Bianchi: what to look for, how to ID?

[mector07]

Hello all,

Did a search for bianchi to look at old posts on this forum, and I have to say you guys are amazing! Identifying switched parts, etc, from just pictures. Hoping you can help me out.

Looking at a post on CL for this guy: http://images.craigslist.org/5Ke5X45...7034b21943.jpg . (Terrible image). The post doesn't say much: "21 speed, new bar tape. sun tour cyclone gears. tow clip pedals, racing seat. holds an awesome value. 20 inch frame, stand over 29 inches."

Looks good for my size (5'5"). I'm going to look at it tomorrow. My question is, what model is it? And if you can't ID it from the picture, what should I ask the seller, and/or look for tomorrow to evaluate this bicycle? The seller is asking $439. I just have no idea if that's a fair price, and once I see/ride the bike I still am not sure how to evaluate the bike's value.

Thanks for your help!
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If relevant, here's my background: (short: I don't know much about bikes, and I don't need anything fancy/special)

Definitely new to the bike scene, been riding my father's sears "spirit" brand road bike for several years. It's a clunker and I don't know enough about bikes to fix 'er up. Not looking for anything special, will be using this bike for weekend trips 10-50mi, and for commuting to work (3mi). Also for fun stuff like New Belgium's 'urban assault' race, etc. Checked out new bikes at a local shop, and even low-end hybrids are going for 500+. So I'm looking at used bikes!

[Standard Issue]

This is most likely a pre-1990 campione d' italia. It might be columbus cromor tubing. Celeste paint is a plus.
Top of the bottom of the line or bottom of the top of the line; whichever way you choose to see it but I wouldnt pay more than $250 depending on condition.
$439 should get you a post 2000 bike with STIs and upper-mid-level components. If thats your budget, you could do a lot better.

[mector07]

This is most likely a pre-1990 campione d' italia. It might be columbus cromor tubing. Celeste paint is a plus.
Top of the bottom of the line or bottom of the top of the line; whichever way you choose to see it but I wouldnt pay more than $250 depending on condition.
$439 should get you a post 2000 bike with STIs and upper-mid-level components. If thats your budget, you could do a lot better.

Ok that's really helpful. Thank you.

[zukahn1]

This is a very nice road bike if it your size the Suntour gearing says it a lesser model but isn't a big deal if everything works right and it rides smooth. This bike should ride silky smooth with nice shifting and good easy brakes if not it's just not he bike the guy is selling advertising.

[randyjawa]

Welcome to the Bike Forums.

The picture offered and the limited information coupled with the picture are hardly adequate for me to offer an appraisal about value. In addition to the bicycle itself, many other things will contribute to what the bike is worth. You can learn more about this by looking through Vintage Bicycle Value.

As for what to look for when inspecting a potential purchase, have a look through Vintage Bicycle Quality. That will tell you lots about what makes a bicycle a good bicycle.

Also, if you plan to commute with the bicycle, parking it day after day at your work place, sooner or later, the bicycle will be stolen! The celeste green vintage Bianchi is a highly sought after bicycle. You would be better off riding your clunker to work and ride the Bianchi for special things, like fun.

As for value, don't know - but under $500.00, depending on condition, would seem not too far out of line. Of course, if you just want a decent vintage road bicycle to ride, why not find one yourself. Since you are new to the interest, the Word of Mouth method, listed in How To Find Vintage Bicycles, should produce something special if you apply the information offered.

Hope that is a help.

[wrk101]

At the $439 pricepoint, you really should be getting something special. Bike does not appear to be that special. With that budget, I would get educated on how to evaluate a used bike, Randy's site is a good place to start.

In any financial transaction, the person with the most knowledge wins. Be that person.

+1 Japanese components are a clue to this being a nice, but lower level Bianchi. More like $275.

[Bianchigirll]

Standard Issue was really close. I wish the pic was better but that certainly appears to be a '88 Campione de Italia, Columbus Formula 2 frame with a mix of Stronglight 190 cranks, Modolo America brakes and Suntour hubs (model not stated) and Sprint derailleurs.

I agree $440 is a tad high for this bike but considering it is a Celeste Columbus framed Bianchi I don't think it is unreasonable esp in a 'hot' market. The frame was shared with 2 other bikes that year Trofeo and Giro. I shoud be a great rider but it is nothing special and I would try and get it for closer to $300.

Also this looks real small like maybe a 50cm so I would double check the size at 5'5 I would think you would be more like a 52

[mector07]

Really great responses. I didnt actually manage to make it out there today, so going tomorrow (now today...). Some of these responses were helpful in maybe redirecting my thinking. I'm really not in this to get a "vintage" bike, but it seems that I can get nicer older bikes for significantly less than nicer newer bikes. Really just want a reliable road bike that I can use for the aforementioned purposes: commuting, weekend rides, and the occasional "event" like the urban assault race. I'm just a graduate student at the moment, so buying multiple bikes isn't really a possibility. With this in mind, should I be aiming much lower than I am, and perhaps set a lower price point? Knowing that the characteristic celeste color is going to attract unwanted attention is certainly worriesome!