2002 Bianchi Brava

I carefully constructed this Bianchi in 2004 with the goal of building up a reasonably high quality, extremely durable, comfortable, and versatile bike, and to do so on a modest budget. Additionally, I undertook this project with intent of attempting to blend my own aesthetic preference for vintage bicycles with some of the decidedly practical accoutrements that make more modern machinery so "rider friendly".

While it is certainly true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I personally believe that this bicycle ended up achieving an exceptionally fine balance of classic simplicity in combination with thoroughly modern amenities (…although I readily admit to being a less than impartial source here). The traditional luster of the highly polished aluminum components stands out very nicely against the Near Black / Midnight Blue frame color, which in turn blends well with the clear coated natural carbon fiber front fork. Moreover, careful use of Bianchi’s trademark Celeste throughout the trim work adds both a tasteful and historically relevant punctuation without indulging that maniacally monochromatic look which I believe is best left to Reparto Corse frames equipped exclusively with Italian componentry from the likes of Campagnolo, Cinelli, Deda Elementi, ITM, etc. (…go ahead, call me a chauvinist if you like). Would I prefer to have used a fully lugged steel frameset as a basis for this little project? Yes, indeed. But the truth of the matter is that I could not find a real good one on relatively short notice in my size and which also had certain details I sought. Besides, I came by this particular example of a very low mileage frame from a friend who offered it in exchange for some redundant cycling bits I was otherwise going to sell on eBay (...an offer that was not only opportune but simply too good for me to refuse).

Admittedly, a set of contemporary aerobars are not exactly consistent with the neo-classic look I attempted to achieve with this bicycle. And you will note that they were purposefully removed when I took the vast majority of the accompanying photographs. But since my intent was to also use this bike while mounted onto an indoor trainer during the long cold winter months, I deemed a set of clip-on aerobars to be essential for my own purposes. I choose a late version of the industry standard Profile Design AirStryke aerobars which incorporate their newer multi-fit system which can accommodate either 26.4 or 31.8 mm handlebars, have a 120 mm adjustable length, improved springs and pivots for the ZB arm brackets, and the all important upgraded F-19 rotational armrest kit. After wrapping these aerobars with matching Bianchi embossed Celeste colored genuine Italian cork handlebar tape and mounting a pair of exceedingly comfortable and durable Cee Gee’s aero pads, I was ready to log as many virtual miles as I cared while watching the likes of Fox News or CNN in total comfort.


TYPE:
27 speed - road / sport type - 2002 model Brava (...in name only, inasmuch as the frameset itself is all that remains of the original bike)

SIZE:
61 cm : 610 mm (physical seat tube C-t-T) - 585 mm (physical top tube C-t-C) - 410 mm (chainstay) - 102 mm (wheelbase) - 33.75 inches (standover height) - 45 degree (fork rake) - 72 degree (head tube angle) - 72 degree (seat tube angle)

COLOR:
Near Black / Midnight Blue frameset - Celeste graphics - protective clear coat

FRAME:
Bianchi Mega-Pro design - traditional frameset geometry with horizontal top tube - Reynolds 520 double-butted CrMo alloy steel - TIG welded - dual bottle mounts - horizontal dropouts

FORK:
Kestrel EMS Pro - carbon fiber fork with 1" CrMo steel threadless steer tube - unicrown design - 45 degree rake - 700C - 2003 model EMS-P

HEADSET:
Cane Creek - alloy 1" threadless DL Aheadset - Silver - 2003 model DL-S : Le Tour carbon fiber headset spacer - 40 mm

STEM:
Profile Design H20 - 6061-T6 alloy - 120 mm - 90 degree - 26.4 mm clamp - two bolt quick release - 2003 model H20190-S

HANDLEBARS:
Hsin Lung - HS alloy - traditional non-anatomic profile - 44 cm C-t-C / 26.4 mm clamp - 2002 model : Profile Design AirStryke aerobars - 60601-T6 alloy - flip up ZB brackets - upgraded 17° angle F-19 armrest kit - 2002 model ZB2000-S / Cee Gee's aero pads - Black & Blue - model F-19 : Bianchi - logo embossed cork handlebar tape - Celeste - model H1014

BOTTOM BRACKET:
Shimano Ultegra - Octalink design - cartridge type BB for 68 mm shell - 22 mm hollow pipe billet spindle - splined interface - 118.5 mm symmetrical without offset - 1.370 x 24 TPI English thread - model 2004 BB-6503

CRANKSET:
Shimano Ultegra - 130/74 mm BCD - 30/42/52 aluminum alloy chain rings - Octalink design - 175 mm Clear anodized Hollow-Tech aluminum alloy arms - 9/16" x 20 TPI pedal thread - 9s - 2004 model FC-6503

CHAIN:
Wipperman - 1/2" x 11/128" - 6.5 mm wide - nickel plated steel - 9s - ConneX connector link - 2003 model ConneX-908

HUBSET:
Shimano Dura-Ace - quick release hubs - small flange design - Clear anodized aluminum alloy barrels and flanges - Shimano 8s/9s/10s compatible - 2002 models HB-7700 32h front hub / FH-7700 32h rear hub : Shimano Dura-Ace QR skewers - 100 mm front / 130 mm rear

RIMS:
MAVIC Open Pro - Silver - Maxtal 6000 series alloy - SUP construction - UB control - semi-aero profile - 700c clincher - drilled for Presta valves - 32h front / 32h rear - 2002 model Open Pro

SPOKES:
Wheelsmith DB14 - Silver - 14/15/14 gauge or 2.0/1.7/2.0 mm - double butted 304 stainless steel - model DB14-S : Wheelsmith Silver finish alloy nipples

TIRES:
Panaracer Stradius Pro - 700C x 23 - Aramid folding bead - silica / carbon ZSG Dura-Tread compound - 2003 model Stradius Pro

CASSETTE:
Shimano Ultegra - 12x25T (12-13-14-15-16-18-21-23-25) - nickel chrome finish - 9s - 2004 model CS-6500

FRONT DERAILLEUR:
Shimano Ultegra - Triple - 9s - 28.6 mm clamp-on - 2004 model FD-6503

REAR DERAILLEUR:
Shimano Ultegra - Triple - 9s - GS model long cage - 2004 model RD-6500-GS : Carmichael drilled alloy pulley wheels - 2004 model

SHIFT / BRAKE LEVERS:
Shimano Ultegra - STI dual control levers - Flight Deck compatible - 9s x 3 - 2004 model ST-6510

BRAKE CALIPERS:
Shimano Ultegra - dual pivot SLR - 2004 model BR-6500 : Kool-Stop Road Holder shoes with dual compound pads - model KS-RHD

PEDALS:
Bianchi / Wellgo - LOOK compatible clipless design - aluminum pedals with CrMo spindles - adjustable spring tension - Celeste - 2004 model H2280

SADDLE:
Bianchi / Viscount VTT BodyFit - Kevlar corners - Celeste with white/blue Bianchi logo - 2003 model H3347

SEAT POST:
Shimano Dura-Ace - Clear anodized thin wall Easton alloy - single bolt micro-adjust clamp - 270 mm x 26.8 mm - 2003 model SP-7410

ACCESSORIES:
Bianchi / Elite - Ciussi Pro INOX gel water bottle cage - 74 mm silicone coated aluminum - Celeste - 2004 model H5015 : Bianchi / California Springs - 28 ounce Bianchi Team logo water bottle - Celeste with Black cap - 2004 model H1236
Bianchi / Bike Republic - expansion wedge saddle bag - two zippers - Dark Blue with Celeste - 2004 model H9010
Bianchi / Silca - Silca - frame pump - ABS barrel - Celeste - 1983 model Impero : chrome steel Campagnolo pump adapter head - square style boss - 1978 model 1030/2
CatEye - double wireless cycle computer - rear chainstay mount - 2004 model CC-CD300DW
Shimano Dura-Ace - STI inline optical gear indicator - 9s - 2004 model
Le Tour - cable donuts - 4 mm OD synthetic rubber - Clear - 2004 model LT-CD-C
Lizard Skins - chainstay guard - standard size - neoprene with Velcro attachment - cut to size - Black - 2004 model CHNDS100