1989-90 Bianchi Mondiale, with 9 speed Ergopower
 

OK. I came upon this bike on Facebook marketplace (but from an acquaintance, not a random stranger) for $100. It had Two fuzzy photos and was labelled as Bianchi SLX (since it had no model label)

It was setup as a hybrid with upright bars (with MTB brake levers), a replacement Al fork (thank god they kept the original fork), STX rear derailleur with 7 speed 105 shifters, shimano 600 road brakes and a campy Gran sport triple crank. It was a real mongrel, but for $100, I figured, what did I have to lose.

Note that it is Columbus SLX and based on the Bianchi badges and the serial ID (9.C 3958) I am pretty sure its a 1989 build, but it could be a 1990 frame, as sold. With chrome on the stay, no model label and SLX tubing, I would presume that it is a Mondiale frame.

So returned this bike to some of its C-record glory, but I had no love for Synchro index shifting, so I outfitted it with 9 speed Chorus ergopower (and some Scirocco 20 wheels in a lovely silver finish). I used 10 speed derailleurs because I wanted to be sure I got the correct updated pull ratio on the rear derailleur and I knew that 10 speed was right.

Here is the component breakdown:
Front derailleur: Chorus 10 speed (braze-on)
rear derailleur: Centaur 10 speed
Shifter/Brake levers: Chorus 9-speed (new pull ratio)
Cranks: C-record (53/42), I dont know whether they are Chorus or Athena (they didn't label a damned thing back then)
Brakes: C-record Athena
Chain: C-9 Record (new)
Headset: Record (new)
Stem: 3T Status (NOS)
Bars: 3T Super criterium Ergopower 2 (NOS)
Wheels: Campagnolo Scirocco 20
Rear Cassette: Veloce 9 speed (new)
Bottom Bracket: Athena (sealed cartridge)
Seat: Selle Italia Flite TI Alpes saddle
Pedals: Look

After riding this bike last year on and off, I decided that it is slightly too small for me and that I am going to sell it.

So, what do you think its worth? Is it worth more to sell the frame and part it out? Does it make sense to try to restore it to straight C-record? I only lack the Synchro shift levers and the brake levers to do it, but it would probably cost me $150-200 to get them in decent shape, and I am not sure its worth it. I would love to hear some sage advice on the matter. Thanks.




https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7b5dbad1d.jpg
Drive side
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8ceae554c5.jpg
Centaur 10 speed with chromed chain stay

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...444140079a.jpg
3T cockpit (status stem), Record headset. All new
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2a77c16472.jpg
C-record crank, don't know whether its Chorus or Athena, Look pedals
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f200063885.jpg
Athena rear brake

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...98eebc5d98.jpg
9 speed Chorus (new pull ratio)


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0cb36c4a23.jpg
Athena C-record front brake
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9e1de95b11.jpg
SLX sticker


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...683fa82882.jpg
S/N = 9.C 3958

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...29c9f22443.jpg
Selle Italia Flite TI Alpes saddle

Part it out.

The cobbled together look does the value no good.

Thanks. I appreciate the frank opinion. How much do you imagine the frame might be worth. The rest of it, I would have a pretty good handle on.

The value of the frame depends on the condition. It is difficult to asses the condition with parts and dirt on the bike. If you intend to part it out anyway, disassemble and clean the frame for a better look. It is a very small size so not suitable for most men.

Agree, frankenbike so sale potential will be depressed. My experience selling nicer, higher end frames I have to go fleece bay. Selling local = give away price. Just search solds on ebay Celeste Bianchi SLX frameset.

When I sell frames, I include seat post and headset.

Thanks everyone for your opinion. That is why I came here. I will tear down and clean and post a few images to this thread to make sure I am getting it right. Then off to fleabay I guess.

thanks again.

C-Record is a group, not a classification that Chorus or Athena fall under. C-Record, Chorus, Athena, Mirage are all groups.
Those cranks are Athena.

You have zero C-Record parts on this bike.


I don't think there is anything incredible about the bike, but the parts aesthetically go well together. It is a nice bike as it is.

Fair enough regarding your point about Corsa Record and thanks for the aesthetically pleasing comment.

I guess I should have said C-Record era when I was referring to “Athena” components,
as the components during this time seemed to have a similar aesthetic, whether they were Corsa Record, Croce d’Aune, Chorus or Athena. I probably don’t need to make that distinction for something like a set of brakes where the aesthetic is obvious, but for a bottom bracket that you can’t really see in the pictures, I think that knowing which era of Athena this is,
might be of value.

Either way, I take the point that the bike is not built with Corsa Record components, but some Campagnolo parts from that era,
and some that are more modern.

thanks again for the discussion.

The cranks are first gen Athena. The Chorus crank became the Athena crank in maybe 91 or 92, and Chorus got the Croce crank.

I'd take a look and see if the seat post is perhaps one size too small.

Good catch. It should be 27.2 in an SLX frame.

Thanks. I thought the spider was too big for Chorus.

The post is 27.2 mm. But its not my favorite post, thats for sure. Its an American Classic Equipment 27.2.

I had a Miche Supertype on this bike earlier that I think had a better vibe, but its also basically brand new. Photos attached. This is also the bike dressed in 10 speed Chorus derailleur, Chorus brakes and record crankset.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...eac1069cbc.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...65e89803ac.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...436a425be9.jpg

You may want to include international shipping if you sell the frameset on ebay

Collectors in Asia are always on the hunt for smaller Italian bikes, Bianchi is a particularly popular brand over there

Thanks, I never thought of that. I will remember that for sure.