Hi, I'm new to the list and to vintage lightweight bikes. My name is Dean from Stanhope, New Jersey. I am a bike enthusiast, rode bmx when I was younger, got into Mt. biking about 7 years ago, got a road bike 1 year ago and am having a blast! Biking has helped me quit smoking, helped me eat healthier, and has given me a way to burn off stress. I have been stuck to the road over the last year, barely make it out on my mt. bike much anymore, maybe a coupla times a month. The roads and trails around Sussex/Warren County are dream to ride, so many places to explore.
Now, on with the show... I have been searching around for a beater, something where I can throw on sneakers and pedal to friends, or the store, maybe hit up some rail trails or dirt roads, and go exploring and not worry too much about cleats, flat tires etc.... I recently bought for $150 an old Bianchi Specialissima. I've been riding her around, and she is really really fast, light & nimble. Feels nearly as fast as my new Giant OCR1 road bike. I dont know how old it is, I'd guess from the 60's as I saw a similiar looking one online from '64. It is a faded, chipped brown with beautiful chrome lugs. The bike is by no means a beauty queen at first glance, the brown is a bit faded, you can barely make out the word speciallisima, the chrome has some light pitting and a bit of rust bits on the lugs, overall just a little worn out. The ends of the forks are chrome, and so are the chainstays by the rear dropouts. It has 2 strips of chrome along the seat tube. The dropouts say campagnolo. I think the only original parts on it are the rear hub, the cranks, the handlebars, and the downtube shifters. Here is a quick rundown of the parts on the bike and any changes I have made to it so far or things I have plans on changing:
FRAME - BEAUTIFUL BROWN (ROOT BEER), CHROME LUGS, W/ CHROME SEAT STAYS, AND 2 CHROME STRIPS ON SEATUBE, LONG HORIZONTAL CHROME CAMPY DROPOUTS SEATUBE HAS # 160825 FORK - BEAUTIFUL BROWN, CHROME LUGS, W/ CHROME CAMPY DROPOUTS SEATPOST - DUNNO, BLACK, RUSTED OUT HARDWARE, STUCK IN FRAME, 27.2 (replaced with silver kalloy post) SEAT - RUSTED OUT SCHWINN, REPLACED WITH FIZIK POGGIO, WHITE (possibly replace w/ brown brooks?) HEADSET - NO IDEA, A LITTLE CRUSTY BUT LOOKS REALLY WELL INTEGRATED STEM - SPECIALIZED QUILL, A BIT TOO LONG & LOW FOR ME 115MM (need something with less reach, maybe 100) HANDLEBARS - AMBROSIO CHAMPION, NO TAPE EXCEPTING SCOTCH & ELECTRICAL (added orange cinelli cork tape, finished with twine, red wine corks in bar ends) BRAKE LEVERS - SHIMANO 105 SLR, CRUSTY/STICKY WHITE HOODS BRAKES - SHIMANO 105, ?REAR W/ LOWERING EXTENSION? TIRE SAVER ON FRONT (removed tire saver) DOWNTUBE SHIFTERS - CAMPAGNOLO, VICENZA ITALY, CLAMP ON R DERAILLEUR - SHIMANO STX F DERAILLEUR - SHIMANO STX CASSETTE - 5 SPEED FREEWHEEL (black, a bit crusty, would like to replace with something shiny) F WHEEL - JOYTECH HUB & RIM, SPECIALIZED TRANSITION 700C 23C JOYTECH QUICK RELEASE (added panaracer crosstown tire from lbs, don't really like how it rolls, going to try paselas) (wheel has a big flat spot I cant remove, replaced with nice campy veloce hub w/ mavic rim) R WHEEL - CAMPAGNOLO HUB, 913-622 WEINMANN RIM, DUNNO ABOUT TIRE, CAMPAGNOLO QUICK RELEASE (added panaracer crosstown tire from lbs, don't really like how it rolls, going to try paselas) CRANKSET - CAMPAGNOLO 170 (STR ON REAR OF CRANK ARM) 53T, 45T, 28T (STAINLESS) 5 BOLT, FOUND A PIC ONLINE, I THINK THESE ARE RECORD CRANKS W/ ADDED ON GRANNY GEAR 151BCD (removed granny gear) PEDALS - WELLGO, WITH BLACK PLASTIC CLIPS & STRAPS (added soma clips and honey colored straps) CHAIN - DUNNO GRUNGY, BLACK (would like to replace with new shiny one) ACCESSORIES: THIRD EYE CHAIN WATCHER (removed), WIERD FRONT WHEEL FLIP DOWN TIRE STOP (removed) , CAMPAGNOLO CLAMP ON CABLE TIE DOWNS, CAMPAGNOLO CABLE STOPS FOR FRONT DERAILLUER, SENSOR ON REAR WHEEL
I've cleaned the bike up pretty well, 3 passes with a soapy rag followed with some nevr dull. Need to follow up with some wax. Things I'm looking to buy: I dont think I want to really restore it with original parts, but if anyone has something inexpensive to offer, I'd consider it. I'm looking for a slightly shorter stem, I'm not sure the length thats on ther now, but it is looooong I think its 115mm (I measured from the center of the quill bolt to the center of the bars??) Also could use a cassette & chain that is silver in nicer condition. Any suggestions for a small seat bag? I kind of like what I saw on rivbikes.com, just a piece or waterproof material rolled around the tube & tools and lashed to the frame. What about a water bottle cage? Would a handlebar mount cage be period correct? Is there a way to date this bike? Was this a racing bike? What kind of tubing was it built with? I have pics if anyone would like to see some. Oh yeah, I dont wanna spend much money! Thanks for any suggestions/offers. I'm happy to be on this list! -Dean Sanginari Stanhope, NJ USA
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