MetinUz

First, I would like to apologize if this looks like fishing for a sale. I just upgraded my membership so that I would feel comfortable with this post.

I picked up a pair of Litton bikes. One fits me perfectly and is definitely a keeper, but I can barely straddle this one on my tiptoes. Seems to have very few miles, no chips, no wear on components. Unfortunately, there is a ding on the top tube due to a storage accident. I think a new frame would set one back about $2000, and there is a complete 9-speed Chorus group as well. What I can't figure out is how big a deal the ding is. If this were a $200 bike, I would look past it, but clearly it matters a lot more on a bike like this. Any suggestions on a fair price for frame/fork or complete bike?

toytech

Ed Litton is still around, maybe he can fix the ding? Hard to value a custom like that, I have seen Mickelson bikes languish, and others sell for 2k+ same thing with the Litton, except he is not nearly as prolific so it is probably pretty rare. Might try talking to someone at Missing Link in Berkeley. They have been around forever and are probably familiar with Ed Litton's work. It is also worth the trip to see the cool stuff hanging on the wall and in the window at their shop.

repechage

Litton at one time, maybe still did warranty work for Bianchi, that probably is the reason for the color. The reflections on the top tube indicate maybe two hits, one at the rear exit of the brake cable. The size really limits the audience.

MetinUz

No, I was trying to find an angle with lots of reflection to show the ding. There is no ding around the brake cable hole, as you can see below. If it were my size, I might have looked into fixing it, though it may be better to live with it and not have to re-paint, as the fix will surely mar the paint.

I know it's hard to value a rare, large size custom frame, let alone one with a ding. Any rough estimate? Is $500 reasonable?

toytech

I would ask at least 500, especially with a nice build kit, and the ding is not terminal. Start higher than you think you will get, and adjust as needed I have been pleasantly surprised this way.

Bianchigirll 

nice looking Bianchi *giggle* I like the little reenforcement at the HT/DT junction $500? I would try and ride it for that. what year is it? I don't think the dent will be too mcuh of a deal killer. it is not structural and we have all see alot worse bikes being offered for alot more.

PS OK don't ask my this popped into my head while I was riding but I think BigJimmy over in Mi has been looking for an nice upperend Bianchi. this however might appeal to him too although I don't know if it is his price range

also looking at the pics for the 5th or 6th time I love the cable guides on the HT but that it also has bosses. the guides would look odd if you went with DT shifters but still a great option to have

OK one last edit, what s the frame material?

JohnDThompson 

Since this is a steel frame, the ding is more a cosmetic concern than structural. If it were my bike, I'd ride it as is until it needed repainting, at which point I'd consider getting it fixed.

verktyg 

Ed Litton was in partnership with Albert Eisentraut and this looks like a frame from that time span (late 80's, early 90's). Much of the dent can be rolled out with 1" steel split blocks but it will trash the paint in the area of the dent.

For quite a few years, Ed did all of the warranty repairs and resprays on the top models for Bianchi USA.

The paint looks like a pearlescent Celeste color which will be hard to match for a number of reasons including reformulation of the contents of paints due to government regulations.

A lugged frame could be masked off and the top tube resprayed but it would pretty much require a complete respray on a lugless frame.

As far as what type of tubing the frame in question is made of, Ed Litton, Albert Eisentraut plus most of other US builders used a variety of different brands of tubing in their frames - many times mixing them for desired results.

Columbus SL and SP plus standard Ishiwata and Tange tubes were all made of 4130 Chrome-Moly alloy steel which had the same strength as Reynolds 531, Super Vitus 971 and 980, Oria and some other brands. All of the cycling urban myths about one brand being better than the other was/is just so much road apple hooey!!!!

Good builders selected tubes base on wall thicknesses plus the taper and outside diameters of forks and stays to meet the needs of the frames they were building. All things being equal, many times they used what ever brand of tubing cost the least and was most readily available! That's why many builders didn't put tubing stickers on their frames!

There is no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny!!!

I know that Super Vitus 983, Tange Prestige and Excel tubing were frequently used in the mid to late 80's plus brands like Daccordi and some of the higher alloy Columbus tubes were used too. Reynolds 753 wasn't used as much unless specified by a customer because it was expensive and tricky to work with.

verktyg

Chas.

TimmyT 

Zombie thread

Bianchigirll 

I wonder what ever happened to this beautiful bike

KonAaron Snake 

IMO this needs to be a part out to get anything from it, and even then, keep expectations low. I'd say that ding, coupled with small name and large size dramatically reduces value and makes this hard to sell. I wouldn't even offer a number, but I;d take whatever you get on the frame and sell the parts. I don't see the frame as having much value.

miamijim

Large high quality frames are so rare that a small dent will have no impact on price.

If it were a smaller more common size it would have a major impact as a buyer could easily find an unscathed frame.

KonAaron Snake 

Interesting way of looking at it...you could be right.

I see it somewhat diffrently, now your market is even further limited from people looking for a 63cm custom geo frame and who care about Ed Litton, now it's people looking for a 63cm small name builder AND who don't mind dents. I also think the demand side on larger bikes vs supply is buyer favorable comparative to mid and small sizes.

miamijim

I understand you r perspective but see it as someone looking for a high quality frame set regardless of the maker versus somepne looking for a specific maker.

If your a big person you already know your options are very. very limited. Your going to take what you can get and your going to get it for the big frame discount!!!

Lets cross thread for sec and consider the big Ritchey for a moment, I have a strong feeling it may sit there with one bid and sell with one bid.

KonAaron Snake 

Even so, I think a Litton and Ritchey are very different animals. Tom Ritchey may be the most important US builder. Period. Ed Litton is one of a hundred of talented local guys.

merziac

Agreed, however Litton is one of a much smaller group that is still plying his craft as we speak and that speaks volumes for many different reasons while Ritchey is also still at it I'll bet you would be hard pressed to get him to work on something for you.