This is a problem most of you would hate to have, I'm sure
I have an ~85 bianchi eco pista w/ campy parts.
I also have an '07 raleigh rush hour pro w/ nice modern parts including mavic ellipse wheels.
The raleigh frame has a hairline crack at the top of the seatube, and raleigh will not warranty it.
So I don't ride it.
I'm hoping to get another vintage track frame, and to move the campy parts onto it.
Would it be terrible to then run the bianchi w/ the ellipse wheels, and some non-period other parts I have sitting around?
Or wait until I round up some more appropriate parts?

It's not going to ruin the Bianchi to use some modern wheels on it until you find period correct parts. It won't look totally vintage and rad, but I can't see a real reason to care.

+1. Just run what you gotta run until you get appropriate parts. BTW, velo-mine has some campy record laced to mavic tubular wheels in stock. If you don't mine tubulars, they would fit that Bianchi perfectly. Also, can we get some pics of these pornorific rigs?

Here is the bianchi, I have posted it here before:


I don't have the other vintage (raleigh) frame yet.
Here is a bad pic of the rush hour pro:


another option would be to get the rush hour pro repaired, but nobody here can or will do it.

No don't get those. I am saving my dimes until I can afford them. Back off, them's my wheels!

Wheels really are not "parts" per se, as they are very interchangeable for specific applications. I have several wheel sets, and tend to swap them out based on what cog or whether I want tubulars or clinchers (across 3 bikes). Half the time my wheels don't even match (like if I am running a brake and don't want a nonmachined surface up front.... or whatever).

Where exactly is the crack on your seat tube? Is it above the weld with the top tube?

Here is the crack, it is kinda hard to make out:

I have seen another RHP here in Raleigh with the exact same crack. I also found reference to the same problem via google.
Raleigh claims my warranty is void because I rode it on streets, instead of the velodrome only!
Yet their warranty states that it will not be honored if the bike is raced!

that crack is so minor. bondo?

I've considered that, also drilling a small hole at the base.

that pista is absolutely beautiful. I agree w/ what others say about the crack: take some precautions (bondo and drilling) and then just ride it. I see a lot of bikes w/ cracks on the seat tube that still get ridden. Worst comes to worst you could put a salsa seat post clamp around the area as a sort of makeshift cast.

"Raleigh claims my warranty is void because I rode it on streets, instead of the velodrome only!
Yet their warranty states that it will not be honored if the bike is raced! "

Go post this up at consumerist.com and see how quickly they change their minds.

It has an aerotube profile (see first pic of it) that won't accept a standard clamp. But I did find a clamp to go around the seatpost base, as a safeguard.

just sell me the Bianchi and watch your dillemma go away.

I don't see how bondo would help, although I would consider just using a seatpost collar to ensure your weight is supported by the clamp. Bondo is cosmetic--- not structural. The crack is above the top tube, so it doesn't seem that serious. Your frame manufacturer is crazy for not honoring a warranty, since I don't see any way this could be construed as related to abuse---- racing(noracing) or not.