Got a new Project!
For a while now, I’ve been looking for a 80-90’s mountain bike to tinker with. I lucked out and found this Bianchi Nyala on Craigslist. The seller had it for $50, but I was able to get it for $40.
During my lunch break, I drove down to pick up this guy. I was pretty delighted to see that the bike was actually in decent condition. He had it in his storage unit for the last 5 years collecting dust. In reality, all it needs is some air in the tires, a good washing and lube.
My favorite part of the bike, lugs!
More lugs.
Seeing this sticker made me feel so much better about my purchase.
I have BRAND NEW 7-8Speed cassettes, chains and shifters that might just call this bike, home….
I’m looking forward to this project because its going to be fun to ride a 90’s era steel bike on the trail. Besides, ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted a Bianchi.
Cool. Frame looks good. I like the straight/flat bars. Are you going to keep the v-brakes on it?
Thanks Dan.
Those are actually Canti-Lever brakes. I may just keep them on there to preserve the 90’s look. But I’ll probably upgrade the wheels and get new shifters and brake levers.
I think that’s the same thing, i.e. both terms are describing the same brake. If not, you’d have to explain the difference to me.
V and cantilever brakes are NOT the same thing. One is linear/direct-pull (the V brake) with no separate straddle cable and have more mechanical advantage than cantilevers. They fit ont the same mounting posts…that’s really the only similarity between brakes.
Molded!!!
Jk jk. Jus wanted to play out the 80s theme.
Awesome bike! Cant wait to see it!
Dan and Jack.
I have a new set of Tektro V-Brakes that will most likely go on this bike and I may convert it to a 1x8speed.
Sounds like a good setup…you’ll have to swap the 7-speed freehub body for an 8/9, though. Unless, of course, you use the “8 on 7” method by Sheldon Brown:
“Any 7-speed Shimano Hyperglide Freehub will actually work with 8 sprockets, without any modification! What you need to do is to use 8 of the sprockets from a 9-speed cassette, with the 9-speed spacers.
To make this work, you’ll also need to use a 9-speed chain and shifters.”
I just realized I have a Mega-Range 7Spd freewheel. It has a 34t!
Jack I found a 7spd HG cassette in m stash and have installed it. Oooh its so shiny! Do you think a 9spd chain will work with it?
I think a 9-speed chain would work…the cog thicknesses between 7- and 9-speeds weren’t that different. It MAY hang up on the older chainrings, though. It’s worth a try — you’ll know immediately if it doesn’t work and can then use the chain on another project before it gets chewed up.
Megarange!!! That’s a big cog (with some nasty jumps in ratio on the rest of the cassette)!
Well I was working on this bike until midnight trying to install new cables,V-brakes, bars, shifters and tires.
Unfortunately the new SRAM 5.0 twist grip shifters I have just wouldn’t work properly with the old rear der. I’m guessing the ratio might be the issue. So I’m going to go with an old school friction shifter.
I’m almost done with it.