thryn

Here's the craigslist listing: https://sarasota.craigslist.org/bik/3699819301.html

From previous valuation threads it seems like $250 is a fair ballpark -- I'm going to offer $200 for starters if everything's in good condition.

The pics here aren't great, but if y'all see anything I could use to talk her down a bit, let me know.

My biggest complaint is that it's f$#!ing pink -- if it were Celeste I'd already be on it! I LOATHE pink. That said, if I buy this I'm buying it to keep and ride forever, not to flip, so I might just get it repainted down the road. I'm guessing the cable housing was replaced at some point since it's that weird ribbed translucent stuff, and from what I can tell, Bianchis of that era had matching cable housing? Wheels and tires look original (who rides the same tires for 26 years? Blows my mind.) Saddle's all wrong, but I've got a white Selle Italia I could put on it.

Anyway. It appears to be my size, and as much as I love the look and color scheme of my Raleigh Sportif, I know this is a better bike and the Raleigh's a little too big for me.

thryn

I'll check the post and stem, thanks! The woman who has it says she's 5'3" and got it from her sister-in-law who is 5'6" and was the original owner. She didn't know the TT length, but I'm 5'5", so if it was fitted properly for the original owner it should be a good fit for me.

thryn

I'll definitely bring tools to adjust the seat and whatnot and give it a test spin -- and yeah, a lot of people ride too low for sure. I know when a frame is too big, but I'm not sure I'd be able to determine too small quite as easily ... unless I have to raise the seat to an absurd height or something. Googling away! I was hoping it's a 49cm but it might be a 44, in which case, yeah, probably on the smallish side.

Bianchigirll 

Those were nice bikes. The pics aren't very good but it looks like they have a lot of wear. I would try and get it for closer to $200 especially if the chain is stretched.

That Suntour Alpha 5000 was nice stuff but finding a new freewheel, if needed, can be pricey.

digger531

$250 is kinda steep for a bike you don't like. If you're going pay keeper money I would keep looking until you find a keeper bike. I know you mentioned painting but that is rarely a good idea and you could certainly start with a bike in worse condition, and cheaper.

That being said, I do think they will probably get $250 even though the bike needs everything (=$100 and the time)

repechage

Around here that is a great price for the buyer. The seat post is slammed down, so low that you want to be sure the seat lug is not tweaked, other than that have the other $50 with you in another pocket.
I think stem might be too high, look for the limit line.

anixi

I just sold a completely overhauled SS a couple of weeks ago for $200, so I'd offer that. It obviously needs some maintenance, you'll probably need to get a new chain, etc.

FastJake

Agreed. Not worth repainting, considering the paint is good and it's not a super valuable frame. Repainting will only lower the value.

I would wait, and buy what you really want. Also, that frame is extremely small. I would guess 48cm. I would expect at 5' 5" it would be too small for you. I'd start closer to 52cm and go from there.

thryn

I went for it -- ended up paying $230. At 19in, it's a tiny bit small (I've generally found bikes to fit fairly well between 49-52) but not uncomfortably so. Definitely a better fit than the 54ish roadie I was riding, not to mention a much nicer bike. I may eventually swap the stem out for a bit more reach. Put my Selle Italia saddle on it, raised the seat and lowered the bars -- the stem bolt was stuck but some PB Blaster and my friend Greg solved that. The rear tire is original and will be one of the first things I replace; the front tire is somewhat newer and probably has a little more life in it, but I'll probably just replace both when I do. The brake pads are original and need to be replaced pretty badly.

Overall, though, it was in pretty good shape. Some minor paint chips and a really tiny dent in the top tube, but I don't think it was ever ridden all that heavily. Chain's good, it shifts great, and the wheels are in fantastic shape.

I've come to terms with the "New Rose" color, which I'm now calling "Oversaturated Flamingo." It is pretty wonderfully Florida, and looks great with my pea green seatpost bag.

I plan to ride it as is, maintain it as well as I can, and keep my eyes peeled for something even better to come along ...

FastJake

Good find. You took the picture from the wrong side though

thryn

Yeah, so I did. I'm sure it will find its way in front of the camera again soon.