainted it wasn't done just prior to its going up for sale.

bikingshearer 

That's the plan. I have one or two more small items to get, and I have to find the replacement Universal brake lever hoods that are hidden somewhere around the house , but I'm close. Unfortunately, I'm also a procrastinator par excellence .

Bianchigirll 

OH I was joking and did not mean your intentionally ripped off, and I never give much thought to Bianchi serial numbers anyway. the important thing is you got a great bike that you love and enjoy riding.

hoopmasterg

I need your help, is this bike worth $600?

The Specs:
- Track Bike
- Fixed Gear "Fixie" - Mens 53 cm
- Gang Green Paint
- Bianchi DB CrMo/Rear entry track dropouts Frame
- Sakae Custom Road Champion toro handle bars
- CrMo Fork
- VP AheadSet/1" threadless headset
- Cinelli alter stem [grey and black] $150 retail value
- Alloy front caliper brake / single aero lever
- Truvativ Touro Track/48T crankset
- Truvativ Power Spline cartridge bottom bracket
- KMC chain
- 16T fixed cog sprocket
- Soma MKS Sylvan track pedals
- Campagnolo Gamma wheels
- Chen Shin GT, 700x23C tires
- Velo saddle

jimmuller 

He (again)! I didn't think you did mean that. I had found a site which explained Bianchi SNs but perhaps it was wrong. Can't find it at the moment. So I'll believe it to be '87.

But here's why I'm posting again on it. As I mentioned earlier, I find the frame properties interesting and am therefore curious about what Bianchi thought they were building. BG, since you must have liked your Sport SX, tell me about what (you thought) they meant it to be and how it was percieve back in the late 80's.

Thanks,
Jim

ThermionicScott 

I just got another one in the mail today. That's cause to bump this thread!


More pictures here: https://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...nchi%20Premio/

It's an '87-ish Premio that has been ridden but not abused. The tires, rear derailleur cable, and bottom bracket will need replacing before too long, but it's in serviceable shape otherwise. (That RD cable is shot, so I had to use the limit screws to lock it into a usable gear for my test ride. Check out those dry-rotted tires -- I pumped them up well below their max and took it easy.)

My main reason for getting it (apart from being the highest bidder) was that I wanted to get a road bike one size larger than my '91 Eros for more of a '60s/'70s/French fit. Vanity, I suppose...

Speaking of vanity, here's a shot of that Eros. I've recently dismantled it to apply Frame-Saver and service the bottom bracket.



- Scott