jasonsandagon

I recently saw this Bianchi Brava 55cm, made In Italy Bianchi Brava road bike with Suntour Sprint components in mint condition (the ad said 58 but when i emailed him he said it was actually 55cm) on Craislist I emailed the guy and he said the lowest he could go on price is $325 is it worth that much?




I also saw this Late 80s Bianchi Limited with all original Shimano 600 tri color components for $250. I'm new to cycling so I don't really know much.






Thank you in advance for your help!

shoota 

Neither of those prices seem too far off. Links would help, if you can post them.

T-Mar

The Brava should be a 1986 model. The Suntour Sprint is restricted to the derailleurs, with the brakes being lower tier Modolo and most of the other components being from Ofmega. A Limited with 600 Ultegra (aka tricolour) should be 1988-1989. It's one or two rungs higher up the Bianchi ladder and the 600 Ultegra components are better in most aspects. The only real advantage to the Brava is some street credibility, due to its Italian versus Asian manufacture. So, assuming they both fit you well and are in comparable mechanical and cosmetic condition, the Limited is the far better value.

jasonsandagon

It won't let me put pictures or links but thank you. Which one is the better bike typically?

shoota 

jasonsandagon

Thank you! This has been very helpful!

himespau 

You need to have at least 10 posts to post links or pictures. How tall are you?

jasonsandagon

himespau 

Anything else you can tell us to get you to the 10 posts? You can also go to the introduce yourself thread to introduce yourself and welcome others. That's always a good way to get closer to being able to post links to this thread so we can help you out.

jasonsandagon

wrk101

Google bike sizing and also how to measure bike size. Most sellers get the size wrong, its up to the buyer to get it right.

jasonsandagon

jasonsandagon

himespau 

For what it's worth (aka nothing), I find the Limited to be more attractive.

T-Mar

The pictures and additional information confirm the previously stated model years, with the LImited being narrowed down to being a 1988 model manufactured in Japan during October 1987. The Limited exhibits significant drivetrain wear and fair cosmetic condition. The Brava appears to exhibit better mechanical and cosmetic condition. However, both bicycles are probably one size too large for a somebody who is 5'7", assuming average body proportions.

jasonsandagon

T-Mar

With 5'7" being the only available information, my starting point would be a 52cm frame, measured centre-to-centre.