Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Is it worth $450?

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200 would seem about right. At 450 asking price, I'm not sure I would even go look. :(

I love red Bianchis............. :( & I'm a sap for anti-taiwan and chinese frames....
unfortunately someone who wants to sell something for $450 more than likely won't take a 50% drop.

$300 max, unless you're in Seattle or Vancouver.

12 speed? Mid - 1980s, by 88 Dura Ace was an 8s gruppo.

Still a nice bike, but not 90s and not $450.

First, any bike with a damaged rear wheel qualifies as a "project" in my book. Even if I have the parts in hand, I expect a healthy discount, otherwise, I save the parts for another project. Its not like there are a lot of people that are willing/interested in buying damaged bikes.

For a bike worth around $275 to $300 when done, I would look for at least a $100 discount for cleanup. This guy is on a whole different planet in this case, so I would look elsewhere.

With all the glory and power of google I am not finding ANYTHING about this bike on the internet. According to BikePedia the first year the Bianchi Giro was made was 1994. That doesn't seem right to me. Anyone here that might be able to give anymore information? I wasn't able to meet him this morning but he is on his way now with the bike. I have worked down the price. I'll measure the frame and make sure its a good fit because that is #1 importance before anything else.

If I end up buying the bike I will take photos and upload them --- including serial # for a possible ID.

With all the glory and power of google I am not finding ANYTHING about this bike on the internet. According to BikePedia the first year the Bianchi Giro was made was 1994. That doesn't seem right to me. Anyone here that might be able to give anymore information? I wasn't able to meet him this morning but he is on his way now with the bike. I have worked down the price. I'll measure the frame and make sure its a good fit because that is #1 importance before anything else.

If I end up buying the bike I will take photos and upload them --- including serial # for a possible ID.

That's probably right. Looks like a modernish frame that was stripped for parts, then built up with what you see.

The 'bent' rear wheel could simply mean it's out of true, but that could mean an undertensioned wheel that has weakened spokes already. So it could simply need a little truing, or it may soon need a complete rebuild.

Agree that $450 is far too high, unless it's in perfect running order and has been recently overhauled. Even then, it's high, but that adds to the value in my book.

I found hints upon deeper searching there was a 1986/87 Giro. Sheldon Brown lists the 1987 Giro seatpost size here. (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/seatpost-sizes.html) The Bianchi 1986 catalog here. (http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-86/4.jpg)But it does not say Giro on the top tube like the one being sold does.

I found hints upon deeper searching there was a 1986/87 Giro. Sheldon Brown lists the 1987 Giro seatpost size here. (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/seatpost-sizes.html) The Bianchi 1986 catalog here. (http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Bianchi-86/4.jpg)But it does not say Giro on the top tube like the one being sold does.

No, I don't think the frame is that old. It's got Columbus Thron tubing, which dates at earliest to the mid 90s probably, but I can't find any information online to confirm that. I'll +1 myself, though. Someone slapped older components on a newer frame.

Around here, lowest end Bianchis with downtube shifters sell for over $200, so forget yours being a $200 bike even on a bad day. I'd say it's in the $300 to $400 range, but the damaged wheel is what brings it back down a little. You did NOT get hosed, maybe overpaid by the cost of the repair to the wheel.
Whenever I think I got taken or could have done better, I try to buy the same or similiar bike. Take a look on the 'bay or CL and see what you'd pay for a similiar Bianchi, in your size, with that tubing. Betcha you did OK. (Don't forget to add shipping on the 'bay).

$400 is on the high side but I'm not sure if you could build a bike like that from scratch for much less. A savy builder may be able to do it for $300-350 paying low end of market value for the parts. There's a known wheel issue and the handlebars have been hacked as well.

Have many of us bought better bikes for considerably less? Absolutely!! Have others paid more for lesser bikes? Of course.

The rear wheel needed to be rebuilt and have one spoke replaced. My mechanic said the wheel is in "pretty good shape otherwise" and hopefully it'll do alright when I get the bike back Monday. That will set me back $35 --- but I think its better than using a spare wheel. I'd love to build this up with all Italian (low-mid range Campy) parts and get the minor scratches taken care of...

this Bianchi looks like something someone may have put together. a Bianchi Superset 2 sticker with a made in Italy sticker and Thron fork? 600, dura ace, Athena calipers and 600 levers? might be a nice rider but not 450$

the frame is made from Italy which is why, for me, it was worth what I paid for it.

as I said before: I AM SICK of frames made in Taiwan. It's disgusting and an absolute disgrace for Bianchi.

the components will be replaced for mid-range Campy parts very soon.

I got a 1990 cannondale sr 600 for 200.00, lots of paint chips but looks good did I pay too much?

I got a 1990 cannondale sr 600 for 200.00, lots of paint chips but looks good did I pay too much?

Probably.

Rule # 4692467: If you dont know if you paid too much then you did.

But at least you purchased a bike actually made in America and therefore it's worth more.

See my signature.