Bianchi L'eroica
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Over the last year I have made an intentional move away from Brifters and even indexed shifting in most cases. I have several bikes in my stable.
I have really enjoyed it. Even single pivot brakes are not that bad.
It all takes me back to a similar time.
I have really enjoyed it. Even single pivot brakes are not that bad.
It all takes me back to a similar time.
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Maybe, for those who can afford it, a "gateway drug" to real C&V?
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
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Grant Petersen.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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Not all vintage bikes were made to duplicate Tour de France kit. Plenty of tourers in the mid 1970s featured 5-speed free wheels w/ 30 or 32 max cog, long cage RDs, and TA chainsets with 46/30t rings; yeah, compact doubles.
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My son has a buddy who rides his yellow Raleigh Record everywhere. At Eroica Ca, I met a guy at a rest stop who was riding one and I remarked that I was going to tell my son's buddy that he could do it too. And the guy riding the Record (on either the long or coastal route) replied, " Why? Is he stupid?" I've never met such an unhappy upright rider.
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
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I can't believe we're on page 2 and still haven't seen a pic of the offending bike. C'mon, what's the fuss all about?
DD
DD
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I like the new bike, that looks like an old one, especially if it’s a Bianchi. I can see one in my future.
Tim
Tim
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well here it is. Didn't mean to offend just my personal opinion. I wouldn't refuse one if I won it........
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Here is a bigger and more detailed picture.
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Im happy that many bike manufactures are still producing steel bikes and especially retro tributes.
What is a more interesting topic IMO is how riders, many classic can still conquer the eroica on classic setups, not modern gravel bikes which would still be a challenge.
Very heroic efforts and abilities.
What is a more interesting topic IMO is how riders, many classic can still conquer the eroica on classic setups, not modern gravel bikes which would still be a challenge.
Very heroic efforts and abilities.
Last edited by joesch; 01-15-21 at 10:25 AM. Reason: perspective ;)
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For comparison purposes with the above, a shot of the one I built from the frame up with Campagnolo Nuovo Record that was auctioned off at Eroica 2018:
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I don't mind the retro bikes at all. Wouldn't some argue that many of the advancements seen in new bikes are unnecessary, and new bikes should still look like vintage bikes? I know I've read comments that suggest such.
If you bought something for $1000 in 1980, inflation alone puts that price at $3,140.91.
If you bought something for $1000 in 1980, inflation alone puts that price at $3,140.91.
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Maybe you do.
My son has a buddy who rides his yellow Raleigh Record everywhere. At Eroica Ca, I met a guy at a rest stop who was riding one and I remarked that I was going to tell my son's buddy that he could do it too. And the guy riding the Record (on either the long or coastal route) replied, " Why? Is he stupid?" I've never met such an unhappy upright rider.
My son has a buddy who rides his yellow Raleigh Record everywhere. At Eroica Ca, I met a guy at a rest stop who was riding one and I remarked that I was going to tell my son's buddy that he could do it too. And the guy riding the Record (on either the long or coastal route) replied, " Why? Is he stupid?" I've never met such an unhappy upright rider.
On a more serious note: I have seen a few unhappy people at Eroica events and the like. But in each case that had nothing to do with their choice of bike, but everything with a lack of preparation, like going into the Tuscan hills with a 58" lowest gear, or a total mismatch between fitness and route chosen.
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And then you'll spend probably that same amount replacing things like tires, cables, tape, etc. to make it rideable and look decent. To make it look and function like a new bike off the showroom floor, you'll spend a lot more than that.
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While the bike qualifies for Eroica rides that us "privileged" folks take part in, there's nothing preventing someone from riding the bike other times. I ride my vintage Bottecchia all the time - it's fun!
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Time is money
Rescued from a nice older gentleman in Berkeley with the promise to do my best to restore and send pictures for $100
White saddle, bar tape, chaining, chain , pedals, brakes ,handlebars >$150
. not to forget wheels, trade
lots of time.
still not $3K but I guess it's Apple's and Oranges, not quite the cache
Wish I had pictures of the finished machine, ignore the wrap,
thinking about it having the time, the ability and the passion to bring a classic back to life puts me in a group of privileged few
White saddle, bar tape, chaining, chain , pedals, brakes ,handlebars >$150
. not to forget wheels, trade
lots of time.
still not $3K but I guess it's Apple's and Oranges, not quite the cache
Wish I had pictures of the finished machine, ignore the wrap,
thinking about it having the time, the ability and the passion to bring a classic back to life puts me in a group of privileged few
Last edited by brixxton; 01-15-21 at 03:25 PM.
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Bianchi made a similar retro-bike earlier called the Dolomiti:
It was made of Spirit tubing and sold for $1199 back in 2013. In 2020 dollar that would be $1332. By comparison today's L'eroica is made of inferior Zona tubing, but sells for $3000.
It was made of Spirit tubing and sold for $1199 back in 2013. In 2020 dollar that would be $1332. By comparison today's L'eroica is made of inferior Zona tubing, but sells for $3000.
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Last edited by martl; 01-15-21 at 05:02 PM.
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I put this together from a mixture of new and used parts, including hand building the wheels, for about $1,700.
1987/88 Bottecchia Professional
1987/88 Bottecchia Professional
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If you start with a vintage frame, and refresh it to showroom-new condition, including never-been-used/NOS parts and new paint, you're going to get into the same realm as the Bianchi pretty quickly. Not all people are motivated to go through the process of building/resurrecting a vintage machine. The cache of the Bianchi name certainly has a factor in the equation. If it's not for you, don't buy one.
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Last edited by Eric F; 01-15-21 at 04:49 PM.
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Okay, cool, but that's not the point I was making. Yes, there are a ton of modest-budget vintage bikes that can adequately get the job done. No doubt about it. I recently rehabbed my own vintage frame, and built it into a very capable retro race machine that I'm hoping to have my own Eroica experience with. My build cost me north of $1k, did not include new paint, and was mostly used parts.
If you start with a vintage frame, and refresh it to showroom-new condition, including never-been-used/NOS parts and new paint, you're going to get into the same realm as the Bianchi pretty quickly. Not all people are motivated to go through the process of building/resurrecting a vintage machine. The cache of the Bianchi name certainly has a factor in the equation. If it's not for you, don't buy one.
If you start with a vintage frame, and refresh it to showroom-new condition, including never-been-used/NOS parts and new paint, you're going to get into the same realm as the Bianchi pretty quickly. Not all people are motivated to go through the process of building/resurrecting a vintage machine. The cache of the Bianchi name certainly has a factor in the equation. If it's not for you, don't buy one.
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The Bianchi is a good looking bike. But for me, part of the fun is tracking down an old bike and rehabbing it. I'm good with patina and I like getting old parts to work. I like the challenge of figuring out the gearing that will work on a hilly ride on an old racing bike. I don't race anymore and I don't mind riding a bike that has a few years on it. Heck I have a few years on me. I'm just happy to be out there getting up those hills.