Its been a while since I came across the inspiration for another project. Oddly enough I found a beach cruiser in the trash to fix up now that Im in Wilmington, but that just started a notion.Lets build a "vintage" roadie with the biggest tires I can squeeze on the frame and that calls for a touring or cross frame.All my other frames, save the Axis, can handle a maximum of a 28mm tire. Most only 25's. Luckily, I found a craigslist ad for a 55cm 1988 Bianchi Volpe frame. Made from Bianchi Superset steel and tig welded, this touring frame was the perfect canvas so to speak. Ive always been fond of Bianchi frames and this would make it #6. From what I understand the Volpe was a late model derivative of the Axis and since I love the Axis in its current state, why not try its little sibling. It had an electric conversion kit on it and the nice guy who had it listed was really only interested in the kit. He purchased it from the original owner, who gave me the receipt and
Well I decided to downsize and sold the Olmo today. It went to a nice guy who appreciates steel frame bikes from Philly via the low country of SC. He made a trip to Charlotte just to pick it up, so it was nice to talk about bikes and look at what I have left. --- I found a great looking OLMO Sintex frame, evidently from the early 90's. I haven't found any catalogue cuts but narrowed down the pantographed signatures on the seat stays, BB and fork lugs to the early 90's. Regardless, its a wonderful iridescent turquoise with a pearl sheen to the point. This 56cm frame is made from Columbus SLX steel. Ive built it up with the random parts from the Tommasini America and went with white tires and bar tape(which I quickly changed from the blue in these pics. A few pics from when I unbolted it. The wheels were an extra set I had laying around. Looks like the BB has the frame size stamped as well as what must be a serial number 61C? The previous owner replaced the head badge deca