I had a 60cm Bianchi Strada. Serial number ran similar to yours but over the Bianchi years, I have found the serial numbers to be completely worthless! My Bianchi was a 1967 and also used a 26.8. I also had an older frameset yet which was very similar to the 67 but was made in the late 50s, tubing was rumored to be A1 (does anyone have a clue regarding this tubing) or some designation like that as informed by the original owner, can't remember the make though, whether Columbus or Reynolds...just A1. the major difference was the way the cables were run. The 50s ran them along the top tube with metal clamps while the 60s used clips built into the top tube. The 60s decals said Strada on them, the 50s had little orginal decals left but the celeste paint shined! Hope this all helps. My frames were not high end. Both had the cheap funky non integrated headtube/headset...they also did not have chrome lugs. My dream is to find one with chrome lugs and headtube and the whole enchilada...in a 59cm frameset c-t hint hint.
Walter Skrzypek
Falls Creek, Pa
> In a message dated 2/27/02 9:18:14 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> jim@alandavid.com writes:
>
> << I was under the impression that SP tubing was used on the larger
framesets
> such as yours and SL was on the smaller framesets for bikes that utilized
> Columbus tubing. So I would think that your bike is a distinct model
> regardless of the tubing inner diameters. We are talking about the
Bianchi
> you rode on Saturday right? >>
> Hi Jim,
> Yes that's the bike. I do have to say that this is the first Bianchi I've
had
> with SP tubing. I've had three others the same size or larger that were SL
> tubing, and I've seen many Specialissimas 60 to 64cm that all had 27.2
seat
> posts and SL tubing. It seems that the average high end bike buyer was
more
> impressed by the light weight and smother ride of SL tubing than by frame
> stiffness, so more Specialissimas were sold. I think the model designation
> goes with the tube set, and would be interested to verify that by hearing
> from any owners of smaller frame size Competiziones. If any of you out
there
> have a Competizione, is your seatpost a 26.8 and what size is your frame?
> What's your serial number and do you know what year your frame is? My
serial
> number is 200968.
> Stevan Thomas
> Alameda, CA