Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Should I buy this Gios Compact?

This was in the Gios Compact thread, but maybe it warrants its own discussion here and I can summarize the results in the other thread.


Today I found a Gios Compact frame that I'm pretty sure I should buy. The brand is new to me, so I'm starting with some research.

The frame is red, with a chrome fork. It's in unrestored original condition, with a few scratches/nicks and a little bit of surface rust. The adjustable dropouts are there and look to be in good shape. It's made with Columbus SLX tubing. As I understand it, SLX is thicker/stronger than SL, which is probably appropriate for me since I'm pretty fat these days (230+, need a bike with gears because hauling all this lard around on my beloved Sputnik is too much work).

The bike differs from others I've seen in this thread in that the decals say "custom made in Italy by Alfredo Gios", with the "Alfredo Gios" in script, looks like his signature. The "COMPACT" is the same as the other decals I've seen in this thread.

My questions:

1) What are things to look for to make a go/no-go decision on this frame? I've heard about top tubes rusting from water getting in via the brake line holes - is a visual inspection OK for that?

2) Seller is asking $300 for the frame & fork. (Includes Campy headset, no BB). Is that price reasonable?

3) If I get this frame, my intention is to retain the unrestored original paint. Is that a good idea, or bad?


Some awful pics from the owner:


http://i44.tinypic.com/2wqqv10.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2hz0so1.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/v49uu1.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/1433mkm.jpg


Thanks in advance for any info.

Make sure the frame comes with the removable dropouts. They are over $100 for a pair. Mattone recently replaced his and had to get it from Australia.

Make sure the frame comes with the removable dropouts. They are over $100 for a pair. Mattone recently replaced his and had to get it from Australia.
Thanks. They're included and appear to be in good shape. I guess I should also check if the adjustment still works, or if the fasteners are seized to the frame.

I would jump on it right away if the Gios was my size. Is the seller on CL or Ebay? With Ebay you have "Buyers Protection", on CL you have "What you See is What you Get". I have the later version of the Gios Compact(with Oria tubing) and handles great! Don't paint the frame, go to your local hobby store to match the paint or find the color in the cosmetic section of nail polish, will be a close match. Fantastic bike frame and causes near misses on the bike path for on lookers cruising by.

Thanks. Seller is an LBS. I know that you know your Gios frames: what should one look for when deciding yes or no? Can I do just a visual inspection, or are there gotchas? How can I tell if the top tube is corroded inside?

Moved to Appraisals.

Moved to Appraisals.
Thanks, sorry about the mis-post.

Look for the usual issues - no funny dents or dings or bends. Make sure the fork turns OK. The dropouts should be aligned (probably at 126 mm).

The allen sockets are quite small on the heads of those bolts on the sliding dropouts so they can strip. Watch out for those top tube holes for the brake cable housing. Make sure there's no rust problems inside the tube (bring a flashlight).

the frame is missing the top tube brake cable "boots" not the easiest to find and not the cheapest either.

Does this link work?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/430987_10150592387035956_508250955_8890854_2094642507_n.jpg

First 3 digits of the serial # are 802, which I think means it's from 1988?

Top tube checked out OK, close visual inspection of the dropouts looked good, and all 6 fasteners could be backed out and tightened.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Little update with a few more pics. Kinda crappy shots from my phone, I'll update soon with something slightly better:


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6866801941_731db27b3a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9604948@N04/6866801941/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6866802009_921e6a4d06_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9604948@N04/6866802009/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6866802385_6c963f7105_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9604948@N04/6866802385/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6866802171_4ceaa61365_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9604948@N04/6866802171/)

the frame is missing the top tube brake cable "boots" not the easiest to find and not the cheapest either.

Look on Ebay for the Top Tube Cable Guides as Cinelli Top Tube Cable Guides. They work on Gios's. and fortunately I found a set in red:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cinelli-Cable-Guides-Red-New-Free-Worldwide-Shipping-/360409741221?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ea1837a5

Look on Ebay for the Top Tube Cable Guides as Cinelli Top Tube Cable Guides. They work on Gios's. and fortunately I found a set in red:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cinelli-Cable-Guides-Red-New-Free-Worldwide-Shipping-/360409741221?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ea1837a5

Thanks, already ordered, along wit some Camagnolo Veloce calipers. :)

Further updates will go in this build thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/797710-Planning-a-city-bike-build).