TomJL

Hey guys,

I found this bike on craigslist, but I'm not sure what it is.

What I do know that it is a Bianchi, has a master derailer, and modolo start brakes.

Any idea what this bike could be, and how much it's worth?

Thanks,
Tom

Ex Pres 

Never take the only picture from the non-drive side.

But welcome to BF. This is but the first lesson you will learn here.
Well, maybe the second. The first is to actually post pics, so you've already got that one.

auchencrow

Is that a Reynolds sticker on the (white painted?) front fork?!

If it was not for that, I was going to guess it is a Campione d' Italia, because it looks a lot like mine, inclusive of the black color, black chain wheel, Double bottle cages, Master DRs, Start brakes, and Columbus and Made in Italy stickers on the seat tube.

EjustE

The fork does not belong there... Blue Bianchi Special Columbus sticker on the ST, Made in Italy decal on the ST by the BB (all pretty new looking), and all other Bianchi stickers gone... for some reason.
Laprade Seat post... this is a frankenbike. Cannot be sure that even is a Bianchi... maybe the seller got creative with stickers.

Bianchigirll 

I would like to see more pics, esp from the drive side. there needs to be some embelishment on the frame like 'Bianchi' on the stay caps, or 'B' on the head/down tube lug. there is a Ofmega Master RD? what kind of cranks? that fork is certainlt a replacement. does it have anything on top the crowns? this is not the appraisal forum but if the wheels were in good shape and I could ride it away I might give 175 to 200 for it. but not much more, and only if the frame did have Bianchi embelishments on it.

T-Mar

It appears to be a late 1980s model on the basis of the celeste coloured tubing decal, dual bottle bosses and recessed brake bolts. Non-Campagnolo but Italian components typically indicate mid-range. Masters and Start were mid-range components. As suggested by EjustE, the fork is almost certainly a replacement.

Currently, my best guess is a circa 1987 Campione d'Italia. It used mainly Ofmega components with Start brakes, but the derailleurs were SunTour Cyclone AccuShift. Bianchigirl may be able to provide further insight, but I suggest you get the details off the tubing decal, the serial number and the crankset info. Drive side pics wouldn't hurt.

Bianchigirll 

my first guess was the '89 CdI but the tubing decal is wrong (silver CroMo) and then '87 but that only came in Celeste and Pearl white. the '88 was the same bike as the '87

BTW what is the deal with the bottle cages? IMHO that takes 20 or 25 off the price as it shows the owner does not care about the bike.

Ex Pres 

??? What looks wrong with them? My SS looks just like that. And no, nothing rubs each other.

Bianchigirll 

OMG *blushing* I thought they were bent! I even looked twice *giggle*

T-Mar

You're forgetting about the possibility of it being a non-USA version, which were often different. In fact, I just looked at 1987 and 1988 Canadian catalogues. The 1987 Canadian version of the Campione d'Italia differs from the USA in that it is spec'd with an Ofmega Master rear derailleur (and Modolo Start brakes). The colour options aren't listed, but they're obviously different from the USA, as it's pictured in Electric Rose. So, while we can't confirm the availability of black, it's otherwise a very good match for the OP's bicycle. The 1988 Canadian version is very different from the 1987, being spec'd with Campagnolo LZ (?) derailleurs and Modolo Flyer brakes.

Bianchigirll 

I had given passing thought to it being Canadain market (or even Germany or England ) but since everyone here keeps their location secret I just assumed, yes I know *he he*, he was in the states.

auchencrow

I'm certain the Campione d' Itala was available in both black and white. (See pix)
The black one here is awaiting new red bar tape, and is equipped with Master DR's.
Since Day Twa is so close to Ontario, it is plausible that it is a Canadian build, but there is no bike store label to indicate either way.

The white one is equipped with Cyclone, and likewise awaiting new bar tape and toe straps, but I have not decided on a color yet - black, red, or white.

It will get red cable housings, regardless. (I will likely install Aero levers as well, since this will be a LOT cheaper than new Modolo 919 hoods, and ought to improve braking some.)

IMHO, the OP ought to check out that CL bike - IF it is still available: These supposedly "low end" Bianchi Italian made Columbus-framed bikes are really quite nice and light, and personally I like the ride quality.

I cannot answer the pricing question for TomJL" because the fork, if not original, could significantly compromise the ride quality. (So I think he should ride it and then make that assessment for himself).

beech333

I generally prefer any color bike over white, but I have to admit that I really like the white one there. It should look really nice when you are done with it. BTW, I'd go with red tape again. Looks good.

T-Mar

Your confirmation of a black version, in conjunction with my Canadian specs, certainly would make a Campione d'Italia the best candidate for the bicycle in question.

BTW, I don't think anybody ever considered this model to be low end. I've always considered it mid-range. I guess some people could consider it low end of the racing line, but there were still lots of lower, sports/touring models below it.

I agree that the OP needs to carefully assess the bicycle in view of the non-original fork. This is usually indicative of a crash. The frame may be bent. He should test ride it and closely examine the area where the head lugs join the top and down tubes for signs of ripples in the metal and/or cracks/chips in the paint.

BTW, could you post the serial numbers for both bicycles. It would be nice to confirm that hey are from the same year. TIA.

auchencrow

Hi T-Mar !
I read somewhere that these were the "low end" of Bianchi's Italian made bikes at the time - but I guess the term was used in a very relative sense.
- Is it correct to assume then, that all the "lower, sports/touring models below it" were made in Japan or elsewhere?

PS-
The White Bianchi Campione d' Italia pictured above has a serial number of 30845 on the left underside of the BB shell and a code of "N-6" on the right underside.
The Black Bianchi Campione d' Italia pictured above has a serial number of 3323 and a code "7-B".

Please let me know if you can nail down the years - I just assumed they were 87ish.

auchencrow

Thanks for the input beech333 - I've been trying to decide on a color for a while.

T-Mar

In general, all the entry level, sports/touring models of the early 1980s were made in Japan. Even on of the mid-range models, equipped with Japanese components were made in Japan. However, with re-evaluation of the yen in 1985, the higher Japanese models such as the Brava and Limited were pulled back to Italy for a while, before being moved off to Taiwan. I don't know exactly when Bianchi first moved production to Japan or when they started going to Taiwan. The more serial number that I can collect, the better idea we'll have.

The Campione d'Itlia was definitely mid-range in terms of the overall lineup and price.

The black bicycle is definitely a 1987. Based on the components, it's non-USA, probably Canadian. The white one was made in 1986, but AccuShift didn't debut until the 1987 model year, so it should be a 1987 USA model, manufactured in late 1986.

auchencrow

Thanks, T-Mar.