Classic & Vintage - i was sent back here from the road forum...

...but not in a mean way.

there does not seem to be much information here on BF, or even out on the web for that matter on these. I posted over in road cycling, and it was suggested I post here also, to try and get the most information. so here is the short story...


I have been looking for a road bike to start riding again. I sent a broadcast email to a bunch of friends saying that I was looking for an older bike that might not be getting the use it deserved... ...anyway, a friend of mine responded with this:



"Hey man. I have a Giordana road bike I’m thinking about selling. It's an Italian steel lugged frame with Campy components. It's from the mid 90's. I can send you some pics if you're interested"



The bike looks like it is in great shape, besides a coat of dust, and you can tell it is just wanting to be ridden so badly. I have looked online quite a bit and even here on the BF. There is just not that much info about Giordana out there, so I have 2 questions.



1) What is a fair price to offer my friend for the bike, I do not want to rip him off, nor do I want to be ripped off?

2) Why is there so little information out there about these bikes? What can you tell me about it?



Thanks in advance for all your help and information.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/Aganaborn/giordana1.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/Aganaborn/giordana2.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/Aganaborn/giordana3.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/Aganaborn/giordana4.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/Aganaborn/giordana5.jpg

iirc, Giordana's were built in italy by Billato for Gita, the north american distributor for Giordana clothing, Merckx, Pinarello and DeRosa bicycles.nice bikes

Do a forums search here. I got several hits. Seem like quality bikes.Offer him 100 bucks see how he responds. Then go from there. good luck

Bikes like this are always hard because they're too old for the roadies and too new for most of the C&V'ers. Overall, it looks like a pretty nice bike to me. What level of Campy components are on it? That could play a big role in how much it is worth.

Without knowing anything else, I would start by offering $200 for it, because it is a friend who is probably willing to make you a deal (without getting ripped off, either). As skyrider said, you can see how he responds and go from there. If it is indeed in good shape, I think that is a decent price even if the components are lower-end.

I had a guy offer my a mid-90's Bianchi Campione d'Italia (also lugged CroMo) with Campy Mirage for around $200 a few months ago, and I passed on it. I'm still kicking myself for that to this day.

Mannesmann tubing? That stuff is pretty rare, especially on this side of the pond. Perhaps more common in Europe. Not something you see everyday, but I don't think it makes it particularly valuable (monetarily). Just tell your friend: "Mannesmann? What the hell is that?" and you should be able to lowball him. :)

Found an interesting thread on Mannesmann here on BF. Seems they were the first to produce seamless, butted tubing.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=375572

Components look like 8 speed Veloce, or lower, so they shouldn't command a premium price.

ok i am going to send him a email here in a little bit, see if i can scare up some more informaiton.

what are the different levels of campy stuff? might be able to get a better option is i dangle some key words :)

These are fine bikes. I would jump on it. People sell these bikes the same way that some men get rid of a beautiful wife. They have had them long enough that they no longer see the value or advantages because they want the latest stuff. You can't go wrong with a bike like that if it fits.

Is it your size? It looks nice and hardly ridden, it is probably about 15 years old or so.

If it is a friend, I would give him $300 for it as it looks to be in perfect shape, apart from the handlebar tape, and it has the Ergo-shifting. Do you know what he originally paid for it?

If he is a friend, he will probably not mind lending you the bike for a week and seeing if you like it. Then you can talk price. I use this system with my friends and it works well-----all but one of my friends rides a bike that I found for them.

These are fine bikes. I would jump on it. People sell these bikes the same way that some men get rid of a beautiful wife. They have had them long enough that they no longer see the value or advantages because they want the latest stuff. You can't go wrong with a bike like that if it fits.

Veloce was mid-range, but any 'vintage' Campy seems to sell for more than comparable Shimano or Suntour components. Those may even be Mirage or Avanti, which were even lower on the totem pole than Veloce. Record and Chorus is the pricey stuff.

If your friend were to clean it up and list on ebay, it's likely he could get between $300-$400, though the Mannesmann tubing might keep it on the lower end of that scale for lack of name recognition (not lack of quality). But you're saving him the hassle of ebay, and you're dealing locally.

A note: I may be understimating the value of Giordanas, but if those components are original to it, it's likely not a top-tier frame.

What level of Campy components are on it?

Looks like 1994 Stratos (bottom) or veloce (one up) Basically shimano 105 level.

I'll second $200 because of the Campy group and ergo shifters. She definitely needs some spit-n-polish work and new tape.

just to nitpick: I'd call that Oria ML25 tubing, drawn for them by Mannesmann, and not that rare a bird. You definitely don't see a LOT or Oria tubed bikes, but they were fairly common in the late '80s and early '90s while Oria was having a go at Columbus. They did not prevail, but there were a handful of really big names who went for Oria exclusively for a short spell (wasn't Pinarello one of them?) until Oria quit. Should be a great ride!
edit: Pinarello used Oria, as did some frames from D'Accordi, Gios, Torelli and Benotto, maybe others, too.

We had a Pegoretti painted Giordana frame and fork that we sold at my shop for $200.

Although the bike should ride well, and be a conversation piece, it's not a pedigree bike from a bike maker.
It's a clothing line manufacturer that had their name added to an OEM-ed bike. That will limit its collective value. Tubing is not Columbus, Campy components are entry level. As a bike, it's a worthy piece, but the "made in Italy" mystique shouldn't blind your purchase and pay more than it's worth for a used bike.
Since it's a friend, let him state his asking price first. If it's way too high, ie. he's trying to make a buck, or has over-valued it, you can decline w/o any hard feelings. If he's looking to unload it and wants a friend to have, and gives you an asking price you or any of us can't walk away from, BUY IT. :D
$150 is fair imho. It looks like a 56cm frame. Make sure it fits.

just to nitpick: I'd call that Oria ML25 tubing, drawn for them by Mannesmann, and not that rare a bird. You definitely don't see a LOT or Oria tubed bikes, but they were fairly common in the late '80s and early '90s while Oria was having a go at Columbus.

Thanks for the info/correction. Here's T-Mar on Oria ML25:


Late 1980s, plain gauge, CrMo, Italian tubeset. The closest Columbus equivalent is Aelle, but it is lighter than Aelle, having top and seat tubes, and stays that are 0.1mm thinner.

I believe those rims are Campagnolo Omicron. I have some that were original spec on a 1994 Specialized Allez I came across. I agree with cyclotoine, the components look like they may well be the Campy Stratos group, which is all over that Allez. Nothing fancy, but it is 8 speed Ergo.

I seem to recall having seen Oria tubing on a Francesco Moser frame I was looking at on CL once upon a time. Should have bought that one... doh