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09-23-05, 01:36 PM
Could someone who knows about these things help me value this wonderful 12-speed Bianchi road bike I picked up at a garage sale for $100 (see photos attached). The previous owner (who paid $160 at a garage sale 6 months ago – funny, I think it’s supposed to go UP in value) said that all he knew was that it was a 1976 model. I’ll try to describe it: The frame is purple/lavender without any noticeable scratches. It measures 52 cm. from seat-post hole to top of pedal crank housing. There is a celeste green decal with dove under the seat that says “Tubi Rinforzate; Bianchi Special; Crono Molibdeno; Produzione Columbus” and another one that says “Made in Italy”. There are “B”s stamped in various locations. The front has the spread-eagle crest with “Edoardo Bianchi”. The only number that is stamped on the frame (at seat post hole) is 0 342 (Is there somewhere else I should be looking? There’s nothing on the bottom). The fork has a similar decal that says “Fodri Forcella; Bianchi Special Columbus” and has “B” stamped on either side. The seat is a white “Sella Italia” with Bianchi on rear. The handle-bar and handle-bar post are both 3ttt. Every single silver-colored piece of hardware – brakes (and brake hoods and pads), derailleurs, gears, pedals, posts, rings, etc. is stamped “Campagnolo” with the wings insignia, with no other ID except “brev inter” and/or “Italy”, so I don’t know if they are the NR set, but let’s assume they are (how can I identify this?). There is one nut (seat post) that says CR-MO. The wheel rims are Mavic (France) and the tires are Michelin Elan (France). The cable covers are all stamped Bianchi, so I assume everything on the bike is original (I changed the handle-bar tape for padded ones). This bike was cared for and loved as it is in pristine shape, and it was perfectly lubricated and adjusted when I bought it. It is the smoothest, lightest ride I have ever known, but I haven’t known too much. Thanks for helping me appraise this bike!