Is this a Bianchi of significance?
05-25-23, 05:05 PM
#1
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Is this a Bianchi of significance?
Found this bike for next to nothing. I was thinking of building it for a friend but I don’t know if this is a lesser model or highfalutin?
It didn’t come with a fork. I found a pink Bianchi fork at the local co-op.
Says made in italy
Where are the numbers? Under the plastic bit?
I’m assuming with the campy Veloce components it probably doesn’t qualify as Classic, but I know nothing about Bianchi.
It didn’t come with a fork. I found a pink Bianchi fork at the local co-op.
Says made in italy
Where are the numbers? Under the plastic bit?
I’m assuming with the campy Veloce components it probably doesn’t qualify as Classic, but I know nothing about Bianchi.
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05-25-23, 05:33 PM
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That's an upper-middle to upper-end bike. Very nice find.
The serial number is lightly stamped into the bottom bracket shell---from what I read in the photo, the number begins with AY0.
One thought: a used frame missing the original fork deserves close examination for evidence of a front-end collision. Are there any wrinkles in the paint on the top or bottom of the down and top tubes near where the tubes join the head tube?
Also, maybe it's because of the angle from which the photo was taken, but it looks as if there is less than the usual amount of clearance between the front wheel and the bottom of the down tube.
Nothing conclusive there, though. If the front end of the frame is fine, which it probably is, that's a great score.
Edit: the brazed-on seat binder fitting looks as if it might have broken away from the seat tube. Hope it's just dirty. The height of the seat is worrying, though. If some tall (and heavy) rider overstressed it, that brazed fitting would have borne the brunt of the force. I suggest checking to see whether the binder bolt is working correctly to hold the post in place (and that the post hasn't corroded inside the seat tube).
The serial number is lightly stamped into the bottom bracket shell---from what I read in the photo, the number begins with AY0.
One thought: a used frame missing the original fork deserves close examination for evidence of a front-end collision. Are there any wrinkles in the paint on the top or bottom of the down and top tubes near where the tubes join the head tube?
Also, maybe it's because of the angle from which the photo was taken, but it looks as if there is less than the usual amount of clearance between the front wheel and the bottom of the down tube.
Nothing conclusive there, though. If the front end of the frame is fine, which it probably is, that's a great score.
Edit: the brazed-on seat binder fitting looks as if it might have broken away from the seat tube. Hope it's just dirty. The height of the seat is worrying, though. If some tall (and heavy) rider overstressed it, that brazed fitting would have borne the brunt of the force. I suggest checking to see whether the binder bolt is working correctly to hold the post in place (and that the post hasn't corroded inside the seat tube).
Last edited by Trakhak; 05-25-23 at 05:40 PM.
05-25-23, 05:43 PM
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No evidence of damage. The fork was carbon fiber, said Bianchi on it, it was removed and put on somebody else’s
I wondered the same about the seat post, it’s just grease and grime.
I put the seat post in there. Nothing has been adjusted. I prefer to hold it in the stand that way
its a co-op bike. The girl in question thinks Bianchi in Celeste equals class.
The Veloce RD was on it. The rest I gathered.
I wondered the same about the seat post, it’s just grease and grime.
I put the seat post in there. Nothing has been adjusted. I prefer to hold it in the stand that way
its a co-op bike. The girl in question thinks Bianchi in Celeste equals class.
The Veloce RD was on it. The rest I gathered.
05-25-23, 05:47 PM
#5
Lost
IMO it's a steel, celeste bianchi made in italy. No doubt it deserves a life of continued road riding. Build it up in good health!
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05-25-23, 05:56 PM
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05-25-23, 06:30 PM
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Can anybody tell me what year this is from?
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05-25-23, 07:11 PM
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Looks like a mid-range, mid-1990's bike.
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05-26-23, 05:44 AM
#9
Strong Walker
Given that Bianchi sells a lot of "normal" bikes, you are not wrong; But in their *race bike* range, according to the 2002 catalogue, the "Veloce" was the second-to-bottom model and the Mirage is also an entry level group from Campagnolo. The frame is tig welded steel.
That being said, it still is a serious racer, not something that just looks the part; it just is not upper end...
The fork is ~possibly 25 years older than the frame and is very likely to change the geometry of the bike in a way not intended by the designers. For the best riding experience, i would recommend to find a fork better suited.
CATALOGUES BIANCHI: BIANCHI 2002 (labibleduvelocataloguesbianchi.blogspot.com)
That being said, it still is a serious racer, not something that just looks the part; it just is not upper end...
The fork is ~possibly 25 years older than the frame and is very likely to change the geometry of the bike in a way not intended by the designers. For the best riding experience, i would recommend to find a fork better suited.
CATALOGUES BIANCHI: BIANCHI 2002 (labibleduvelocataloguesbianchi.blogspot.com)
Last edited by martl; 05-26-23 at 06:04 AM.
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05-26-23, 11:24 AM
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Given that Bianchi sells a lot of "normal" bikes, you are not wrong; But in their *race bike* range, according to the 2002 catalogue, the "Veloce" was the second-to-bottom model and the Mirage is also an entry level group from Campagnolo. The frame is tig welded steel.
That being said, it still is a serious racer, not something that just looks the part; it just is not upper end...
The fork is ~possibly 25 years older than the frame and is very likely to change the geometry of the bike in a way not intended by the designers. For the best riding experience, i would recommend to find a fork better suited.
CATALOGUES BIANCHI: BIANCHI 2002 (labibleduvelocataloguesbianchi.blogspot.com)
That being said, it still is a serious racer, not something that just looks the part; it just is not upper end...
The fork is ~possibly 25 years older than the frame and is very likely to change the geometry of the bike in a way not intended by the designers. For the best riding experience, i would recommend to find a fork better suited.
CATALOGUES BIANCHI: BIANCHI 2002 (labibleduvelocataloguesbianchi.blogspot.com)
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05-26-23, 11:44 AM
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The "hated" unicrown's non-bianchi equivalents can be found everywhere for cheap. Once you handed over to said friend, give him/her the advice to get one. It will improve the overall look a lot.
05-26-23, 01:42 PM
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Strong Walker
at the time this frame was created, it was quite common to upgrade a bike either with an alloy fork ( vitus etc) or with a Cfk one. Such 1" forks should be plenty at the usual online market places
05-26-23, 01:46 PM
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Or paint the one that's on there black and call it a day.
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05-26-23, 01:50 PM
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Hi Martl lange nicht gesehen... that's also an option. Actually a functionally better one than the cheapo steel.
05-26-23, 02:20 PM
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That was a decent "upper entry" level bike of the mid 90's. Within my group of riding buddies (when in the Army) there were the likes of the Veloce, and the Kona Kapu etc. Both were priced similarily, and available from the local bike shop.
This bike falls into the category of a bike that a soldier can afford without cutting too far into a beer budget.
This bike falls into the category of a bike that a soldier can afford without cutting too far into a beer budget.
05-26-23, 02:36 PM
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There is nothing bad with her thinking... and its a steel Bianchi. In todays troubled world everybody who is willing to embark on the old steel way deserves an applause... unless if the show off happens on the wall never on the street.
