scale

SVENMN you are spot on with the waxes. I use the maroon bottle.....cleaner wax on all my frames and it does WONDERS. It also is amazing at sheding water, mud, etc. I typically dont go any finer than the cleaner wax but i may try it some day. I find that the cleaner wax makes things look perfect in most cases.

italianbiker

Maguire cleaner wax is the same stuff I use, its amazing.

armstrong101

Wait wait. Before you do anything.

I have a friend who has, what I believe is the exact same model bike that he bought from the original owner, and his bike came equipped with complete Super Record (e.g. panto 3T stem). So I strongly do not believe it was an Victory original build.

SvenMN 

The carnauba wax just adds one more layer of protection after the cleaner wax. Probably makes little difference, but I feel better knowing it is there when I sweat all over my steel frames.

@armstrong101: Agreed... if built properly it would be Super Record. I have a full SR gruppo that could go on immediately.

However, collecting the proper bits with the correct Bianchi panto may be a lifetime affair. And that is OK. It is looking like rings, stem, seat post, brakes (& maybe levers) all are special to this '84 vintage Bianchi.

But in the next few months I need to get this bike prepped for my wife to ride once the snow melts.

I have to say she is quite happy riding her properly fit 44 cm 2012 Fuji Comp SL2 road bike. It has a compact crank with a 12-28 cassette, and an appropriate stem that gives her a more upright riding position. In order to make this vintage Bianchi L'Eroica legal and enjoyable for her to ride I need to consider options for a higher stem, and more appropriate gearing. But just having a frame with an appropriate seatpost length with reach in the ballpark makes me smile.

Not seeing much for options in vintage 3ttt or Cinelli to gain the 2.25 inches more stem height, but maybe there is a Nitto stem that might work. That would mean changing out the 26.4 mm diameter Cinelli bars as well. Not happy with the looks of the Nitto compared to the Italians tho...

Gearing will be a bit trickier, but will likely go with a triplizer on a SR crank or on the existing Victory crank. Of course that will mean a wider BB and likely appropriate derailleur(s).

And a L'Eroica appropriate wheelset with tires needs to be considered too... I have options and can build what I need, or run the virtually unused Victory hubbed Nisi tubulars.

This is the fun stuff here in Minnesota in the dead of winter :-)

SvenMN 

Now that the summer is pretty much over here in Minnesota my wife finally test rode her Bianchi. She was smiling pretty much the whole 10 mile ride, especially when we swung through the state park campground where a guy yelled "Nice bike!!"



In order to closely duplicate the fit of her modern bike I went to the Nitto stem/Noodle bars. I have all I need to "tripilize" the drivetrain except the triple capable crank arm, and will likely go with a drilled SR. She is impressed with the "feel" of her first tubular wheelset, so they may stay for awhile. And I agreed to her request of another pair of Speedplay light-action pedals so she can use her cycling shoes (on order).

ThermionicScott 

Beautiful!

Cyclist0108

Outstanding find!

corrado33

You originally asked what it was. I'm here to answer that.

It's cute.

It honestly looks like a "chopped" bike (as in the style with cars and motorcycles.)

Very awesome find! Beautiful.

Bianchigirll 

That is pretty.

SvenMN 

@Bianchigirll
Any thoughts on the model, timing and origin of this apparently very early SLX frame would be appreciated.

Bianchigirll 

I like the X-3 idea, which before I saw that I was going to suggest a European model. I think things were pretty loose before Bianchi USA got the exclusive distribution rights in '85ish so I am sure there are tons of fancy European models that came but we're in the American market catalogs.

himespau 

Such a nice looking bike.