Drillium Dude 

I don't know why, but I'm really liking that all-purple look. When I first saw this thread, I was thinking black bar tape, black saddle, skinwall tires and black brake cables. But now, I'm not so sure. Looks great the way it is.

By the way, from the looks of it, your helmet is a Giro Pneumo - they cost about $140 new back in the day, so free is definitely good.

Don't forget to post a pic of you with your Bianchi on the "Who Exactly Are Bike Forums Members?" thread!

DD

jecksida

ok, cool..... i will keep an eye out for shimano 105 levers. thanks! i know the ones i posted didn't have hoods.... i just didn't really see a set that i want yet. still looking....

yeah, my ex gave me that helmet a while back, since he didn't use it.... he said it was a good one so, that's why i'm keeping it.

the all-purple is kind of growing on me, in it's own way...... but i know i will change it eventually. i just put a vintage selle san marco seat on it..... i picked one up for $30 a while back.... teal suede.... and i have a feeling it's going to be more comfortable than the velo seat.... so i'm going to try it out since i already have it anyway.....

Drillium Dude 

^ Smart woman - when it comes to saddles, comfort is the bottom line (no pun intended).

DD

jecksida

ok, i've got 2 more aero levers i am considering.........

opinions please???

campagnolo athena aero levers, NOS, see below. i really like the classic look of these, i think they are from ~1990.....



Orion Aero Levers..... NOS... expensive, but i like these a LOT.... i don't know anything about them, never heard of them.




i'm ok with buying expensive parts, like maybe these levers that i posted.... if they are GOOOD parts.... i just want to make sure they are quality.... so let me know what you think of them!

i am not necessarily worried about spending too much on the bike.... since i already have... and for right now, it's just not about the money...... and i know it sounds emotional or weird to some people.... but this is one of the only things that makes me happy right now. and...so, i just want to build this bike in whatever way i want, and whatever feels right to me.... i guess that's just something i need right now. and i will never tell anyone how much i end up spending on this bike, because i am sure no one would really understand anyway. it's crazy! but i have to do it, for me.

LesterOfPuppets

I'd go with the Athenas.

I'm not sure how I feel about plastic brake levers like those Modolos. They sure do look interesting, though.

triplebutted

I have small hands and I love the way brifters feel cause of the long lever and close to the bar itself. The only thing that was close to that was the old 600 Aeros. But I've seen the new Sram 500 aero levers that are the same exact as brifters but without the shifter part.

3speed

Coincidental or not, I love terrible puns.
Oh don't worry. This place is like AA for bike people. I'm sure every one of us has spent too much on a bike at some point, some of us way too much, and usually one of our first ones. It's all about what makes you happy. That's what hobbies should be about. Now the model train guys, those I don't get. $1,000s and 1000s of hours of work for something that goes in circles around fake trees and mountains in your basement? But hey, as long as it makes them happy, good for them.

JunkYardBike

For comfort and performance, I second the suggestion of Shimano SLR levers:

https://the-bici.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=23

These are probably just as good, because they are spring loaded, and they are all white! Careful, though, the levers will scratch easily:

https://the-bici.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=26

I've got a set of 105 SLR levers with white hoods. Hoods need some clean up (white gets dirty fast) and the levers have a few scratches, but not bad overall. PM me if interested.

Pars 

I've got Athena levers on my RRA and like them, so if you can get them for a decent price, go for it. If the Athenas aren't a one-off single set up for sale, PM me with the info as I could use a backup set...

3speed

Compact levers offered by some companies are great for that too. I picked up some Cane Creek SRC-5C levers simply because it was a Great price on them still in the box. I don't even have particularly small hands, and can use regular levers fine, but I think I'll go with compact from now on when it's an option in the levers I want. There's just no sense in reaching farther than you have to and it feels a little better to have the lever right there close to where your hand is at rest.

Jecksida, if you don't mind using newer levers, I would say at least look at the SRC-5C by Cane Creek. I've never used them so I could be wrong, but to me those Orions don't look like they'd be terribly effective/easy to pull from the top of the hoods.

LesterOfPuppets

Ooooh, those white levers are so tempting. I need some to go with my white calipers shown below.

Here's a pic of 1051 vs 1052 levers on the same bar, 1051 in the foreground. 1052s have the control area much closer to the drops. Braking from the drops on 1052s is a whole other world.

3speed

Oh Gosh, Lester, clean those hoods!

LesterOfPuppets

Maybe come springtime. I'm always wearing gloves these days, so not gonna worry about it.

The dirt in the pic that bugs me most is on my pretty white brakes.

WNG

+1 on the Athenas.
+1 on the Shimano SLR levers.
-10 for those Modolo Orions. Those appear to be gray versions of the black Modolo Kronos aero levers. They look all Star Trek Klingon cool, but they are lousy performing levers mechanically. Sorry.

jecksida

ahhhhhh, the modolos are lousy performing expensive brakes?? that is such a bummer. oh well. i still like the campy athena brakes, and they are a LOT cheaper.....

khatfull

I think you got a fair deal on a particular Club Fuji I'm thinking about. Delivered at that...sheesh

Oregon Southpaw

Keep it all pink. So sweet. So Portland.

Also keep it locked up, that kind of bike would be more likely stolen than a newer crabon-type bike in certain parts of pdx.

jecksida

i will keep it locked up for sure...... actually, i am terrified at the idea of leaving it anywhere, even locked up. so far i havent really had a chance to ride it.... and if i do, i plan to only take it inside with me... like my work is 2 miles away, so i can bring it inside.... or otherwise just riding for fun, and taking it back home when i'm done.....

i guess a good lock will be safe enough, but i still hate the idea of leaving it out....

3speed

Haha, I didn't say anything about the Fuji. Wait, is there something I should know about the Fuji? My regret of that bike is actually that it's too nice. I found myself not riding it out of fear of something happening after I chipped the paint on the chain stay. And I can't put it in a bike rack if I stop somewhere.

snarkypup

When you buy tires, remember that the marked width is not necessarily the actual width. I bought Panaracer Pasellas marked as 28s for my Panasonic when the bike was new to me. The narrow tires that were on there scared me to death. Put the wider ones on, and they wouldn't fit inside the danged calipers. Let's just say that if they were actually 28s, I'll eat them. Now I have 23mm CSTs on there, and they are fine. Just be careful as you go up in size to make sure they will actually fit your bike! And frankly, the narrow tires just take some getting used to, and you'll be fine. Now I love my 23mm tires. They don't bother me at all.

rat fink

The Athenas are nice, but the hoods of Shimano aero levers generally feel better on the hands.

OzarkKing

After seeing your bike, I immediately began looking for one for a friend who is in the market for a bike and her favorite color is purple...I stumbled onto this tragedy which confirms that your bike is quite desirable (although note the unfortunate prior owner locked up only the back tire):
https://bikesandthecity.blogspot.com/...nchi-eros.html
Remember: protection is prevention and bikes/babies can be expensive.

jecksida

ahhhhhhh....so sad!!!! i feel like the more i invest MYSELF in this bike (not even money.... just love).... the more likely it is to be desirable.... like it has some blinking sign on it that says STEAL ME...... i hate the idea of leaving it anywhere, even locked up!!!
and the funny thing is, my bike is actually an entry-level bianchi..... it really isn't necessarily SPECIAL.... but maybe somewhat rare, especially in such a small size (48cm). it is hard to find a bike being so short, apparently!
however, i think you can find one for your friend! i don't know the name of this color, but it's definitely PURPLE (not pink ).... and its a bianchi sport sx. good luck in searching for one! it took me several months, but i managed to find it. i used google, and would search "bianchi sport sx craigslist" in 2-3 days, and i would set the search to find items posted within the last week.... so it was locating craigslist adds all over the US.... i bought mine from NY and had it shipped to me.

jecksida

also, thanks for the info on the tire sizes, snarky.... i really like how these narrow tires look, so i am going to ride on them for a while and see how it goes. if it's all i know, it probably won't bother me anyway.... they are 23..... if i go up a size, it would probably just be 25.