Vintage Bianchi: possible to move shift levers?

[OakLeaf]

How many speeds in the rear? IIRC, if it's fewer than nine, there will not be compatible brifters ... and changing that out will require a new rear wheel and cold-setting the frame to accommodate the wider hub.

I'm still thinking about updating my 1987 race bike, which has a 6-speed freehub. But it's a BIG job, and yes, expensive - brifters, rear derailleur, rear wheel with cassette, and the frame work.

My old bike is a good enough frame to deserve it. It sounds like yours might be, too. But it's not for the faint of heart or wallet. At least this is a good time of year to be contemplating something like that (if you're in the northern hemisphere).

[Biciclista]

sounds like a cool bike. I didn't know the old ones came that small. When do we get to see a photo?

[Artista]

I had a vintage, steel, Terry frame updated with brifters. Most of the drive train and rear wheel HAD to be replaced to accommodate brifters. I allowed a few other, optional, drive train components to be updated to improve the final performance. The stuff that HAD to be replaced was quite expensive. The optional components added little to the final cost. I chose Shimano 105.

In the end, I'm glad that I did it but the whole project turned out to cost much more than I had anticipated. I'm thinking that it was in the range of $1,400 with parts and labor but don't quote me on that.

[OakLeaf]

Yeah, now that you mention it, going from 6 or 7 speed to 9 or 10 probably requires chainrings as well, to accommodate the narrower chain. I don't know that for sure, nor do I know whether you could slap new chainrings onto a vintage crankset or whether that would need to be replaced too.

The limiting factor there is the number of speeds on the rear. If you had separate shifters and brakes on a 9 speed bike you could replace them with brifters alone.

[Artista]

The chain rings were a "must do" on my bike. Of course, one thing led to another and the crankset and the bottom bracket had to be updated to work with the new chain rings. Now that I say that, I'm not positive that the bottom bracket was replaced but I'm pretty sure that it was part of the equation.

[Artista]

I've been thinking more about the final cost of my updated bike. I distinctly remember that the whole project was $2,200. That included $350 to purchase the original bike and have it shipped. It also included the entire new drive train, brakes, frame work to accommodate the new hub, rear wheel, tires, tubes, saddle, pedals, professional fit, drop bars, and a new quill (old fashioned handlebar stem). The drop bars and quill didn't have to be replaced as part of the update. They were replaced to get the bike to fit me better.

I'm not sure that I would have gone through with the project had I known in advance how much it was going to cost. But again, I'm very happy with the end product and would do it again. In fact, I would have sprung for Ultrega had I known how much I was going to enjoy the updated bike. I'm happy enough with the 105, though.

[merlin]

Most helpful discussion! Thanks!
I am not in a position to invest tons. A few years ago I rode a Bianchi and loved it, but ultimately chose to buy a Cannondale. Still have Bianchi lust, so have kept an eye out for one locally that I could test ride. Then this one appeared on CL.

I have owned a 1978 Motobecane and a 1971 Astra (anyone remember Astras?) that had down tube shifters. At the time, they were just fine. Wish I had kept the Motobecane.

I want to put wider tires on either my Cannondale road bike or the Bianchi so I can ride on trails. I am guessing the Bianchi has had some upgrades that may be good enough for me. The CL listing describes them.
Have to see how it feels.
Any thoughts on the asking price?

Here's the link:
http://maine.craigslist.org/bik/3329256698.html


Beautiful day here in Maine. Crisp!

beth