Bianchi Avanti (Celeste)

[Ketnap]

Hi. I am new to this site and not an expert.

I have a 1980's MTB. A Bianchi Avanti, in the Bianchi original Celeste colour.

It doesn't look like a particularly expensive bike but it's got some character and I really like it.

I don't really know much about it and was hoping someone on this site could tell me something more about the bike or point me in the right direction to learn a little about the history.

Thanks.

 

[KermitGKona88]

Welcome to the site.

A few pictures are worth a thousand words, Bianchi are a great Italian brand but like all great Italian brands in the 80's trying to leap on the MTB band wagon some were good some merely average and some well...

Here is the official Bianchi website with a history of this great company https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=0772...42&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmlhbmNoaS5jb20v&ntb=1

Looking forward to seeing the pictures

Mark

 

[Ketnap]

Thanks for responding.

I will certainly post some pictures as soon as I can.

I have found little reference to the Bianchi Avanti MTB. It looks a bit like a model called "Grizzly".

From web searches so far, I am thinking it's a low end, late 1980's model.

As I was a teenager around that time, it just kind of appealed to me as something to get around locally on.

 

[KermitGKona88]

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=196116
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/bianchi-grizzly.443611/
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/bianchi-super-grizzly-1988.158667/
A few links to Bianchi Grizzly on this site very nice bikes.

 

[KermitGKona88]

And one for an Avanti sold on here recently...

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/sold-bianchi-avanti.411149/

 

[Ketnap]

Photos as promised

 

[Ketnap]

And one for an Avanti sold on here recently...

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/sold-bianchi-avanti.411149/

Sounds like the same bike. I cannot find details of it anywhere. It looks a bit like a Grizzly.

 

[KermitGKona88]

Well as stated in the advert for sale, this is a lower end model, but certainly not a BSO (Bicycle Shaped Object). The paint looks in reasonable condition as do the parts, Indexed gears, Alloy rims and chainset, also cantilever brakes with alloy brake levers are all good. Looks like you ride it with the guards and newish Schwalbe tyres, I would say keep it ride it and enjoy it...

 

[Ketnap]

Thanks.

I just wish I could find some old brochures or something that told me what this looked like new and how much has been replaced.

It's just for riding short distances in a seaside town. I am certainly keeping it. There's just something about the overall design that feels right.

 

[KermitGKona88]

TBH I think a catalogue is going to be quite difficult to find.

Just from looking at it I honestly don't think much if anything has been replaced, all the parts are period correct for mid 80s, apart from as mentioned the tyres.