2005 Bianchi Axis
Part Diary, Part Technical Manual, Part Tips & Tricks

My first new bike in a long time. Bought it new in 2005 at Pacific Bicycles. This cyclocross bike is one of the most versatile bikes I can think of. Sturdy aluminum frame, carbon fork, cantilever brakes, triple chainrings with mountain bike cassette - cyclocross, road racing, touring, fire roads, it does it all.

9/6/2008 - the bike had developed a creak. Like most creaks, they are hard to pin-point. At first I thought the frame was cracked, then I checked the cranks and the pedals, everything was fine. Then it came to me - the cheap plastic cup on the Shimano bottom bracket! I took it off and indeed it had a small crack in it, enough to create the very annoying creak. I happened to have an extra cheap plastic cup, so I put it on and now I'm good.

9/20/2008 - The original 35mm tires were getting worn, so I installed a new pair of 40mm tires that I had laying around. The tires are huge and look like two big balloons. After going on a 40 mile ride, I really felt the extra weight, especially on the climbs.

11/14/2008 - The original chain broke and scratched up my bottom bracket a bit. I put on a new SRAM chain on.

8/29/2009 - The 40mm tires were just too large, so I finally put on some 32mm tires with a folding bead.

11/12/2010 - I sold the bike on craigslist to a personal trainer. She plans on using it for commuting and might begin cyclocross racing. At first I was reconsidering whether I should sell it or not, but seeing her ride the bike, I realized it was really too small for me. Instead of sitting in my garage, the bike will get a lot more use.

Here are the specs:

Frame: Bianchi Axis, Easton UltraLite Race aluminum tubing, 52cm, 130mm spacing. Serial Number: H4H00598.
Fork: Bianchi Axis carbon fiber with alloy 1-1/8" threadless steerer.
Wheelset: Alex ALX 320 rims with Alex cartridge bearing hub with stainless flat bladed spokes, 130mm width. These wheels are pretty light and have stayed true and trouble free for me.
Tires: Ritchey SpeedMax Pro cyclocross tires, 700mm x 32mm, Kevlar bead.
Cranks: Sugino XD500T, aluminum, 170mm, 110 BCD.
Chainring: Sugino 26/36/48T.
Cassette: SRAM, 11-32T 9spd. I've found this gearing combination to be great, near mountain bike level granny gear, but the top gear is tall enough for me too. Totally versatile.
Front Derailer: Shimano 105 FD-5504, 31.8mm.
Rear Derailer: Shimano XT RD-M750, 9spd.
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-UN54, 110mm spindle.
Headset: Cane Creek IS6 integrated headset. I replaced the super cheap OEM Tange unit with this nice Cane Creek model.
Chain: SRAM PC 991, 9spd.
Handlebar: Deda Elementi Piega, 6061 T6 double butted aluminum, 25.4mm diameter. 37.5cm width, 10.2cm reach, 14.0cm drop.
Stem: Bianchi Componenti, 100mm reach.
Brakes: Shimano cantilever BR-R550.
Brake Levers: Shimano 105 STI with Cane Creek Crosstop inline levers.
Pedal: Wellgo SPD, celeste with Bianchi logo.
Seatpost: Ritchey Comp, aluminum, 27.2mm diameter, 400mm length.
Saddle: WTB Rocket V Race Carbon saddle.
Bottlecage: Tacx Tao, black.

The bike currently weighs 21lbs 11oz as shown.

The following are OE parts that I am currently not using:

Bottom Bracket: Tange, 110.5mm spindle.
Chain: Shimano Hyperglide CN-HG53, 9spd.
Seatpost: Bianchi Componenti, 27.2mm diameter. The bonding of the clamp and the seatpost came loose and had started creaking, so since them I only buy single piece seatposts.
Headset: Tange integrated headset.

Here is a link to the original 2005 Bianchi Axis page.