djestouff

I'm looking for a bike for a lady friend and came across this sweet 1988 Bertoni Italamerica. Is $450 a fair price? Honestly I think its outside her price range but it still looks like a great bike.

from the ad:

bargainguy

It's a decent price. I sometimes see Bertonis with asking prices around $600-700, but don't know if they actually sell for that much.

Can you get her on a test ride first? Women - especially shorter - often require a shorter top tube due to shorter torsos and longer legs.

Bianchigirll 

Pretty bike. I always liked the lyllac and rose colors Bertoni used. There is a huge connection between Bertoni and Lawee/Univega and while people at Bianchi USA have told me the frames were contract built I have browbeat for saying that on my ebay listings, so everyone has their own opinion.

Depending on your location this seems on the top end for level of this bike, however It looks like it was never ridden. The rims seem to have no wear on them, and the saddle and hoods arebright and shiny. I would try and haggle a but since this is 20+ year old it should have a complete overhaul before going back into service.



Columbus Matrix tubing was short lived name and after a complaint by trek it was apparently changed to CroMor so info on that is likely easier to find.


As mentioned unless this is a suprise a test ride is certainly in order.

T-Mar

it is in very nice condition and small sizes do command a premium, but this is far too much for a Matrix/105 model without pedals, unless you live in an extremely high priced market.

The handful of Bertoni that have surfaced have indeed been manufactured by Bianchi. IIRC, there was only one were the origin was indeterminate. However, even if it is a Bianchi manufactured frame, IMO the Bianchi premium does not apply when it wears Bertoni decals. It sgould be valued solely on the merits of the tubeset, components, workmanship and condition.

Based on the presence of a Matrix decal this sample is most likely a 1987 model. The serial number should tell us the origin and exact year, should you purchase it.

thinktubes 

$300 is more in line with reality. I would offer $280 and see what happens.

wrk101

+1 $300 is about right. But seller may be living in an alternate universe, so may not come around to reality. If your budget is not in this price range, I would look elsewhere. One of my pet peeves is someone will play the "budget card" on me when I am selling a bike. So if I am asking $175, they will contact me, and tell me their budget is only $100 (this exact example happened last week). Wasted both of our time.

Of course, I do not price a $300 bike for $450. I have sold enough bikes that I have a good idea of market values in my area, and price them realistically.

bargainguy

Bill, here's how I handle the pricing game.

All my bikes are sold with the following line in my CL post: "$xxx firm, cash only, local pickup only. No offers or trades please."

I don't list an address, phone or email in my post. The only way anyone can get ahold of me is through the anonymous CL responder.

If anyone sends me an email with an offer or trade mentioned, I simply delete the email without responding. I have no problem with people not wanting to meet my price when I state my terms up front, but then they don't get my bike, or even a response from me.

Now this doesn't stop folks from making an offer in person. If they do, I simply state: "Did you read my entire post? I don't take offers in person either. I price my bikes fairly, so if my price doesn't work for you, great, thanks for stopping by." Pause. I use instinct here. If it looks like they're deciding, I wait. If it looks like there's no way they will meet my price, I start wheeling the bike away, signaling the end of the transaction as far as I'm concerned.

I have a theory on this. When I buy a bike to refurbish, there's always a buyer out there. Sometimes it just takes a little time to find that person. I'm not vested in the sale of any particular bike to any particular buyer. I know I do good work, am honest and upfront, and let everything else fall into place.

tmh657

+1. This bike is in my neighborhood and $300 sounds about right to me. If it was the beginning of a college semester, like August it would be an easy sell to a young woman. Whenever I sell a small frame bike like this the buyer says, "I have been looking all over for a bike like this that fits me".

I sold a Bertoni Pro Victory from this year for north of $300 but it had Campagnolo, even though it was Victory level. You can find the catalog for '87 with the entire line up on the Velobase page> https://www.velobase.com/Resource_Too...alogScans.aspx

Chombi

$450 does sound a bit on the uppermost end on what one should pay for a mid level bike like this. The best thing going for it is it's very good, close to new condition, and I think that's what the seller is mostly hanging his/her hat on with the pricing. I think that this bike can be negotiated down to the mid $300's easy if it "cooks" long enough on the market unsold. Your only problem would be a Bertoni fan that could not pass up the bike even at a too high a price might come along before you can deal down the price.

Chombi

djestouff

thanks everyone for the advice. it was out of her budget so we are still looking for something.

Bianchigirll 

Thats too bad it is a beautiful bike. The seller wouldn't come down on the price at all? Funny thing is I kind of recall selling some 3 or 4 year old Mondiale models with SL and 600SIS leftovers, for just about that price in '90/91.

Are you the LA area?

djestouff

yep I'm in LA. She ended up finding a Univega with Shimano 600 group set for $125. Had to go all the way to Corona to get it but it was a nice price.