Bianchi SPECIALISSIMA X4 SPX year build 1988, Road Bike Of The Year at Pushies Galore 2015
Pushies Galore 2015 is done and dusted. This year is the first time I'd brought along some of my own bikes to enter into the Pushies Galore show 'n' shine. Two Bianchi Specialissima X4's, the Bianchi Specialissima X4 Piaggio team bike and a totally original Bianchi X4 that had been kept in almost new condition since 1988. It's a fun day out at Pushies and entering a bike into the show 'n' shine is just part of being able to share your own special bike with everyone who attends. The thought of going home with a prize isn't something that I'd set out to do. On the Pushies show 'n' shine page they explain ... "We want to encourage a spirit of sharing in the show ‘n’ shine: for us, all bikes are beautiful. That being said, we do award prizes on the day. We have a group of judges select the winner in each category. Winners getting bragging rights, but no sheep stations." Given the bragging rights but no sheep stations concept, there's still some very stiff competition across all categories. The calibre of the bikes entered into the road bike category was exceptionally high. So when the 1988 original Bianchi X4 won the the road bike category I was very pleased, but at the same time all the others are winners too. I hadn't intended entering this X4 into the Pushies show 'n' shine, then two weeks out, on a whim I spent the weekend detailing the Bianchi from Cologne ready for the show! There were so many beautiful and unique bikes on display, that Pushies Galore certainly has become the place to be under the mid winter Australian sun.
When I hunted the web for an authentic Bianchi X4, Karl's bike was the only one that I came across, that had not been stripped of it's parts and sold off as a frame only, or a repaint, or one those bikes you see that has components that simply don't belong on an X4. This one was the real deal and if it was going to sit beside my meticulous Bianchi Piaggio restoration it had to be a good one!
I’ve included below some edited notes from Karl from Cologne who I bought the X4 from, and who has carefully kept this beautiful Bianchi Specialissima in authentic and exceptionally well preserved condition since 1989.
This BIANCHI racing bike is guaranteed a specialissima X4 from the year 1988, bought in 1989.
Except for the brake cables the BIANCHI is in genuine condition. (Editors note : I’ve since sourced and installed a set of NOS Casiraghi - Bianchi cables.) The paint has not been restored nor any components polished. The frame, saddle and handlebars as well as the pedals were ridden fewer than 500 km. All other Campagnolo components and the wheels fewer than 1,600 km. Only in sunny weather.
This specialissima x4 (for my feeling fortunately) escaped the engraving obsession of Campagnolo components, which therefore present themselves in simple beauty. Together with the 60 cm frame (58 cm ctr to ctr) and the unique 3 ttt handlebars, which have a beautiful curved drop and outward sweep and hand stitched Celeste Almarc leather, this BIANCHI x4 delivers a statement of classic Italian steel. An exceptional exemplar of a mid 1980’s professional racing bike with inimitable elegance.
History: Looking for a good second-hand Campagnolo-Record group for my de Rosa frame I had the opportunity to purchase this almost new BIANCHI bike at the end of 1989. The seller had bought the Specialissima x4 at the beginning of 1989, only riding a few kilometres before he decided to change over to mountain bike riding.
With the De Rosa, combined with the Campagnolo-group and the wheels of the x4, I rode fewer than 1,200 km (because of scarce leisure time due to work pressures). So the low different mileage of the unique BIANCHI bicycle parts becomes self explanatory. KARL.
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The story of an almost new 1988 Bianchi x4, ridden only a few km's. Winner of Road Bike Of The Year at Pushies Galore 2015.