Anyone have info for me? Titanium Bianchi
11-21-19, 10:02 AM
#1
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Anyone have info for me? Titanium Bianchi
I thought I knew a bit about Bianchi bikes. Turns out I don’t know anything about the stuff from about 98 (minus Pantani)- 2005. Haha.
Would anyone happen to know any details as to this frame? Obviously the components are mehh 105 Shimano 8sp. I’m not sure if the bike was equipped like that as a Bianchi model. I’m thinking it’s more likely the local shop sold the frame and built it up. (See the mismatched shift levers).
Just thinking of upgrading my wife’s ride.
Thanks!
11-21-19, 10:51 AM
#2
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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Obviously BG is pretty authoritative when it comes to more modern Bianchis. I've seen ti bianchi's before, but the ones I've seen were usually painted. I THINK I remember reading that Litespeed made them, at least at certain points. If it's priced right...why not?
Generally, I'm a believer in sticking to "the big guns" with titanium, and have found that ti frames vary more in ride quality than steel. I've had a few contract built Litespeeds over the years...mostly MEHHH.
Generally, I'm a believer in sticking to "the big guns" with titanium, and have found that ti frames vary more in ride quality than steel. I've had a few contract built Litespeeds over the years...mostly MEHHH.
11-21-19, 11:40 AM
#3
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I helped a friend find a good CL deal on a Ti Bianchi with 9 speed Ultegra. She's been riding it for 2-3 years now and loves it.
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11-21-19, 12:20 PM
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I think you need to send up the [MENTION=208267]bianchigirl[/MENTION] signal 
11-21-19, 12:46 PM
#5
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I should have clarified I already bought it. So I can provide more pics and all if needed.
Thanks for sending the BG signal, haha.
Thanks for sending the BG signal, haha.
11-21-19, 01:33 PM
#6
This frame looks IDENTICAL to my mid-90's Litespeed Natchez. The "TITANIUM" sticker on the top tube is also the same, but is applied rearward near the seat tube on the Litespeed. I like mine well enough and it has been durable.
- Mark
- Mark
11-21-19, 01:38 PM
#7
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Serial number format might ID the manufacturer.
My comment is that 'If it fits?', assuming no frame or fork issues, then it is certainly is worthy of an upgraded drivetrain/shifters. My reasoning is that the shifter replacement seems due to usage (not a minor crash or something) given the worn appearance of crank arms and chainrings. Does it need new grease everywhere? You mentioned 'bike shop likely built-up' - and that would be kinda sloppy unless dictated by a customer.
Here's a new 3X8 drivetrain group from Microshift. Campy would be nicest for wife, right?
https://www.microshift.com/en/product-category/road/r8/
My comment is that 'If it fits?', assuming no frame or fork issues, then it is certainly is worthy of an upgraded drivetrain/shifters. My reasoning is that the shifter replacement seems due to usage (not a minor crash or something) given the worn appearance of crank arms and chainrings. Does it need new grease everywhere? You mentioned 'bike shop likely built-up' - and that would be kinda sloppy unless dictated by a customer.
Here's a new 3X8 drivetrain group from Microshift. Campy would be nicest for wife, right?
https://www.microshift.com/en/product-category/road/r8/
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11-21-19, 02:01 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Thanks!
After the suggestion that it looks like a Litespeed, I searched Bianchi and Litespeed together and found this old thread. Seems it probably is a contract frame. I’ll go through all the bearings and let my wife try it out.
She’s riding a low-ish end Bianchi Alfana (Super Set 2) right now with 7 speed RSX. No show stopper, but she does like the pearlescent celeste and it works for her amount of riding. We shall see if “Ti” turns out to be king in this case.
Bianchi authorities please chime in
After the suggestion that it looks like a Litespeed, I searched Bianchi and Litespeed together and found this old thread. Seems it probably is a contract frame. I’ll go through all the bearings and let my wife try it out.
She’s riding a low-ish end Bianchi Alfana (Super Set 2) right now with 7 speed RSX. No show stopper, but she does like the pearlescent celeste and it works for her amount of riding. We shall see if “Ti” turns out to be king in this case.
Bianchi authorities please chime in
11-21-19, 02:17 PM
#9
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I agree that it looks like it was built by Litespeed, given the bullet shaped chain and seat stays. FWIW they also built Ti frames for Basso and Eddy Merckx.
11-21-19, 02:34 PM
#10
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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And Look, Lemond, Ciocc, and probably many others. From what I've seen, their work on their own branded frames was usually neater than what they did for others, and I'm not a fan of the result when a brand says here...make our geometry frame from titanium.
11-21-19, 11:09 PM
#11
Stop reading my posts!
Cannot offer any opinion on the ride quality, but that welding looks "spot-on"!
11-22-19, 08:27 AM
#12
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Thread Starter
Does anyone know what kind of fork that is or how I can identify it in person?
11-22-19, 03:51 PM
#13
Good luck with your research.
- Mark
11-24-19, 06:43 AM
#14
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I thought I knew a bit about Bianchi bikes. Turns out I don’t know anything about the stuff from about 98 (minus Pantani)- 2005. Haha.
Would anyone happen to know any details as to this frame? Obviously the components are mehh 105 Shimano 8sp. I’m not sure if the bike was equipped like that as a Bianchi model. I’m thinking it’s more likely the local shop sold the frame and built it up. (See the mismatched shift levers).
Just thinking of upgrading my wife’s ride.
Thanks!
Bianchi and Bianchi USA had some interesting offerings in the mid to late '90s.
OK does this have a tubing sticker? According to the Bianchi USA catalogs in '96 and '97 Bianchi offered a Ti SS2 road and mountain frame, I guess as a budget option to the MegaTube frame. It was unpainted and sans fork in '96 and with a Time fork in '97.
The '96 just says Bianchi 3/2.5 Ti tubing with SuperSet 2, split wire cable routing, vertical dropouts, dual bottle mounts, peg and alloy seat clamp
The '97 says Ancotech 3/2.5 Ti tubing SuperSet 2 configuration, clamp on FD, semi-verticle dropouts. split wire, dual bottle mounts, and peg. Time carbon fork option.
Looking at the catalog pics the only difference I see in the two, aside from the fork, is an American flag on the '96 so perhaps that is the year they were built by Litespeed.
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Last edited by Bianchigirll; 11-24-19 at 01:20 PM.
11-24-19, 07:40 AM
#15
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Sorry I am late to the party, surprisingly for late Nov the stone and gravel business is still very busy, plus my notification emails go to the spam folder for some reason.
Bianchi and Bianchi USA had some interesting offerings in the mid to late '90s.
OK does this have a tubing sticker? According to the Bianchi USA catalogs in '96 and '97 Bianchi offered a Ti SS2 road and mountain frame, I guess as a budget option to the MegaTube frame. It was unpainted and sans fork in '96 and with a Time fork in '97.
The '96 just says Bianchi 3/2.5 Ti tubing with SuperSet 2, split wire cable routing, vertical dropouts, dual bottle mounts, peg and alloy seat clamp
The '97 says Ancotech 3/2.5 Ti tubing SuperSet 2 configuration, clamp on FD, semi-verticle dropouts. split wire, dual bottle mounts, and peg. Time carbon fork option.
Looking at the catalog pics the only difference I see in the two, aside from the fork, is an American flag on the '96 so perhaps that is the year they were built by Litespeed.
Bianchi and Bianchi USA had some interesting offerings in the mid to late '90s.
OK does this have a tubing sticker? According to the Bianchi USA catalogs in '96 and '97 Bianchi offered a Ti SS2 road and mountain frame, I guess as a budget option to the MegaTube frame. It was unpainted and sans fork in '96 and with a Time fork in '97.
The '96 just says Bianchi 3/2.5 Ti tubing with SuperSet 2, split wire cable routing, vertical dropouts, dual bottle mounts, peg and alloy seat clamp
The '97 says Ancotech 3/2.5 Ti tubing SuperSet 2 configuration, clamp on FD, semi-verticle dropouts. split wire, dual bottle mounts, and peg. Time carbon fork option.
Looking at the catalog pics the only difference I see in the two, aside from the fork, is an American flag on the '96 so perhaps that is the year they were built by Litespeed.
11-24-19, 08:23 AM
#16
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I believe they were sort of the same some by Litespeed and most by Bianchi or someone else for them.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
11-24-19, 12:00 PM
#17
Banned.
My '96 Classic (Lynskey signature) has the US flag, a Kestrel EMS fork, with the yellow fade scheme, but with rack eyelets on the rear. Go figure.
I've seen OP's fork before, and I'm guessing an aftermarket swap was done. I think it's a Look, and from the 96 era, but hard to imagine no branding on it, which, for both Look and Litespeed, and likely Bianchi, would be under clear coat.
The TT "TITANIUM" decal is identical to Litespeed's.
My basic guess is a Litespeed frame build, by Lynskey or Tisch, with a fork from Look.
I share Aaron's sentiments, somewhat, on spec-built Ti's,, as there was a pure marketing motive behind some. Riding a Merlin or Seven or Lynskey an confirm that. My choice in that spec market would be a Douglas Precision Ti or the Panasonic model.
If OP's wife can get past the lack of celeste, it's likely a winner. Even with Shimano.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 11-25-19 at 10:16 AM.
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11-24-19, 01:55 PM
#19
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My '96 Classic (Lynskey signature) has the US flag, what appears to be a Kestrel fork, with the yellow fade scheme, but with rack eyelets on the rear. Go figure.
I've seen OP's fork before, and I'm guessing an aftermarket swap was done. I think it's a Look, and from the 96 era, but hard to imagine no branding on it, which, for both Look and Litespeed, and likely Bianchi, would be under clear coat.
The TT "TITANIUM" decal is identical to Litespeed's.
My basic guess is a Litespeed frame build, by Lynskey or Tisch, with a fork from Look.
I share Aaron's sentiments, somewhat, on spec-built Ti's,, as there was a pure marketing motive behind some. Riding a Merlin or Seven can confirm that. My choice in that spec market would be Douglas Precision Ti's, or the Panasonic model.
If OP's wife can get past the lack of celeste, it's likely a winner. Even with Shimano.
I've seen OP's fork before, and I'm guessing an aftermarket swap was done. I think it's a Look, and from the 96 era, but hard to imagine no branding on it, which, for both Look and Litespeed, and likely Bianchi, would be under clear coat.
The TT "TITANIUM" decal is identical to Litespeed's.
My basic guess is a Litespeed frame build, by Lynskey or Tisch, with a fork from Look.
I share Aaron's sentiments, somewhat, on spec-built Ti's,, as there was a pure marketing motive behind some. Riding a Merlin or Seven can confirm that. My choice in that spec market would be Douglas Precision Ti's, or the Panasonic model.
If OP's wife can get past the lack of celeste, it's likely a winner. Even with Shimano.
There was a ti zunow posted once that I’d bet was built by the same entity that built the Panasonics. They also had ti forks, which is/was unusual.
11-24-19, 07:32 PM
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I don't think I've ever seen a titanium Look or Ciöcc.
11-24-19, 09:04 PM
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