npartypack

Hi Folks,
I recently picked up what I believe is a 1999 Bianchi Eros Reparto Corse for $50. I say I believe because I don't have a full history on the bike. I'm guessing 1999 based on the decals and groupset. The serial number is A90902419. The decals and paint in general is in rough shape. No rust, but the guy who had her before definitely put some miles on it and there are a good amount of chips and spots where the paint has been rubbed through by the cables. A good number of decals are chipped and beat up (as shown in pics). The decals indicate it was made in Italy with ChromoLite tubing. She has Campgnolo mirage shifters, a Campy triple crank, Campy "racing" 9 speed mirage rear derailer, a 9 speed mirage cassette, and veloce brakes. The wheels are Mavic Open Elite, while the tires are shot. Right now you couldn't run her because the cables are suspect too, so I'm planning on changing those out. The saddle is a Selle Italia with Bianchi branded on it, and the bars are branded Bianchi ITM . The cages are Bianchi aluminum wire cages.

Where I'm sitting at now, is she worth the time and effort of getting her fully functional again or would you recommend parting it out or do you think I paid too much for a celeste bike with cool reparto corse stickers? To be functional and safe she needs new tires (let's say $30), cables ($10), bar tape ($20), and a chain ($15). Total investment to make it nice and ride-able
is looking to be about $125; what would she be worth after getting her to that point?

Beyond that, when it comes to the decals... is it worth more for them to be original (in their current chipped/peeling state) or for me to invest in new, clean decals? I can polish and protect the chipped paint, but is it too damaged to be worth anything? At the end of the day, if she's only worth what I put into her, I'm ok making her a pretty around-town commuter. If she's worth a pretty penny to someone, I'm happy to pass along that enjoyment!

Any advice, opinions, speculation, and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
npartypack

As I just discovered, until I have 10 posts, I can't post pictures or links to the pictures of the bike. I'll be out posting and will post pics of the bike as soon as possible.

Phil_gretz

What tires will you buy for $30 for that bike? Serious question.

Cables should include new lined housings, not just inners. Add $15 if bought in bulk. Cables $25

Brake pads? Cartridge type? Add $20.

It appears that your goal is to flip this bike. So, I'd say no on the decals, but you might want to touch up. If you can find the paint.

What do you expect full market value to be? How close can you get to that condition?

npartypack

Thanks Phil_gretz for the response! To answer your questions:
>For the tires, I have some used 23mm Continental Competition tires I picked up off of Craigslist. They have plenty of life left in the tread and the wear indicators look good.

>Just bought new cables, ran me $8. I have some spare lined housings from updating the cables on my Jamis so I'm saving some money there.

>The brake pads are still good and functional.

When I check out ebay, flawless Bianchi Eros frames are running for 2-300. Even some with paint chips are being sold for that much. Mine, I'd be pretty happy to get $100? Campy Mirage 9 speed groupsets seem to sell for $150-250. At the end of the day, If someone wanted to pay $225 for it, I'd be really happy. What I don't know is if that is a fair market price. Not trying to fleece anybody, but I also don't want to give it away.

npartypack

Heyyyy 10 posts! Time to add some pictures to the mix

npartypack

Bianchigirll 

It is not a real Reparto Corse bike. The Eros was a excellent quality mid level sports tourer but not a Reparto Corse built machine. By ‘99 some marketing genius had decided to use the Reparto Corse name on most everything as a marketing tool. Real Reparto Corse bike seldom had an actual model name emblazoned on the frame, and by the early to mid ‘90s usually had chromed rear triangles and forks

npartypack

Great to know! Looks like I'll be restoring it to functionality and keeping it as a good around town kind of bike. Thank you for the input and history on the Reparto Corse!

Kenukeanu

I have a bike that looks very similar to your Reparto Corse. However, it does not say Eros with the top tube yellow sticker, it says "Bianchi" with it. Also, the bike came with Campagnolo Veloce 10spd groupset with brake shifters.

Good luck with this restoration!

npartypack

Thanks! The restoration went really well. Mostly just took the rust off of it, changed the cables and gave it new tires. Nice that yours is a 10 speed veloce! How do you like it?

Kenukeanu

Awesome! New cables/tires make a world of a difference.

oh I love the 10spd! Years ago I had a 90s Bianchi running Shimano 600 Tricolor but got stolen in SF after that I was riding on shimano 105sc. Super happy to have this Bianchi in my hands WITH campy parts! Smooth like butter.