After this autumn’s
swap project, when a customer’s rusted-out frameset required an exchange of
parts onto a previously-completed Pinarello build, I was left with the unusual
situation of having a whole groupset on hand without a frame on which to
install it. I had a few other tasks that needed my attention, as well as a few
other bicycles to sell, so I had postponed finding a frame.
Fortunately, the
rebuilt “
Cipollini Cannondale” has now found a new home in NYC, and most of the bikes in my possession have been completed or just require some finishing touches. I felt it was an
appropriate time to put more serious efforts into a frame search for the
Campagnolo Chorus group that had been boxed up and set aside for the last few
months.
I first turned to
my friend Giovanni in Italy, but lately the condition of his selection has been disappointing. Some of the bikes in better shape that he had listed weren't anything particular interesting, either – a bunch of lesser quality brands with
mid-range components, or low-end model bicycles from the better manufacturers. There definitely wasn't anything that jumped out at me for this next build.
I had been beaten by some last-minute bids on a couple of
Pinarello and Colnago frames that would have been great, and I looked at a few renowned
Italian brands with which I’ve yet to work. I was watching bikes by Masi, Gios
and Tommasini, but the prices went a bit out of my budget. While out riding the local trails on my
Bianchi Cross Concept, I was inspired to search for a frame from the world’s
oldest (continuous) brand.
I have to admit
that I’m rather particular about the Bianchi lettering – I prefer the more
modern italic, not the boring standard blue Bianchi font:
I won’t even bother with some of the junk their art
department tried in the 1980’s:
I really like the sharp dark blue with yellow outline on
the “
Pantani Bike” I built a while back:
...as well as the classy white with dark blue outline
graphics on the
1997 Trofeo that I sold a few years ago:
I found a ’97
Bianchi Alloro steel frameset with its celeste paint in wonderful condition. It
also had attractive maroon italic lettering with gold outline.
However, my bad luck
with derailleur hangers unfortunately continues, as it seems the threads were
stripped, and someone had drilled out the hole to install a “dropout saver”,
which is a hex-ended threaded sleeve that you insert in order to mount the
derailleur (photo below). The seller apparently had listed this frame
secondhand and didn’t realized there was such a flaw, so he sent a partial
refund for the needed part.
As soon as the dropout saver arrives in the mail, this Bianchi should be a quick turnaround, and hopefully just
as quick of a sale! I’ve also heard from my painter-friend Bruce that he has
been busy with his regular work, but the Ciöcc should be finished this week
(fingers crossed). Finally, I was able to track down a C-Record crankset for
the Colnago Mexico – from Italy, so it will probably be a few weeks before that arrives.
