1992 Bianchi Giro build up.
 

To honor the generosity shown by [MENTION=202349]SpeedofLite[/MENTION] and his friend who unfortunately had to move his bikes onward, I felt I should build it up and provide some of the story.

SOL... oops, not good to abbreviate that... put a call out for values for a few items his friend was moving onward. Having lusted after a Bianchi Celeste since I was young, I looked on with interest. It was determined that it was rusty and not probably worth much. I thought I would like to take on the project and suggested it had value! They decided it would be free to someone who wanted to restore it.

Bit of background. As a youngster, we grew up without much and so my bikes were precious. I shoveled snow and raked leaves to get my first, a Peugeot UO something. Loved that. Was hooked. At the age of 14 (1981), I started reading catalogs until the staples and binding broke. Three that kept calling to me were the AD Ultima, Lotus Supreme and a Celeste Bianchi.

A Bianchi Randonneur would have to suffice. In any case here are some build photos!


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Seat tube honed and smoothed out!
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Paint matches nicely over the sanded areas.
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Tiny handlebar bend in the top tube on each side. Doesn’t bother me! It’s showing its heritage!
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Most of the rust was in the Bb area, under the TT and inside the DT.
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Soaked in evaporust

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Some headset drama, but due to my calculations. Which caused me to use a Tange Levin rather than an Ultegra.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c77b0661c.jpeg
Love these stems. Matches nicely with the seatpost vvv
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Crank has some scars but solid.
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Probably could fit 28 in here. Anyone have experience with Schwalbe Lugano tires? My first foray. They were on the wheels
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Nitto SP
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No brazeons for FD. WTH?!?? Had to use an alternative ...disaster avoided.
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Beautiful wheelset.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...66b878aa9.jpeg
Thought I could use a Campy cable guide. Nope. Had to use plastic one, but with the Campy nut...
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7516d02f4.jpeg
Convinced by my sons to use this skull tape. Umm. I think I should have gone with deep blue like my first instinct. I did want to try it out. It’s not good so far.

Post shake down shorter ride.

Thoughts:
1. The rear end is more squirrely than I thought it would be out of the saddle. Very quick in turns though
2. I should have further tightened the seat tube binder bolt...oops.
3. Jury is out on the tires. A bit harsh, though it might get better over time
4. Bar tape is not good. Do not buy for serious bike.
5. The Dura Ace is a bit more fidgety than I would have thought


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...efcdbb6b8.jpeg
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lovely bike with Dura Ace 7700:thumb:

Thank you! It came out nicely I think. I hope I can honor its legacy!

What do you mean fidgety? Have you checked the alignment of your derailleur hanger?

Yep. It’s aligned. It works reasonably nicely except gears 4-5. Just some dialing in I think. It doesn’t know which one it prefers. A longer ride will tell the story I guess.

I’m more concerned about the tires...any experience with Luganos? Haha. And the bar tape. It’s decent but CNC is not exactly Fizik, Arundel or Lizardskins...it might not even be at the level of Topcabin!

No I haven't used Lugano. I think the only Schwalbe tire I have ever used is the Stelvio. Very lightweight and didn't last long, but they rode nicely.

You already are honoring its legacy by sprucing it up and getting it on the road.

Yeah. It was sort of serendipity that the grails came to me last year...Ciocc, Bianchi, Colnecko (wasn’t really a grail but cool).

It felt good to get it completely derusted and touched up so she can look pretty. She doesn’t like the bar tape though. She was a bit non-plussed about that.