Attn: Bianchiphiles

[DCilliams]

Hey guys,

I recently picked up a Bianchi frame with Columbus Genius tubing. It's in great shape but I was curious to know why it was missing the chromed seat and chain stays, which seem to be on other Bianchi Genius and ELOS frames of that era (see 3rd pic). Instead, there's a Campagnolo plate on the chain stay.

Any ideas?

[malcolm]

Love celeste, seems like it has become darker and more minty over the years but still beautiful

[jtakeda]

The campy thing is just a chainstay guard.

Basically an adhesive guard that you can find on eBay and stick on any frame.

[Gsinill]

Respray?

[christian]

Bianchi production wasn't that consistent in that era. Some bikes had chrome and some didn't. I had an SLX bike from the same era. No chrome.

[eippo1]

I think that's a Veloce from 98 or 99 before they went to the threadless headsets and AL tubes. Don't think those got chromed. I could be completely wrong, though.

You might want to post it to Bikeforums C & V crowd as Bianchigirl and a couple other guys are very well versed on Bianchi's of that era.

[DCilliams]

Christian, good to know. That makes sense. Even the fork varies - same material, different look. Thanks!

[DCilliams]

eippo1, thanks! I'll try to ask her.

[jr59]

Not to pitch another forum, but there is a girl on BF's C&V part that goes by Bianchigirl that seems very informed on these older Bianchi bikes as anyone I have ever meet.
I would post there and ask her.

[Nags&Ducs]

Originally Posted by eippo1

I think that's a Veloce from 98 or 99 before they went to the threadless headsets and AL tubes. Don't think those got chromed. I could be completely wrong, though.

You might want to post it to Bikeforums C & V crowd as Bianchigirl and a couple other guys are very well versed on Bianchi's of that era.

Yep, eippo1 is most likely correct. Veloce models were originally lugged, but sometime around '99, bianchi started tig welding them vice lugging.

Still, it looks like it's in great shape, and will undoubtably make a great ride.

Congrats.

[oliver1850]

My guess is that most tigged frames didn't get the chrome.

I think the frame could be a bit older. I seem to remember the forks painted that way one year either side of 1994. One year the fork was all chrome, one year like yours, and one year with more paint. I just can't remember the sequence. The 1994 Bicylcling buyer's guide shows a tigged Genius with Record with $3,100 msrp.

[idreamt...]

Originally Posted by Nags&Ducs

Yep, eippo1 is most likely correct. Veloce models were originally lugged, but sometime around '99, bianchi started tig welding them vice lugging.

Still, it looks like it's in great shape, and will undoubtably make a great ride.

Congrats.

It's not a Veloce. I have one, 1998, and they were built with Deda zero uno, not Columbus. (I wish mine was Columbus).
Mine also has S-Bend seat and chain stays.
That looks like earlier 90's.

Beautiful bike! Paint looks to be in good shape.

[idreamt...]

image.jpg

[Highgear]

I keep updating it. I now have proper wheels on her. Record 9 hubs laced to Open Pro's.

[DCilliams]

Thanks again for the feedback guys. I think Christian and Highgear are most likely correct. I consulted all the 90s Bianchi catalogues; not a Veloce, yet all the Geniuses were chromed.

Frame was purchased in Italy, so perhaps there was production inconsistency over there.

Chrome envy aside, I really like my frame.