Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Bottechia, Columbus tubing, Campy Record components, Ergo

I saw this ad online: http://roanoke.craigslist.org/bik/2211452557.html

No pics, but what is a good ballpark for this bike? Also, does anyone have actual specs on this? I'm not sure if the person upgraded or changed parts, but I couldn't find this combination anywhere online. Thanks!

P.S. I'm not sure if this is a classic or vintage bike, so sorry if this is too current.

As you probably know, so much of the price of a bike is based on the condition of the frameset, components, etc; whether the bearing have been properly maintained; and the location of the bike. Not being able to see good photos of the bike really makes an evaluation of the bike impossible. However, if you are asking if the sellers price is fair, my impression is that it is. If the frame is straight with no dents, paint finish and decals in decent shape, and a good quality wheelset matched with the Record components and especially the 8 spd Ergo shifters, even if it is an non-original group to the bike; I would say that 650 would be a very good buyers price in my area. Columbus SL is a little heavier than SLX but it is still very nice. I sold an early 90's Bianchi TSX with just a 7400 DA group for 700 last year. If it had had a Ergo Record group, I think it would have sold for a couple hundred more.

Take that back, I just went and checked and the SL is a few grams lighter than the SLX; it just doesn't have the "special" triple butted tubing.http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/columbus/columbuschart.htm

Thanks a lot rothenfield1. I'm asking for pics right now and when/if I get them, I'll post them. The city (Roanoke) is not a really big city, but it might already be gone by now, especially considering that it was posted on Feb. 12. Fingers crossed though. I'm thinking of getting it just to flip. How much would a good condition one in a bigger market (Washington DC) bring? Is it even worth the hassle or should I really get the seller to bring the price down?

That, I'm not sure of. IMO, finding a handmade Italian frame made of high-end Columbus tubing with clean finish is like finding gold. Marry that with well maintained Campy Record components and you have a real gem that could bring a healthy return on your investment. The 8spd Ergo was what really caught my eye. The 8spd is actually seller for more than the 9spd because it is becoming so rare. If the shifters are in really good condition, I could see them selling for a couple hundred on ebay. Go to ebay and look what they're going for. There is no telling what the seller knows or doesn't know. But, if it was my bike to sell, I damned sure would have listed much more detail about the bike and lots of good photos. There's a chance the seller doesn't really know what the bike is worth and is just throwing a number out there. Post pics if you can please. You've piqued my interest greatly!

I would look around there are better deals to be had if your just flipping, not to much room on this one at $650 unless you want the 8 speed for your own bike, then the parts might be worth it.Depending on what you would rebuild it back to

Ok Italian bike experts, your move... here are some pictures, I'll be requesting more. He said the ergo shifters are actually Veloce and not Record. Seems to be in mint condition, but I wouldn't be able to tell a $200 bike from a $2000 bike. I'm thinking of offering $400.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=d7b0242cb9&view=att&th=12e79512df5af552&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=d7b0242cb9&view=att&th=12e79512df5af552&attid=0.2&disp=inline&zw

[img]https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=d7b0242cb9&view=att&th=12e79512df5af552&attid=0.3&disp=inline&zw

Pics aren't showing, at least for me. If the frame was from the Columbus SL era, and built during that time frame, I'd definitely want to see how an 8 sp freewheel is fitting in there, and what frame shop did the realignment.

Some more pictures!!! Honestly, I would buy just to flip IF it had potential and probably only if I could talk the seller down. There's no blasphemy for stripping this bike is there? All modern components on an older frame anyway, right? I'm thinking that moving the bike from Roanoke's market to DC would increase it's value by $300-400. Anyone wanna weigh in? Seller asking for $650.

First, the seller made one change: Centaur crankset in place of Record. So the shifters are not Record and neither is the crankset.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5498619268_f92f3c643a_b.jpg
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http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5498024153_3b823c4872_b.jpg

Once you've paid the piper, it's your to do as you desire. However, it seems a damned shame to strip 'cause that's one fine looking bike.

Thanks again everyone. I've decided to pass on this since I don't see much room for profit if I bought it, especially if I listed the parts on CL (since I don't have a reputation for bike parts on ebay). I researched some parts (seat, crankset, tubing) and decided that I would be cutting it too close if I were to strip it for parts to sell.

I told the seller to try listing on Washington D.C.'s craigslist with pictures and said he could get close to $1000 if he told them he could meet them halfway, which is true if he's including pictures and is patient.

Take that back, I just went and checked and the SL is a few grams lighter than the SLX; it just doesn't have the "special" triple butted tubing.

SLX isn't "triple butted" - that means something different. It's "superbutted," which is marketing-speak for the gimmicky ridges in the interior of the tubes.

the brakes are not Record either they look like the first Chorus release with the classic square brake blocks and holders.

I can't believe we are still discussing this. it has been posted for over a month go negociate and get for like $500. if it was my size I would be going for it too