Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

1989 Bianchi Sport SX Advice and info

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

1989 Bianchi Sport SX Advice and info

Old 09-25-20, 09:24 AM
  #1  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
New pics! 1989 Bianchi Sport SX Advice and info



1989 Bianchi Sport SXHello,just picked up a 1989 (I think) bianchi sport sx in celeste and love it so far!

I am looking to replace bar tape, saddle and pedals and looking for recommendations on classic styling etc. Saddle has some tears so planning to just store it since it’s original.

anyone have a favorite combination that complements the Celeste without matching everything to it?

Also happy for and general advice, information, and recommendations for this bike.



Planning on MKS sylvan pedals to hopefully look nice and not stand out too much.

Bianchigirll thanks in advance for any suggestions or info!


thanks!

Last edited by TP218; 10-09-20 at 10:08 AM.
TP218 is offline  
Old 09-25-20, 09:42 AM
  #2  
ryansu
Senior Member
 
ryansu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,870

Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times in 367 Posts
Nice find OP. I think you need to shine the bianchigirl lantern
ryansu is offline  
Likes For ryansu:
Old 09-25-20, 10:40 AM
  #3  
T-Mar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 652 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
It's either a 1988 or 1989. Unless it's in the grey time period when they were transitioning model years, the serial number should tell which model year.

If not celeste, I'd go with with blue tape and saddle, to match the logo.
T-Mar is offline  
Likes For T-Mar:
Old 09-25-20, 11:02 AM
  #4  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Thanks for the replies!

heres the serial number.
TP218 is offline  
Old 09-25-20, 11:06 AM
  #5  
T-Mar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 652 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
It was manufactured in Japan during October 1988. That's late enough in the calendar year that it's almost certainly a 1989 model.
T-Mar is offline  
Likes For T-Mar:
Old 09-25-20, 11:22 AM
  #6  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Thanks again!

for a little more info, the frame is Ishiwata Superset with sport lx derailleur.
TP218 is offline  
Old 09-25-20, 11:37 AM
  #7  
conspiratemus1
Used to be Conspiratemus
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Hamilton ON Canada
Posts: 1,512
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 245 Times in 163 Posts
Originally Posted by T-Mar
It's either a 1988 or 1989. Unless it's in the grey time period when they were transitioning model years, the serial number should tell which model year.

If not celeste, I'd go with with blue tape and saddle, to match the logo.
Blue also, yes, to pick up the logo. Good eyes.
Celeste tape & saddle is too much mono-colour for modern aesthetic. And it’s a nice blue.
conspiratemus1 is offline  
Old 09-25-20, 11:48 AM
  #8  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Agreed on too much Celeste kind of takes away from how nice it looks on the frame.

planning to try blue newbaums tape I think

for the saddle, haven t had great luck finding anything with good reviews and good price in anything other than black.
Ihave a fabric scoop on another bike that I like, so might end up going black there.
TP218 is offline  
Old 09-25-20, 11:49 AM
  #9  
ridelikeaturtle
Senior Member
 
ridelikeaturtle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 1,259

Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Trek Y11

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 596 Post(s)
Liked 476 Times in 258 Posts
Tanwall tyres, like the Vitorria Corsa G+, look fantastic.
ridelikeaturtle is offline  
Likes For ridelikeaturtle:
Old 09-25-20, 03:16 PM
  #10  
malcala622
Senior Member
 
malcala622's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pico Rivera, CA
Posts: 4,308

Bikes: 1983 Basso Gap...2013 Colnago CX-1...2015 Bianchi Intenso

Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1192 Post(s)
Liked 1,327 Times in 708 Posts
Don't mind the index finger i was pointing out the difference in headtube to someone.

Just showing an example of a celeste Bianchi with blue bartape.


malcala622 is offline  
Likes For malcala622:
Old 09-25-20, 05:47 PM
  #11  
Bianchigirll 
Bianchi Goddess
 
Bianchigirll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 29,725

Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.

Mentioned: 191 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2912 Post(s)
Liked 2,836 Times in 1,460 Posts
I would use blue bar tape and cable housing. Seat? Something you’re comfortable on and if it comes in blue use blue otherwise black.


__________________
One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"

Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Bianchigirll is online now  
Old 09-25-20, 06:33 PM
  #12  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
I would use blue bar tape and cable housing. Seat? Something you’re comfortable on and if it comes in blue use blue otherwise black.



thanks! That looks pretty nice.

do you know where the sport sx sat in the lineup? Seems pretty light and rides nice
TP218 is offline  
Old 09-26-20, 03:30 AM
  #13  
Bianchigirll 
Bianchi Goddess
 
Bianchigirll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 29,725

Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.

Mentioned: 191 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2912 Post(s)
Liked 2,836 Times in 1,460 Posts
Originally Posted by TP218
thanks! That looks pretty nice.

do you know where the sport sx sat in the lineup? Seems pretty light and rides nice
The Sport SX generally fell in at the top of Bianchi's "Sport" series (which oddly also caontained every roiad bike below it) or the bottom bike in the Performance Series. It was ususally positioned just below the Campione De Italia in the over all line up. We sold them to people who were looking for a solid basic bike for exercise, fast group rides and even a budget minded budding racer or triathlete. My first real bike was a '87 Sport SX and I did everything with it. I did training rides, fast group rides, training races, commuting, charity rides and eventually modified it and tried Cyclocross. IMHO the Sport SX was a great all around value.

It appears someone may have replaced the original shimano brake lever with some Dia Compe ones. Is there a quick release (QR) on them? I'd recomend changing the levers out for some tecktros with a QR, something like the RL520
__________________
One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"

Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Bianchigirll is online now  
Old 09-26-20, 06:13 AM
  #14  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
The Sport SX generally fell in at the top of Bianchi's "Sport" series (which oddly also caontained every roiad bike below it) or the bottom bike in the Performance Series. It was ususally positioned just below the Campione De Italia in the over all line up. We sold them to people who were looking for a solid basic bike for exercise, fast group rides and even a budget minded budding racer or triathlete. My first real bike was a '87 Sport SX and I did everything with it. I did training rides, fast group rides, training races, commuting, charity rides and eventually modified it and tried Cyclocross. IMHO the Sport SX was a great all around value.

It appears someone may have replaced the original shimano brake lever with some Dia Compe ones. Is there a quick release (QR) on them? I'd recomend changing the levers out for some tecktros with a QR, something like the RL520
thanks again! This is exactly the kind of bike I’ve been looking for then!

the brake levers are Exage with 3 rubber bumps, so I assume original? Either way, it all seems to be operating well.

overall, an incredible ride compared to my Fuji dynamic 10.
TP218 is offline  
Old 09-27-20, 08:24 AM
  #15  
Bianchigirll 
Bianchi Goddess
 
Bianchigirll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 29,725

Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.

Mentioned: 191 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2912 Post(s)
Liked 2,836 Times in 1,460 Posts
Originally Posted by TP218
thanks again! This is exactly the kind of bike I’ve been looking for then!

the brake levers are Exage with 3 rubber bumps, so I assume original? Either way, it all seems to be operating well.

overall, an incredible ride compared to my Fuji dynamic 10.
O OK they look different than I remember.
__________________
One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"

Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Bianchigirll is online now  
Old 10-10-20, 06:15 AM
  #16  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
O OK they look different than I remember.

B17





C17


check in on after a little while with photo updates!
ijust picked up a brooks c17 and b17. I’m really liking both saddles so one will go on this bianchi and one on my diamondback haanjo.

oh! Also picked up pedals. Decided to go with the MKS RMX. Love them so far and since the bike is late 80s I think they’re looking pretty good.


TP218 is offline  
Old 10-10-20, 07:30 AM
  #17  
kermie
Full Member
 
kermie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 234

Bikes: 2014 Fuji Cross 2.0 LE, 1993 Santana Vision, 1993 Specialized Allez Pro, 1993 Trek 930, 1985 Panasonic DX3000

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 49 Post(s)
Liked 74 Times in 55 Posts
Looking nice! I kinda like the look of the B17 on that bike with the Celeste.
kermie is offline  
Likes For kermie:
Old 10-10-20, 07:32 AM
  #18  
bikemike73 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North of Boston
Posts: 898

Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Sports Tourer plus a " few" more :)

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 211 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times in 147 Posts
Congrats on your " new" bike !!!!!

Looks NEW !!!!!

Beautiful bike !!

I have the EXACT same bike !!!!

All original with a Bianchi water bottle !!


I love it !!!

The tires on it now are too thin for my liking 700x20

I also like Black cushioned tape on most of my bikes.

I picked it up last month in "new like" condition.

Will get 25 or 26s

VERY QUICK and FAST bike !!

Enjoy

Last edited by bikemike73; 10-10-20 at 07:38 AM.
bikemike73 is offline  
Likes For bikemike73:
Old 10-10-20, 08:54 AM
  #19  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by bikemike73
Congrats on your " new" bike !!!!!

Looks NEW !!!!!

Beautiful bike !!

I have the EXACT same bike !!!!

All original with a Bianchi water bottle !!


I love it !!!

The tires on it now are too thin for my liking 700x20

I also like Black cushioned tape on most of my bikes.

I picked it up last month in "new like" condition.

Will get 25 or 26s

VERY QUICK and FAST bike !!

Enjoy

So cool you have the same bike! Yours is beautiful!

agreed that 20 would be too skinny for me, too
TP218 is offline  
Old 10-10-20, 09:57 AM
  #20  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by kermie
Looking nice! I kinda like the look of the B17 on that bike with the Celeste.
thanks!
I am planning to keep the b17 on this. I’ve been surprised how comfortable it out of the box.
TP218 is offline  
Likes For TP218:
Old 10-30-20, 09:18 AM
  #21  
Deal4Fuji
minimalist cyclist
 
Deal4Fuji's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,747

Bikes: yes please

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 1,626 Times in 935 Posts
Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
The Sport SX generally fell in at the top of Bianchi's "Sport" series (which oddly also caontained every roiad bike below it) or the bottom bike in the Performance Series. It was ususally positioned just below the Campione De Italia in the over all line up. We sold them to people who were looking for a solid basic bike for exercise, fast group rides and even a budget minded budding racer or triathlete. My first real bike was a '87 Sport SX and I did everything with it. I did training rides, fast group rides, training races, commuting, charity rides and eventually modified it and tried Cyclocross. IMHO the Sport SX was a great all around value.

It appears someone may have replaced the original shimano brake lever with some Dia Compe ones. Is there a quick release (QR) on them? I'd recomend changing the levers out for some tecktros with a QR, something like the RL520
Nice TP218 , I hope you don't mind my adding on, this thread looks like the best place to show off my '86 Sport SX since it was instrumental in the decision to go forward with buying it. I have been wanting a celeste Bianchi, but this Orchid color looks good as well, and the seller location, bike size & features were all positives. Thanks to Trina and my buddy Law 3speedslow for their help and T-Mar for good information over on the serial # thread. Ironically the purple color is almost an exact match to our group jerseys. All components have been upgraded to Shimano 600 tri-color and the downtube shifting has been upgraded to Sach's brand brifters. I wasn't familiar with the Sach's brand, but it looks like it's quality stuff and the shifting & braking is smooth.
https://www.bikeraceinfo.com/Cycle-I...-part-one.html
It was ready to ride w/o any adjustments other than raising the handlebars, which was nice. I've put 150 miles on it since getting it Oct 21.








Orchid, Celeste, it's all steel underneath right
Deal4Fuji is offline  
Old 10-30-20, 09:39 AM
  #22  
TP218
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Deal4Fuji
Nice TP218 , I hope you don't mind my adding on, this thread looks like the best place to show off my '86 Sport SX since it was instrumental in the decision to go forward with buying it. I have been wanting a celeste Bianchi, but this Orchid color looks good as well, and the seller location, bike size & features were all positives. Thanks to Trina and my buddy Law 3speedslow for their help and T-Mar for good information over on the serial # thread. Ironically the purple color is almost an exact match to our group jerseys. All components have been upgraded to Shimano 600 tri-color and the downtube shifting has been upgraded to Sach's brand brifters. I wasn't familiar with the Sach's brand, but it looks like it's quality stuff and the shifting & braking is smooth.
https://www.bikeraceinfo.com/Cycle-I...-part-one.html
It was ready to ride w/o any adjustments other than raising the handlebars, which was nice. I've put 150 miles on it since getting it Oct 21.








Orchid, Celeste, it's all steel underneath right


what a beaut!!
that is a great color!!

I’ve been super happy with mine so far. I’m sure you’ll love it
TP218 is offline  
Likes For TP218:
Old 10-30-20, 10:30 AM
  #23  
robertorolfo
Senior Member
 
robertorolfo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Queens, NY for now...
Posts: 1,533

Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 943 Post(s)
Liked 172 Times in 113 Posts
Doesn't anyone think a white saddle looks good (better than black) on a "celeste" frame?
robertorolfo is offline  
Likes For robertorolfo:
Old 05-28-22, 05:20 PM
  #24  
Urban_biker
Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Hi, I also have a 1989 Bianchi sport sx and was curious if anyone else has sticker logos instead of it painted on. Also should it have any embossing?
Urban_biker is offline  
Old 05-28-22, 05:28 PM
  #25  
Bianchigirll 
Bianchi Goddess
 
Bianchigirll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 29,725

Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.

Mentioned: 191 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2912 Post(s)
Liked 2,836 Times in 1,460 Posts
Originally Posted by Urban_biker
Hi, I also have a 1989 Bianchi sport sx and was curious if anyone else has sticker logos instead of it painted on. Also should it have any embossing?

I don’t think Bianchi painted any labels it was just decals/stickers and maybe clear coated. I believe the only mark on the frame would have been a B on the head tube down tube lug. It might have Bianchi stamped on the dropouts.
__________________
One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"

Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Bianchigirll is online now  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.