PapaGanoosh

Just bought a celeste Bianchi frame as I have a shimano 600 tricolour group I wanted to put together for a bike that I can not be too worried about. Always wanted a celeste Bianchi and I was lucky enough to find a frame at a decent price, albeit with quite a worn / patina'd look. Don't mind too much to be honest as I wanted to get the parts some use and have a decent bike that I wouldn't have to baby all the time. Hoping it will clean up fairly well. However, there are a couple dents, a fairly large one on the seat tube and a minor dent on the head tube. Do you guys think it is an issue? Frame material is Bianchi Formula 2 Columbus.

Also, any ideas as to which model this may be? I'm leaning towards the Campione d'italia. It has an italian threaded BB shell I believe (70mm), gipiemme stamped dropouts in rear and bianchi in front, ofmega headset (not sure if original), and made in italy sticker. Serial Number 25438.

obrentharris 

I would not be concerned about riding it with the two dents you have shown. As for identification, I shall have to leave that to those who actually know what they're talking about.
Brent

ridelikeaturtle

I wouldn't be very concerned about the dent in the head tube; however, the one in the seat tube would worry me, due to the size and location, and the stresses it'll be under, if it folded you'd be in trouble. The nice thing about steel is you might get some warning first.

I'm not an expert, T-Mar and Bianchigirll would be the ones to nail down exactly the frame... but to me the decals look 80s, and the frame looks similar to my "Sprint 76", meaning it's "not the best", but will probably feel pretty good rolling down the road. Unfortunately, if it were me I'd go find a nicer frame, or at least one that doesn't have those dents.

Mr. 66

Both of the dents look very workable to roll or flatten, by various methods. The top tube looks to have some bowing also, that could be easily addressed as well.

I would have expected an engraved branded fork for your bike.

Spaghetti Legs 

More expertise than mine will eventually show up I’m sure, but I get a feel of a mid 80’s mid range model like Nuovo Alloro. The Formula tubing was their mid level stuff.

T-Mar

The rectangular Campione del Mondo decal indicates a 1987 model while the tretubi Formula Two decal indicates either a Campione D'Italia or a Squadra. Both came with the same Ofmega master headset and the frames were identical, so it's diffcult to discern further given the lack of OEM components. I consider them lower mid-range.

As for the dents, I wouldn't be concerned. As noted, both can be addressed by various methods. Something like frame blocks will cause further cosmetic damage of the finish but given the current state, I wouldn't be concerned.

PapaGanoosh

Thanks all for the responses. General consensus appears that it won't be huge issue. I'll need to look into how to actually take out the dents if possible. Read that you can potentially pound out the seat tube dent if I can find out a long enough seat post. How would you remove the head tube dent? Given condition of the frame I may just leave to leave them there.

Ahh that is good information. I didn't expect it to be high end frame and lower / mid is pretty what I thought. I think you may be spot on with the Squadra. Found this here:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...por-favor.html

My frame seems to be fairly identical and the numbers on the bb shell are fairly similar. Is this frame missing the plastic cable guide thing shown in that thread?

T-Mar

Research bicycle frame block first.
If you compare your bicycle to a 1987 Bianchi Campione d'Italia, you'll find it spot on too.

Yes, your frame is missing the plastic cable guide. The hole in the BB shell is for mounting the guide.

Kabuki12

I had a small ding in a seat tube on a Reynolds frame that was otherwise pristine . The seat tube takes a 27.2mm diameter so I went to Trek bikes and bought a mountain bike seat post that was super long and pushed it it down far enough to reach the ding and used a soft leather pad and tapped the area with a small plastic hammer on the pad around the ding and almost all of it came out. I ride the bike a lot and in 5 years .... no problem!

xiaoman1 

As most have said you should not worry about the dents, they should not pose any structural/touring concerns. I wouldn't even think about using the blocks..T-Mar is right, they won't remove all of the dents and will likely cause one to "notice" the dents more than if you simply left them alone.
Clean, adjust and grease it...then enjoy a bike with "patina" and with no worries about a few scrapes and dings.
Bes, Ben