nixiang915

After getting some great advice on my first post on the forum and learning some here, I've found what I think might be a ok deal. Would love to know the value/quality of this bike.

"Beautiful vintage black Bianchi 12 speed road bike, in near mint shape. Awesome full Shimano 600 Ultegra component group, including brakes and levers, shifters and derailers, hubs, headset, cranks. Bottom bracket was just upgraded to a sealed cartridge unit. New handlebar tape. Nice comfortable gel saddle, and adjustable reach alloy stem. Clipless pedals. Wheels are perfectly straight, Ambrosio hard anodized rims on Shimano 600 qr hubs, with excellent Continental tires. Great riding, lightweight bike that looks awesome. Tuned and ready to ride."

https://toronto.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/5027983838.html

mstateglfr 

Nice group for sure. And great that it is so complete.
No idea what model Bianchi, the post doesn't mention model or frame tubing.
Pis that fork original? The pic is grainy and it looks like some blue stripes...doesn't match the rest of the bike from what I could see.

If this is your first vintage bike, just make sure it fits and is in good shape mechanically. Even if it's $50 too high, it'll be a bike for use and not to flip and there will usually be some emotional excitement/connection to the experience and bike.

jon c. 

Odd set up with the seat so low. Could be indicative of a problem, so make sure it's free and can be secured where desired. And the fork does not appear to be original, which could be a sign of a crash. Other than that, it's a nice bike and a decent price.

Clang

Budget for a replacement stem- that one's hideous.

tmh657

$375? Maybe in Toronto but not where I live. Unless you REALLY like that stem Agree on not enough info re: frame tubing and other details. If that fork is not original it could be a sign of ? Crash, down tube damage. I say just keep looking.

oddjob2

Given the size difference between this bike and your prior Bauer, I think first the OP needs to study up on what size bike he should be looking at.

nixiang915

Thank you for pointing that out and giving my last post a look. I didn't clarify in the OP but I have research the sizing. Since I'm 5 10 the online charts suggested 22inch for the frame, which is the size of this bike. I would love to hear any further opinions or suggestions on the bike it self.

jyl

I'm not sure what bikes go for in Toronto.

Fork is not original, suggests possible crash, check downtube carefully for any hint of bulging near the head tube, also check for non matching wheels. Matching fork will be hard to find. Stem is hideous, has to be replaced. Check for stuck seatpost. Make sure it rides well, tracks straight when hands off. Assume bike needs complete service, $150 or more I'd think. The Ultegra group is nice, if complete.

In Portland, considered a high priced market, that might be a $250-300 bike and that is US$.

zukahn1 

The price isn't way out of line for Toronto yet I would say closer to $250-300 value. On a bike that you plan to keep and ride $50-100 more isn't a big deal if the bike fit's and you like it your better off paying a bit on the high side for a bike you like that fits than getting a bargain on one that doesn't. Budget in a stem, seat and bar tape the current stuff is awfull.

dweenk

No way that bike has a 22" seat tube - it is closer to 25". Not going to fit you unless you have really long legs and arms.

nixiang915

Thanks to all the responses so far. I'm not so worried about sizing now as I will definitely try it before buying. With the comments about the stem, can someone explain just why the current one should be replaced?

tmh657

The stem is fugly. It's heavy and may twist and wiggle and that's just not right. If you look at the photo the saddle is slammed low and the bars are higher than the saddle. Someone wanted to make this into a comfort bike which it is not. The owner may do as he or she pleases of course but this style of bike is meant to have a certain type stem and this is not it. See photo.

eschlwc

are you looking at the bianchi? it looks 22" to me. using only a photo, most people base size off the head tube dimension.

i wouldn't buy a bike with a replacement fork unless it's a great deal and the fork looks like it suits the bike perfectly. if it doesn't work out, a bike with a replacement fork poses a hard sell.

and, yeah, that stem is hideous.

Bianchigirll 

Sorry I am late to the party but it was a hectic week working and trying to find a new car.

Anyway I am guessing this is a '84ish Limited but since it is a Canadian bike it doesn't match our catalogs, and that may also account for the chrome looking fork.

I agree it looks like a 22 or 23 frame to me and while I do like a tallish stem that thing has to go.