November 17, 2025
Vintage mountain bikes can become great gravel bikes as the frame geometry is suitable, the tire clearances ample enough for large tires and mudguards and the frames resilient, comfortable and well built. In the 1980’s most major bike manufacturers ventured into the mountain bike market as it was the largest sector of growth in the industry and everybody wanted a piece of the action. Born in America, the US brands dominated the market but before long Bianchi, Colnago, and others European manufacturerscame out with mountain bikes while Campagnolo began producing off road specific parts.
A customer recently brought in an old Bianchi ‘Adventure’ frame (made for the European market. In North America, the model was known as a Grizzly) and fork for restoration–we changed a few bosses and made a new fork and then added a fresh coat of pearl white paint. The customer built the bike up using parts that had been collected over the years and had gone unused. At the moment, the bike is outfitted with 26x 1.75 tires, but the frame and fork can easily accommodate much larger 26" tires.
We took the bike for a ride to test it out: it is comfortable to ride, will be great for long distance dirt touring and agile over most terrain. The mechanical group is easy to service and has a wide range of gears. Overall, the old mountain bike is now a great mutli-use rough stuff touring bike.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Campagnolo Ergo Power Levers
- Campangolo Euclid triple crankset with Bash guard plate 55. Sugino small ring 26T, Campagnolo middle ring 36T, Specialites TA Outer ring 48T
- Anti-chain suck device
- Sachs triple front derailleur
- Campagnolo Euclid Triple Rear Derailleur
- Avid Tri-align brakes
- Wheels: Bontrager Valiant Rims 32H, Phil Wood Rear Hub
- Tires: Compass Slumgullian Pass 26 x 1.75” (Clearance for up to 26" x 2.2" tires)
- Chris King headset
- Nitto Handlebars
- Mariposa leather handlebar tape
- Ibis stem - cut, shortened, brazed and repainted in the workshop
- Campagnolo Seatpost
- Blackburn carrier
- White leather saddle tool bag
- Silca pump
