BianchisOnly

My third Bianchi, I bought this one new from Helen's Bikes in Santa Monica. This was my primary ride until 2019, when I bought a used Infinito CV. BB Shell is stamped 1.9 on the non-drive side and 649 (I think) on the drive side. Celeste of this era seemed to be particularly soft and prone to chipping.

Originally a full Chorus groupset, I think I used the indexed shifting for one or two rides before switching back to friction. It stayed that way until I upgraded the components in 2015. At that point I wanted something modern, but loved this bike and the history I had with it. I upgraded it to 11sp using a mix of Campy components - Chorus brakes and shifters so I could get the mult-shift, but Athena drivetrain to keep the vintage alloy appearance. Cupertino Bike Shop did the cold-set for me. Originally I had a 53-42 set of rings but changed to a 50-34 set a few years ago - my legs were happy. Running a Miche cassette and KMC chain. The pedals are Ultegra - the Dura-Ace went to the Infinito. I've been through a number of wheelsets, currently running a set of Campy Protons with (I think) Athena hubs. The original Celeste saddle finally gave up the ghost a few years ago and I switched to a Selle SMP Pro (in white to match the hoods and cables). That saddle's now on my Infinito and the k-force came to this bike.

Nowadays I split my time pretty evenly between this and the Infinito. I somewhat regret spreading the rear triangle but then remind myself that I spent a lot of years enjoying the bike post-upgrade. I'm playing with the idea of putting the friction shifters back on and seeing how well the rear derailleur will work. We'll see.

1988 Bianchi Super Leggera

'Nuff said

Chorus shifters, original ITM stem and bars

Chorus seatpost, K-Force saddle, Chorus brakes, Columbus SLX

Athena derailleur, BB, and 50-34 crankset

Campy headset and Chorus brakes

Athena rear derailleur, Miche cassete, Proton rims

The original saddle, now safely stored away just in case

Starting solo trip from San Jose to LA, summer 1990. I'm not sure what disturbs me more - how thin I was or the outfit...

BianchisOnly

This is about as gorgeous as they come! 1985 centenario, serial # 636 of 1500 made, I’m the second owner. A good friend bought this new and never rode it, instead hanging it as a piece of art in his home. My wife knew about my obsession with it and bought it as a birthday gift – how’s that for love? Still never ridden and with the original celeste tubulars on the wheels, I also have the commemorative jersey and bike bag. Here’s a link with much more detail about this gorgeous model, and close up shots the fantastic detail work that went into it. I periodically get the bug to ride it, just to see what it would feel like...

I have more pics posted here


1985 Bianchi Centennario


Gold-plated head badge with # 0636 stamped on it.




Even the pedals got pantographed...


That's a 2XL jersey that I have no hope of fitting into. Also leather covered bidon and pump.




That's the first time I noticed the missing "t" in centenario! I have to look that up...


Each bike has three different serial numbers: Series, Frame, and gruppo (stamped on the brake calipers, front and rear)


Smack over the Campy text


Front still holds air! Oh, and hand-stitched leather bar wrap.

Bianchigirll 

I took my fabulous Specialissma X5 Prototipo Campione del Mondo Colorado Springs out for today’s stage of the Tour de Shady Pines. I won by a good margin and the Mascot was happy to great me as I crossed the finish line

malcala622

you win the thread . Absolutely gorgeous Bianchi.

Jmpierce

Very nice work Ben! Looks like you're close to getting this on the road.

P!N20

Bit small for me...

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/14412106...=10001&mkevt=1

ma1967

So I am suppose to be picking a Bianchi Eros tomorrow. It's the black/rasberry color scheme. Has some rust on the brake calipers and around the headset. Getting it for $160... Do you Bianchi riders think I'm getting a good deal? Or should I wait and try for a more high end Bianchi? I recently picked up 2007 Brava and I paid $300 for that so getting this one for almost half seemed like a good deal.. Thoughts??

VtwinVince

This Sika was in pretty terrible shape when I got it, so it's a sympathetic resto, with minimal paint touch-up. Most parts are original, as is the Ritchey Logic fork.

EroicaCA

This is my 1962 Team issued bike with 999XXX serial number. FYI, From 1953 to 1968 Bianchi racing department (Reparto Corse) made custom built frames for their team riders. Each had a serial number starting with 999 and 480 frames (Road and Pista) were built during this 15 year period.
This bike was built for an Italian rider who raced at 1962 Giro d’ Italia and Tour de France. He did win a stage at Giro.
Except for the bar tape it’s all original.
It is on display at Eroica Cafe in Madonna a Brolio, Ricasoli Castle, Gaiole in Chianti, Italy.

celesteguy 

Holy crap, this thing is cool! Perfect bike... Lucky son in law!

Flatforkcrown

Not Italian, kinda weird, but I’m excited to get some time on it… just picked up an early 90s volpe.

Braqli

Thanks for sharing, everyone. I'm hoping to add my Squadra in electric rose when I've crossed the 10-post threshold. Until then, thanks again!

T-Mar

A black Volpe with those graphics and SunTour X-1 components should be a 1991 model. The serial number will provide corroboration.

francophile 

Soon not to be mine, I hope.

Saw this recently at a good price, dropped some coin and elbow grease into refreshing it so it gets the life it always deserved to have in the 1st place.
Wanted to post here, think it turned out great. Don't love the seat, but leaving it and Bianchi tires for the next owner to replace.

Hoffsta

Mystery Bianchi

Hey there! Can anyone help identify the year and model of this 26” Bianchi? There are no model names on the frame. It came with a mix of parts so I don’t think the build is original. There was some Deore DX and XT, Ritchey rims. Definitely the stem and bars were swapped. Found in USA. Thanks!

Flatforkcrown

Some upgrades… 8 speed xt rear derailer, tiagra rear wheel with 12-32 9 speed cassette, Sugino impel cranks, 9 speed ultegra shifters, and conti cyclocross race tires. It’s fun on mtb trails.

OldRailfan

A bit older .......





.....not unlike myself.

merziac

Great looking whatever that is, nice!

obrentharris 

Age, beauty, provenance: It doesn't get any better than that!
Brent

kenhawkeye

Otis. Do you still have the 1977 or 78 Barcellona?

T-Mar

It looks to be mid-1990s based on the the style of Camapione Del Mondo decal, which was introduced for the 1992 model year, after Binchi poached World Champion Gianni Bugno from Moser. I believe that CdM decal was discontinued circa 1996-1997. If it was contract manufactured by one of Bianchi's Asian sources, as many ATBs were, we may be able to determine the year from the serial number.

Hoffsta

Thanks for the detective work! The serial is H3A011756.

Altlandisto

Sweet!

T-Mar

Well, that the solves the mysytery as to the model year, as it was manufactured in January 1993 by Hodaka of Taiwan.

It's going to be a little harder to narrow down the model, given the suspected rebuild. However, if there is tubing decal, that may help. Also, the component least likely to be replaced on a rebuild is the headset. So, a brand and model on the headset may also provide a clue.

Hoffsta

Wow! Fully lugged in ‘93. I thought it would have been older as a lot of other brands seem to have gone TIG by then. As for the headset, it has a black Deore LX headset. The tube set is “Fully Lugged Frame, ‘Superset,’ Bianchi Exclusive”

Thank you so much!