Dave Martinez, Stevan Thomas, and Steven Maasland contributed comments (see copy below) on a Bianchi Paris Roubaix Bike I am selling on ebay. I am writing to further elaborate on the bicycle. I am selling it to raise some tuition money for my children's education. I purchased the bike from Nigel Scott/Martin Coopland several years ago. I was told by Nigel that the bars/stem were original to the bike. Nigel purchased it from the original owner (a Brit) that imported it to England. I defer to Steven Massland's expertise in this area so obviously this detail may not be correct. I know little about the steel Ambrosio bars and stem but I have always liked the delicate appearance of them. Perhaps Steven or another list member could comment on the age, etc... .
The BB axle DOES have the Bianchi "B" marking but it is somewhat faded and does not show well in the photograph. The rear hub is marked "Bianchi"; the front hub is a three piece FB with an open C Campy QR. The rims are sewup type but unmarked. They have a near semicircular cross section somewhat like a Conloy/Constrictor. The pedals have a the name "Cobra" on the their dust caps. I don't know anything about this brand; perhaps another list member could comment.
I believe Stevan Thomas is correct in his observation that "the below chain stay" Paris Roubaix was a last gasp iteration of the rod changer mechanisms. I really don't know how common this derailleur is; I have not seen another one (comments?....).
Chris Gonzalez Carmel, CA
Dave outed the following auction
> Check out the interesting 50's Bianchi Paris-Roubaix with the odd prototype
> Campagnolo derailleur.
This bike is an odd agglomeration of bits and pieces. While it has plenty of shine and sheen, it is not terribly original. The repaint has been quite well done, with a 'celeste' that closely ressembles those we have now become accustomed to. Most period bikes would have aged to a much lighter green (who knows what they looked like new?) The decals are however not the correct ones for the age of the shifter. By the time the lower reach PR shifter was brought out (right at the end of the life of the the PR in the mid-50's), the bikes were labeled as Bianchi Paris-Roubaix on the DT, not Bianchi as seen. The stem is also not correct for the vintage of the gear as it would have been a Bianchi branded alloy stem made by Ambrosio. The same for the bars. The brake calipers are the correct Universal model (mod.51) but are a later iteration thereof (either late 50's or early 60's.) In fact the brake caliper spring is held in place by a 'nub' on the back of the arms instead of by the spring bent around the arm as in the early 50's. The brake levers are also not original to the bike according to the description, as again here they would have been alloy and not steel. The crankset is missing the 'B' emblem caps on the BB axle and the blue chainring bolts. I can't comment on the hubs (they should have a script 'Bianchi' marking on them), pedals, rear brake or rims as they are not visible in the photos.
-- Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ ------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 18:20:01 -0800