Bianchi X4 Serial Numbers
Bianchi X4 serial numbers, is there a list? This is the most asked question on Velo Aficionado. You can help answer this question by submitting your Bianchi X4 serial number below.
Here are the top 6 reasons why Bianchi X4 owners ask about serial numbers.
Can my Bianchi X4 serial number help identify my X4?
What year and date was my Bianchi Specialissima X4 produced?
How many Bianchi X4’s were made and how many in each year of production. This question is linked to how rare Bianchi X4’s really are?
How many of a certain type were produced and over what timeframe. For example, how many Argentin Bianchi X4’s were produced?
Are the serial numbers different on Pro Team Bianchi X4’s including 1986 team issue Centenario X4’s?
Are serial numbers useful in identifying the evolution and styling of Bianchi X4’s?
From the beginning of 2013, when the first Bianchi X4 blog post was published here on Velo Aficionado, many X4 owners have contacted me seeking help in restoring their Bianchi X4’s. Serial numbers and photographs always followed for comparison. Then came The Bianchi X4 Code an attempt at providing instructions for identifying this rare and highly prized Italian steel. Over time it became obvious that all of these ideas had to be methodically organised, so I set about creating an X4 register. Now after years of searching, there is a list of about 260 Bianchi X4 serial numbers. Even with this small sample, a very clear pattern has emerged.
You can help remove the guesswork from future discussions about the Bianchi X4, by submitting as much detail as possible here.
How You Can Help
Send in photographs of your Bianchi X4. Using We Transfer to theveloaficionado@gmail.com
Below are image examples, listed in order of importance. If you don’t have a lot of time, just a clear picture of the bottom bracket showing the serial number, plus the rear brake bridge will be enough.
The bottom bracket, which type of BB and serial number. Centenario, Bianchi, Cinelli or other Bottom Bracket type.
Bianchi X4 Serial Number E.600 a Columbus SPX frame from early 1988. The number 60 is the frame size which is 60 cm Centre to Top, so a 58 cm frame centre to centre.
The rear brake bridge type, there were different versions.
Critical to get a clear image of the brake bridge.
Columbus Tubing type, SLX, SPX or TSX.
Columbus SLX Tubing decal on Bianchi X4, frame number C.096
Fork crown, three different variations, plus a unicrown on the crossover model to EL Specialissma’s.
Bianchi X4 fork crown matching the frame number C.316, this is the fork crown you will find on most X4’s. The very first X4’s had the highly sought after internal fork crown. Frames with BCOC and some H. numbered X4’s had a different external fork crown. Most X4’s with a H. serial number have a uncrown fork and are the very last X4’s to be produced.
Top tube cable routing, external or internal.
This Bianchi X4 serial number C.096, has external rear brake cable routing. From later TSX frames the rear brake cable was routed internally.
World championship decal, frames built before September 1986 won’t have this decal.
This is one of the very first World Championship decals applied to a Bianchi X4, just after Moreno Argentin won the world professional road title in Colorado Springs. This decal is found on many Bianchi X4’s built after September 1986.
Seat stay attachment to the seat lug - top eyes / stay ends / plugs. Centenario or Bianchi.
Seat stay top eye attachment to the seat lug. 1986 team issue Argentin Bianchi X4’s had Centenario emblazoned into the steel.
Frames with BCOC. and some F. serial numbers from the early 90’s do not have the investment cast top eyes with Bianchi cast into the steel.
BCOC numbered frames have a basic seat stay attachment to the seat lug. Image by Sam Dubois.
Any other details that make your Bianchi Specialissima X4 special. For example the pantographed groupset.
Pantographed and specially anodised Bianchi X4 Campagnolo C Record cranks. This special Campagnolo groupset is rare and only found on a small handful of Bianchi X4’s. Intended for special displays and shows, for example Rollag AG the Swiss Bianchi importer in 1987 had one show bike with this groupset.
2. Fill in the form below add your X4 serial number to the register. Please email or send images via We Transfer of your bottom bracket and rear brake bridge. Especially with clear images of the serial number.
The more serial numbers added, the easier it will be to identify when each X4 was produced.
If you have questions about when your X4 was produced, use the form also to ask for a comparison of your serial number to the others in the register. This way the information gathered will be shared back with you.
Your personal details and photographs will never be shared unless you tell us it is okay to do so.