ucd2016

so ive been in the market for a mountain bike and found this bianchi ibex for $120



the seller claims that its in good condition, would this be a good deal?

Clang

Chain not included.

Also they picked the year out of a hat- it looks more like a 1991. I'm getting a parts-bin vibe from the components on it. It's a bad picture, but that suspension fork looks like something from a department store bike. The bike was originally rigid with a white fork. (here's a pic in a more stock setup) https://www.flickr.com/photos/755985...n/photostream/

I'd definitely pass.

thinktubes 

Pass, you can do better for $120.

ucd2016

ok, thanks guys ill probably pass then.

loky1179

I agree, it is a `90- '92 - is it actually an Ibex? Maybe someone can refresh my memory as far as the Bianchi Mtb lineup. I know the top of the line was the Grizzly; next step down was the Sika (my very first mtb bike - 1991! Same paint job as the bike pictured, except mine was florescent orange at the bottom bracket). Then the Ibex, and the Nyala at the bottom? (Currently riding a circa '91 Nyala as my commuter).

This was a rigid fork bike - it would be nice to get that, but it is probably long gone.

It is not a great deal, but there are not a lot of Bianchi's MTBs on CL - in Minneapolis, at least. I will say this, I loved the geometry on this bike, very comfortable, and as I recall, the geometry was consistent across the lineup - only the tubing material changed between models.

For what it is worth, I like the ride of my Nyala ( and my old Sika) better than my '95 Rockhopper. It is a nice lugged frame, top tube cable routing . . a lot of good things going for it.

I think it is a much better bike than say, a Trek 800, and the cheapest I've seen the 800s on the local CL is maybe $75.

Clang

Here in Minneapolis I've seen an $80 early 90's, purple & black Bianchi Peregrine, and a $100 mid-90's, blue Bianchi Ibex. In Mankato there was an 80's, blue with gold decals Bianchi Grizzly that sat for a month at $200 (all 3 of which tempted me to buy them). So they're out there!

loky1179

Note - if you are looking for a mountain bike to actually go MOUNTAIN BIKING with, I would probably not get this one. It has a 1" steerer tube, so it would be impossible to replace the suspension fork. I'd look for something 1998 or later when 1 1/8" steerer tubes and V brakes became pretty standard.

But for non technical trail riding or commuting, it would be a good bike.

loky1179

I get tempted a lot too! I bought my Rockhopper last fall - I was looking for an aluminum frame bike for winter commuting. It sat on CL for at least a month, and the price dropped from $160 down to $100 when I finally pulled the trigger.

Any of these deals are amazing; I paid close to $700 for my Sika new, and those were 1990 dollars. Before the internet and CL.