Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1985 Bianchi Stelvio

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1458868328.html

The price seems a little high, although the add does say it's near mint and all original. This would be a personal bike for me. Any thoughts on the price I should pay would be greatly appreciated. I am guessing it is friction shifting, correct? The Sheldon article says it's a nice bike and the best one out of the 5 tested back in '85.

Thanks in advance all.

Friction shifting is correct...

Hard to tell about the price out there in that market. I would suggest that you take only one set of steering set up (the non-aero non-anatomic handlebar ones, those look closer to original) and skip on the extra tire and see if he/she will cut $100 off the price

You read my mind E. I wish index would have came out earlier dammit lol! Oh well, it's a very nice looking Bianchi. The frame set is pretty good stuff, correct? Right on line with Reynolds?

You read my mind E. I wish index would have came out earlier dammit lol! Oh well, it's a very nice looking Bianchi. The frame set is pretty good stuff, correct? Right on line with Reynolds?


That is a very clean bike...

and a lot of Columbus aficionados would be insulted that you compared that steel with Reynolds ;)

(this bike has Columbus Bianchi Special steel, which in my book is a tad higher than Reynolds 531)

On line with Reynolds ? If it's SLX, it surpasses all but 753. SL which it's not as it's a Stelvio = 531. The price is not high for that bike. Many Stelvios were SLX and had the label. The Tre-Tubi models were a mix, good too, still worth about what the sellers asking. Can't see the group, ever so slightly questionable as per price.
If it's SLX, as nice as desc., clearly a good deal. Anyway, if it was a 54,56 or 58 it would gone by now.

I just saw that a couple of them fail on e-bay; not quite as nice I suppose but still.. maybe 500 is higher than it needs to be. A nice bike, you may have room.

On line with Reynolds ? If it's SLX, it surpasses all but 753. SL which it's not as it's a Stelvio = 531. The price is not high for that bike. Many Stelvios were SLX and had the label. The Tre-Tubi models were a mix, good too, still worth about what the sellers asking. Can't see the group, ever so slightly questionable as per price.
If it's SLX, as nice as desc., clearly a good deal. Anyway, if it was a 54,56 or 58 it would gone by now.
+1 Given you are in Portland, it would have been long gone if it was a smaller size. Large framed bikes tend to be hard to sell, and are discounted. XSmall frames are just the opposite, high demand and sell for a premium.

If you need a large frame, that can work to your advantage, as there won't be near as much competition from other buyers.

Others here are more knowledgeable then I, but I think 400 is an upper asking price. This frame looks very much like my 85 Limited with 600 group which was made in Italy, but has mid-level Columbus tubing that is as heavy as a boat anchor. It is still a favorite of mine but, it's not a high-end light frame. 85 for Bianchi was about the time when they took back their frame manufacturing from JP because of the change in the exchange rate, a risky move when most moved theirs' to Taiwan. Campy always adds a little, although we don't know what model they are. My guess is that they are comparable to 600, which is pretty good. I've been preaching that West Coast pricing is 25-50 more then other areas of the country.

If the bike appeals to you and it's your size, 350-375 would be a sellers price. 300-325 would be more appropriate IMHO.

nice looking bike. price does seem a bit high but I am sure it is rare, vintage, a good fixie, handbuilt in Italy, custom, *giggle

seriously nice looing bike. have you seem it in person? it looks very clean. the catalog list it as Alle R Doublt Butt. it looks like it falls in the line up where the Campione D Italia goes later on (above the Sport SX and below the Limited) I do think that $400 is a bit high it could not have sold for much more in '85

OH be careful on the size. I only see 49,53,56,59,63 listed no 60 I am guessing this is a 63 as it looks very big.

the only Campagnolo specced was the Triomphe shifters and derailluers, Modolo Corsa brakes, Ofmega crank and hubs, Mavic MOD E2 rims.

On line with Reynolds ? If it's SLX, it surpasses all but 753. SL which it's not as it's a Stelvio = 531.

I think more like SP >= 531. Plus there is no way that bikes this size would have had SL steel. SLX is also questionable in this size. As I mentioned earlier, there bikes that size were made with "Columbus Bianchi Special" steel, which I suspect is right up there with SP (and Columbus Tenex) and a tad better than 531. I'd say SL = 753 (even in the weight limit specifications) and SLX more like 853...

I have a Stelvio that is very similar, possibly the same, except not nearly as nice of shape as yours. Has Bianchi Special tubing, Mavic Module-E2 rims with a Suzue hub on the back, no name on the front, Cinelli stem, Super Maxy crankset, Dia-Compe levers and jackets, a beat up Campy RD. I picked this one up for a song this last summer and it has'nt seen much love since.

EXCUSE ME GENTLEMEN. as I stated earlier the 85 Bianchi catalog list this tubing as ALLE R DB. in the '85 catalog no mention of SL,SLX,SP,SPX is made for any frame except for the Centenario.

Wow, thanks for all the great responses ladies and gents. He emailed me a few more pictures, but show no more then the ones on CL. It looks super clean. He has had it for 3.5 years and is the second owner. He put new tires, tubes and tape on it and hasnt done anything else. I asked if he would consider trading for any of my frames, bikes, or parts (doubtful) or if he would drop the price if I didn't want the othe set of bars.

I will be sure to let you all know what happens. I do not need it, but gosh I want it!!

double check the size! unless you are very tall you don't really want a 63

EXCUSE ME GENTLEMEN. as I stated earlier the 85 Bianchi catalog list this tubing as ALLE R DB. in the '85 catalog no mention of SL,SLX,SP,SPX is made for any frame except for the Centenario.

Not trying to dispute your claims on the '85 BG........admittedly I know very little about these bikes. Just thought I would throw it out there for comparison sake since the CL bike does not have a tubing decal and the frame size is possibly incorrect by the CL poster.....I would hazard a guess that he could possibly be incorrect on the year as well.

well perhaps I was incorrect. I was only copying information from the catalog, perhaps the specs and sizes were changed mid season.

I own a 85 stelvio as well, it is made of Aelle tubing, Mine is in mint condition, I dont ride it as I have enough bikes in my rotation.The bike rides really twitchy, pure racing geometry, Im not too impressed with the Triomphe derailleurs, but Ofmega cranks are cool they have heart cutouts. $400 is alittle high but location and condition play a factor in price. My bike hangs on the wall the Ferari red when waxed is truly awesome,and a head turner.