Bianchi 18-speed road bike - worth the effort ??
 

Another garage sale find. Gambled on a grimy saw-dust covered baby blue Japanese Binky Volpe with Suntour barcons & a 23-inch frame - and hope it is a winner:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5640.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5641.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5642.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5643.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5644.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5645.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5646.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5647.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5648.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4370787/V100_5649.JPG

It appears to have been used in an indoor industrial setting and has specs of black sealer on it but absolutely no rust.

It has the frame sticker on the down tube that they all had in 1989, so I guess it is about 22 years old. Middle sprocket is showing some wear. 48, 38 & 28 teeth.

Are these old relics still desirable ??

M

I suppose whether it's "worth it" or not depends on what you spent on it and what you plan on doing with it. Flipping it? Keeping it to ride? 23" is a little small for me, but can be getting on the large end of the desirable (i.e. easy to sell) sizes.

$25 and it fits me just fine -- but it will need a replacement for the 38-tooth sprocket before it is is good as new.

M

$25 is a heck of a deal. Looks like a nice ride. Wouldn't mind finding a nice cross bike of my own.

It is utterly worthless box it up and send it my way.

I am pretty sure you an '88 China Blue Volpe. Looks like someone changed the shifters and RD for some reason (maybe new wheels?)

They are excellent bikes and designed to do most anything from fast group rides commuting, centuries, light touring, and even some backroads riding on rail trail type stuff (what everyone now calls "Gravel Grinding" to make it sound high class). I have a nice '86 and really love it although I do not ride it enough.

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...33710659228110

Bianchi actually referes to these as the original hybrid. The Volpe started in '86 and then in '89 they took the same concept but added slacker geomentry and upright bars and ta da.... the hybrid was born..

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13371064937181

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13371065802506


PS I would buy a truck load of these at $25 ea.

Seriously? $25? What a steal!

Dunno whereabouts in Ontario you are but with the right photos, that bike could sell for an easy $300 on the Toronto CL, maybe even more since cyclocross bikes are very desirable.

Thanks, BG: I knew I could count on you for the perspective & information.

It looks as if there was something removed from the brake levers. There are threaded inserts in the movable levers and brake lever body at the fulcrum. Any ideas of what is missing ??

M

Those are for safety levers. The hoods likely rotted or were torn off years ago.

Throw some new hoods on, and you will not see the holes.

Keep it! Ride it like you stole it...and for $25 you did! :D

Great score Michael, hope you enjoy it! Am I seeing a threaded braze on boss on the drive side of the down tube (in the lower part of the "B",) and another "extra" above the water bottle bosses on the seat tube? Does anyone know what those were for?

I do! but lets see what Mike comes up with.

Hey BG, if you decide to part w yours, let me know

How I wish that my Volpe had been a 56cm, instead of a 54cm. I rode the bike for the better part of one summer at my summer cottage, covering gravel roads and paved, without incident. Great bike, in my opinion...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...Full_TQR_1.jpg

If your looking for a quick flip.. found you a buyer..

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ379979044

Yes, there are extras on the seat tube and down tube but I really have no idea what they extra braze-ons are for.

Over toi you, BG...

M

The extra brazeons are for a carrying handle. I am not certain if it came with the bike but I believe it was a simple web strap with a grommet on each end.

I'd say it is a keeper but I am biased. My 1993 or thereabouts Volpe just came home from the shop after an overhaul. And I spent a little more than $25.