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Bianchi Folgorissima 'Super Lightning' - 1950

Posted: Wednesday 12th August 2020

Owned By: N. S.

Frame1950 Bianchi Folgorissima frame no. 285030; seat tube 56cm c to c, top tube 57.5cm c to c.
WheelsNISI “Moncalieri” (Aluminium) sprint rims on F.B. for Bianchi hubs (aluminium /steel), with Campagnolo QR skewer with modern made tubs having a vintage look. 28mm
ChainsetF.B. for Bianchi. 49 tooth chainwheel. (Steel).
PedalsSheffield with Cornez toeclips
Gearspre "Paris Roubaix" engraved Una Leva derailleur with 4-speed freewheel, Regina 3/32” chain
BrakesUniversal Mod. 50. (Aluminium / Steel)
Stem/BarsAmbrosio “Bianchi” (steel).
SaddleAquila. (Leather / Steel)
Extra detailsTotal bicycle weight = 24.5 Lbs, 11.1 Kgs
I acquired this Bianchi from the original owner in Italy in the 1990s he had kept it in his living room! It was his "baby"!
Incredibly it has survived, save the tyres, with all its original components.
It had many layers of blue cotton bar tape which I carefully removed and replaced with the same coloured cotton tape.
I have ridden it on the road and mastered the Campag Una Leva gear change. It changes as fast as any modern derailleur but it is imperative that when the skewer is released, DO NOT PEDAL FORWARD! The wheel shoots out of the frame in an instant!
Ambrosio “Bianchi” engraved steel stem
Ambrosio “Bianchi” engraved steel stem
Four views of the working end of the gear clearly showing the 'toothed' rear ends to 'walk' the hub backwards and forwards
Four views of the working end of the gear clearly showing the 'toothed' rear ends to 'walk' the hub backwards and forwards
Where it all starts - the sigle (Una Leva) gear lever
Where it all starts - the sigle (Una Leva) gear lever
Bianchi steel single 49T chainset made by F B
Bianchi steel single 49T chainset made by F B
Two images of an unusual front mini-mudguard which pushes onto the brake bolt to secure as can be seen in left image.
Two images of an unusual front mini-mudguard which pushes onto the brake bolt to secure as can be seen in left image.
This and right image Everything Bianchi
This and right image Everything Bianchi
Frame number clearly visible on seat lug
Frame number clearly visible on seat lug
FB/Bianchi hub
FB/Bianchi hub
NISI “Moncalieri” (Aluminium) sprint rims
NISI “Moncalieri” (Aluminium) sprint rims

The Bianchi “Folgorissima” was introduced in mid 1949 as Bianchi’s top of the range racing bicycle. It was introduced to show case the new Campagnolo “Una Leva” 4-speed derailleur. The Folgorissima model was short-lived as in April of 1950, the great Italian racing Campionissimo, Fausto Coppi, rode a Bianchi Folgorissima to victory in the Paris-Roubaix spring classic race. As a result, Bianchi immediately re-named the Folgorissima to “Paris-Roubaix”!
The Bianchi Folgorissima existed on the Bianchi inventory for less than one year making it the scarcest Bianchi racing bicycle ever produced.

Thanks for reading

Posted: Wednesday 12th August 2020

Owned By: N. S.

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