I think I've got my Bianchi close to finished. Just installed the 96 Z2, I know it's not original, but I love Marzocchi's and I plan on riding the piss out of the bike. I did find out that if you have a Z2 with a bolt on steerer RST steerer tubes are a cheap solution if you need something longer.
Hopefully I'll be swapping out the stem and handlebars for titanium bits. I'd love to get a decent set of canti's as well, but for now I think it's good enough.
I do plan on riding this bike often on and off road so I've decided to keep the mixed era parts on for now and I'll replace as necessary.
I did finally take the Bianchi out for its first official offroad ride. I can honestly say it is terrifying at high speed through the tight rocky and wet trails. The 63mm of travel does help but it's certainly more primitive than my 100mm dual squishy. The brakes are on or off and arent nearly as predictable as my new XT discs... But man... When you get out of the saddle and hammer the pedals, it friggen flies!~
I had it topped out going up hill, where I'm usually just hammering away on my small ring. A few sprints on this bike made my day.
I'm a bit upset that I didnt bring my GoPro when we went down a freshly cut DH trail, 2 foot drops, jumps and 45 degree slopes in mud had the brakes and me squealing all the way to the bottom. It was 600 vertical feet in a matter of minutes and it was a blast!
Hopefully I'll be swapping out the stem and handlebars for titanium bits. I'd love to get a decent set of canti's as well, but for now I think it's good enough.
I do plan on riding this bike often on and off road so I've decided to keep the mixed era parts on for now and I'll replace as necessary.
I did finally take the Bianchi out for its first official offroad ride. I can honestly say it is terrifying at high speed through the tight rocky and wet trails. The 63mm of travel does help but it's certainly more primitive than my 100mm dual squishy. The brakes are on or off and arent nearly as predictable as my new XT discs... But man... When you get out of the saddle and hammer the pedals, it friggen flies!~
I had it topped out going up hill, where I'm usually just hammering away on my small ring. A few sprints on this bike made my day.
I'm a bit upset that I didnt bring my GoPro when we went down a freshly cut DH trail, 2 foot drops, jumps and 45 degree slopes in mud had the brakes and me squealing all the way to the bottom. It was 600 vertical feet in a matter of minutes and it was a blast!
