Emperor Ryker

Hi guys, I've been directed to this subforum by the good people in the Road Cycling section

So the thing is I'm still looking to buy my first road bike, and I've stumbled upon a nice used 1997 Bianchi Campione d'Italia. However, there are two snags:

1. Namely, the owner is asking for $600, which seems a lot, but then again I don't know much about road bikes. However, BicycleBlueBook lists it as a $313 value at most, which is if it's in "like new" condition. Is the latter estimate closer to what I should be willing to pay? Would I be getting absolutely fleeced by paying $600? What would your fair price be? The seller states that all parts are original, except for an upgraded front derailleur, and that the bike has seen less than 2000 miles.

2. The frame is 57 cm, but according to Bianchi's Road Bike Sizing Chart I'd need a 58 cm one, since I'm roughly 182 cm with an inseam of about 86 cm. Do I just forget about the bike then? Since this would be my first road bike, I'm not sure I could tell by feel, unless it was greatly off. But if I just take a spin, I don't think I'd be able to tell whether it's going to be suitable in the long run.

Thanks in advance!

tmh657

How about a link to the ad posting so we can see photos and a description of the components? Condition and location are big factors in the value.

TugaDude

Sizing being 1 cm. variance is no reason to reject it! 1 cm. is .393 inches, not even a half inch. More important, at least to me is the top tube length.

As far as price, not having seen it, $600 seems out of line. Many times folks try to trade off of a brand name and way overprice their stuff. Show us the bike and we can give you a better idea.

Emperor Ryker

Here's the link to the Craigslist ad, guys - Bianchi Campione d'Italia with Campagnolo 57 cm.

Dave Cutter

It's a pretty bike. I am afraid I'd be tempted to look at the bicycle... and take for a short ride. If it meets expectations... I'd honestly try to negotiate a deal. Not make a low-ball offer. Sellers often expect to reduce the price by 10% or more. That still doesn't make the bicycle a "deal" by any means. But it is a far better bike than what the same amount of money will buy you in a "new" bicycle.

jimc101

looks in Ok condition, but way more than 2000 miles looking at the chain stay, the seller is asking for getting on to the original retail, for what was a low spec bike BITD which is getting on for 20 year old now; is way too much going on the Bluebook price 1997 Bianchi Campione d'Italia - New and Used Bike Value it's worth less than half what is being asked.

For the spec, my first real road bike was a 1995 531 with similar build, from memory, the low end Campag ergo levers weren't that nice, I upgraded to Daytona in 2000 and haven't sold it, as the return on a mid 90's low to mid range steel isn't worth the effort of selling.

TugaDude

Pretty bike in what appears to be nice condition. Give it a test ride. If everything works, make an offer. The super set tubing is a nice ride. Not a huge fan of the fork, but the overall bike is sweet.

howsteepisit

I'd say 300-350. Seller is an optimist.

Emperor Ryker

I don't think a short ride would help now, since this would be my first road bike and I don't even have cycling gear yet. I'm looking to buy the bike first, and then bother with the rest. Plus, I don't have experience in what to look for anyway. As for everything working, I'd ask him to go to a local bike shop for them to check it out and give an opinion on whether anything needs to be repaired.

Oh, and when you guys say "make an offer" and "not make a low-ball offer", that's why I created this thread. I really don't know what offer to make or what a low-ball offer here would be. Any numbers that you could put on this? Are those evaluations that would have me pay at most $350 correct?

He said he's listing it this high, because supposedly Bianchi steel bikes just go for higher prices around here. Plus, it doesn't seem as if he's in that much of a rush, and I think he's aware of bikes selling better during summer. So I don't know what to do now, really. Did you guys just base your evaluations on the Bicycle Blue Book website, or was there something else? I namely don't know how reliable that site is, and whether it just has some built-in algorithm for suggested prices that doesn't really match real-world conditions.

oddjob2

Those poo-pooing the the price should do some research. There is support for that asking price via ebay sold comps. Original list price is $1100 per bikepedia. And we all know bicycle bluebook is pretty much useless.

bianchi campione d'italia | eBay

Celeste Bianchis always command a premium

FMV is probably $500 IMHO.

I personally would pass though, since I picked up a 2000 Modo Vivere with Thron tubeset and 27 speed Campagnolo Mirage group for under $200.

TugaDude

Personally, I put no stock in the Bicycle Blue Book. Most times I look at it and laugh. I think the bike is worth more than the $300 to $350 range given above. Having said that, I'd be hard pressed to offer more than $500 on it.

BTW, the reason you HAVE to ride it is to determine whether it fits or not. If it is too tall, there is no way to shrink it really. If it is a little small, you can make some adjustments. But if I'm going to spend serious money, then it should be a good fit with little else needed.

I didn't mean to suggest you ride it to see if you like how it rides. I know that bike is a good rider based on what I know about the brand, the components, tube set, etc.

But if it doesn't fit, who cares?

jimc101

I linked to the Blue Book, as it's something you have in the US, we don't have anything like it for bikes in the UK, but a general rule is a bike depreciates by 50% the moment you take it out the shop, then 10% per year. 1997 is just old, and not vintage, the only way a Bianchi would be worth
any real money, would be if it was a high end model in the first place, Campag Avanti was bottom of the range BITD, and Mirage not far ahead, the Campag equivalents of Shimano Tourney & Sora.

For judging by past ebay sales, just had a quick look on there, and prices are all over the place for sold bikes, so no consistency to judge by.

Dave Cutter

Many of us.... like myself... buy and sell bikes all the time. I really enjoy owning the different bikes but don't have the space to store all the bikes I'd like to own. So... I sort of have to take turns with what I have at any one time. This allows me to look for great (low price) deals when buying and take my time looking for a (full priced) buyer when selling.

But I never NEED a bicycle. I don't mind paying more for one I really want. And I don't mind loosing money when selling a bike ether. I enjoy giving away a bicycle from time-to-time. It all works out for me... in the end. Bicycles are my hobby... my passion.. even a bit of a lifestyle. A few bucks doesn't change much ether way.

I am not sure why you're buying a bicycle. Is this a bike to commute with/on? Is this a bicycle to be used for recreation, fitness, weight loss? Is this just for hanging on an apartment wall to look cool? Are you looking for a pub crawler or coffee shop transport? Does budget matter... or are you just looking for a good value?

There are lots of things to consider. Fortunately... we aren't looking at as huge some of money. There is a bunch of entertainment value in a bicycle like that. And there are LOTS more bicycle out there. If you have the time to shop around.. there will be others.

Emperor Ryker

Yeah, I'm actually also looking to not exceed $300 by too much, but I just found this one and figured I'd ask for its worth here, as I'm, for some reason, particular to Bianchis. But since this would be my first bike, I think I can get over having to have a Bianchi and just settle for a good bike, regardless of the brand, instead.

As for the bike itself, I have noticed it has been on sale for a while already, but the seller also said he thinks these bikes sell better in the summer anyway, so my thinking is he has time to wait, too. You suggested to keep looking and I think this is what I'll do, but do you think an offer of $350 or $400 would be offensive in this case? Or even an overpayment on my part?

Well, this is a huge sum of money for me, actually. And I'd use the bike to try out road cycling. I'd also commute with it, but for purposes of commuting $600 is way too much. So it really would be to try out the sport of road cycling. I lift weights, so this would probably not turn into my main mode of recreation or sporting activity, but I can see myself riding more than once weekly when I get a good bike. Still, with this in mind, since I'm not engaged with the sport at the moment, I also have time to wait a bit and I don't need to buy the bike right now. But when I do get it, I wouldn't want to overpay, because, as mentioned, this is a significant sum of money for me, especially for something that I would only try out and wouldn't know in advance whether it stuck. Worst-case scenario I'd be left with a really good commuter bike (which I do need), but, again, hundreds of bucks for a decent commuter bike is way too much.

oddjob2

Trek 1400 for $300
TREK 1400.

Trek 560
1983 VINTAGE TREK.

Schwinn Voyageur SP at $230
56 cm 1981 Schwinn Voyageur SP touring road bike

Schwinn Prelude - best deal at $160
Retro 1988 Schwinn Prelude

jyl

I'd go check it out, assure myself that everything works and the bike is in very good condition, then offer $400 in cash on the spot. He will probably say no, so leave your card with him in case he changes his mind. You never know.

daf1009

+1...never hurts to ask! And...I have had sellers come back to me with "hat in hand"...and make an even lower offer than I was making!

Emperor Ryker

Are all of these suitable for longer and more frequent rides, as well? Or are they more commuting bikes?

Oh, and by the way, I don't have a car, so this pretty much limits my options to Carrboro/Chapel Hill. So even with the ones suggested, I might not be able to make it there. Plus, I'd really like to take the bike to a local bike shop for them to assess the cost of any possible repairs.

I am intrigued by that Schwinn Prelude, though.

Not a bad idea. But I guess what you're implying is that $400 would not be an overpayment on my part, but rather still a good deal?

daf1009

No car in the Raleigh area...wow...that really limits...but...any of the bikes that @oddjob2 suggested would be good ones...but, yes, the Prelude is very interesting...make sure it fits...and rides well for you, however!

oddjob2

Ask the seller if they can run out from Durham, it is only 11 miles. Since you're from the other continent, I'm sure they'll understand why you don't have a vehicle.

I've ridden all those bikes and actually own versions of the last three. They're all very nice performing bikes.

Emperor Ryker

Haha, I'm not sure whether that was sarcasm or not, but I am actually from the other continent and have not been in the US for long.

And it's good hearing they're nice performing bikes. But as per my question above, even for longer and more frequent rides?

oddjob2

If you have them set up properly to fit you, there should be no problems with any of them for longer rides. I haven't spent more than 90 minutes at a time on any of them, but there is no fatigue.

Dave Cutter

I am sorry... I didn't mean to imply that any amount of money is ever trivial.

Getting to work on time and without exception is a big deal. I wouldn't scrimp on a dependable hunk of reliable transportation. Heck... a tank of gas costs me $100..... with recent drops in price maybe less than $70. And the cost of a car.... or even just car insurance? But you see my point.

Sports ain't cheap! If you want exercise... you can often find an exercise bike free for picking up on CL. And cycling cost less than many sports... but it isn't free.... and maybe not even cheap. But you can spend less than the bicycle you looked at.... if price is the major or only consideration.

If you shop carefully... your bicycle purchase will be an investment. If you don't like the bike (or cycling) you can resell the bicycle. Even if you lose a few bucks... you normally won't lose it all.

RoadGuy

I think the only bike that is a 56cm is the 83 Trek.

The other three look like they are 58cm or 60cm.

The Trek 1400 is the newest (Around 1990). It has an Easton E9 aluminum frame and fork, the newest component group, 700C wheels and tires, and superior duel pivot brakes.

Looks like it's about a 60cm.

$300 is the top of the market for this bike. It should be perfect with tires in good rideable condition or new. Even then, in the dead of winter, the Seller is going to be waiting for a Buyer a long time.

If you can afford $300, go see and test ride it, and make an offer below $300. The Seller will probably take your offer. Don't Lowball the Seller over the phone when you call for directions. Wait until you can see it up close and confirm that it will fit you.

Emperor Ryker

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. But just to put this in the context of my original post, the Bianchi is still better than all of them, right? Oh, and by the way, what did you search for on craigslist to find those so quickly? I usually just go with "road bike", but are there any other particular key words I should use to avoid having to go through all "bikes"?

Sure, but in the past I've never paid more than $50 for a dependable bike that would take me where I needed to be.

I don't know, unless we get into something really exotic and niche, I'm having a hard time coming up with sports that are more expensive. Even hockey might be cheaper. But certainly it's the cost that has prevented me from trying out cycling sooner.

Yeah, I'm well aware of that. That's why I was asking about the Bianchi in the first place. If it was a really good bike, then I'd be willing to spend, say, $500 or something of that nature. But I can't or won't spend that amount via overpayment, at least not only trying cycling out for now.

Wouldn't my height and inseam measurements suggest that a 58 cm might fit me, though? But both the 83 Trek and Trek 1400 are being sold in Raleigh, so that rules them out automatically, unfortunately. I just can't get there in any efficient manner.

How big does the Prelude look like, though? And how can you tell just from the pictures anyway?