Older Bianchi

volvine

Hi everyone i purchased last year from a LBS an old bianchi which i wanted for my turbotrainer in the garage (only paid £30) but was thinking of using it on the road in the winter months as it seems in really good nick it has the shifters on the frame rather than the bars was just wondering if it can be upgraded with a modern groupsets.
:roll:

bill57

There is an older model of Bianchi made of fairly utilitarian and heavy tubing. I used to have one, and one sold for a crazy amount on Ebay recently. The lugs are thick, without much of a "spearpoint", and the kit on it is usually Ofmega. Mind you I have seen Ofmega stuff on a better Bianchi made of Columbus Cromor as well. Post a photo?

volvine

i cannot ever seem to add photo's i don't know how

James1823

I'd just keep the shifters on the down tube. It's not nearly as awkward as you'd imagine.

SunWuKong

Yes is the answer. I have an old Olmo frame for my winter bike, it's my favourite bike. But it is an old frame with downtube shifter bosses but modern campag groupset. My LBS fitted it with these little 'caps' (no idea what to call them) on the bosses and the cables run through them.

Nuggs

James1823 wrote:

I'd just keep the shifters on the down tube. It's not nearly as awkward as you'd imagine.

I hate DT shifters...

volvine

i wish i could put a photo on here i don't think it is from the dark ages cause it looks quite smart would just prefare the shifters in the modern position

Ste_S

No reason why you can't change to a modern sti/ergo set up - however you may need to get the rear drop outs re-spaced.

I'd investigate the age of the bike first though, just in case it has any value in it's current state

volvine

i will do Bianchi did that with my last bike they where very helpful

acorn_user

If you hate DT shifters, you don't deserve to own it :P

Only joking! You could probably get a more modern groupset to work. E.g. Campagnolo Xenon shifters, new rear wheel to fit Campagnolo 9/10, new cassette and new chain, new Xenon rear mech. That should be the limit of it. If the rear is to tight to take a 130mm wide hub, you can get a shop to cold set it, unless it's really, really old.