Originally Posted by
jon c.
With the caveat that I'm a relative neophyte, I respectfully disagree. I certainly don't think or have any reason to believe the low end modern bikes are anywhere near the quality of older, high end bikes. I've ridden older bikes with Shimano 600 that was much cleaner, crisper and smoother shifting than new Ultegra. And if you're going with steel, high end old steel is certainly better than low end new steel. Finally, I'm not sure I'd pay that much for a Satellite Comp as a few months ago a dealer was offering me a Jamis Quest, which is better steel and better components, for $1,300 (and I think I could have got him down to $1,200, but I ended up buying an 81 Raleigh Team Pro instead .... I note that to disclose my bias :-). If you're going the Jamis route, see what price they'll give you on a Quest. My impression from the well below list prices I was offered is that the dealer mark up on a Jamis must be pretty high.
The foregoing is a general old v. new response. I lack the expertise to have any opinion on what the Bianchi in question is worth.
First, the Bianchi in question appears to be a mid range bike, not high end. The fact that it was spec'd with Shimano 600 means it was a notch or two or three down from the top.
As to the frame, if it is Tange Prestige, and hand built, then you may have an argument. The new bike is REynolds 520, which is a decent cro mo tubeset.
If the Bianchi isn't Tange Prestige, then it is likely also 4130 Cro Mo and the tubeset itself is essentially the same as the Jamis. Add in the fact that the Jamis is Tig welded, not lugged, and the Jamis frameset is likely lighter.
Next issue: Headset, stem, steerer tube. The Jamis is threadless, the Bianchi is threaded. This adds up to a 1-2 pound advantage for the Jamis, as well as being stiffer, easier to adjust the headset, and longer lasting bearings.
While we're on it, bearings. Most all the bearings on the Jamis are sealed, most likely not so on the Bianchi.
Groupset. I've had owned every generation of indexed shifting that Shimano has ever produced, except 7900. Any thought that down tube seven speed is better than modern STI is simply romanticized nostalgia.
Wheels: Wheels have gotten a lot better in the last quarter century, both lighter and more durable.
Tires: The tires on the Jamis don't have 20 plus years of dry rot.
Upgrades/ Replacements. Standards have changed, and it won't be easy to change or replace certain things on the Bianchi, such as stems, handlebars.
My first "good" bike was a Bianchi, I had a Schwinn Paramount until a couple of years ago, and I still have a Paramount Track bike.
All nice bikes, but my sense of nostalgia doesn't change the fact that bikes have improved, Grant Peterson not withstanding.