odeek9

Forget the seat-a butt saving experiment. My last year of being an addict/alcoholic, in 1987, I went into the local bike shop and asked for their best bike. This was it and at that time cost $1100.00. 3 weeks later I became ill, clean and sober via many treatment centers, and permanently disabled and unable to ever really ride the bike again-balance issues as part of my disease. Such a horrible disappointment! The bike, Columbus SLX, all Shimano 600 components though I added new cables, Shimano index shifters, and an Ultegra Shimano front derailleur (all just out of boredom and not necessary) has no more than 200 miles on it. I've had it stored in the basement for 23 years simply because I love it and couldn't part with it on a sentimental basis.
It's in beautiful condition with just a handful of minor paint (1/4" the largest) flaws. As I'm older now and can never ride it it's time to finally let go. I have no idea what it's worth. Thoughts please? Thanks-alan

Bianchigirll 

beautiful bike. it is awful that you can't ride anylonger.

odeek9

Thank you Bianchigirll! You're right-it's been very disappointing

TugaDude

Not really questioning your story, but why would you replace components on a bike that was ridden for less than a month that had perfectly good bits on it? Boredom, really?

Anyways, I'm not a Bertoni guy and I'm sure that others will eventually chime in. The SLX tubing makes it desireable and the components are high quality, albeit dated.

My best guess would be +/- $500.00 if it checks out like you say.

odeek9

Thanks and the $500.00 was my guess but really didn't know if it was worth $50.00 or $3000.00 The story is absolutely true. I have to stay at home 90% of the time and have OCD-too much personal info, lol. I'm always looking for small projects, needed or not, to occupy my time or I'll go crazier. I changed the shifters because a couple of years ago I bought a small stand so I could ride in place in the living room to try to get into shape. My butt was killing me hence the padded seat-ineffective-and I kept missing shifts and the bike store guy had a couple of index shifters which helped me a lot. The derailleur? I thought the original was ugly.
I periodically polish it, retape the bars, etc.-anything around the house to pass the time.

Picchio Special

My guess would be the same.

odeek9

For future reference, when I put it on the Market Place how to I verify my word? I'm telling the God given truth but understand skepticism on the Internet. What do people do? Take a million close up photos, offer some form of guarantee, or what? I live in the hills 60 miles north of San Francisco so it would be next to impossible to have guys actually look and test it. Is there a licensed appraiser to go to, or what?

Picchio Special

Tell your story succinctly, provide lots of detailed photos, list all of the components carefully, and guarantee that there's no damage to the bike. That's all you really need to do.

odeek9

I can do all of that though the story was told. One more question if you don't mind too much. How do folks usually ship something so large-UPS?

wrk101

Story really does not affect value either way. The bike is worth whatever it is worth, it is all about condition (frame, paint and decals), frame tubing material grade, and the components. Whatever it sold for originally is really irrelevant. Depending on what was on the bike originally, component change may have lowered the value.

The saddle, droopy seat bag, and cable sag are minor nits that will hold value down a tad.

You need to take high quality pictures, use a hosting site, and the pictures will tell the story.

Shipping alternatives have been discussed at length. The bigger concern a buyer would have is your ability to properly pack a bike. Lots of horror stories on packing.

Do you have any friends in San Fran? You are 60 miles away from probably the hottest bicycle market in the USA. So I would take those quality pics, look at other people's Craigs List ads for best practices and mimic the presentation layout.

And FWIW: Someone from San Fran would probably drive the 60 miles at the right price. I commonly drive 60 to 100 miles one way to pick up bikes. People making those longer drives will be looking for a discount, so again, a friend in San Fran would help.

odeek9

Thanks-all great thoughts. I had considered the packaging problem, if I sell the bike, and decided to call a couple of local bike shops and see if I can buy whatever they use. They must ship and it seems to me would have boxes constructed for a bike on hand.
I just took 57, lol, pics of everytghing on the bike. I've used Picasa photo hosting site in the past and may select the best 20, or so, shots and post them.

JunkYardBike

Have you checked the main Classic & Vintage forum? Lots of us share your "disorder"!

I'd recommend keeping the bike and adding to your collection. We refer to the syndrome as N+1. And I don't see anything wrong with tinkering as therapy. I think it's perfectly human to want to stay busy.

In my experience, gel padded saddles can cause more pain than a hard saddle. Try one of the modern favorites: Fizik Aliante, Selle Italia SLR, or some classic favorites: San Marco Regal, San Marco Rolls, Selle Italia Turbo, or my all time favorite: a Brooks leather saddle. An inexpensive sleeper classic which I can recommend, and which has more cush than the above, but not too much, is the Avocet Touring I or II. They can be found on ebay periodically.

But often, with a saddle, it's really a matter of the rider's backside "breaking in" rather than the saddle!

Is that enough unsolicited advice?

skyrider

I would sell locally SF craigslist, along the lines Mint bertoni xx years old never ridden due to health reasons all original some upgrades with some good pics good luck.

Bianchigirll 

on a down side there a few Bertonis just as nice languishing on CL and Ebay. they are great bikes and while it may be worth $500 it will not be snatched up as quick as a comperable Bianchi, Specialized or Trek.

these two may be a overpriced but they are great bikes and had they been other makes, they would be gone by now.

this has been up atleast 2 months
http://worcester.craigslist.org/bik/2181738394.html

I do not know howlong I have been looking at this one on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Bertoni-...item1e5febac0f

odeek9

You've depressed me!!

odeek9

Good thought as it may eliminate shipping costs and can be actually seen by the potential buyer. I called a bike shop and they know of no special shipping boxes and just scrounge for heavy cardboard at the refuse site and then wrap everything with pipe insulation. The insulation sounds good but finding a big (and dry) sturdy box by dumpster diving seems a bit much

odeek9

Correcto! I think rather than the seat it was my small rear end