Re: [CR]Question/Advice on Vintage Kids Bianchi

(Example: Framebuilding:Tubing:Falck)

Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2006 20:54:16 -0800
From: "Harrison Magun" <harrisonm@gmail.com>
To: "Hilary Stone" <hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [CR]Question/Advice on Vintage Kids Bianchi
In-Reply-To: <C056F8C2.589C2%hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk>
References: <6.2.3.4.0.20060403084446.036bcf48@pop.earthlink.net>
cc: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

Thanks for all the help. I'm looking forward to receiving the bike - I am sure I will have more questions and need for parts then.

Harrison

On 4/3/06, Hilary Stone <hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Correct crank length is importan; it will help your son pedal properly. A
> good guide is about 21% of inner leg length (crotch to floor). Whem my so n
> was smaller we had probably about ten pairs of cranks cut down to suit hi m
> -
> he had both road and track bikes so always needed at least two pairs.
> I would go with Mark's suggestion of cut-down MTB bars for him at this
> age - by about 8 he will be ready to handle drop bars.
> Where I would disagree with Mark is over a gear - I think it is
> important that they learn how to use a gear properly from the start. The
> Shimano auto-D gear is notorious for encouraging a slow cadence which is
> exactly the opposite of what you want. A 5spd indexed gear would probably
> be
> ideal - if necessary you could take the outermost sprocket off a 5spd
> freewheel and turn into a 4spd one and just use 4 of the clicks. A 5spd
> shifter can certainly be found secondhand on Ebay together with a suitabl e
> rear mech. Gear low as shorter cranks reduce the leverage at the front en d
> of the transmission. A 36T will probably be all that's necessary.
> These minature Italian road bikes are nearly always well designed with
> a
> suitably low bottom bracket but are often not that well made - but that
> really does not matter until your child is more serious. With my son that
> came at about 7 (he rode his first Dutch 5-day stage race at 8) and now 9
> years later he is still as enthusiastic about road racing as he was back
> then... This year he does two Dutch 6-day stage races as well as the Yout h
> Paris-Roubaix in Belgium and the Junior Tour of Wales.
>
> Hilary Stone, Bristol, England
>
> > From: Mark Stonich <mark@bikesmithdesign.com>
> > Date: Mon, 03 Apr 2006 09:21:47 -0500
> > To: "Harrison Magun" <harrisonm@gmail.com>
> > Cc: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> > Subject: Re: [CR]Question/Advice on Vintage Kids Bianchi
> >
> > At 4/2/2006 07:03 PM -0800, Harrison Magun wrote:
> >> Hi, I just purchased a vintage kids bianchi for my 5 1/2 year old. It
> >> reminded me of the fuji Junior I had as a kid, except this has campy,
> 20"
> >> wheels, and is probably older.
> >> Ebay listing 7229360821
> >>
> >> I'd like any general thoughts anyone might have, but here are specific
> >> questions:
> >
> > We had a 38cm Gitane that our kids, and the kids of several friends,
> > went through. Years later I sold it to a guy who had me build it up
> > with light 451 wheels and a 5 speed freewheel.
> >
> >> - can I replace the cottered crank with a modern short square taper
> >> single-speed/BMX crank (and of course the bb as well).
> >
> > Yes but they might be too long, I don't know of any under 135mm. I
> > do shorten cranks, so if he needs something shorter let me know. I
> > have some 140mm Bulletproofs.
> >
> >> If so, what size/length BB should i get?
> >
> > Correct BB length varies from crank to crank and with desired
> > chainline. Till you decide on what rear setup you will be using and
> > which crank, it's impossible to advise
> >
> >> - I have no idea of the condition of the hubs/rims/spokes.
> >
> > Looks like alloy rims. If someone upgraded the rims they may have
> > also done the hubs. Due to the age, I'd wager it originally came
> > with 500A steel rims (440-37) I'd guess the Stelvios are 451.
> >
> > If the front hub is OK just use it, even if it's steel. The fork
> > is/was probably narrower than normal.
> >
> >> Could I have a
> >> wheel built (alas, the only thing I don't do in a bike is build wheels )
> wit
> >> h one of the shimano internal gear hubs and ditch the derailleur. Or
> fit a
> >> modern
> >
> > Chain line will be awfully short for an 8/9 speed cassette.
> >
> > You will probably have to spread the rear triangle to even get a 5
> > speed freewheel into it.
> >
> >> - Value. I paid $200 US. It seems worth it to me, but I have no
> objective
> >> form of measurement,
> >
> > If this bike helps your son develop a taste for physical activity and
> > adventure, you can't pay to much. In the '70s we rode with the Lake
> > Country Cyclists, a group of about 50 families. We would do 3 day
> > camping tours, staying in regional parks and doing about 35 miles a
> > day, with kids as young as 6 riding their own bikes. AFAIK all of
> > those kids turned out OK. On a nice day my son will still take a day
> > off, to go riding with the old man.
> >
> >> - Anything else I should know?
> >
> > Kids are usually in the wrong gear. If you can find a Nexus Auto-D 4
> > speed hub, it would be perfect.
> >
> > I don't think really young kids do well with dropped bars. I'd
> > suggest cut down MTB bars, 5 speed grip shift and bar end handlebar
> > extensions.
> > If you disagree, I still have a set of 32cm GB bars with much less
> > drop than those on the bike, and a set of NOS Weinnman "Junior" brake
> levers.
> >
> >
> > Mark Stonich;
> > Minneapolis Minnesota
> > http://mnhpva.org
> > http://bikesmithdesign.com