I'm new at Biking and found this Bianchi Forza, it rides perfect and a lot of the components seem to be new. Can you guys tell me more about this bike, cost and what not. My neighbor is an old school biker and since I'm a teacher he gave it to me (I'm not looking to sell it but want to know more about the bike.

Hello Welcome to the forums. Nice looking Bianchi. The black and slate would make it a '91 and it should have Shimano 500EX derailleurs and 400EX brakes. It was good basic bike with a full chrome moly frame and fork and alloy wheels selling for around $500.

The pic isn't the greatest but it looks like it saw little service. Nice neighbor, take him a sixpack or nice Pino Noir. Did he help you adjust the saddle height?

BG at her best.

Yes welcome to the C&V. Get the saddle height and stem length appropriate for your body geometry and you've got a great rider. I had an earlier Bianchi - not top shelf - but it went from rain bike to favored rider in a small, modest vintage fleet of 7. I kinda miss it. I like your color scheme. Vintage tubular wheels, Campy of course, would be a huge upgrade if you like a lighter handling feel. Since you got it free, reward yourself with one upgrade.


edit: ooppps - those Mavic rims really do have Record hubs, maybe Campy hubs and rims.

I just got one today! My little bro traded me for some work on his other bike!

Cool looking frame. Congrats! What are your plans?

Thanks!

After sleeping on it thinking 1x7 gravel/cross bike?? I am also interested in hearing your ideas 💡

I have a nice 2pc crank with road doubles, thinking of using the 39T ring with a 12-25 cassette.

I have a set of Cinelli bars and a Shimano 600 RD. It has 105 shifters. I also have some dual pivot brakes

Just needs wheels, cable, chain, seat post.

Looking for someone to sandblast it; I have an uncle who can powder coat it for free

Oh, no! The original finish looks to be in such good shape. 😥

Why?!?

IDK -
It would look cool in pearlescent white.

Let’s hear your case for keeping it stock!

1. It looks cool now.
2. The factory paint isn't all beat up.
3. It is only original once.
4. Powder coating is usually applied too thick and ruins frame details.
5. Powder coated frames are more susceptible to rusting.
6. White powder coated frames will show that rust easier.
7. Money not spent on paint can be better spent on nicer components.

Good points! All of them! My uncle said he can do it for free so the thought crossed my mind to do it now before it has parts hanging on it

I had a red one that got killed by a car. I survived, Bianchi had terminal rear triangle damage. I bought it used back about 2001 for $150. It had Shimamo Exage 7 speed DT indexed shifters and Biopace chainrings, 52/39, I think. It was my first "modern bike" compared to my '64 Legnano. It was a nice ride. I used the Bianchi parts from the crashed one on a Nashbar aluminum frame, which I later sold.

Well, parts can be taken off and put back on, unlike the original paint! I’m in the camp of build it up and ride it. The paint looks great. Tinker with fit/component/gearing/wheel&tire choices first would be my recommendation. That looks like s really fun bike. You can always powdercoat or paint later if you really want.

SOLD! I will leave it as is! maybe even put some Nirvana, NWA and Rancid stickers on it to look truly "period correct"

I will save my uncle's offer to powder coat for an ugly, welded frame!

My name is Bill and I endorse this message.

What do you think of my build ideas?

I remember when Kurt died. That takes me back!

Sad, sad, sad.... So glad that his death has raised awareness for the herion epidemic in this country... oh, wait, right...

If you are going to do 1x on the front, you better be prepared to either get a chainguide or a modern RD with a clutch, along with a narrow-wide chainring. Any bit of rough stuff and the chain will drop otherwise.

Also a 39-25 low gear is pretty damn hard, especially for a gravel/singletrack bike. You'll probably want something closer to 1:1. My 1x gravel bike has a low gear of 40:36.

What's the tire clearance? A bike with road calipers isn't going to be able to fit any tire that I would ride in gravel or mud frequently...

I would save the powdercoat for a more beat up frame. And the gravel/cross idea for a bike with the right clearances and canti mounts.

Yeah those are all good points.... I think I have decided to not powder coat.... I am not sure I was thinking of a "hardcore" gravel/cross bike but rather something I wouldn't be completely lost on if I decided to take it camping and ride it on logging roads w/ my kids.

My other bike is a single speed track bike so....

looking for 90-91 Bianchi Forza decals

Original paint is in good condition

That "Flower Power" style was only used for two years and I don't think I ever saw them listed on ebay. You might want to check with velocals or the Gentleman down under on ebay that sells Bianchi declas..