Bianchi TSX build finally completed!

[Retro Dan]

Hi Guys,
Finally finished the build of my Bianchi TSX - wheel build caused all sorts of issues! Posted up details of the frame on here last year - its an ex pro early 90`s TSX frame sourced from Italy but could`nt figure which team so went for a Pantani inspired build with Super Record Titanium 9 speed throughout - have the same on a Mercatone Uno Mega Pro and its probably the best groupset out there... in my opinion! Then, whilst watching old 1992 Tour De France films on You Tube I kind of figured out the frame - thing is, the only original fitting are the headset and cable guides - both Shimano, which does narrow things down a bit in the early 90`s - I had looked at Gatorade bikes before but all the Pics of Fignon and Bugni show all celeste frames without the chrome rear stays (more than likely specialist made for Fignon et al), then I spotted that the regular Domestique Gatorade bikes were regular chrome/celeste Shimano equiped TSX`s with number hangers - more than likely one of those.

Anyway, working with a Pantani theme, went with full Super Record Titanium throughout, 130mm Mutant stem and 40cm Cinellei Giro bars, Campy titanium seat post, Bianchi seat and an awesome if fragile set of 24 spoke Campagnolo Electron wheels with 23mm veloflex, cranks are 52/39 with titanium 13-25 cassette, paint is original, Look forks came with on the bike and they are pretty good so leaving them on for the time being to see how the bike feels, bike weighs in with peadals and caged at 9.3k/20.5ibs - can`t wait to ride it for the first time this weekend!

Thanks, Dan.

 

[Nob]

You must like a very aero position with that amount of drop from saddle to bars.

Nice Italian build but I do feel spoilt by French forks........

Enjoy your ride though

 

[Ideale]

Re:Bianchi

Not black,Italian and a mutant stem which really suits it!Lovely to look at - bet it rides well.And nothing wrong with French forks...
Was wondering what to do with my Mutant stem-now I know- get a Bianchi!

 

[Retro Dan]

Re:

Glad you like it - as ever with a frame up build, I had a bit of thinking time on the components - super record 9 was obvious, titanium seat post also, wheels (don`t talk to me about wheels) but some details were interesting - 1990`s is an interesting period in bike design, with loads of old school steel and chrome and loads of first generation carbon, not always interacting well... I did get hold of a 3t magnesium stem but I then found out the bottom nut fails and you fall off, then almost went with one of those cool Cinelli Atler stems but thought that a step too far - I also like a 130mm stem as I`m a tall chap so the Mutant stem in chrome was spot on - and its really well made/shaped and stiff.

The forks - the Look HSC forks came with the frame, at first I wanted to swop them out for the chrome tsx versions, but the HSC`s have were a top of the range race thing in that period and these have very neat Bianchi stickers under laquer on the forks so I figured they would remain.

Rode it for the first time last weekend - as expected, buttery smooth, very responsive and the record 9 titanium is out of this world - better than my record 11 carbon on my Look 595, plus the record brakes are soooooooo good. Had it out for almost 2 hours, took a 15k KOM which I didn`t know was there which was nice for a shakedown ride and the Electron wheels didn`t explode which was nice. Position for me was spot on after taking the post down maybe 1/2" - the frame defintly likes a low flat back on the drops sort of position.

Only issue is the record 24h hubs - there`s just a tiny bit of drag that I think is the bearing being overtightened, poped the caps and the outers nuts off, reveals what looks a three pronged inner nut? any ideas on how to get these hubs apart?

Cheers, Dan.