Hey guys, I am a newbie with bicycles and I dont know alot about them but I need help on getting a Bianchi racing bike to work. It is my uncle's old bike and it has ended up in my garage with the wheels, brakes, and chains unattached. There are also no nuts and bolts in sight, so i dont know how to deal with that problem either. Here are some pics. Any help is appreciated!
Do a Google search for Bianchi Squadra and you will see what the bike should look like when complete. Lots of pictures out there on that model. Maybe that will help.
None of them have those handlebars though.
Have not seen much on Bianchi models. But some models are very nice. In looking on that handle bar it looks like it was taken out and reversed. Like the curved portion should be forward and the handles on top like triathelon set up.Very weird.
Squadra huh? Could not read that. Yeh for sure nice.
Never Give Up!!!
Those are old fashioned one-piece aerobars. In the photo they are rotated back (the bolt is loose and they slipped around? or rotated back for storage?) that's why they look so strange. Their purpose is to allow the cyclist to hyper extend horizontally to reduce wind resistance and achieve a more aerodynamic form. I'd say they were aftermarket on this bike. The brake levers go in the usual place as in normal drop down bars. Modern aerobars are actually extensions that clamp onto traditional bars. The aerobars on that bike could be cut off (tube cutter, angle grinder, hack saw) and holes plugged and taped over. I don't know whether that would compromise strength of what you are left with. I would just replace them with traditional drop bars. Aerobars have always been used by serious racing cyclists and triathletes. And status-seekers.
On the rest, check wheels for true, check spokes. Inspect and lube all bearings with fresh grease. If the bottom bracket is cup and cone (probably), overhaul that of course.
And have fun if you are project-minded!
In order for the top handles to be forward the U portion needs to be down, 90 degree rotation. Otherwise the bars will be in your face. The white marks probably indicate where the brake went. Ye its like puzzle. You can rotate them and cut like this.
Never Give Up!!!