Classic & Vintage - Should I buy this bianchi?

Okay, I just heard that I have a second chance offer on this ebay bianchi.

ebay auction # 160025224224

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160025224224&sspagename=ADME:B:SCO:US:1

First of all does anyone know for sure what frame this is or year? Is it Italian made or japanese?

The offer is for $285. It is more than I planned on spending for my next project start up because I was looking at Miyata's and Univega's from the same era in the 175-200 range. But I like bianchi's and this weird pink one seems to be exactly my size and 285 didn't seem crazy to me. A bid of 330 won (I thought it would go for between 325-375, but I'm no expert) but now my "well if I get it for this" bid is a go. I'm not looking for a perfect deal, just not get ripped off.

Second thing. I was thinking of doing a 650b conversion on the bike so I could put fat tires and fenders on it (I would keep the original parts for later restoration) does anyone know if this is a good candidate for that kind of convesrion, or should i just learn how to change tubulars?

So, should I buy it?

Thanks,
Brynnar

Pink is awesome. Chicks dig it. I would say the price is fair. It is a columbus frame afterall with super record front and rear derailleurs and shifters (worth at least 100 on it's own). If it is your size I would say go for it if you are going to keep and love it. Not a top commuter conversion candidate in my opinion. If I were commuting is would have to change the gearing as well.

I don't think those are tubulars on that bike. Never heard of a Bonty Select tubular tire and the tread is extremely straight in the picture of the front wheel. Also I don't see any base tape showing. It looks like a set of clinchers to me.

I don't think those are tubulars on that bike. Never heard of a Bonty Select tubular tire and the tread is extremely straight in the picture of the front wheel. Also I don't see any base tape showing. It looks like a set of clinchers to me.Look closely at the second to last image, I can see that they ARE tubulars.

should i just learn how to change tubulars?

Switch out the wheels if the tubulars concern you. There may be someone who is willing to trade those for some clinchers.

It's a very nice bike for the price and it can't be easy to find one in such a large size. I say go for it.

Those look like clinchers to me.

Look closely at the second to last image, I can see that they ARE tubulars.


You are right about that picture, but that doesn't look like the same tires/rims as the picture two up from that.

I was wondering about the tubulars. I'd rather have clinchers anyway. The more I look at it the more I think I'm still in the market for a Miyata 650b commuter bike though. I don't know that I could change much on this bike.

thanks

You are right about that picture, but that doesn't look like the same tires/rims as the picture two up from that.
Yea, you are right. They are different looking. In fact the last images look like some Araya Aero rims I had in the '80s.

I was wondering about the tubulars. I'd rather have clinchers anyway. The more I look at it the more I think I'm still in the market for a Miyata 650b commuter bike though. I don't know that I could change much on this bike.

I'll trade you some Matrix clincher wheels for those if you decide to get it.

OK, maybe too good to be true. Attempting to contact the seller I think this "second chance offer" was a scam. I can't tell for sure, but I think I got my hopes up for nothing.
If it is at least I didn't get totally screwed, and someone got a nice bianchi for 330.
I'll keep everyone posted on how this works out.
brynnar

... someone got a nice bianchi for 330. ...

The going rate for these (see my signature, below) has apparently risen by $100 in the past year or so.

It isn't a 60cm bike, more like 64 or a 62. I was watching it as well, just to see how it might fare as I am interested in a Bianchi like this. Had it been smaller, it would have fetched much more than the end-price of 330$USD so I guess 285$USD is okay but be sure that you are going to fit it, that thing looks big to me.

Also, did the seller switch out the rear rims?

edit: if it smells like a scam, it likely is a scam. The photos below plus the wrong size listed plus the second-chance offer all smell bad to me. I'd walk.

The cranks look exactly like the Ofmegas which came with my Bianchi, rather than Campagnolos.

OK, maybe too good to be true. Attempting to contact the seller I think this "second chance offer" was a scam. I can't tell for sure, but I think I got my hopes up for nothing.
If it is at least I didn't get totally screwed, and someone got a nice bianchi for 330.
I'll keep everyone posted on how this works out.
brynnar

UGPM about tall pink frames...

-Kurt