Not every bike has achieved it’s finest expression right out of the box, and so it is with my Bianchi L’Eroica. After several hundred miles of time in the saddle (including Eroica Hispania) I have come up with a few changes that I will make. Not that any of it will improve the performance of the bike, which is already great at this point, but just to add some style points. After all, can a classic bike ever really be too classic?
The first change is to the wheels. I do like the look of high flange hubs but this bike just needs more Campy stuff. The Dia Compe hubs will be replaced with some Campagnolo Chorus 10 speed hubs from eBay. Also, the rims are just a little narrower than I prefer. They were probably fine for the 23c tires that came on this bike but since I am running 32’s I would like to go a little wider. The Velo Orange Raid rim has the right look and is a nice and wide 25 mm. This should give a nicer profile to the Compass Stampede Pass tires which I am using. The new wheels will be built using new DT spokes and a 2x – 3x combination lacing pattern, which I think is interesting, but am told (by wheel builders that I trust) make for a very stout wheel!
Next will be to change the crank-set. The ENE-Ciclo unit that came on the bike is basically fine but the small ring is only a 36 tooth unit. The 96 bcd pattern will allow for a ring as small as a 32 tooth but they do not seem to be available. The are shown on the manufacturer website but apparently are not available in the aftermarket. I can swap to a VO Gran Compe model (a TA copy) which has many choice of ring sizes, all of which are currently available.
The Brooks Professional saddle that came on the bike is just fine but I found an Eroica California edition of the B-17. It is embossed with the Eroica logo and carries the theme of this bike just one step further. I just have to break it in again.
I have been using a Brooks Isle of Wight seat bag which has been fine, but I found that for Eroica type events I just don’t need that much carrying capacity. Instead I will use a Mopha tool roll which attaches nicely with toe clip straps and carries all that I need. The Brooks bag will switch over to one of my other bikes where I can use more carry space.
Lastly, for everyday riding I will put on my SPD pedals. I guess that I have evolved to prefer clip-less pedals for everyday riding. Of course I will still use the traditional pedal on Eroica events. Here is a link to the original build for this bike. I may not be done yet, but these things sometimes take some time!
The Utah Randonneur 
May 8, 2020 at 9:37 am
Do you think that any Italian 70, 116 square taper bb would work with the original cranks or should only the exact model bb originally put on the bike by Bianchi be used? I am trying to find and buy a replacement backup bb that would work for that dia compe (Bianchi branded original crankset).
Thanks for your time and info,
Jordan
May 8, 2020 at 5:52 am
Did you require special proprietary crank remover tools to remove the stock old crankset and bottom bracket from the bike before you put the new one on?
May 8, 2020 at 8:58 am
The original crank-set came off with a standard crank puller tool. Nothing fancy needed!
September 24, 2019 at 5:52 am
Hi, I would like to ask you if after 4 years Bianchi L’Eroica was a good choice.I like this bike so much, I’m from Italy and Bianchi Is a myth, but I’m always scared that is just a marketing product.
Thank you
Francesco
September 26, 2019 at 11:38 am
Sorry for the delayed reply, I have been unavailable for a few days.
Yes, after many rides on this bike I am still enjoying it. It is a good bike as it comes, but with the modifications described above it is much better. The lesser quality components that were replaced worked fine, but in my opinion a Bianchi should have Campagnolo wherever possible. Although I do not know what the current pricing is I think the bike was somewhat overpriced when it was introduced. Especially when it needed some changes to make it ideal for an Eroica type event. I cannot advise you on whether or not to buy one but I can tell you that I am still happy with the purchase for myself.
September 27, 2019 at 4:04 am
Thank you for your review.
Francesco
December 8, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Latest Marinoni SL upgrade – Tubular wheelset consisting of Chorus hubs (32H), DT spokes with Ambrosio Montreal rims (since the frame is Canadian made in Montreal) with incredible Veloflex Vlaanderen tubulars. At 27 mm they just fit in the frame.
My first vintage ride was the Turas Mor with many km’s of gravel, including a large distance of freshly placed material that made for tough and dicey riding.
January 7, 2018 at 7:43 pm
It is as Eroica as the Bianchi – a Vintage Style that qualifies according to the regulation for Eroica events.
All components are in polished silver.
The hubs are Chorus, rims are H Son+ and tires are
Challenge Strada Pro 700 x 25 handmade clinchers.
I may mount the Paris-Roubaix 27, both measure +2 mm bigger.
January 7, 2018 at 8:20 am
I went the other route after viewing the Bianchi Eroica.
Start with a new Marinoni Retro SL frame and built it upkeeping the classic look.
Campagnolo Potenza 11-32 compact 50/34, Deda bar/stem/seatpost, Brooks pro saddle & tape, NOS Campagnolo SR brakes and pedals, Chorus hubs/H SON + TB14 rims/DT spokes.
January 7, 2018 at 7:11 pm
Wow, that should be quite a bike! Not a L’Eroica ride though? Is that a SON Dynohub? Do you ride at night much?
October 28, 2017 at 10:00 pm
Surprised that the frame/fork allowed a tire of 700×32.
How much clearance was there?
October 28, 2017 at 10:12 pm
It seems that there is clearance for at least 35c tires, perhaps even 38’s!