hihi2u2

Hi there,

I'm looking to start building my first road bike and thought it might be a good learning lesson on how the bike work as well. Also to note, don't have much budget either.
Currently, I'm looking at two options;

Option 1. Not so deep-end but a modern bike that looks classic - Bianchi modern Lupo as the base, lighten up the bike, but not sure how much I can make it lighter as a road bike. Anyone got any idea how heavy is the frame? I think I can lighten up the weights, gear set, and maybe even fork if I can find a classic-looking carbon. The benefit of Lupo is the fact that I could change it between gravel and road-going by switching wheelset (that's the idea) but I'm not sure if the weight of the frame prohibit it from being a good road bike.

Option 2. Bianchi Favonius from the 90s, I don't know much about the bike apart from it can be had for around 60 pounds to build around. I've got a spare Shimano 105 ST, paired with Ultegra back deraulier. Maybe this might be a better option?

Both of these bikes are not the classic celeste colour, one is orange-purple and the other goldish. So I'm thinking of repainting at some point after getting the bikes working first.

What are your thoughts? Anyone got any information on the Bianchi Favonius?

Thanks,

Roland

Bianchigirll 

Welcome to the forums. Building a classic looking Bianchi with modern parts on a recent frame sounds like a odd project to me, however everyone has different taste.

as to weight if the frame, you’ll likely just have to weigh it yourself. Switching to a carbon fork might save a few grams of weight but it change the ride quality too.

Unless you can get titanium or aluminum alloy cogs you can’t save too much weight in the gears. If you could change from brifters to downtube shifters you might save a few grams.

Your biggest return for your investment in shaving weight is in wheels and tires. However that comes with added issues of durability depending on you riding style and how bad the roads are where you live.

I would say if this the first bike you’re building from the frame up, don’t concentrate on lightness go with the look you have in mind and get a solid bike on the road. Then look for the fancy pants weight saving wheels and tires for road riding.

I don’t know anything about the Favinous but I love that purple pink color. It seems to be a basic Columbus Thron offering. Should make a great road bike but tire clearance might be an issue for graver riding

Oh wait this purple one seems to have an Oriya sticker. Now I need to get one.

shelbyfv

I think the Lupo is the same frame as the Volpe. Here is my recent Volpe project. 10 speed Ultegra shifters, GRX 46-30 crank and an 11-36 cassette. 42mm front tire, and maxed out 38mm rear. I'm not spinning out a 46-11 so with a change of tires it would work well as a road bike. I don't know the weight but definitely heavier than a true road bike.

hihi2u2

Thanks for the reply. Well, I'm thinking of the two because they are both within my budget and they are sort of vintage-looking frames.
I just can't find any information on the Favonius and thought it might be daunting as it is pretty old, I probably need to check the bike in person to see how well looked after it is.

The Lupo just sounds like a much lower bar, just need to get an extra pair of new road-going wheels and tires. The Lupo has the added bonus of a thicker tire if I keep two sets of wheels. Roads in Oxfordshire are always full of potholes, you know you've entered into Oxfordshire by the road surface.

hihi2u2

It's a very nice build! I'm wondering if you tried running thinner tyres on the Volpe and what you thought of the ride in comparison to a more road orientated bike? I know it won't be a true road bike but just want to know how close it gets.

Germany_chris

I don’t know if this will help but here it goes..

I have a beautiful Bruce Gordon that I’ve spent good money getting to a point I like, everything is hand picked and it rides like a dream. I have a 2021 Surly Cross Check that I have a bit more money in and it rides like a dream. If you were to put a gun to my head and make me choose one I’d choose the cross check, I can’t put my finger on just why but that $500 framed Surly would be my choice.

shelbyfv

I haven't tried the Volpe with different tires. The friend I bought it from was using 35mm Rene Herse tires but it was an ebike conversion at the time. I'd consider the tire clearance a plus. 28mm has quickly become the new road bike standard, too wide for many older bikes.

hihi2u2

Favonius is sold, so gonna enquire the Lupo
The problem of not deciding fast enough

ThermionicScott 

Here's a whole thread about putting modern parts on old frames: https://www.bikeforums.net/early-bri...i-s-ergos.html

merziac

I would encourage you to follow your dream, gut, moon, stars, etc.

I am going the other way on one, somewhat more modern frame, 86 Squadra retroed with celeste and older graphics like the parts donor.

So these parts.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...emio-22-a.html




On this frame,




https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...eset-63cm.html

hihi2u2

Thanks, everyone, in the end, I've gone for an easy way out and bought a 2000s Bianchi with the confusing model name/number (still need to pick it up this weekend). Still have no idea what model it is, anyone has any idea? (sorry I'm too new to upload any photos on this forum, the bike says ML3 reparto corse, it comes with SL carbon fork, front derailleur ultegra and back derailleur 105.) The bike will still need restoring, gears will still need looking at, the bike frame needs restoring and you got rusted bolts, wheels would probably need changing. But this is not a retro-styled Bianchi restoration build anymore. I probably paid too much for it as well at £250 which is the upper end of my budget and I've seen Nirone 7 or Impulso going for that price.


Will probably get a Lupo/Volpe as a second bike in the future for the gravel / off-road occasion. I still think the Lupo/Volpe still have a very nice retro style and would be new to do up (even though it is quite modern).

ThermionicScott 

Others will know better, but it seems like Bianchi reserved celeste for Italian-made or otherwise upper-level models. (None of my 3 are, so they are other colors. )

70sSanO

Very nice bike!

I've always been in the hot rod camp than the antique camp.

But I worked with someone with a pristine '29 Model A so I understand the lengths necessary to go original.

John

hihi2u2

For me, it's the Wilier Superleggera Ramato (i.e. reissue of the old frame with modern components) that inspired me. I will continue to look out for a vintage frame that I like for the project, in the meantime, can't wait to pick up the ML3 Bianchi tomorrow.

hihi2u2

Finally! I can post photos. This is the bike I bought in the end, a Bianchi ML3 in Celeste Colour.

I started to strip the bike for a thorough clean and restoration and forgot to take a photo of it before the strip. The only photo of the full bike is with me on top testing the saddle and handlebar height.

hihi2u2

After stripping the bike and taking the frame into the shop, I was advised that the frame has cracks and don't bother with the restoration. I was going to get the mechanics to get the mech CLA especially the crank has seized, changing the 105 to an Ultegra rear derailleur in the same period and 11-speed cassette. The cracks were only discovered after I've bought the above parts with bike cleaners, polisher, and aluminum frame protecting products.

I've also bought a full carbon Bianchi fork (similar period) to replace the original fork with galvanized corrosion.

The bike was paid via paypal, so now hoping to get some money back for the lemon.

sincos

Biit OT here, but were there very many white ones? Or is there a rule somewhere, Bianchis non possono essere bianchi?