Rainintogravity

Found this on craigslist near my city, but the components have been downgraded from the 105s it should have, and it's been painted.

BIANCHI IMOLA ROAD BIKE

It's supposedly a 2006 imola... Are my questions below out of line? If any of you could take a look at the ad, if you can tell anything that would define it as bianchi, let me know! There is only one photo, but the area listed of 'Renton/kent' isn't necessarily the best city in my state either, but definitely not the worst. Thanks all!


Here are my email messages with the person:

On Wednesday, March 26, 2014 6:34 PM
Hi there,

What size is the frame in cm? What year is it as well, if you know?

Thanks,
J


The reply:
On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 7:13 PM, craigslist 4389751734 wrote:
Hi, I don't know the size in cm, its 2006. Thanks

I replied back:

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:44 PM,
I guess I’m just confused because 29” is not an actual frame size. Is that just the stand over height you’re referencing? I’m 5’ 10”/11” and I fit a 55-56cm frame road bike, typically.

Do you have any of the original components left? I believe the Imolas came with 105 components, not Sora. Also, do the tires offer any puncture protection?
Thank you!

The reply this morning:

Hi J, if you want to see the bike let me know. Thanks

JamesRL

Smells mighty fishy.

Someone posted about a 46" frame on CL today and I had to chuckle a bit.

If he doesn't know the size, then he could be a flipper, or it might be hot. Not sure why someone would downgrade everything.

I'd walk away.

SkyDog75

I can't tell for certain whether it's an Imola frame from that pic, but I don't think it is. Bianchi Imola frames are steel and that downtube looks awfully fat for steel.

hueyhoolihan

the seller is not very interested... i wouldn't bother.

BenPS

what skydog said. Here's what it should look like 2006 Bianchi Imola - BikePedia

and that doesn't look the same to me

Rainintogravity

Yeah, I looked it up, the down tube does look wrong... I also found one of bianchi's low end models, the Brava, with some accessories... It's also an '06:

Bianchi Brava

Sound better? Haha I know some about bikes, but my bike fever sometimes clouds my judgement. (; (right now I don't have any bike.)

J.C. Koto

That's sketchy as all get-out. There's no way I'd buy that for any price as there's a very good chance it's stolen.

fietsbob

its a Generic TW alloy frame now .. it aint celeste and doesn't have the Name on it

so the seller is dreaming the brand is believable .

True, stolen bikes do get resprays .