Help IDing vintage Bianchi
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Bianchi-...d=p3286.c0.m14

I found this bike on ebay, the seller doesn't seem to know what the actual model is. He states that it has Columbus tubing, and from the picture it looks like both the rear seatstays and chainstays are chromed. Components look decent although the seller only identified the front and rear deraillers. The fork is appears to be an aftermarket unicrown, but it's Columbus SL so that's pretty good I guess. Anyway, here's the link. Do you guys think it's worth the $600? Thanks in advance!

i would stay away - 0 feedback, no explanation of that fork...

Didn't Bianchi go to a unicrown style for in the late '80s or early '90s?

I think it's a great looking bike.

very possible, i'm not sure. i would just be very hesitant to spend $500+ on anything from a buyer with no feedback.

yeah, although the bike looks good I'm definitely wary of such a big purchase from someone with no feedback, so I guess the search continues.
can anyone ID this Bianchi? http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Bianchi-...d=p3286.c0.m14
Apparently it's all built up with Campy Record and D-A brakes, and looks pretty nice from the limited pictures. Once again though, the seller doesn't say the actual model and there is no mention of tubing. I checked the 83 and 84 Bianchi catalogs but I couldn't really tell which one this is. I noticed the whole frame is painted meaning no chromed dropouts or stays--does this mean that this is a lower-end frame? Thanks again

I've bought from zero feedback before (everybody has to start some time!). If the guy is up-and-up, he might give you his number, or call you. You might feel better about him after you speak with him.

Just a suggestion.

I was lookng at that bike too, although the time is about up. The frame looks very similar to the one that I have posted so many times. I have a thread right now under "Bianchi Build Poll" with a pic. I'm pretty sure mines from the mid-90's and yes it originally came with a chrome unicrown fork. The frame is all chrome. I just had a professional bike builder look at it and he thought it was a top-notch frame. Heck, the parts alone would probably sell for $400-500 on EB. It's probably a Columbus TSX or SLX tubing. Nel Reparto Corse. Very nice. I wouldn't be surprised if the price ended up at $600.

Just took another look at it. It doesn't look rofessionally refinished to me. And, what's that gash on the down-tube?

Well, bidding ended for the first Bianchi and honestly I kind of regretted not bidding once that timer ran out. Oh well, life goes on. Does anyone have any info on the second Bianchi I posted?

OK! I didn't completely read your original post since I knew the auction for this bike was ending within minutes and it seemed that the bike was getting dumped on. I didn't see that it had SL Columbus tubing. Not quit as good as SLX or TSX from what I've read. The bike didn't sell. So maybe I'm over shooting the value of my Columbus frame and the value of the Campy components? But I have been pricing 8/9 spd Campy Chorus; and my argument is that if you tried to buy a Chorus crank & BB, brakes, F&R D, Cinelli bars & stem, Selle Italia saddle, post, Ambrosia wheelset, and a Bianchi Columbus frame individually on EB; your going to pay a lot more then $600 for it.

Well, this is usually where I bow out of the forum and leave the opinions to those more knowledgeable, which is most. I know a little about the first one because I hve a similar frame. But, I'll throw some stuff out here and let others correct me on the 2nd bike. I don't see an Italian flag on the frame whichBianchi did when they wanted to claim the "Made in Italy" moniker even though, my understanding is that even then, it didn't mean the frame was entirely "Made in Italy". Some of their frames were made in Japan and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. 80's, Japanese steel frames by Ishiwata, Tange, Miyata, etc are still highly collectible. Anything Campagnolo adds value apparently. I didn't see what the shipping was, but if that bike came up for sale in my area, the seller would probably be asking $200-$250. But, I live in a high price area for bikes.

I emailed the seller and he said that the bike is made of Columbus steel, did'nt specify the type though. I found an 83 Bianchi catalog and they had several bikes with painted rear stays and Columbus tubes; the Nuovo Racing, the Tipo Corsa, or the Super Leggera which uses a combo of SP and SL tubing (is this a good or a bad thing?). I might be missing some options, but hopefully someone who knows more will chime in

There's a site called "equus" that has a matrix of Columbus tubing and a brief description of the intended usage. I remember SL was an all -around tube set. If you google Columbus tubing and equus you should find it.