Classic & Vintage - Selling Bianchi Superleggera - don't want to end up a "Numbskull"!

Hi there,

My dad gave me a bike last week, since I don't have one. "I got it from a guy at work a couple of years ago," he said. "I don't know anything about it. But I think it's a decent bike. Do whatever you want with it."

Naturally, being a broke college student, I'm going to sell it.

So far I've figured out that it's a celeste Bianchi Superleggera, good condition (no rust that I can see, nothing seems bent or broken), with the following components:

seat- Super Turbo
Seatpost-Campagnolo
headset- Campagnolo
front derailleur-Campagnolo
water bottle holder- Bianchi
front brake- Campagnolo
rear brake - Campagnolo
rear derailleur- you guessed it...Campagnolo
chainring - Campagnolo
crank arm - Campagnolo
pedals- no name (seem cheap and modern)
front/rear hubs - Campagnolo
handlebar - Cinelli
shift levers (on down tube) - Campagnolo
hand brakes (on handlebars) - Shimano 600

size:
length of seat tube: about 60 cm
length of top tube: about 51 cm

I'm a writer and a rock climber. I know jack about bicycles. (I've been studying "bicycle anatomy" diagrams and "how to sell your used bike" articles for the last four hours. Urgh.) But I don't want to end up a "Numbskull of the week" - which I easily could, since, as I said, I'm not a bike person.

My questions are, in no particular order: where should I sell this Bianchi, how much should I ask for it, and how do I describe it so I don't end up on the "numbskull" thread?

Thanks in advance,
I really appreciate it.

Shel

Hi there,

My dad gave me a bike last week, since I don't have one. "I got it from a guy at work a couple of years ago," he said. "I don't know anything about it. But I think it's a decent bike. Do whatever you want with it."

Naturally, being a broke college student, I'm going to sell it.

So far I've figured out that it's a celeste Bianchi Superleggera, good condition (no rust that I can see, nothing seems bent or broken), with the following components:

seat- Super Turbo
Seatpost-Campagnolo
headset- Campagnolo
front derailleur-Campagnolo
water bottle holder- Bianchi
front brake- Campagnolo
rear brake - Campagnolo
rear derailleur- you guessed it...Campagnolo
chainring - Campagnolo
crank arm - Campagnolo
pedals- no name (seem cheap and modern)
front/rear hubs - Campagnolo
handlebar - Cinelli
shift levers (on down tube) - Campagnolo
hand brakes (on handlebars) - Shimano 600

size:
length of seat tube: about 60 cm
length of top tube: about 51 cm

I'm a writer and a rock climber. I know jack about bicycles. (I've been studying "bicycle anatomy" diagrams and "how to sell your used bike" articles for the last four hours. Urgh.) But I don't want to end up a "Numbskull of the week" - which I easily could, since, as I said, I'm not a bike person.

My questions are, in no particular order: where should I sell this Bianchi, how much should I ask for it, and how do I describe it so I don't end up on the "numbskull" thread?

Thanks in advance,
I really appreciate it.

Shel


Either the seat tube or the top tube length is probably wrong. Measure again or fix the typo.

A picture would be nice.

well, your dad was right. It is a nice bicycle. It's gonna bring about $500 on eBay, plus shipping. You have a buddy that hangs out trading stuff on eBay? Let them post it, low feedback scores are gonna cost you a couple hundred. I don't know about Craig's list...you might be able to get a fair price for it since you live in da big city. Is the rear derailleur all silver or is it black and silver? Does the seatpost have little vertical grooves (flutes) in it or is it smoove?

Luker,

The rear der is all silver. The seatpost is smooth.

I'll get pics up as soon as my camera charges...

Thanks so much guys!

Shel

I bet the seat tube is about 54cm CTC and that it was measured Bottom of BB shell to
top of seat tube. . .
Shel, measure from the middle of the bottom bracket (where pedal spindle enters) to the middle
of the top tube, this is a much better measurement and more useful when you do sell it.
If it is a Superleggera don't ask for less than $500 (unless you sell it to me and then I'll give ya
a buck3.80 :D ) (I do this in every thread, who knows might get lucky!).
How did you determine that model?
On the campy rear derailleur there should be a date, i.e. Pat 74 , the age will play a major
roll in the value of the bike. The older the model the more it's gonna be worth.

Personally, I'd keep it and move towards becoming a bike person, who knows you
just might like it.

Marty

I think...that the older models came with nuovo record and the newer models came with super record. The date on the derailleur will help, as will any pictures that you may provide.

Remember, dads are always right. About that skinny long-haired climber dude too...unless he has a Petzl or a Northface sponsorship...

It says "superleggera" (actually, it says S PERLEGG RA- some of the stickers have rubbed away) on the top tube. And I haven't been able to find a "Pat. XX" mark on the rear derailleur...it just says "PATENT."

I would consider keeping the bike but it's too big for me...I'm 5'0".

Shel

Shel
The Patent only Nuovo Record derailleur was produced from 1967 thru 1970. There are
ways of identifying the earlier ones (67 and 68) but I can't recall that off hand. Anyhow
this gives you a rough idea of the bikes vintage (assuming that the RD is original).
There are other date codes on the campy components, the nuts on the hubs and on
the inside of the crankarms.
There was an 80's Super Leggera on ebay that went to $550 and did not meet reserve.
Now, given that this is a mid to late 60's model and they were not common bikes
I'd say this is worth more than $500.00 . I know that if the dating is correct the
classic rendezvous guys will go nuts over this (I know I would) given it isn't a weird
sized frame. (less than 50cm or more than 58cm).

Marty

I don't think it's a late 60s model. I figured out that what I was looking at (with "Patent" on it) wasn't the rear derailleur, but a lever of some sort, also Campagnolo, on the side of the rear hub opposite the rear derailleur. Whoops.

There's no date on the rear derailleur that I can find- ??

There's a date code on the crankarm that indicates it was made in the 80s (there's a "32" in a square- according to a Campagnolo timeline I found, square = eighties). I can't find out what model year that indicates, though.

Would you guys still recommend ebay (I can use my friend's account, with 1000+ ratings and 99.8% positive feedback)? Or should I try craigslist Minneapolis first? Price?

Thanks again,
Shel

Oh yeah. Ebay is where to go with that bike, especially if your friend will sell it for you. Let us know what the auction number is so we can watch it and dream - this is gonna sound weird, but I believe the way to maximize it is to start it out low with no reserve. But you'll pay in anxiety what you make in the end. If that sounds too risky start it out at 3-400 dollars and watch what happens.

The patent date will be on the part of the derailleur that is most toward the back of the bike. That part is nearly the highest part of the derailleur as well. The part that the bolt passes through that hooks the derailleur to the bike.

Shel

These pictures might help with your ID. The one is of the rear derailleur and you can see the word "Patent" near the top. The second picture is a close-up of the first in the specific area where you need to look. Good luck with your sale.

Bob

Thank you Bob! I appreciate your taking the time/trouble to post photos.

You've all been so helpful-

Shel

hey, I wouldn't sneeze at an 82 Superleggera either.
the no patent had me worried there, figure if you're 5'0 and it's too
big probably fit me and I just knew I was gonna be in deep doodoo with the
wife if I went nuts bidding on it. A late 60's Bianchi Superleggera ? I figured
you were looking at $2k easy.

marty

I would consider keeping the bike but it's too big for me...I'm 5'0".If you can straddle it with about an inch clearance, it's not too big. If you can't straddle it at all, it's too big.

For those who were curious, the thing was Chorus or Athena equipped and closed for $427 with $70(!) shipping...

A superleggera bare frame (56 cm) and fork w/bottom bracket went for $355.00 recently on ebay. I forgot about it or would have bid at that price.

These are really nice frames/forks, fully chromed under the paint, columbus SL/SP tubing, nice lug work, campagnolo dropouts. An early 80s (80-81) vintage should have mixed nuovo/super record group, later 80s full super record and late 80s (86) chorus group.

I've got an 82 in a rare color, black.

For some pics from Bianchi catalogs see:
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-81a/pg2.jpg
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-81c/7.jpg
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-83/08.jpg
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-84/6.jpg
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-86/3.jpg