Back To Bianchi

   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.