Late 80's bianchi giro assessment

[sayn3ver]

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/bik/2956846443.html


$600
Beautiful 1989 Bianchi Giro
Made in Italy
57 CM Frame
Columbus Acciaio CroMo Cyclex SLX Rinforzi Elicoidali Tubing
Sella Italia Saddle
Campagnolo Crank,Brakes, Athena group Drive Package (index shifters) and Hubs.


I have no clue about these but have been wanting to pick up another bike since selling my Caad10 about 1 & 1/2 ago. Wanted something steel and cheaper. This seems like way overpriced for what it is but it's in a color and size I want if ever decided to go down this route.

Any help would be appreciated. I know gauging prices without seeing the item is like shooting in the dark, just hoping to get an ideal of a ballpark price to negotiate down to.

[tmh657]

I would agree it's a beautiful bike although I would like to see a silver stem on it. I have seen this bike listed before at this price so that would tell you nobody beat down his door to buy it. I have this bike in black and was researching it when I came upon the ad a few months back. It is definitely a great riding frame.

In general where I live my experience on Craig's List has been that a mid to late 80's Celeste Bianchi, Italian made with Campagnolo will sell for $450 more or less depending on the flavor of Columbus tubing and level of Campagnolo. SLX could go higher perhaps.

Go look at it. If this bike fits you, it's as clean as it looks in the photos make an offer. I wish mine was Celeste but I still like it a lot.

The pedals.. eeek. I am sure they were put on for test rides and he will keep the "good" pedals. And Bianchi Girl or a BF'er with more experience may show up to give an expert opinion. You will also find several threads on BF about this Bianchi model.

[sayn3ver]

thanks for the input. after a quick search, if i dunno what to think. some seem to think ~$400 but some think ~$200-250

[sayn3ver]

after spending more time then i though searching on here, I would definitely like to check this bike out in person but would love some help in the price department.
Looking for something to ride in addition to erging and running, that has some character, that I could throw a leather saddle on and look not so out of place, and that most importantly, rides nice.

NJ is mostly flat so not much climbing here.

I am less then 8 minutes away from them which increases the appeal.

[randyjawa]

I would not feel as if I had spent too much for that bicycle, even if I did pay the full $600.00.

A celeste green Bianchi with full Campagnolo is a highly sought after vintage road bicycle and worth the asking price, in my opinion. The one presented looks to be in very good and little used condition. If the pedals are an indication of the previous owner's preference, then the bicycle was not used used by a recreational rider and, once again, not very much.

Were I looking for a nice steel road bicycle of higher quality, I would not have to look further.

All that said, please keep in mind the determining Vintage Bicycle Value is tricky and, quite likely, impossible to do. If you like the bicycle and it fits, then offer a bit less, say $500.00 but don't balk at the asking price. The bike, in just about any market location will, sooner or later, fetch that amount - if it is still available.

[Bianchigirll]

I have looked at that CL posting several times and almost went to look and measure it. I think it looks a tad big for a 57 bit IIRC these came every CM so it could just be a 58 mismeasured.

I need this like a hole in my head but I am with Randy 600 would not be too bad a price for this. It looks in great shape and is completely stock with a full Athena group w/ Synchro 2 shifters sans pedals.

It is a '89 model and was the same frame as the other top two models that year the Super Leggera and the Mondaile.

[sayn3ver]

Thats good and bad news. Good news seeing how the bike is considered desirable, not nice as I was hoping to keep budget around $200-300.

Would $450 be an insult?

[sayn3ver]

checked it out and going to think about it. real clean except for a few chips on the top tube and some rash/chips on the drive side chain-stay.
worried about the exposed steel and rust. the spots aren't rusted beyond light surface rust if that makes any sense. not sure if I am over thinking this.

seller said he had the rear wheel trued up after his buddy hit a pot hole on a charity ride. I took it for a spin and didn't notice anything besides the nice ride and clean shifting.

[Bianchigirll]

I f you shop around you can find some good Japanese steel bikes in that price range but never anything like this unless you get real lucky. IIRC this has been for sale for a few weeks so it simply a matter of how badly he wants to sell it. You may consider offering 450 but be prepared to haggle for 500. One thing is for sure if you score this for 450 and do not like it you can resell it pretty quick for 450.

Did you by chance measure it and double check the size? If it is a tad big you may need to replace th eseatpost to get the seat much lower.

[sayn3ver]

on the contrary the seat post raised to its limit mark just makes it for my leg length. May need to find a larger one. Compared to my preivous 58cm cannondale, the reach and overall comfort feels real good. I didn't think to bring along a rule to measure it.

[thinktubes]

Sound like this may be a good candidate. If you offer $450, expect to pay $500. Only a doof seller wouldn't counter offer. $500 is a fair price if the bike fits you well and you plan on keeping it. As a recent convert to SLX tubing, I only have good things to say about it. You won't miss the extra money you spend once you ride it. Use those pedals to leverage the seller on the price - they are truely horrible.

[sayn3ver]

I picked it up last night. The seller was super nice and threw in a set of practically brand new specialized armadillos at no extra cost. I was happy cause I was looking for a bombproof set of tires ( with no care about speed or handling). They'll fit the bill for free. I already had a set of SPD pedals I can use until I get the ones I want. Can anyone point me in the direction of info on wrenching/tuning/info on campy drivetrains?

[Bianchigirll]

Congrats!! I am sure your will be very happy with that bike.

Go see Stanley at D&Q in Cherry Hill. that Synchro drive train can be finicky. http://www.dandq.com/index.htm

Pics?

[anixi]

Hope I'm not too nosy to ask for the final sale price! You've piqued my interest, since this is just about the perfect bike for myself, eventually. I had a Veloce for a long time, but, it was heavy at over 23lbs. How much does this one weigh? I'd surely love to get either a Jpn or Ital. Bianchi Celeste at around 20lbs...

[Bianchigirll]

this bike weighs in at 22lbs according to the catalog. I think a 20lb steel Bianchi might be possible but you need a SL framed one and a complete Super Record Ti group, old school box section 32h tubular rims and lots of other weight weenie bits

[sayn3ver]

I ended up paying exactly what was predicted by others...so they are either that good, the seller was reading this thread as well, or one of them is the actual seller.


Pictures will come in time, in their own thread in the appropriate forum.

[anixi]

For around $500, that's a great buy! Congratulations

[Bianchigirll]

I ended up paying exactly what was predicted by others...so they are either that good, the seller was reading this thread as well, or one of them is the actual seller.


Pictures will come in time, in their own thread in the appropriate forum.

2 out of three. Some of these guys are really good but as I mentioned that bike has been for sale for some time now so the seller was ready. Also as mentioned if it was a 59 it would have been gone long ago.

[sayn3ver]

yes with the tires thrown in it was definitely more of price range.
now i just need to track down that missing dome nut for the rear caliper.

anyone have an extra rear d500 athena caliper they'd be willing to part with or just the nut?
will be taking bianchigirll's advice and using a regular ol nut for now but would like to find an original fastener.

[Bianchigirll]

Your best bet is to watch ebay for a single brake.

[sayn3ver]

i guess i'll start waiting it out on ebay. I just can't see me paying too much for the set of brakes for one part where i could by newer brakes for the same or less.