henryha

Hey Guys,
Very new to the bike thing. Decided to grab a random bike and try and restore it for some casual biking...

Can anyone get me the estimate for this one? Paid $30 for it. Just wondering if this was even worth it. I will think I would have to replace the chain, seat, handle grips? Was planning to repaint it too. Thanks!

Bianchigirll 

Hello and welcome to the forums. I would say in that shape $30 is about right would you have paid $50 for it?. A good cleaning, chain (maybe cassette too) some grips and cables will get her back on the road.

Paint? Unless you have a good clean warm shop, good air brush equipment and the know how I would not recommend painting it. More pics may tell a better story but aside from the rust at the bottom bracket shell the paint looks pretty good. An acid bath and local touch may be a better idea than a full repaint.

oddjob2

Don't paint it, clean the rust up and clear coat those areas. A clean, ready to ride Bianchi Hybrid can bring some decent money. I won't hazard a guess until I see the quality of your effort, but I sold a pristine one as recently as a year ago.

Binky

I concur. I think we have a very similar little Bianchi MAINSTREET hybrid around the house somewhere and it was about the same money - advertised for $20 but the woman asked for $30 - and I would suggest you leave the paint alone. New cables & chain only if if required, then lube the axel & crank bearings - and likely new brake pads unless they have already been replaced. A lot of people buy bikes and they sit for years without seeing any use. The condition of the chain & sprockets will indicate how much it has been used.

RacerX1

Great find! I bought one here at auction not too long ago for about the same money. Saw the name and had to pull the trigger. I concur with the comments in regards to not painting it. I didn't. Thankfully my tires were in good shape but needed a tube..new grease..basic tune-up stuff and had no problem selling it for $125. Sold it to a guy that owned a pizza joint that just had to have it.

henryha

Thanks for the advice guys! I've been acid bathing some of the chrome parts and slowly learning how to build/rebuild it. I'll probably not paint it like you guys suggested. Anyone know where i can get some replacement decals?