Do I restore it or turn it into a Gravel bike?

[Markellis]

I’m taking delivery of this Bianchi M Alloy Pro tomorrow. I believe it’s a 2003 model.

 

I’m itching to build up a gravel bike and wondering if this will be a good project or would it be better to restore it back to some sort of it’s former glory.

 

It’s has a Campy Veloce groupset, which needs some work I believe.

 

Is this old enough to be considered a classic and if so is it worth restoring?

[Grease_Monkey]

First question I would ask before considering a gravel build - what tyre clearance does it have? From my limited knowledge of road bikes from that era it may not have space for anything bigger than a 25c tyre which will not be ideal for gravel...

 

Other than that I have no input about it being a classic or not.

[Trance Dance]

Definitely not a gravel bike! It deserves to be restored and ridden. (what size is it)

[Alouette3]

Better off keeping it a road bike and restoring or just servicing.

 

Easier to convert a MTB to gravel normal,as they have better tyre clearance, frames built for a rougher road and disk brakes give more choice with rims and wheels that can be used

[Markellis]

Thanks guys, I think it’s going to be the restored and ride project.

[Ampandy]

Turn it into a single speed and really have some fun

[boesman88]

It is old enough to be considered a classic I think - if this is anything to go by (Same era Cannondale): https://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/video/retro-vs-modern-cannondale-pro-bikes-cipollinis-caad3-vs-uran-s-supersix-evo

[Trance Dance]

It is old enough to be considered a classic I think - if this is anything to go by (Same era Cannondale): https://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/video/retro-vs-modern-cannondale-pro-bikes-cipollinis-caad3-vs-uran-s-supersix-evo

Thanks for sharing that! Interesting watch, I love my caad3!