Some time ago I needed a road frame for a short-term project, and from the network of crazy bike nuts (like me) came a 90s Bianchi frame that had been repainted as a Europa.
I rode it a few times, it was really nice, but I didn’t like the silver Europa colours. When it came to repainting it, I wanted to restore it as a Bianchi, so I looked around for inspiration. I found it here.
What an amazing resto, and very similar to my own intention – take a great frame (his was an X4) and put an old paintjob on it.
I knew this was the one, but it needed some Milfield Velo flavour.
We started with this Bianchi mid-90s US Model, actual version not known. It’s a lugged steel frame with oval downtube, much like Columbus Max, but the rest of the tubeset didn’t match. Could’ve been Neuron, who knows.
- 58cm seat tube, 58 top tube.
- Tifosi Carbon 1” threadless forks, alloy steerer, custom painted with frame.
- 90s Dotti bottle cage, custom painted with frame.
- Miche 1” threadless headset with carbon spacers.
- English BB and pantographed brake bridge.
- 27.2 Ritchey Classic Seatpost
I couldn’t find a Selle Italia Turbo Saddle in Celeste, so we went off-piste and fitted their C2 Gel Saddle instead. #blackisbest 🙂
Groupset is Shimano 105 5700 10-sp series.
- 10 x 2 Shifters
- 53/38 Hollowtech II Crankset
- 11-28 10sp Cassette
- 105 F&R Derailleurs
- 105 F&R Brakes
Wheels are Mavic Ksyrium Elite, with Conti tyres.
Stem and seatpost are matching Ritchey Classics.
The Weinmann Reparto Corse decals are from Cyclomondo (of course), and the amazing paint job came from Star Enamellers. It’s Celeste, with a pearl blue topcoat.
This was the prettiest bike I had made to date, and it didn’t take long for a great home to come along.
Adrian, we know you love this bike as much as we do!