[hfc]

Wow if I'd have seen this thread a few days ago I would have tried to talk you out of a rebuild and buy the (hopefully right size) frame from you. I just overspent to get a smaller SLX frame to replace my too big for me 89 Giro.

I support getting these classic bikes back out on the road. The modern Campy Athena and Veloce groups are supposed to be pretty affordable from the British websites. If you want to stay original, a 7 speed Athena or Chorus group from Ebay will set you back about $300. The older groups with the 42 tooth small chainring make for some hard climbing. I have a few old steel bikes which I ride regularly on the local hills but our averages are only about 60 fpm.

Here's my Bianchi the day I brought her home, hopefully soon will look just the same only a little smaller!

 

[wgscott]

Beautiful bike. Looks like the original saddle too. (I have that, except it is blue for some reason.) I think your frame is much larger than mine.

 

[hfc]

Yeah, the bike is all original as bought except for the tires and the freewheel. Broke my heart that I couldn't make it fit. Luckily I was able to find what looks to be the exact same frame. This one has 59 cm top tube and the new one 56. I really wanted to keep the original bike together but this will be a good alternative.

 

[L_Johnny]

I use the Noodle bar on a steel bike as well and I do like it quite a bit. It has the right amount of flex
That Bianchi is on my list of bikes to get.

 

[JaeP]

I went through a similar process when deciding what to do with my 1987 Raleigh Team Replica (Reynolds 531C frameset). I decided to build it as my #2 ride, and opted for a Campagnolo Centaur drivetrain (compact 50/34 with 10 speed 13-29 cassette, and modern dual pivot brakeset), Nitto Noodle bars, and Campy Khamsin wheelset. I absolutely love the fact that I can ride it regularly now, where before it was as you say, uncomfortable to ride even though it had the period correct Campy Record and C-Record stuff on it.

I say for your Bianchi, go for the complete transformation!

Love the NItto Noodle bars. I have one on my Colnago Export. In my advanced age I couldn't handle the deep drop and long brakehood reach of a period correct Cinelli Campione Del Mundo bar.

 

[bigjohnla]

I am building up a 1988 Bianchi Superleggera right now. It was built up with spare parts by the previous owner. The basic cockpit is original though. Beautiful Ambrosio bars, Cinelli stem and Campy chorus brake levers. I purchased a Velo Orange vintage style compact crankset and a new bottom bracket so I could actually climb a hill or two. I am also going with H Plus Sons TB 14 rims laced to vintage Campy hubs with 7 speed 14-28 freewheel. It will look vintage but ride a bit better. Hoping to ride an L'eroica event on it when I retire in 2017.

 

[wgscott]

Mine came with a Modolo stem, which I think has been recalled. The brakes are also Modolo, which are ok but I would like something better at stopping the bike. Maybe that was the 1987 model had (I got it in Feb 1988)? My original (and current) crank is Gipemme. 53/47. This was fine when I was 25.

 

[bigjohnla]

You are correct. I did read somewhere that the bike had a Modolo Stem. The Cinelli stem is not original either. Here are the parts I have collected so far.

 

[hrstrat57]

Wow if I'd have seen this thread a few days ago I would have tried to talk you out of a rebuild and buy the (hopefully right size) frame from you. I just overspent to get a smaller SLX frame to replace my too big for me 89 Giro.

I support getting these classic bikes back out on the road. The modern Campy Athena and Veloce groups are supposed to be pretty affordable from the British websites. If you want to stay original, a 7 speed Athena or Chorus group from Ebay will set you back about $300. The older groups with the 42 tooth small chainring make for some hard climbing. I have a few old steel bikes which I ride regularly on the local hills but our averages are only about 60 fpm.

Here's my Bianchi the day I brought her home, hopefully soon will look just the same only a little smaller!

wiI have the exact bike! giro with full Campy Chorus 7 speed. she's just a tad small but that Columbus frame set is magical.

 

[wgscott]

View attachment 312919 You are correct. I did read somewhere that the bike had a Modolo Stem. The Cinelli stem is not original either. Here are the parts I have collected so far.

They might have replaced it with a Cinelli when it was recalled. Anyway, that is a great restoration project.

 

[bigjohnla]

They might have replaced it with a Cinelli when it was recalled. Anyway, that is a great restoration project.

YEP, I have been looking for a frame for a good long while. I was lucky to find a complete bike for the price I was willing to pay for just a frame. I am having a blast working on it so far. I love Bianchi bikes. Saw my first one as a kid and wanted one ever since. I own a carbon Infinito already. But, I still wanted a steel frame for that classic ride and that sleek small tube look. Once my wife recovers from this build, I am going to try for the Trifecta. An aluminum Mercatone Uno Pantani replica

 

[wgscott]

I started the first steps of the transformation, i.e., the handlebars and brake levers. I decided to start out modestly, with a new stem (which is ugly and will likely get an upgrade), Nitto bars and some ergonomically-designed yet reasonably inexpensive Origin8 brake levers. The aim here is to have the same reach when riding the hoods and same back angle as I have on my currently more comfortable bike. The Brooks saddle is actually a woman's saddle I bought for my wife, but I agreed to do some of the initial break-in for her, and it gives me a chance to assess how I like it on the Bianchi (out of the box it is quite comfortable). So here are two before and one after picture. Try not to laugh at my mess in the garage.

View attachment 312956

View attachment 312957

View attachment 312958

I still have the original bars but can't get them out of the Modollo stem (which I don't want to re-use, and has been recalled). I like the shape of the Nitto bars better. Since I am going for ride comfort > authentic restoration, this will do. I need to get some cork tape. Celeste or something dark? The Celeste seems to attract dirt quite quickly. Maybe dark blue to match the decals?

If the braking is significantly improved, and the levers are comfortable, I will probably sink some money into a Crampy groupo. But this at the very least should be a proof of principle (or not).

 

[warren128]

Looking really nice so far!

Have you looked into Nitto Technomic stems? You can get some pretty long ones to help with the bar height and avoid that ugly looking stem you have now.

 

[wgscott]

Yeah, I saw them when I bought the handlebars. I figured I would get the rest of it set up, make sure I am comfortable with the geometry, re-measure, and then buy the right stem.

As ugly as the current one is, I wonder if it might be less likely to injure me in an accident if the family jewels come to rest near the stem. The Nitto ones I looked at are all 70° angled.

Edit: Just found a 90 one: Nitto Dynamic 2 Quill Stem 110 - 25.4 - Ben's Cycle

 

[velodog]

Yeah, I saw them when I bought the handlebars. I figured I would get the rest of it set up, make sure I am comfortable with the geometry, re-measure, and then buy the right stem.

As ugly as the current one is, I wonder if it might be less likely to injure me in an accident if the family jewels come to rest near the stem. The Nitto ones I looked at are all 70° angled.

Edit: Just found a 90 one: Nitto Dynamic 2 Quill Stem 110 - 25.4 - Ben's Cycle

Get rid of the ugly stem and go with one that's got some style. A Technomic, as warren128 mentions, will go a long way in improving the looks of the bike. A whack in the nuts is gonna hurt no matter what kind of stem, and shouldn't be used to decide how to build the bike.

Besides, how many times have you landed those things on a bicycles stem anyhow?

 

[wgscott]

Good point, and I already have 3 children. At least I don't have stem shifters.

 

[wgscott]

Can someone double-check me on this?

I need the horizontal distance to be 90 mm from the center of the handlebar clamp to the (projected) center of the quill, and the vertical length of the stem to be long enough to allow 140 mm of exposed height. Is this the correct one to get?

http://www.amazon.com/Nitto-Technom...D=31ZYeCMCD+L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1YRGJ4RGMSC2CR4ZT2MY

It says "Stem length: 90 mm, Stem Angle: 72°, 125mm range from minimum insertion to max insertion; 160mm from minimum insertion to top of quill"

I assume the the 160 mm minimum insertion length is what I want, since I want 140 mm exposed. But I wouldn't mind a reality check.

(The bars I just bought are Nitto - Noodle 177, 44cm 26.0mm, Silver, Alloy).

While you are at it, dark blue cork bar tape, or Celeste?

 

[GKSki]

Cinelli makes a denim blue cork tape that would work well.

 

[wgscott]

Cinelli makes a denim blue cork tape that would work well.

Thanks. That is the one I had in mind. (I tried to buy it locally today, but no luck, and Amazon has it for $15.) I've got the Cinelli Celeste cork tape on my other (i.e., the original) set of drop bars and it is quite nice, but gets dirty quickly.)

My next target of opportunity is the crank. I'm looking at the White Industries road crank, since I can put pretty much any set of chainrings on there that suit me. Too bad it costs as much as a child's bicycle. But they do look nice...

 

[velodog]

Can someone double-check me on this?

I need the horizontal distance to be 90 mm from the center of the handlebar clamp to the (projected) center of the quill, and the vertical length of the stem to be long enough to allow 140 mm of exposed height. Is this the correct one to get?

Amazon.com : Nitto Technomic 26.0 90mm 72d Silver 225mm 1" Quill : Bike Stems And Parts : Sports & Outdoors

It says "Stem length: 90 mm, Stem Angle: 72°, 125mm range from minimum insertion to max insertion; 160mm from minimum insertion to top of quill"

I assume the the 160 mm minimum insertion length is what I want, since I want 140 mm exposed. But I wouldn't mind a reality check.

(The bars I just bought are Nitto - Noodle 177, 44cm 26.0mm, Silver, Alloy).

While you are at it, dark blue cork bar tape, or Celeste?

I just did a fast dirty check and it looked to be about 155 from the top of the stem to the top of the danger line. I didn't bother to wipe the grease from the stem because I stuck it right back on the bike, to explain the fast and dirty nature of the check. I did swipe the grease off the danger line to get a good eye on that though.

You'll get your 140 easy. I think that I'd be comfortable stretching it to the 160 the seller states.

I'd go with blue tape, but don't go by me, I'm not a fan of celeste.


Edited twice, and I ain't gonna edit it no more.