Bianchi 10 Speed
07-26-13, 03:26 AM
#1
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Bianchi 10 Speed
I'm searching for my first bike, I have some interest in 80's MTB and road bikes. Like most people I've been looking through Craigslist hoping to find a local deal. I found this vague listing for a nice looking Bianchi 10 Speed that says to make an offer. I'm a poor college student and my last bike was stolen( A hybrid I got for $80). So I was wondering what you guys think I would be justified(or could get away with) as an offer. Thanks in advance for any help
https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/bik/3959904768.html
https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/bik/3959904768.html
07-26-13, 05:11 AM
#2
Still learning
Poor college student in Palm Springs, CA with Champagne taste looking for fine Italian design? Must be kidding us, eh?
Not any useful info in the ad or photo, but I'd start around $200. And park the BMW far down the street when you show up!
I had a NJ buyer who drove a Porsche SUV Turbo try to negotiate 20% off on a bike. NFW.
Good luck
Not any useful info in the ad or photo, but I'd start around $200. And park the BMW far down the street when you show up!
I had a NJ buyer who drove a Porsche SUV Turbo try to negotiate 20% off on a bike. NFW.
Good luck
07-26-13, 07:25 AM
#3
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To the "poor college student" my standard reply is: "I completely understand. I am a broke old guy, living on a fixed income. I sure wish I could give you a discount..."
The strange thing to me, is back in my college days (mid 1970s), I paid $169 for my college bike (UO8). Meanwhile, a semester's tuition was $450 at University of Illinois, and a technical college textbook was $30. Now the equivalent book is $250 to $300, tuition is ~ $5000+. And my UO8 in today's dollars would be $750.
Yet college students today budget $100 for a bike.
07-26-13, 07:55 AM
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I'm skeptical of CL sellers who say make me an offer. In any case, why get a bike that says steal me when your last one has been stolen? If you're looking for a lock up bike, this is not your best choice. If you're looking for a rider, try $200 and be ready to move on if the S jerks your chain.
07-26-13, 08:08 AM
#5
Still learning
To the "poor college student" my standard reply is: "I completely understand. I am a broke old guy, living on a fixed income. I sure wish I could give you a discount..."
The strange thing to me, is back in my college days (mid 1970s), I paid $169 for my college bike (UO8). Meanwhile, a semester's tuition was $450 at University of Illinois, and a technical college textbook was $30. Now the equivalent book is $250 to $300, tuition is ~ $5000+. And my UO8 in today's dollars would be $750.
Yet college students today budget $100 for a bike.
The strange thing to me, is back in my college days (mid 1970s), I paid $169 for my college bike (UO8). Meanwhile, a semester's tuition was $450 at University of Illinois, and a technical college textbook was $30. Now the equivalent book is $250 to $300, tuition is ~ $5000+. And my UO8 in today's dollars would be $750.
Yet college students today budget $100 for a bike.
The solution to raising used bike prices is to sell them via a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit, then ask the government for a clean energy bicycle loan purchase program. Then you can keep raising prices and add a 55% fringe benefit program on top of your wage.
The Detroit bike coop currently has a well worn, but overhauled Trek 800 MTB, listed for $300. Must be pretty rare!
07-26-13, 06:08 PM
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I'm from the "Palm Springs Area" I suppose but I'm from the Eastern Coachella Valley(namely Coachella itself which is a town of almost completely low income earning POC families of which I am from one.) The purpose of asking what reasonable low end offer I could make is because I have a limited budget and just wanted a starting point for negotiations.
I know good design, being poor doesn't equate to being tasteless or uneducated in stuff like that. I know Bianchi's are good bikes and that I could never afford a whole sale price for one so I'm simply hoping to score a deal on one if it's possible.
I locked my last bike with a low quality walmart lock that was busted during a night class. I got a good ulock through a university program now though so I should have better luck as bike thefts are fairly uncommon unless you have the lock the bike at night or leave it overnight on campus or have a lock that is clearly susceptible to theft.
I know good design, being poor doesn't equate to being tasteless or uneducated in stuff like that. I know Bianchi's are good bikes and that I could never afford a whole sale price for one so I'm simply hoping to score a deal on one if it's possible.
I locked my last bike with a low quality walmart lock that was busted during a night class. I got a good ulock through a university program now though so I should have better luck as bike thefts are fairly uncommon unless you have the lock the bike at night or leave it overnight on campus or have a lock that is clearly susceptible to theft.
07-26-13, 06:24 PM
#9
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The Bianchi in question is a '88 or '89 Limited with a Tange frame and 600 Untegra "tri color" group. if it is mechanically sound and fits $200 would be a great buy. It was however made in the orient.
At least that is what it appears to be, over the last 20+ years some parts could have been changed.
At least that is what it appears to be, over the last 20+ years some parts could have been changed.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
07-26-13, 07:02 PM
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I've had similar experience. In person, I just load up my bike and leave. I tell them good luck with their search, I am sure they will find something (NOT).
To the "poor college student" my standard reply is: "I completely understand. I am a broke old guy, living on a fixed income. I sure wish I could give you a discount..."
The strange thing to me, is back in my college days (mid 1970s), I paid $169 for my college bike (UO8). Meanwhile, a semester's tuition was $450 at University of Illinois, and a technical college textbook was $30. Now the equivalent book is $250 to $300, tuition is ~ $5000+. And my UO8 in today's dollars would be $750.
Yet college students today budget $100 for a bike.
To the "poor college student" my standard reply is: "I completely understand. I am a broke old guy, living on a fixed income. I sure wish I could give you a discount..."
The strange thing to me, is back in my college days (mid 1970s), I paid $169 for my college bike (UO8). Meanwhile, a semester's tuition was $450 at University of Illinois, and a technical college textbook was $30. Now the equivalent book is $250 to $300, tuition is ~ $5000+. And my UO8 in today's dollars would be $750.
Yet college students today budget $100 for a bike.
07-26-13, 07:22 PM
#12
Thrifty Bill
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$300 to $400 bike, if properly prepared and marketed. Two problems, first, the seller is asking for best offers. And with his crappy marketing, the offers will most likely be well under market value. Secondly, I bet that guy "has a number he expects to get, and in my experience, most of the time the best offer sellers have an unrealistic (HIGH) expectation on value. The conversation usually goes like this, seller: "I saw one just like it on ebay for $800." To which I reply: "Asking or sold?" Answer: "Huh?" Me: "Sellers can ask anything they want on ebay, even crazy, silly high prices. But those bikes rarely sell."
In addition, these sellers usually are not knowledgeable enough to tell the difference between one bike and the next. So maybe they saw one Bianchi sell for $1000, so theirs must be worth it, right? I mean, "it looks just like it". Just like it may mean it has two wheels and a Bianchi decal on it. Witness the endless number of people that misidentify a Peugeot UO8 to be a Peugeot PX10. We see that every few weeks here, even though the differences are huge. Somewhat interesting to me, no one has yet put up a PX10 and called it a UO8. See the same thing with Schwinns. Almost every Schwinn is called "Chicago built", even if it was made in Asia, or made years after the Chicago plant closed, etc. I bought a "Chicago Schwinn" a couple of days ago, built in 1988 (Chicago plant had closed SIX years earlier)....
To these misguided sellers, I will usually leave my name and number. Several times, the seller will call me back a month or two later, after they didn't get any bites. Bought a bike that way a couple of days ago. I had offered the guy 1/3 of what he was asking (price was crazy high). Took about two months, then he called.
On the college kid front, I sure wish there was a Craigs List "back in the day". Back then, buying (or selling) a good used bike was really difficult, and finding out information on used bikes was near to impossible. I bet I could have bought a PX10 used for what I paid for that new UO8. But finding a seller? Really difficult.
In addition, these sellers usually are not knowledgeable enough to tell the difference between one bike and the next. So maybe they saw one Bianchi sell for $1000, so theirs must be worth it, right? I mean, "it looks just like it". Just like it may mean it has two wheels and a Bianchi decal on it. Witness the endless number of people that misidentify a Peugeot UO8 to be a Peugeot PX10. We see that every few weeks here, even though the differences are huge. Somewhat interesting to me, no one has yet put up a PX10 and called it a UO8. See the same thing with Schwinns. Almost every Schwinn is called "Chicago built", even if it was made in Asia, or made years after the Chicago plant closed, etc. I bought a "Chicago Schwinn" a couple of days ago, built in 1988 (Chicago plant had closed SIX years earlier)....
To these misguided sellers, I will usually leave my name and number. Several times, the seller will call me back a month or two later, after they didn't get any bites. Bought a bike that way a couple of days ago. I had offered the guy 1/3 of what he was asking (price was crazy high). Took about two months, then he called.
On the college kid front, I sure wish there was a Craigs List "back in the day". Back then, buying (or selling) a good used bike was really difficult, and finding out information on used bikes was near to impossible. I bet I could have bought a PX10 used for what I paid for that new UO8. But finding a seller? Really difficult.
07-26-13, 09:28 PM
#13
Still learning
If your budget is tight, buy a rigid steel mountain bike, shell out $30 for road slicks and tubes, and ride the crap out of it. $125-$150 tops.
https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/bik/3942540658.html
https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/bik/3886381411.html
check out the drop bar mtb thread on the C+V forum.
https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/bik/3942540658.html
https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/bik/3886381411.html
check out the drop bar mtb thread on the C+V forum.
Last edited by oddjob2; 07-26-13 at 10:00 PM.
07-26-13, 09:46 PM
#14
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I'll be suprised if the seller even replies to your email. Those type of sellers are a waste of time...nothing more than a bike tease.
07-28-13, 10:04 AM
#15
Still learning
If you didn't score the Bianchi, this is a great bike at a nice price. I have the Comp TA and the IronMan, both very nice riders. It's a month old ad, so not sure if still available.
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/3890383801.html
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/3890383801.html
07-29-13, 03:04 PM
#17
Still learning
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