Thoughts on Bianchi Talladega/Vigorelli

[Discodan]

Hi Team

I'm looking to get a new frame to replace my broken MS Equipe (yes I know I can repair it but any excuse will do). It's going to be a commuter and Saturday morning boys ride bike so not a showpiece, I've got some Aksium wheels and will put SRAM Apex 2x10 groupset on it so it won't be pure, just practical. Having said that interesting is good and I'd rather not go backwards from the equipe which was a good 531 frameset.

What is the collective thoughts on the Bianchi Talladega (renamed in 2003 to the Vigorelli) ? It's a Renolds 631 frame with carbon forks, looks like it's already setup to take a modern groupset, threadless headset etc. I'd be interested to see what one weighs buit up, someone posted theits was 9kg with Aksiums. Does this count as a real bike or is it just trading on the historical brandname? I'd love to hear what you think.

http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/bike ... OThCKy9v8c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cheers
d

[seddo]

I have admired those frames myself, the word Talladega makes me chuckle I associate it with the Will Ferrel movie, I say go for it but what are the postage costs I have been quoted $360+ to have a frame shipped from the states

[Discodan]

I think I will go for it, just need to check on the sizing as it's a big bastard at 63cm. I'm in the US every few months for work so I will just get it sent to our office over there and bring it back myself, my wife's used to me coming home with a frame or bike in a box now

[Discodan]

Done, total cost of $312 delivered to our office. I'm going to enjoy this build as it's a chance to get a bit modern with a steel frame, splash a a bit of carbon around and the like. Watch this space

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290828079172 ... 1438.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Velo13]

What a great buy!

The Bianchi frames of this era were quite good - especially the Reparto Corse (Race Department) frames. This post seems to indicate that it is not, but I still think you're on a winner here.

[Discodan]

ironically enough, the day after I buy the frame in the US a complete bike is on ebay in Victoria. Could be good value

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221173271669 ... 1438.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[seddo]

ironically enough, the day after I buy the frame in the US a complete bike is on ebay in Victoria. Could be good value

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221173271669 ... 1438.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

just saw that myself , enjoy the build and for tragics like myself pls post plenty of pics

[Discodan]

That bike on ebay ended up selling for $705, local pickup in Victoria. My calculations build sheet show it will cost me $850 by the time I'm done building mine from frame up which includes re-using a number of parts from the Malvern Star. I will have a brand new groupset although it's lower spec than the Ultegra on the original bike (SRAM Apex is about the same as 105) and the Aksium wheels are a bit better than original. On paper it doesn't make sense, I'd have been better off buying the complete bike, but it's too late now. Let the build begin!

Here's a link to my build sheet if anyone's interested:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... VY1bmVUa2c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I'm guessing conservatively on the frame weight but the complete bike should come in at 9.6kg with the option to take another 300g pretty easily with a few select components

I've decided to stick with traditional styling rather than pretending it's a modern plastic fantastic. Overall accessories will be polished alloy or white where possible as I find the black on the Talladega too visually heavy. It also let's me re-use a number of parts from the Malvern Star https://sites.google.com/a/dbs72.com/ho ... edirects=0.

The latest part to go in the bits-box is a 3T Mutant stem, I paid too much for it at $45 but it should really make the cockpit as it's polished and modern but also harks back to an old-school swooping quill stem
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261149971733 ... 1438.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;