Used bikes in Italy: What to look for?
05-15-09, 07:49 AM
#1
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Used bikes in Italy: What to look for?
I'm going to Italy for a couple of weeks and will hit a few flea markets (the Italian equivalent). My job is to find and make go a few functional get-around bikes for impoverished artists at an arts coop.
Of course, I'll be on the lookout for a little goodie for myself.
I know nothing about Italian bikes, but I imagine the chances of finding something decent for a reasonable price are about as good as they are in the US.
So, I know that this is a rather broad question, but what should I be on the lookout for?
Of course, I'll be on the lookout for a little goodie for myself.
I know nothing about Italian bikes, but I imagine the chances of finding something decent for a reasonable price are about as good as they are in the US.
So, I know that this is a rather broad question, but what should I be on the lookout for?
05-15-09, 08:02 AM
#2
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Your odds are much better in Italy. I'd forget about bikes for artists at the co-op, by the time you pay for shipping it wouldn't be worth it.
For yourself:
Tubing: High end Columbus SL/SP/SLX or high end Reynolds 531/753
Frame: Lugged w/ Campy or Columbus dropouts
Components: High end Campy Nuovo Record/Super Record/C-Record Shimano Dura Ace
For yourself:
Tubing: High end Columbus SL/SP/SLX or high end Reynolds 531/753
Frame: Lugged w/ Campy or Columbus dropouts
Components: High end Campy Nuovo Record/Super Record/C-Record Shimano Dura Ace
05-15-09, 08:07 AM
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Get out of the big tourist cities if you can and look in the smaller towns. I was in Cremona last summer and there were many lovely old city bikes. In the big cities I mostly saw modern generic Asian stuff.
05-15-09, 08:54 AM
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+1 on lovely old city bikes. Something with cottered cranks, full fenders, dynamo light, and a decorative emblem on the top of the front fender.
05-15-09, 10:57 AM
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When my buddy was over there looking for a gem, he saw nothing. He saw a guy on a nice modern ride and stopped him and asked about finding used vintage, and the guy said "all the good stuff is in the U.S."! D'oh!
05-15-09, 11:03 AM
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Don't waste your time going to the flea markets in large cities; you won't find anything. Try going to a bike shop in a small village and ask if they have anything they want to sell or if they know someone who might. My friend did this on his trip to Italy and ended coming home with an early 70's Colnago for next to nothing.
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Ese dicho que me han dicho que tú has dicho que yo he dicho, ese dicho no lo he dicho, porque si lo hubiera dicho, ese dicho estaría bien dicho por haberlo dicho yo.
05-15-09, 11:06 AM
#8
Steel80's
A friend of my brother's retired to Italy, until the decline of the dollar made it unaffordable to stay. Anyway, the word from him was the Italians only wanted the newest carbon stuff, and I saw a picture of a very nice steel bike he had gotten cheap. It was newer, though, not vintage. Sounds like YMMV
05-15-09, 01:20 PM
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Don't waste your time going to the flea markets in large cities; you won't find anything. Try going to a bike shop in a small village and ask if they have anything they want to sell or if they know someone who might. My friend did this on his trip to Italy and ended coming home with an early 70's Colnago for next to nothing.
05-15-09, 01:22 PM
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05-15-09, 02:47 PM
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I'm going to Italy for a couple of weeks and will hit a few flea markets (the Italian equivalent). My job is to find and make go a few functional get-around bikes for impoverished artists at an arts coop.
Of course, I'll be on the lookout for a little goodie for myself.
I know nothing about Italian bikes, but I imagine the chances of finding something decent for a reasonable price are about as good as they are in the US.
So, I know that this is a rather broad question, but what should I be on the lookout for?
Of course, I'll be on the lookout for a little goodie for myself.
I know nothing about Italian bikes, but I imagine the chances of finding something decent for a reasonable price are about as good as they are in the US.
So, I know that this is a rather broad question, but what should I be on the lookout for?
Finding bikes for starving artisits is not likely to work out. If you are serious about this, look around your neighborhood here in the USA. The cost of shipping, even before resotration, will take any Italian import into an unnecessarily high price point.
Last edited by Mike Mills; 05-17-09 at 01:18 PM.
05-15-09, 06:06 PM
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Italy does not have the equivalent of "flea markets" that you find in the US. On the rare occasion that you will find one, you will not find the nice bikes. If you want to search out a collectible bike, you need to concentrate on the "mostra scambio" events.
Miamijim is correct that it does not make sense to look for bikes to ship back for the co-op as the only bikes that make sense to ship back are the high end ones.
Miamijim is correct that it does not make sense to look for bikes to ship back for the co-op as the only bikes that make sense to ship back are the high end ones.
05-16-09, 08:13 PM
#13
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Thread Starter
Hi everybody-
Thanks for the advice. I guess I didn't make myself clear: the artists are IN Italy ... I won't be dragging the bikes across the sea, unless it's one for me.
Yeah, I won't be looking in any big cities. Specifically, my people there know about a "sell your stuff" market that happens in Terni once a week. I'll see if I can find any others like that.
There is the Porta Portese market in Roma (on Sunday?), which is a bit like Camden Market in London, only with more new stuff. I've never looked for bikes at Porta Portese, but I might try it.
I'll def let you know if I find anything good.
Eric
Thanks for the advice. I guess I didn't make myself clear: the artists are IN Italy ... I won't be dragging the bikes across the sea, unless it's one for me.
Yeah, I won't be looking in any big cities. Specifically, my people there know about a "sell your stuff" market that happens in Terni once a week. I'll see if I can find any others like that.
There is the Porta Portese market in Roma (on Sunday?), which is a bit like Camden Market in London, only with more new stuff. I've never looked for bikes at Porta Portese, but I might try it.
I'll def let you know if I find anything good.
Eric
05-17-09, 02:24 PM
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I'd look for an old black Bianchi roadster with hidden rod brakes, full chaincase (deluxe model) and enamelled eagle crest.
