itsmeellen

Greetings! I am going to look at a Bianchi Forza for sale off of Craigslist. I am pretty certain it is overpriced (is listed at $300) according to what I have read so far... but I was hoping that you all could give me some more insight. What do you think it is worth and why? Details below.

Here is the post:
"This is an all original Bianchi bicycle that has been stored indoors and ridden sparingly. 51cm is the measurement from center of bottom bracket to center of where the seat tube meets the top tube (stand-over height is about 30-31 inches). This bike is in almost perfect condition. The only flaws are a few small scratches and some broken plastic on a cosmetic part of the brake levers. The bar tape is also damaged, but it can be ridden as is or I will replace the bar tape with the color/type of your choice for just the cost of the tape.

-Shimano Exage EX500 front and rear derailleur
-Shimano Exage brake calipers and levers
-Double butted Tange Chromoly Bianchi Superset II frame and fork
-Fully tuned and adjusted and ready to ride- The ride is super smooth and fast!
-700c alloy wheelset with quick release

I am asking $300 or best offer for this well preserved classic."

I wish I could share photos but this is my first post here and I cannot until I have 10 posts apparently.

From the photos, I would say the condition is good (not perfect). I believe all original parts like the ad says. Some scratches but the decals are intact. Color: bright red. The cassette looks rusty but the chainring looks good.

Any insight you have is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

jdawginsc 

I'd say over-priced, though someone is on ebay asking $350.00. I loved my early 80s Bianchi, but soured on the Japanese versions later on...once they dropped Sun Tour, I guess.

Bianchigirll 

Hello and welcome. I agree it is a bit overpriced, especially despite since being mostly idle for 25+ years it still needs to have the bearings serviced, so if you can’t do that work you need to figure the cost into your purchase price.

is this on craigslist? What city?

itsmeellen

Yes it is on Craigslist in Portland, Oregon.

bargainguy

This one? https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/...891990498.html

It's clean, but I'm seeing something in the third pic - end of the pedal / dust cap doesn't look right. Broken or missing, I can't tell. Might need to replace, we don't want sharp edges on any pedal surfaces.

Edit - plus general corrosion of the chain and freewheel. I wouldn't want to sell a bike in this condition for this $. Pass.

itsmeellen

That's the one!

Slightspeed

I had a red Forza back around 2002. I was a great riding bike. As I recall the shifters were downtube, but the rear was indexed. The Exage drivetrain and Biopace crankset never have me any trouble. I had just changed the 7 speed cassette to a more hill friendly gear, when me and the bike got hit by a car. I was fine, the Forza not so much. I transferred most of the parts (even the wheels survived) to an aluminum Nashbar frame, but the ride just wasn't as nice as the Forza. Even as a low level bike, the ride was quite nice. I paid $150 at a swap meet back in the day. I still have the bent frame hanging on the garage wall. The headset lives on in my restored Super Course, and the Exage front derailleur is a replacement for the broken Simplex on my Peugeot PR10.

itsmeellen

I am happy to report that I went ahead and purchased the bike last night! I ended up giving $200 but the person threw in new bar tape. I will post pictures once I am able!

merziac

Excellent! Welcome aboard.