Custom Made Bianchi

Jack-o

G'day, Just thought I'd show of my bike 'cause I like it soooooo much.

The frame was custom made for me by Bianchi in Italy, same as their of-the-peg D2 pista frame but with a few changes to tube lengths and angles. It's a Dedacciai aluminium tubing with "structural foam" injected into the bottom of the seat tube. Sugino 75 cranks w/Grand Mighty BB. Steel bars and Carbon-wrapped ITM stem for sprints. Profile T2 bars and cow horns for TT. Flite saddle. old Dura-ace clipless pedals with strap rivited on.

I have Campag Pista wheels and now these new Hed wheels. I also have some high pressures (clinchers to you in the US of A) which are used for training on the road....'cause the nearest velodrome is 2.5hrs away!

Michelin Axial pro tyres on the road, Black Degahst tyres on the Pistas and Vittoria Pistas on the Heds.

Great to ride. Seems nice and rigid, Love it!

Would like to see what others are riding, post pics and a description if you are willing.

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Meek One

Nice bike! Hope the motor is up to par.

__________________
-Meek
"Some people train to look pretty. I just train so I can be the strongest man there is. And then again, I'm already pretty." -Magnus Samuelsson

Jack-o

I was hoping someone would ask !!! 2005 Australian Champion, Masters 2 500m TT. 35.77sec. Have since ridden in 35.29

Meek One

Very nice.

What is Masters 2?

__________________
-Meek
"Some people train to look pretty. I just train so I can be the strongest man there is. And then again, I'm already pretty." -Magnus Samuelsson

Jack-o

UCI Masters division 2 is 35-39 year old. Masters 3 is 40-44 etc.

Meek One

A-ha. Thanks.

__________________
-Meek
"Some people train to look pretty. I just train so I can be the strongest man there is. And then again, I'm already pretty." -Magnus Samuelsson

Billsworld

Nice!! I didnt know that was available. Why did you opt for the custom bianchi over a custom handmade? Did you spec the changes or did someone fit you ?

Jack-o

Hi, I went for a Bianchi because I sell the brand in my shop and wanted to ride something I sell. It was the Australian Bianchi distributors who suggest that I could have a custom made frame as I didn't know it was available either.

The geometry I chose was worked out from being fitted by my coach (Hi Rickt) and from my own experience, so I guess the answer to your second question is both !

The dimensions were faxed to Italy and 3 months later it arrived. It is reported to have been built by the same man as builds the Liquigas team bikes for DiLuca, Backstead etc.

In case people are interested, I specced it as Seat tube C to C 50cm. Top tube C to C 53cm. 74deg head angle. 74deg seat angle. Nothing too out of the ordinary really, just a little different to the standard Bianchi D2 Pista frame.

Cheers.

Billsworld

Just got back from Florida. Nice ride. Rick T seems to have his act together. Wish I had him as a local resource. Good luck

Jack-o

Can't say too much 'cause I know he'll be reading this.....don't want him to get a swelled head, but he is a very clever man and he lives only a 1/2 hour drive away.

Billsworld

Hey, as long as you sell Bianchi....I am using the basic pista. A 57. I have put on velocity rims(tubulars) with powertap, speed plays and specialized tupe seat(parts cost 2x the bike). I noticed that the concept and the basic pista have the same geometry, but are there any negatives that I need to know about regarding the frame. I am about 195 lbs (87kg) and make decent power. Was thinking about a custom frame and putting on all my stuff. Is the basic pista Ok for now? To what level?

Jack-o

I presume by "basic" Pista you mean the steel framed Bianchi track frame? We don't get that one in Australia (although aparently it's coming) so I'm not overly familiar with it. I'm also not sure what you mean by the "Concept frame".

From what I've seen of the steel Pista frame, it seems quite ok to me. I'm sure that the D2 Aluminium Pista frame would be lighter and perhaps a little stiffer, but I wouldn't worry too much about it at this stage.

If you are keen on a new frame and if the budget allows, you could look at a custom build. With your weight and power I would suggest finding a frame builder who can source some Columbus Max tubing (a bit scarce these days I'm led to believe) or Columbus Zona tubing and have a frame custom made,. At 87kg and with plenty of power, I'm sure that whatever you get as your next frame, it should be as stiff as possible... and I know what Rickt would say...steel is real.

BTW, although I consider myself a kilo/sprint rider, I'm only 71kg and 5'6.5". So I wouldn't stress a frame as much as you would.

Cheers,