jyl

I know little or nothing about Bianchis, except that some are lovely and that I really would like to own one someday. So I figure I better start learning about them. Ideally I'd like an old one, '70s or earlier.

This one caught my eye. Looks old. What is it? Quality low/high? Rough value?

These are not my pics, sorry.

T-Mar

It's definitely an older Bianchi, probably 1960s. The frame itself seems to be relatively low level on the basis of the stamped droputs. It looks like an old club racer. The components don't tell much, as it's a real Frankenbike. The saddle, pedals and derailleurs are definitely later additions. The crankarms, brakes and shift levers may be original. The seat post is installed backwards. The stem looks dangerously high.

FastJake

I've seen a couple of these frames now, one in person and one here on BF. The fork crown and "Bianchi" decals give it away. Late 1950s or 60s. The ones I've seen had low-end Campagnolo components (back when Campy made a full line, not just high end parts) and a cottered steel crankset. From the information I've seen and read these were lower end frames, nothing special.

They are still cool in my opinion, being so old. What's the asking price? I wouldn't spend a bundle on one, but if you can get it cheap it would be a nice addition.

jyl

Seller is asking $250.

randyjawa 

I have owned two very similar Bianchi steeds, and both were of late sixties to mid seventies vintage. Other than that, the only thing I can offer is an invitation to have a look at this feature article on the Bianchi Sprint that I published a few years back...

jyl

Nice article, randy. I think I've read your entire website twice, it was one of the things that got me interested in vintage bikes.

Anyone know of a website devoted to older Bianchis? Thinking particularly the 1950s-1970s models?

Yes, this one seems very franken.

FastJake

Pass. I'd want to pay around $100. If it was original and clean $250 might make sense.

jyl

That sounds right. Well, maybe it will languish long enough for the price to converge on $100.

SteveSGP

I sold this frame last year on E-bay exactly as pictured for $205.00 plus shipping so $250.00 for a complete bike probably isn't a terrible deal even if it's not all original.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/130684396450...450%26_rdc%3D1

Chombi

I never did figure out why they put those not-so-nice looking frame serial numbers on bike head lugs back then. They could have at least made them a bit smaller and not so easy to see from a mile away....

LesterOfPuppets

I wish they were all that way. I hate flipping bikes to log them in @ my volunteer wrench gig

jyl

How low-end are these frames? I mean, are they gaspipe? 28 lb bikes? Is this the Italian AO-8?

T-Mar

Well, there does appear to have been some method to their madness, at least in regards to the location, if not the size. Bianchi regularly changed the location (i.e. seat lugs, head lugs, bottom bracket). It makes it much easier to date the frame. CCM did the same thing, once they standardized their serial number format. After the each run through the series, they'd change the serial number location. Having the location and serial number, you peg the exact year, even with a totally stripped and altered frame.

T-Mar

Based on what we suspect are original components, it is probably a lighweight, high carbon steel. It's more along the lines of a PA10.

wrk101

I think it will sell for that price in a decent market. Low end? You bet! But it's a Bianchi, it's Celeste, and the decal work is attractive.

zukahn1 

+1 despite being low end strait gage steel frame with ugly lug work and junk components it will sell it has a cool look nice color and vinatage appeal to the less than savey buyer.

jyl

I've been looking for a smaller adult bike that is fairly inexpensive but with a load of character, as my son's next bike.

The Peugeot G-50 (juvenile road bike) is getting to be borderline too small for him.

I bought a very nice Trek 710 (or was it a 715?) frame but at 48 cm, I now realize it is too small.

I'm eyeballing this Bianchi at 52 cm, a size which he'd be able to ride for longer.

This wouldn't be his daily ride-to-school-lock-in-rain bike. Just his go-riding-with-dad-on-weekends bike.