Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Value of a Bianchi Peregrine frame?

I have been keeping an eye out for a steel lugged mountain frame. My intention is to use it as a beater/around town bike, with a little light trail action. Found a local Bianchi Peregrine frame - either early or mid 90's - kind of a purple/blue color. No wheelset, but has the other stock components (Deore, etc.). I haven't seen it in person yet, but the photo looks decent. I'd most likely convert it to a single speed (maybe). When I started thinking about this I was hoping to spend no more than $100. Just so happens that the owner is asking $100, but I'd have to spend some cash on a wheelset since I do not have any. Any thoughts??

Thank you,

Joe

1995 Bianchi Peregrine came in sapphire blue and retailed for $858.00

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1995&Brand=Bianchi&Model=Peregrine&Type=bike

Rigid fork MTBs sell for $100 for mid and low end LBS bikes all day. That's a nice one, but with a 1" head, it's going to stay a rigid fork. Maybe it would bring $150 on good day with wheels, $200 absolute tops to a Bianchi freak. But it's a Bianchi, I mean there's a certain amount of prestige riding a bike with that name on it. Lugged MTBs are not easy to find. Fortunately for you, they're not sought after that much either, but a few folks know about them.
OK, if you really want the bike cause it's exactly what you're looking for, I'd pay the $100 and by a donor bike for wheels. I'd offer the guy $80, but I'd pay the full freight.
Now, at that price you need to check out EVERYTHING. The brakes need to work, the shifters need to move the derailers, check the derailers are tight, not sloppy when you move them. Check the stem and the seat post. They should move freely when loose, you may have to bring a rubber mallot to move the stem bolt and release the quill. If anything is frozen or not working correctly, start thinking deductions from the price.
Just my $.02

I would pass as it is not complete. Nicer 1990s rigid frame mountain bikes can be found around here in the $100 to $150 range. They just don't get much respect. You should have pretty good leverage with a bike that is not complete and ready to go.

All that being said, I like the old mountain bikes for an around town bike. I have a couple myself.

Unless you have a lead on some nice wheels cheap, you will quickly spend more than what a complete bike would cost.

Thanks for the nice, detailed reply. Your reasoning kinda echoes what I was thinking. I figure a low end new wheelset is going to cost about $100. That puts the entire bike at around $200. That's more than I wanted to spend. I will check it out and see if he has some flexibility. If not, I will keep looking


Rigid fork MTBs sell for $100 for mid and low end LBS bikes all day. That's a nice one, but with a 1" head, it's going to stay a rigid fork. Maybe it would bring $150 on good day with wheels, $200 absolute tops to a Bianchi freak. But it's a Bianchi, I mean there's a certain amount of prestige riding a bike with that name on it. Lugged MTBs are not easy to find. Fortunately for you, they're not sought after that much either, but a few folks know about them.
OK, if you really want the bike cause it's exactly what you're looking for, I'd pay the $100 and by a donor bike for wheels. I'd offer the guy $80, but I'd pay the full freight.
Now, at that price you need to check out EVERYTHING. The brakes need to work, the shifters need to move the derailers, check the derailers are tight, not sloppy when you move them. Check the stem and the seat post. They should move freely when loose, you may have to bring a rubber mallot to move the stem bolt and release the quill. If anything is frozen or not working correctly, start thinking deductions from the price.
Just my $.02

I understand what you are saying. Pricing out some wheelsets and I have come to the conclusion that $100 may be too much. It looks like an outstanding bike, but I can't see spending more on the wheelset than the rest of the bike - at least for a bike of this purpose.


I would pass as it is not complete. Nicer 1990s rigid frame mountain bikes can be found around here in the $100 to $150 range. They just don't get much respect. You should have pretty good leverage with a bike that is not complete and ready to go.

All that being said, I like the old mountain bikes for an around town bike. I have a couple myself.

Unless you have a lead on some nice wheels cheap, you will quickly spend more than what a complete bike would cost.

As others have said $100 is kind of steep. That being said we sold alot of Peregrines back in the day and its a nice ridding bike.

If it's got a purple top tube and down tube, and a blue head tube/fork and seat tube/stays, it's a '92. The Peregrine was the next model down from the two Grizzlies, so third from the top of the line. Assuming it's in good condition, a fair price at $100 in my opinion.