The final production Bianchi "Dolomiti" bikes have started arriving. The model falls under Bianchi's new "Classica" line. Unfortunately, much of the classic content has evaporated.
The pre-production version which appeared in shows had a steel fork to match the steel frame. The final production version now has a carbon fork. To make matters worse the carbon fork is designed for integrated headsets but has now been matched to a frame that uses a non-integrated headset.
Most of the components are black, but the stem is polished alloy. The saddle is a brown San Marco Regal.
Currently, the Dolomiti is sold only as a complete bicycle, $3,299 retail. The component specs are:
Model: Road "Classic" Dolomiti Veloce 10sp Compact
Color: Celeste
Sizes: 49-53-56-59-61
Frame: Bianchi steel w/ chrome lugs, Columbus Spirit tubing
Fork: Bianchi Carbon/Alu 1" steerer
Headset: FSA Orbit X 1"
Shifters: Campagnolo VELOCE
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo VELOCE
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo VELOCE
Crankset: Campagnolo VELOCE Ultra-Torque Compact 50/34
Chain: KMC DX10SC
Sprocket: Campagnolo VELOCE 12/25
Brakes: Campagnolo VELOCE
Rear Hub: FAC Michelin RACING 28H
Front Hub: FAC Michelin RACING 28H
Rims: Ambrosio WS 23 - Silver
Tires: Vittoria RUBINO Slick 700x23c
Stem: Deda Elementi QUATTRO - silver polished
Handlebar: Deda Elementi BIG PIEGA CLASSIC - silver polished
Seatpost: Bianchi RC Carbon - 31.6mm
Saddle: San Marco Regal - dark brown leather
Pedals: Look Keo Easy
Waterbottle Cage: Elite Ciussi Silver
Perhaps Bianchi will go back to the drawing boards and come up with another version of this bike with an appropriate fork, and the new Campagnolo ATHENA alloy group.
Photo: "Classica" as defined at http://www.bianchiusa.com/; final production Bianchi Dolomiti at THE YELLOW JERSEY in Madison, Wisconsin
Related stories:
July 30, 2008: http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2008/07/bianchi-going-retro-in-2009-with.html
April 27, 2009:
Stories, including cycling trip stories, for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact veronaman@gmail.com
Posts
Umm... neither fish nor fowl this.
ReplyDeleteRims are ALL wrong.
Black components and polished stem and chrome lugs? That's just confusing. I think a light high performance retro looking bike can be done at the price point, but you have to be committed to the idea.
The 2010 Dolomiti is much closer to what it should be with Athena 11alloy bits. First thing to go would be the ugly stem but otherwise it's very nice looking. Steel fork is unicrown...but whattay gonna do these days?
ReplyDeleteI have this bike since it was released, and have done over 20k on it...I have replaced the components with Athena in alloy, and it looks great....it turns heads...well done Bianchi...
ReplyDelete