1994 Bianchi Osprey… my first “real” MTB?

After fucking around with the front derailleur (and wondering why I didn’t go 1x9) to get it the right height and angle so it didn’t rub on any of the chainrings, then getting everything to shift properly, I finally finished it.

Of course I have a cold thanks to my son and it’s going to be shitty weather the next few days, so I don’t know when I’ll be able to actually ride it properly.

But it rides well, it fits me and it brakes and shifts well.

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Very nice. Could you possibly oblige me with a shot or two of how that rack bolts to the canti bosses? I can’t seem to work out how to fit one and suspect I have a special fixing(s) missing.

There’s a little bracket at the end of each stay that has a hole in it. The brake bolt goes through that and clamps the rack to the boss. You can kind of see it in these pictures.

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Lovely stuff, looks great!

Oh, now I see. It’s exactly that little flat / 90 deg folded metal tab thing that comes off the ‘feet’ of the rack and that sit behind the canti boss bolt I’m missing.
Will see if someone like SJS have something, or buy some meccano off eb*y and bodge it.
Unless some on here has spares?
Thanks very much.

Realllly love this build. Those bars look great, do you rate them?

Yeah, definitely. This is the third bike I’ve put them on, and they’re great. Particularly with the ergo grips.

Finally had a chance to take this out on the type of ride that I built it for. It performed perfectly. The big tyres were great, and it was nice have a triple crankset. I think this will be my go to bike for longer rough gravel rides, but even for smooth gravel roads, it was nice to put it in the big chainring feel like I’m not spinning out. I’m intrigued to see how it goes for anything over 50km in length, because that’s when I start wanting more hand positions. I’ve only done maximum 35km in distance. Hopefully it will be good for some overnighters later this year.

Few things I will upgrade in the near future, but I’m in no rush to do:

• A bigger cassette. Maybe up to 40t if I can fit it and find a 9 speed one cheap enough.
• Steerer extender. The bars are a touch too low.
• Velo Orange Mojave 1L bottle cage.
• Out front Wahoo computer mount.

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looks lovely

This is excellent. Well done on the build!

Thanks. It’s a fun bike.

How it started vs. how it’s going.

EDIT: Just realised the saddle to bar drop on both isn’t that different.

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Lovely stuff.

Love your work👊🏻

That ‘How it started vs how it’s going’ feels true of the forum too. Times change!

Found the SimWorks Getaround bars a touch too low, so invested in some SimWorks CowCow bars and new Nitto stem.

Before and after below.

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oh yes

Loved the look of it on the getarounds but those CowCows look great. Solid build!
How are you getting on with the front rack? I need something to attach a 139 basket to but I'm worried about weight limits.

love the frame, easily one of the best brexit crusts on the forum! let me know if you're selling the getarounds xD

It’s been fine. I think it’s rated at 9kg. I’ve had no issues carrying what I need to.

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Not for sale, sorry. Will save them for another dad bike build.

Swapped the wheelset from the Gary (Carry) Fisher. They’re some nice Mavic rims with better hubs. I think the silver rims suit this bike more, plus they’re a touch lighter than what was on there. Also installed a Velo Orange Mojave bottle cage for all my Nalgene carrying duties.

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I like this a lot! Looks spot on and like a lot of fun.

just read from start to finish. lovely build.

Saw this one on insta - absolute beauty and is inspiring me for my latest build!