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Here is my project bike I’ve been working with since last winter. It was originally a rose colored Italian Brava frame. I had it powder coated Celeste, redecalled it and had a brass headbadge custom made for it. I was lucky enough to find exact replicas of the same Columbus tubing decals that were on the frame before the powder coat.
80′s Bianchi Brava Frame Gipiemme Dropouts
Dark blue Brooks saddle
Gipiemme seatpost
Weinmann DP18 rims Origin8 hubs
Suntour Sprint Crank and Caliper brake
Origin8 Stem and Bullhorns
Soma Cross lever
Ofmega Headset
Not sure what it is but the bullhorns look much longer on camera than in person, guess it’s my cameraman abilities.
Submitted by Will
11 Comments Received
June 27th, 2011 @1:57 pm
slam that stem,hope you kept the parts,not a good conversion frame but well done.
June 27th, 2011 @4:11 pm
probably better as a roadie. you should have just restored rather than converted.
June 27th, 2011 @6:23 pm
This frame is an excellent candidate for conversion. Nice job, my only comment is that the tape-color is overkill. Black will work much better. You must be thirsty rider.
June 27th, 2011 @6:32 pm
the right color
June 27th, 2011 @6:49 pm
vertical dropouts,shifter mounts,low BB,heavy(same frame is basis for the steel crossbike),road fork,slack geometry?how is this an excellent conversion candidate unless it was cheap. And why go to all that trouble of strip,powder coat(yes it is the right color) and not shave it?now it’s half fixed or SS and half geargrinder. With limited ratio choices ’cause of the verts.Commit one way or the other.My choice would have been geared restoration but it’s not my ride so enjoy.
June 27th, 2011 @7:06 pm
Horizontal dropouts not vertical, same height bottom bracket as most mid-level Bianchis, from this period, new Brava is a different bike. Shifter mounts? got me there.
June 27th, 2011 @7:35 pm
Dropouts are horizontal. Yes there are many other better candidate frames out there probably for fixed gears. I do have parts set aside to flip this back and forth from road bike to fixie. I set up up as a fixie mostly to shed some fat this summer. When geared I have a mini group of Suntour Superbe Pro to go on it. Thanks for all the feedback so far. And yes I’m a thirsty and out of shape
June 28th, 2011 @7:46 am
verts,not horizontal bro. this is the old low-mid level(’96-99?) street rec.frame. One of the first 9 speed Shimano groups. nice roady for Sunday riders,lazy and heavy for any comp work. Better to restore,sell.build a real fixed. again,nice bike but not a good choice unless the price was right. Now a set of cross tires and a Campy Vel 8 speed setup and bella velo.
June 28th, 2011 @10:07 am
Could be wrong but I assumed this was a mid 80′s frame. I thought around 1985ish low to mid Bianchi’s were being made in Japan and later on Taiwan. This is a lugged Italian made frame so I figured it was early to mid 80′s. And the spacing on the back is made for 5,6,7 speeds. I can get a nine speed drivetrain on it but have to squeeze it in there. Overall cost of redoing the frame wasn’t bad. I wouldn’t dare grind down the brazon’s for the sake of making this strictly fixed gear. If I did that I would find a track frame. However I love Celeste steel Bianchi’s and I love fixed gears and this was my cheapest way to have both in one for now.
June 28th, 2011 @8:36 pm
not dissin by any means just seemed a lot of work to get there. more power to ya and most any Bianchi is a winner. My Genius is my fav.enjoy
June 29th, 2011 @4:35 am
No, I didn’t take any of it as diss, I’m glad you guys have the sharp eyes to pick up the details you did. I’m always up for constructive critiquing on my projects, it gives me a better eye next go around.
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