So I was recently given a whole box of older biker parts, including a full set of Shimano 600 components ( crank, front/ rear derailleurs, levers, brakes etc.). This got me thinking that I should build a 'new' bike because I'm very hesitant in binging my specialized around with me. Right now I want to build a vintage Bianchi. What I mainly need are the frame,
bars and wheels. I wanted something from say craiglist. How much is a project like his going to cost? I really can't be spending more that $200.

A good frame, wheel set, and associated parts with building a complete bike will cost far more than $200, unfortunately. The only way this might work is getting a good deal on a complete bike, then upgrading it with your parts.

The 600 parts are good, so dont underachieve searching for the rest. You need good undamaged stuff which doesnt means mint or NOS. I´m sure if you give it some time the right frame and wheels will turn up. Check garage sales and ask at bike shops etc.

I agree. Bianchi frames even the lowerend ChroMo / Magenese blended ones seem to be worth their weight in gold, and a Columbus framed on in Celeste almost double. once in awhile you can find a good deal (thanks again "E") but I have seen '89ish Volpe frames selling for over $200.

there is always a chance you could stumble across one. I have seen a few 'deals' but not in my size. this looks like a good deal if your close. should be a Columbus Formula Two frame but he does not list the color for some reason, perhaps it is not celeste.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/1856316189.html

OH welcome to the forums, where do you live? what size are you looking for?

You are going to have to find a smokin hot deal at that price point. Are you able to watch C/L continuously, and launch in your car any time of day? Are you willing to spend Saturday mornings (or whatever day it is in your town), trolling endless garage sales? Do you have the time to visit thrift stores several times a day? etc...

Ain't going to happen otherwise.

To me, the best solution is to hunt for a deal: any deal, any brand, any color, any size, just make sure it is something decent. Don't worry if it is not your size, that does not matter. Clean up the deal, flip it, and build a bike fund. Do that a couple of times, and you will have enough to pay full market for that Bianchi frameset, bars and wheels. I followed that process and went from an entry level bike boom Peugeot to a 2003 Colnago Master Lite, all funded by finding and flipping bikes that did not fit.

Do it a few times, and you will probably have enough to buy a complete Bianchi of your dreams, and either sell off your Shimano 600 stuff at that point, or upgrade the Bianchi if it has something lower end.

I have found ONE deal on a Celeste Bianchi in the last TWO years, and I look EVERY day for bikes. And the deal I found was a basket case (OK, it was cheap, but it will take a lot of effort and imagination to turn it into a complete bike). Meanwhile, I found SEVEN bike deals in the last week. Clean up those seven bikes, resell them, and I can buy a really high end bike (probably a couple of them), at full market. I sold one of the seven already, it paid for my Prologue. Sweet.

I have seen several Celeste Bianchis in the last two years, but all were at or near full market, and over your $200 mark.

Rather than look for a deal on a hard to find bike in a particular size, just look for any deal, and build that bike fund.

Here's the "deal". Stuck seat post, stuck crankset, rust, most components rusted up and not salvagable. Good seat post (once I freed it up), good headset, good bottom bracket, good crankset, frame can be saved, everything else, garbage. But it is a Celeste Bianchi with Columbus tubing. Without a full parts bin, really not much of a deal.

Oh, and I should mention, this Bianchi deal was only 160 miles from where I live, one way.... Of course, on that road trip, I snagged five bikes, so I considered it worth the drive.

I'm eyeing this frame right now...

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/1850175403.html

I'm not sure about the size but it seems good. Any problems with a champion del mondo frame?

I don't see anythign about the frame material but it looks like a mid '90s Campione frame. how much is the whole bike?

OH $100 for that frame? if it fits that could be a great deal