I know next to nothing, but this bike caught my eye...
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I know next to nothing, but this bike caught my eye...
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1681126383.html
I'd like a reliable road bike mainly for exercise and some modest commuting. I love the look of these old Bianchis, but is this a reasonable price assuming everything is in order?
I'd like a reliable road bike mainly for exercise and some modest commuting. I love the look of these old Bianchis, but is this a reasonable price assuming everything is in order?
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I don't know the first thing about Bianchis, except that is a nice looking one. It looks like a model that was build for racing and as nice as that bike looks I would say it makes a less than ideal commuter. I don't see any attachment points for racks or bags, it can be done with P-clamps though. It looks like it has a shorter wheel bas and very little clearance for fenders... which would just be wrong on that bike anyway. I can say personally that commuting with a back pack sucks, getting a rack and pannier bags was a great purchase. I don't know your bike parking situation at work but I would never lock that bike up out of my sight.
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That is a very nice old Bianchi but the price is a bit high, in my opinion. I looked at it myself but after buying an Automoto and a Grandis in the same week, I better back off for a while.
To use a bicycle like the one you are considering for commuting is a mistake, in my opinion. The bike is too pretty. The bike will be parked at the same place from time to time. Once a serious thief sees it, the your ownership days will be limited.
As for recreational riding, absolutely! Take the bike out, get your fun and exercise then put it away until the next ride. And for those commuting effort, get something that is less attractive. Even a guy like me would give your Bianchi a second look, if I saw it locked to a rack time and again.
Nice bike and I love celeste green Bianchi bicycles. In fact, there is a near mint one a few miles from me and the fellow wants $600.00 for the bike. I would be happy to make the deal for you if you wish.
And perhaps a visit to my website would help with that know little thing you mentioned. MY "TEN SPEEDS" Hope this is a help.
To use a bicycle like the one you are considering for commuting is a mistake, in my opinion. The bike is too pretty. The bike will be parked at the same place from time to time. Once a serious thief sees it, the your ownership days will be limited.
As for recreational riding, absolutely! Take the bike out, get your fun and exercise then put it away until the next ride. And for those commuting effort, get something that is less attractive. Even a guy like me would give your Bianchi a second look, if I saw it locked to a rack time and again.
Nice bike and I love celeste green Bianchi bicycles. In fact, there is a near mint one a few miles from me and the fellow wants $600.00 for the bike. I would be happy to make the deal for you if you wish.
And perhaps a visit to my website would help with that know little thing you mentioned. MY "TEN SPEEDS" Hope this is a help.
#5
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It's just about as good of a vintage bicycle you could possibly want! Maybe a Cinelli in that condition would be MORE desirable, but you'd have a very hard time finding a better classic bicycle! The price is a little high, but if you've got the money to blow, you'd have a hard time blowin' it on something nicer.
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Hello I agree on several points. this is a fabulous looking bike and definitly one any bike owner would enjoy. it was built for speed and in it day was more than race worthy (and still a potent machine today if you do not mind being 'handicapped' by 6spd and friction)
while this would make a great bike for exercising I would not recomend it for commuting unless you were just wearing a backpack, could keep it in your office and never rode it in the rain.
while it looks nice in that CL pic I think 975 may be a bit high. the FD certainly does not look like a Super Record to me and even the blurry pic of the RD doesn't look right. I would like to see a few better pics especially the deraileurs and the frame tubing decal.
if you really want a Bianchi for a commuter look for a Brava, Campione d italia. while not ideal they may be less expensive and might atleast have eyelets for a rack on the dropouts.
what size do you ride? are you a beginner/ new to biking? this might be a nice ride for you. looks like a '88 ish and should have an index shifting system.
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1650891856.html
maybe this one depending on your size
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1643908110.html
while this would make a great bike for exercising I would not recomend it for commuting unless you were just wearing a backpack, could keep it in your office and never rode it in the rain.
while it looks nice in that CL pic I think 975 may be a bit high. the FD certainly does not look like a Super Record to me and even the blurry pic of the RD doesn't look right. I would like to see a few better pics especially the deraileurs and the frame tubing decal.
if you really want a Bianchi for a commuter look for a Brava, Campione d italia. while not ideal they may be less expensive and might atleast have eyelets for a rack on the dropouts.
what size do you ride? are you a beginner/ new to biking? this might be a nice ride for you. looks like a '88 ish and should have an index shifting system.
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1650891856.html
maybe this one depending on your size
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1643908110.html
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Last edited by Bianchigirll; 04-08-10 at 07:12 AM. Reason: add some links
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Well, you have a good eye for a good bike, and that is indeed a good bike.
1-It's overpriced (here) but your market may be much higher, I don't know.
2-It's no commuter, unless you have a job where you can blast into work and blast home. Stodgy riding, not.
Hey, now you know a lot more than you did. I'd pay $600 for that bike, but it would have to be a rider (and it's my size). At $500, I doubt I'd be able to flip it and make more than $50-$100, and that's after a clean/polish/lube.
1-It's overpriced (here) but your market may be much higher, I don't know.
2-It's no commuter, unless you have a job where you can blast into work and blast home. Stodgy riding, not.
Hey, now you know a lot more than you did. I'd pay $600 for that bike, but it would have to be a rider (and it's my size). At $500, I doubt I'd be able to flip it and make more than $50-$100, and that's after a clean/polish/lube.
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Is this your first bike? (It just sounds like that when you say "exercise and some modest commuting.)
I wouldn't pay $975 for any bike if it was going to be my first. You can find bikes of a quality that you can be more than ecstatic about in the $200-$400 range (look for mid 80s japanese brands).
Leave the Bianchi for someone else, unless you've just got money to burn (in which case, why don't you go out and buy a new road bike?)
I wouldn't pay $975 for any bike if it was going to be my first. You can find bikes of a quality that you can be more than ecstatic about in the $200-$400 range (look for mid 80s japanese brands).
Leave the Bianchi for someone else, unless you've just got money to burn (in which case, why don't you go out and buy a new road bike?)
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Is this your first bike? (It just sounds like that when you say "exercise and some modest commuting.)
I wouldn't pay $975 for any bike if it was going to be my first. +1
You can find bikes of a quality that you can be more than ecstatic about in the $200-$400 range (look for mid 80s japanese brands). +1
Leave the Bianchi for someone else, unless you've just got money to burn (in which case, why don't you go out and buy a new road bike?)
I wouldn't pay $975 for any bike if it was going to be my first. +1
You can find bikes of a quality that you can be more than ecstatic about in the $200-$400 range (look for mid 80s japanese brands). +1
Leave the Bianchi for someone else, unless you've just got money to burn (in which case, why don't you go out and buy a new road bike?)
That is a really nice bike, but is it worth a Centurion Ironman, a Panasonic DX5000, and a Trek 520 combined? No.
I'd use the money on a mid-late 80's Japanese road bike and a good commuter bike, then spend the rest on the items needed for commuting, like lights, racks, pedals, a comb, deodorant, spare shirt and pants for the office, car rack, etc.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 04-08-10 at 08:10 AM.
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Howdy folks,
Sincere apologies for the delay in responding. Today was my very last day of classes, and a full one at that.
This won't be my first bike. I've ridden for years, but mountain bikes and hybrids. Of the latter, I've owned a few that hovered around the $1000 range, and I always locked them up with a solid Kryptonite New York Lock (which I still have) and cabling through the wheels as a deterrent.
Last summer I sold my most recent hybrid bike (a Sirrus Comp) and I figure it's time to try something different. I've never owned a road bike and would love to give one of them a go - whether vintage or new. So far I've been most drawn by the older-style Bianchis, the possibility of a fixed gear bike (I like the look of the Raleigh Rush Hour, but test rode it and found it a bit of a rough ride), and a few cyclocross bikes I've seen here and there in local bike shops (like the DeVinci Strada).
I appreciate all your input so far, and would love to hear more if you come across bikes in the Toronto classifieds you think I might like. I posted here because, when it comes to VINTAGE bikes, I know absolutely nothing. I see the word "Campy" this and that thrown about and I'm just lost.
For the record, I'm 5"11 and about 180lbs. I'm also a sucker for fashion.
Sincere apologies for the delay in responding. Today was my very last day of classes, and a full one at that.
This won't be my first bike. I've ridden for years, but mountain bikes and hybrids. Of the latter, I've owned a few that hovered around the $1000 range, and I always locked them up with a solid Kryptonite New York Lock (which I still have) and cabling through the wheels as a deterrent.
Last summer I sold my most recent hybrid bike (a Sirrus Comp) and I figure it's time to try something different. I've never owned a road bike and would love to give one of them a go - whether vintage or new. So far I've been most drawn by the older-style Bianchis, the possibility of a fixed gear bike (I like the look of the Raleigh Rush Hour, but test rode it and found it a bit of a rough ride), and a few cyclocross bikes I've seen here and there in local bike shops (like the DeVinci Strada).
I appreciate all your input so far, and would love to hear more if you come across bikes in the Toronto classifieds you think I might like. I posted here because, when it comes to VINTAGE bikes, I know absolutely nothing. I see the word "Campy" this and that thrown about and I'm just lost.
For the record, I'm 5"11 and about 180lbs. I'm also a sucker for fashion.
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Now I have seen everything on C&V.
Members trying to talk someone out of buying a great vintage bike?!
What's next...cats and dogs living together? Human sacrifice?!
More seriously...
The Bianchi looks great, and if you can afford it and it fits you, why not? But I'd think you would also want a 'workhorse' for getting around campus, to work, etc. I wouldn't ride my better bike as a commuter, its advantages in weight and responsiveness would not matter on the city streets and why risk theft, potholes, scrapes, etc.
FWIW I equipped my whole family with good if basic Japanese 80s bikes, and myself with a very nice one, without cracking $1000 total.
Members trying to talk someone out of buying a great vintage bike?!
What's next...cats and dogs living together? Human sacrifice?!
More seriously...
The Bianchi looks great, and if you can afford it and it fits you, why not? But I'd think you would also want a 'workhorse' for getting around campus, to work, etc. I wouldn't ride my better bike as a commuter, its advantages in weight and responsiveness would not matter on the city streets and why risk theft, potholes, scrapes, etc.
FWIW I equipped my whole family with good if basic Japanese 80s bikes, and myself with a very nice one, without cracking $1000 total.
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Hi guys,
What do you think of this Bianchi Pista fixie? A pretty penny, but I can't make heads or tails respecting the components and whether they're worth it.
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1660137670.html
What do you think of this Bianchi Pista fixie? A pretty penny, but I can't make heads or tails respecting the components and whether they're worth it.
https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1660137670.html
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https://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ192040658
Thoughts? I'm seriously considering it!
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I discovered the same bike ad on Kijiji with fuller, higher res pics. Maybe these will help?
https://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ192040658
Thoughts? I'm seriously considering it!
https://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ192040658
Thoughts? I'm seriously considering it!
FD
RD
Shifters
Hubs
Its worth ~$750 and thats mostly for the frameset, crankset and brakeset.
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i would avoid the pista its a nice bike but its a track bike, its made to race around a velodrome (banked track) The Pista It certainly would be a fun bike to ride but not a good commuter (no room for fenders or racks). Like other people have already said look for a basic 80 japanese road bike or the vintage bianchi or you could look at bikes direct... they make dirt cheap fixed geared bikes that are ok, and work right out of the box, great for people who don't want to tinker.
I guess alot of what you should get should depend on your price range and what you need the bike to do, for me I ride my bikes everyday to get most everyplace, so i tend towards the more touring or sport touring models cuz i need to carry things, but if you just want to go on weekend jaunts the perhaps the pista would be ok...
I looked on CL for you check out this other bianchi...https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1682888588.html that would leave you some cash for other things
just my 2 cents
I guess alot of what you should get should depend on your price range and what you need the bike to do, for me I ride my bikes everyday to get most everyplace, so i tend towards the more touring or sport touring models cuz i need to carry things, but if you just want to go on weekend jaunts the perhaps the pista would be ok...
I looked on CL for you check out this other bianchi...https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1682888588.html that would leave you some cash for other things
just my 2 cents
#18
Disraeli Gears
If you're 5'-11“ tall, my money says that a 55 cm frame is too small for you, unless you have shortish legs for your height. Don't spend a lot of dosh on a bike that doesn't fit!
#20
Disraeli Gears
OP is not a local racer, and fit is an important consideration if you're thinking of spending close to $1K on a road bike, if you've never ridden one before. OPs experience is with ”MTBs and hybrids“ and I'll bet that none of them had the grips 8 cm below top of his saddle, like most of your local racer-boys.
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Thanks for your thoughts on the Bianchi "Super Record" components. I've contacted the seller in hopes that he might clarify; no word.
I also contacted the seller of this Bianchi: https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1650891856.html
Apparently it's still available and the bike is in great shape, but the seller is a solid hour or two away. Do you gents think it's worth the $400 ticket price?
Of course, I won't commit to buying anything until I've ridden it and ensured that the fit is proper.
I also contacted the seller of this Bianchi: https://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/1650891856.html
Apparently it's still available and the bike is in great shape, but the seller is a solid hour or two away. Do you gents think it's worth the $400 ticket price?
Of course, I won't commit to buying anything until I've ridden it and ensured that the fit is proper.
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You could spend the next few months searching for a better deal, or you could spend the next few months riding that beautiful Bianchi.
#24
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