Classic & Vintage - I need a Bianchi expert. I am going to see this bike tomorrow.

The owner told me it was mid 80's and all Shimano 600.

What can you tell me about it? What is a fair offer?

I very much appreciate your opinions.

Thanks

RFC

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/Bianchi3.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/Bianchi2.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/Bianchi1.jpg

The owner told me it was mid 80's and all Shimano 600.

Well, it's not all 600: the brake levers are Exage, which were below 105. The rear derailleur also doesn't match the front derailleur, crankset and shifters, which appear to be the painted Tri-Color 600 stuff. The rear may be older, or some other model. Also, the brake calipers are much older than the Tri-Color 600 equipment.

Sorry, not much help on the frame. The Italian built frames usually command a higher price than the Japanese built frames, so look for a 'Made in ...' decal. However, any Celeste Bianchi usually commands prices that are irrational.

It is mid 80's. A midline frame at best. Should ride well, as 80's Bianchi's most always do, but nothing special. If you can get it for $200 or less and it fits it would be good one to upgrade with better parts. Or at least Italian parts.

+1 to the previous comments, this might be a fine rider and worth upgrading, but I wouldn't sneer at those components, except maybe the Biopace rings. I don't know if Celeste was *never* used on any Japanese-built Bianchis, but this ain't one of the top-tier frames, so don't let the color blind you. I think the Ishiwata frames from this era were actually BETTER crafted than some of the mid-level Italian frames, but the ride's the thing...all should ride great if the frame's solidly stuck together.Since the tubing decal is missing, I guess the only dead give-away will be the BB shell threading...my advice: get it cheap, lose the Modolo stem (but keep the H-bars if they fit) lose the Biopace rings and consider losing the Univega saddle unless you love the feel of it...oh, and the plastic WB cages too, chuck 'em.

what's wrong with the modolo stem?

I saw this bike two days ago. I was thoroughly unimpressed. It is a repaint, and appeared to be a low level frame. It has someone's initials (not the present owner's) painted on the top tube, and the tires are shot. The pedals are 105, with crappy plastic cages, the bottom bracket appeared to have rust (in AZ?) under the HEAVY coat of paint.

The other issues have been brought up by posters above.

The bike needed WAY to much work to make it worth more than half his asking price, at least to me, and it is my size.

I have three bikes that are much nicer for sale, and ready to ride, a Trek 510, a Panasonic PT-5000, and a 80's Rossin. I'm only a few blocks from the Bianchi, PM me if you'd like to see them.

Thanks all. Excellent analysis and advice.

Old Fat Guy, I just sent you a PM about the Bianchi.

RFC

Thanks all. Excellent analysis and advice.

Old Fat Guy, I just sent you a PM about the Bianchi.

RFC
PM sent

what's wrong with the modolo stem?

Look at it. What's not wrong with it. When Italian styling goes wrong, it goes really wrong.

what's wrong with the modolo stem?

just fuggly...
so are the other things I dismissed, the plastic cages and Biopace rings: there will always be somebody who just loves something, but these are a few of my hated things. In some cases they also perform as badly as they look, too.

what's wrong with the modolo stem?

IIRC those stems have a tendency to snap under the handle bars. All the weight/stress is
held by the thinest part of the stem.

marty

wow...I had no idea there was so much modolo stem hatred out there. I don't think it looks that bad, except maybe for the black gap filler. The stem shape reminds me of a cinelli:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/images/products/Accessories/cinelli1.jpg
didn't know about the break potential though.

$75.00 tops. what is that a 19t freewheel? it looks like a poorly put together stab at some christmas cash, don't fall for it

$75.00 tops. what is that a 19t freewheel? it looks like a poorly put together stab at some christmas cash, don't fall for it
That's $25 more than I offered, and the guy was insulted!

I don't know if Celeste was *never* used on any Japanese-built Bianchis, but this ain't one of the top-tier frames, so don't let the color blind you. I think the Ishiwata frames from this era were actually BETTER crafted than some of the mid-level Italian frames, but the ride's the thing

I have an Ishiwata Bianchi from the early 80's. Its got the original paint and decals (and rust!) and its celeste. Its a fine rider - as good as the columbus SL trek that it replaced IIRC. I think I paid $25 for it w/o wheels, but that was before the fixie fad hit.

he's supposed to be insulted, that's his J-O-B. 50.00 is fair but I'm kinda a green fiend so I went for 75.00. why don't we all email this guy and beat him up on the bike and low ball him(poor guy) so when RFC calls him up with 79.99 he's all over it. I'm in, give me his address and I'll blow his doors off for you.

If you cannot see either a 36x24 or a 1.375x24 indication on the BB cups, measure the width of the BB shell itself -- 68mm = Japanese build, whereas 70mm = Italian. The geometry looks like mine, which is a good thing if you want a fast, efficient, sporty frame which is not overly stiff or twitchy.

I only wanted the wheelset, and didn't bother to measure the BB. I actually offered him $125 after hemming and hawing, but he said he'd donate it for a tax write off before he sold it for that.

John E what do you think about the treatment at the rear dropout? The front is no better, and IT IS A REPAINT with someone else's initials!

g-funk, He's a different sort of fellow that works for the DOD, don't think you really want to 'blow his doors off'.

Just let him sit on it , and unless a fixie dude decides he wants it (sell me the wheels), he'll eventually sell it to one of us at a reasonable price..

It's probably too late, he's on his way over here to blow my doors off. I'm sure of it. it was a joke Mr. DOD.

It's probably too late, he's on his way over here to blow my doors off. I'm sure of it. it was a joke Mr. DOD.

I've got your six!

I only wanted the wheelset, and didn't bother to measure the BB. I actually offered him $125 after hemming and hawing, but he said he'd donate it for a tax write off before he sold it for that.

When I saw the $50 post earlier, I wrote a rather scathing comment about what a Celeste Bianchi is selling for these days. But I decided against posting it. Now I'm glad I held off after reading what the offer was. If it's a repaint, the $125 offer should not have been scoffed at, even if refused. It sounds like a fair offer.

For reference, two Bianchis sold recently that I was watching. A mid 80's Veloce frame with some components, no wheels, went for over $300 locally. A 93 Campione, (Made in Japan) with Tange Double butted Seamless tubing but RX100 components, sold on ebay for $385 (with shipping). Both were Celeste.
My point is Celeste sells for $$$. I'm not justifying it, but it is true.

It's A Repaint!

It's A Repaint!

Is it a Bianchi frame or another brand making believe it's a Bianchi?

I hate it when someone paints an old Ross, Celeste and re-badges.

It's definitely a Bianchi. A low end Bianchi.

No tubing decals, no ID of any kind, and look at the lack of brazing at the dropouts.

Mismatched components, light action shifters, and filthy dirty. If you were to put $200 labor and parts into it you would have a $200 bike, IMHO, and it may take more than $200, when you factor in tires and tubes.

Hi Guys,

After talking to John, I decided to take a pass on the Bianchi. While I would like to add a celeste bianchi at some point, I'm trying to be more discerning. What I'd actually like to get would be a celeste Pista. I think those were 2004 (?) And, with a cherry 1984 Miyata 1000 to work on and a beautiful red 1985 Trek 660 on the way, I've got more than enough to play with.

just fuggly...
so are the other things I dismissed, the plastic cages and Biopace rings: there will always be somebody who just loves something, but these are a few of my hated things. In some cases they also perform as badly as they look, too.


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. IMHO, the Modolo quill stem was one of the boldest and best looking designs of the 80s. I guess if you're a traditionalist, you'll scoff at it.
A lot were sold, I personally bought two. But as an example of Italian design extremes (as pointed out earlier), pursuit of form resulted in a stem that would prematurely fatigue and break apart without warning!
So, that's what mainly wrong with Modolo stems.

As for plastic cages, and Biopace, here are fine examples of form following function. In the 80s, the top of line cages were all aluminum. Unfortunately, they all had finishes that would wear through and leave those nice black oxide stains on your water bottles and then your hands.
Plastic was the only workable alternative, but they were bulky and akwardly shaped to stay durable.
But they were the solution. Today we have a wider choice...and some are just as butt ugly. LOL!

Biopace was a marketing flop, but based on sound R&D. Even I was admittedly a critic and rejected based on aesthetics and tradition upon its intro. But they work. I could really feel the difference on a MTB with them recently. The pedaling didn't feel awkward. Quite comfortable on my old knees. I no longer hold a negative opinion on them based solely on looks. Even Sheldon Brown merits them in one of his articles.

Strangely enough, these three are all good examples of not to judge on looks alone.