Mbastylee

Hello, I am new to the forum. I am currently looking to get a road bike so that i may join my friends who recently took on the hobby of road biking. One of them has an older Centurion road bike which sparked my interest in a vintage bike for myself. I ran across this bike on craigslist. I was hoping to see if anyone is able to shed some light on this bike as far as the model or year. As I understand, Bianchi bikes were manufactured in both Japan and Italy. Of course, some tips on whether the price asked for is anywhere near the worth. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...025001182.html

FastJake

Price is more than 2x of what that would go for here, is LA that high of a market? I doubt it.

Light action components, adapter claw RD = lower end. The crank is nice but the 27" wheelset is a negative, if only for the choice of tires. At $350 I would keep looking.

Yo Spiff

Those are some excellent photos for a Craigslist ad. The seller clearly knows to show the bits that people want to see details of.

The downtube Shimano light action drivetrain with Sugino crankset is almost the same thing as this Nishiki I picked up the other day:

Nishiki Sport by Yo Spiff, on Flickr

I paid $40 for the Nishiki, but it is in poor condition and needs a lot of work to make it roadworthy. It illustrates a similar level of bike, however.

The components and frame suggests this Bianchi is probably late 80's, maybe early 90's. The downtube sticker says at least an '87. Brakes don't have a name, but they appear to be common Diacompes. Good brakes, but nothing special.

For a road bike, it is lower end bike store quality. It appears to be in very clean and nice condition, but I think $350 is way overpriced, unless prices are that much higher in the LA area. Around here, I'd expect to see a bike like this offered for $150-200.

Mbastylee

yeah, I was wondering the same thing. Not sure why the asking prices are so high in LA. Are the prices substantially lower in other areas/states?

bikemig 

I used to live in a "hot" market on the east coast before moving to the midwest. There is so much more available from CLs in big cities, some of it was priced high, some of it wasn't. I don't know LA but that certainly was my experience on the east coast. So I'd just keep looking; eventually you'll find what you want at a reasonable (and maybe even a great) price.

oldskoolwrench

It's not that the prices are that much different; it's the perception through sources like the Bay and CL that ANYTHING with drop bars and skinny tires is by default C & V, and therefore
commands a higher price.

Back to the Bianchi... it's probably an '88, judging by the COS World's '86-'87 sticker from Argentin's win that year. Is it worth the listed price? Probably a bit high.

Bianchigirll 

Close but no prize for you!! It is an '87 Strada LX and the frame is listed as Chromoly main tubes and Chromoly fork so I am thinking a HiTen rear. It iwas a nice bike in it day but I don't think it sold for that much. The closest price I have it the '89 which shows a $345 retail and is abit nicer bike.

It may be a Bianchi but unless you can get it closer to $200-250 I say pass. Is the size right for you?

What do your friends have and what is your budget?

wrk101

+1 not worth it, aim higher.

Preparation by seller is underwhelming: rusty components, old faded out housing. When what i can see needs work, it is safe to assume what you cant see will need more work.

pass.

Mbastylee

Ok yeah. I see what you mean. I guess I will keep looking, unless I can somehow talk the guy down to like $200 (probably wont happen) haha. So something like that is more in the 150-200 area though? Alright. Thanks

quick note: The other bike I was contemplating is this Pinarello (according to the seller) Banesto. Which seems like its closer in price to the value? (but of course I really have no idea) I know there were replicas of this made but i dont undertand as to what they meant by replicas. Couldn't find too much on Google.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...021560695.html

Mbastylee

Im going to have to ask my friends as to what exactly they have. I know its a scattante frame but he has heavily upgraded the components. Another one of my friends has an older Centurion bike . Not sure what year or model
As far as my budget, I really dont have one. I just really like the Italian vintage bikes. From what I gather Bianchi is one of the better brands so one of those would be nice. I just dont want to be ripped of though

Mbastylee

but as far as ballpark for budget id say -500. Is anything good possible with that?

Yo Spiff

You can do quite well for $500. Just get an idea of what you are looking at. There are some great deals, fair deals and outright poor deals. You can always post here for feedback. Most manufacturers have their low end and high end. Just the name does not always mean a top tier machine. That Bianchi is a decent bike, but not worth that asking price.

Mbastylee

Yeah, I want to get a Bianchi. I just dont know too much about them. Just some basic stuff here and there from google-ing. You guys seem to know a lot about these bikes. Do you guys know of any online sources where I can do some research on these bikes? Thanks again everyone

wrk101

Think generically, rather than Bianchi specific. Realize the only thing Bianchi on that bike is the frame. The components alone, and the way they are attached, tell a story. Start with Randy Jawa's site on how to identify a good bike, AND be prepared to POUNCE when you see a deal. There is not time to wait for convenient time, more info, whatever. Another forum member beat me on a recent deal, I was five minutes late. He got it. Thats the way it works.

FastJake

The second bike you posted is huge. Before you buy ANYTHING, figure out what size you need and bring a tape measure when looking at bikes, as sellers are usually wrong about the size. Your cycling friends should be able to help you with sizing, and there is a ton of info online.

Bianchigirll 

Something looks odd to me. Did Pinarello use a bonded type fame like a technium?



this may be a deal if it fits.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...036551991.html
Cannondale road bike for sale - $450 (south bay area )[HR][/HR]Date: 2012-05-24, 6:49PM PDT
Reply to: dfbpn-3036551991@sale.craigslist.org [SUP][Errors when replying to ads?][/SUP][HR][/HR]
call to test ride 424-200-4860 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 424-200-4860 end_of_the_skype_highlighting make cash offer
about a 56cm aluminum frame with good components
comes with mavic deep v rims

Bianchigirll 

The bike in the pic doesn't look like a 61 so it may be worth checking out. A Veloce for 300

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...034705803.html
Used Bianchi Veloce w/ campagnolo components. Size 61cm

FastJake

$450 for Sora? Eh... Personally I'd pass on that one. That price is creeping up to what a new Sora equipped bike might cost if it's on sale, and the Cannondale in the ad is several years old.

The Veloce you posted looks like a good deal though. Agreed that it does not look anything like a 61cm.

Mbastylee

I might check this one out. Is 300 a good price for it? Given if its the proper size. It might be too big. Im 5'11" when I went to a bike shop to get an idea for sizing, I was fitting into the 56-58 range. But when I hopped on an older Bianchi a 58 felt a bit too small. I guess ill just have to jump on and see

Yo Spiff

That Veloce for $300 may be a nice deal. I have a 2000 Veloce. Wonderful bike. Not a racing machine, but plenty sporty and comfortable for a long ride. Mine also has the carbon fork, but the one in the ad looks a few years newer, with an integrated headset and sloping top tube. Mine was about $1200 when I bought it new. If there are no major issues with it, and it is the right size, $300 is a very nice price for a recent model Campy equipped road bike in good shape.

Mbastylee

Yeah, im going to take a look at it this weekend. Judging by the picture it looks a tad small but the description says otherwise. I'll just have to see