Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Bianchi Alloro

Last week I picked up what I think is a 1984 Bianchi Alloro from a garage sale. It is in excellent condition with only a few scratches but no real issues except that it needs a good cleaning. It says "Made in Italy" on the seat tube and it has a Columbus Tretubi sticker on the downtube. The serial number on the seat lug read 3686 and 4A. It appears to be 100% original (I swapped out the tires before I took the pics because the Wolber tires were pretty dried out) with Campagnolo downtube shifters, Nuovo Grand Prix deraillers, Modelo brakes, Bianchi crankset, Mavic rims, bottle cage, Selle leather Bianchi saddle and even a matching celeste green frame pump. The frame seems to fit me perfectly - it measure about 53.5 cm between the crank bolt and the top of the top tube.

I have searched and searched online for more info on this bike - and I think it is a mid level Italian made Columbus tubed racing bike? I can't find it in any of the catalogs I found online though? I am still deciding if I should ride it or flip it - what do you think it is worth here in Minneapolis?

Sorry if you read my other post about the Bianchi vs. my current 92 Paramount Series 7. ;-)

Here are a few cell phone pics...
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x281/Dhorn33/bikes/bianchi.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x281/Dhorn33/bikes/bianchi1.jpg

That is a keeper! She fits, she's celeste, she's perfect! Even if you want to sell it, ride the snot out of it for a year or two! Nice pics by the way!

Hello I think you have a 1985 model. Tretubi chromoly, TTT bar and stem, ofmega headset, brakes Modolo sporting, cranks/pedals Ofmega competition, regina freewheel, Campagnolo shifters Gran Sport derailluers, hubs Ofmega, Mavic Mod E2 rims

does this sound right? do you have close ups of the derailuers and shifters?

Hello I think you have a 1985 model. Tretubi chromoly, TTT bar and stem, ofmega headset, brakes Modolo sporting, cranks/pedals Ofmega competition, regina freewheel, Campagnolo shifters Gran Sport derailluers, hubs Ofmega, Mavic Mod E2 rims

does this sound right? do you have close ups of the derailuers and shifters?

That sounds like what I have exactly I think. I don't have any closer pics - but what makes you think it is a 1985 - do you have a catalogue or something? I can't seem to find the Alloro model anywhere online?

Well after some tearing apart, swapping, building, etc. - here is how it sits as of this morning...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x281/Dhorn33/bikes/Bianchibuilt.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x281/Dhorn33/bikes/Bianchibuiltfront.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x281/Dhorn33/bikes/Bianchibuiltrear.jpg

It now has Shimano 600 Ultegra 8 speed brifters, deraillers, crankset, and seatpost, Araya rims mounted on Exage 500 hubs, threadless stem converter with Ritchey pro stem and FSA wing bars, Selle Italia Flite ti saddle and a modern computer with backlight (I ride at night a lot). According to the bathroom scale it sits at 24 pounds exactly - not impressed by that. I screwed up the caged bearing in the bottom bracket so after doing a little online research I decided to remove the cages and install loose balls into the bottom bracket for now to see how it worked (per Sheldon Brown). I also cleaned and greased the Ofmega headset and the wheel bearings. The drivetrain is all shined up and grease free - so clean in fact that I haven't even lubed it yet because I don't know what to use so that it stays relatively clean! Anyway - how's it look? (the original parts are all intact and will be put away for safe keeping so when I decide to sell it I can put it back to original state.)

amazing, this is my bike, lol. the only difference is i put a full Campy super record groupo on it. All except the headset, it is the ofmega, just as yours, but I'm not sure of the thread , do you know if it is italian. I want to put a super record headset on it. Do you know if the Ofmega is italian threads??

Looks pretty good, except personally, I would have kept the original stem and seat post. The threadless looks out of place to me on a vintage bike, as does the black color.

IMHO this is a disgrace. I do not understan the reason for buying such a classic bike and then 'modernizing' it

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x281/Dhorn33/bikes/Bianchibuilt.jpg

I agree with Bianchigirl, you should have put vintage parts back onto it. Shimano is functional, but does not have the artistic flair of vintage Campy parts. Now it's just an old bike with new stuff, lost it's classic look. Pics will be posted soon. I just found a NOS S/R headset , it is being installed now, boy these vintage Campy pieces can get pricey. I think it is well worth it though. Everywhere I ride it people love it!!!!!

IMHO this is a disgrace. I do not understan the reason for buying such a classic bike and then 'modernizing' it



agreed. Put the old stem and seat post back on at least. You can sell this and buy a new bianchi with the same stuff you put on it.

The OP can put the original brake levers, derailleurs and shifters, and (crappy) stem and seatpost back on at any time. I debated over moving the "(crappy)" farther to the left in the previous sentence, but people around here can be a bit testy about such matters.

Nice upgrades. If it were mine, I'd probably have used some benign adhesive to run the computer wire up the inside of the fork for a cleaner look, but looking good otherwise. If I still had my '82 Reparto Corse Specialissima Supercorsa (and if it were my main or only road bike), I'd have long since replaced all the Super Record stuff.

I would have never changed anything except for the saddle and maybe the handlebars to a Belgian deep drop. The new components will not make you any faster or your ride any smoother. Only training will do that no matter wether you aim to compete or ride for fun and exercise. The rest is nothing but eye-candy shopping (a waste of money imho). Hope you still have your old parts. Wish I still had my old Peugeot (exactly like Tom Simpson's was)

Regards

(My current training ride... only the saddle and handlebar were changed)

177400

With all due respect, I disagree. If the modifications means the bicyle will be enjoyed and ridden more by the owner, then I'm all for it. I draw the line when the changes are not easily reversed, such as hacking the derailleur hanger off a dropout. Still, I'd suggest the owner keep the OEM parts, in the event the restoration bug bites him.

This will also be one of the rare times I'm going to disagree with Bianchigirll over the year. Everything points to a 1984. It's got a Piaggio decal, which only some of the earliest 1985 models had. It's got a Columbus decal as opposed to the Bianchi Special by Columbus decals used the 1985s. And then there's the location of the serial number and the serial number itself. Definitely 1984.

I don't see the big deal.

The OP wanted a modern drive train and cockpit.
It's his bike, let him enjoy it.

He has done nothing, that can't be undone.
Wait, he has done something, the OP saved an older somewhat vintage frame from a file and hacksaw.
He is out enjoying a bike, that he set up to be and ride the way he wanted.
Is this so wrong?

If the modifications means the bicyle will be enjoyed and ridden more by the owner, then I'm all for it.

I agree, if your'e going to ride it and that's how you want to ride it, all the power to ya.