So here is a recent addition to my collection. Picked it up cheaply over Christmas. Lovely condition. Needs very little to make it perfect, but I'm wondering if someone out there who knows their Bianchis can help me pin the details of the model down, and possibly confirm year of manufacture?
I have done the usual online searches, and nothing comes up that sheds light on this model. Can't even find another example of this paint scheme anywhere...
Here's what I can tell you.
- I sourced this bike in Italy.
- Frame and Fork are made of Bianchi Specific tubing: "25CrMo4" heat treated chrome-moly.
- There's a "Reparto Corse" sticker at the bottom bracket, but no specific model on the bike.
- Frame appears to be fillet brazed. (Not enough material in the joints for TIG welded).
- It came equipped as shown in the pics, with a nearly complete 1994 C-Record groupset.
- The saddle has a date of 04/2002.
- Apart from the saddle, the later Mirage bottom bracket, and the AHead stem, everything on this bike is 1994 C-Record. Even the cable housings are contemporary with that date.
- The fork steerer is threaded. I have since removed the ugly AHead stem and bars, and replaced them with a lovely brand new set of Cinelli Criterium bars on an X/A stem. Pics to come once the bar tape goes on.
Based on my hunches, I have a sneaking suspicion that I have a genuine Reparto Corse built bike from close to 1994 if not 1994. Although the big chunky down tube has a later feel than '94, the threaded steerer and the lack of yellow on the frame dates it at pre-Pantani era in my view.
Anyway, if anyone can shed light, I'm all ears.
Many thanks...
I have done the usual online searches, and nothing comes up that sheds light on this model. Can't even find another example of this paint scheme anywhere...
Here's what I can tell you.
- I sourced this bike in Italy.
- Frame and Fork are made of Bianchi Specific tubing: "25CrMo4" heat treated chrome-moly.
- There's a "Reparto Corse" sticker at the bottom bracket, but no specific model on the bike.
- Frame appears to be fillet brazed. (Not enough material in the joints for TIG welded).
- It came equipped as shown in the pics, with a nearly complete 1994 C-Record groupset.
- The saddle has a date of 04/2002.
- Apart from the saddle, the later Mirage bottom bracket, and the AHead stem, everything on this bike is 1994 C-Record. Even the cable housings are contemporary with that date.
- The fork steerer is threaded. I have since removed the ugly AHead stem and bars, and replaced them with a lovely brand new set of Cinelli Criterium bars on an X/A stem. Pics to come once the bar tape goes on.
Based on my hunches, I have a sneaking suspicion that I have a genuine Reparto Corse built bike from close to 1994 if not 1994. Although the big chunky down tube has a later feel than '94, the threaded steerer and the lack of yellow on the frame dates it at pre-Pantani era in my view.
Anyway, if anyone can shed light, I'm all ears.
Many thanks...
