|
1937 Bianchi on ebay
Thought this deserved its own thread. I'm usually not a fan of roadsters, but this one I cant stop looking at.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BIANCHI-Model-RE...item3a625a04cf http://i.ebayimg.com/21/!CC1n-8!!2k~...YpRqO!~~_3.JPG |
My shop is a Bianchi dealer. That would look oh-so-perfect in the storefront window!
|
it is very beautiful but $3500 plus 300 shipping is too much for me.
|
it has 48 years on me, but i would still ride it.
|
And is that a carrying handle like on that new Rapha city bike?
Neal |
Originally Posted by nlerner
(Post 12083518)
And is that a carrying handle like on that new Rapha city bike?
Neal |
Originally Posted by nlerner
(Post 12083518)
And is that a carrying handle like on that new Rapha city bike?
Neal |
I call foul on this bike. I do not believe for a moment that the bike finish is original, nor do I believe that the rims are original. Let me explain my reasoning.
I have a 1936 Bianchi that is 100% original apart from the tires, inner tubes and rim strips (I have a full uninterrupted history of the bike from 1936 onwards, as the bike was my wife's Granfather's, then sat in my Mother-in-law's garage before being gifted to me as an engagement gift from her). You can check it out here: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/..._da_Passeggio/ The rims on these bikes were generally painted and the ones on the ebay bike are fully chromed. Another important clue to the non-originality is that during the war, ALL bikes were required to have the rear fender painted white during the periods of black-outs. When they said all bikes, the fascist authorities meant ALL bikes and nobody was excused from this law. There is no way that the paint could be removed without a trace. Then look at the chrome, much of it is pickled, but the paint is near perfect, this does not correspond with how most of these bikes aged where the chrome is invariably better than the paint. This bike is perhaps the one that I use the most of all the bikes I own. It rides wonderfully well, but I wouldn't want to ride up too steep hills. |
Maybe it wasn't ridden all that often, if much at all during its first years. Hence, the absence of the white paint...
|
Originally Posted by realestvin7
(Post 12083968)
Maybe it wasn't ridden all that often, if much at all during its first years. Hence, the absence of the white paint...
|
Somebody call him out on it, then. Lol.
|
I think there are a lot of reasons why it wouldn't of been painted. I don't see that as an issue unless you make it one.
|
Originally Posted by Citoyen du Monde
(Post 12084267)
The possibilities of this being a viable explanation is as good as nil. Take a look at the famous movie "Ladri di Biciclette" (The Bicycle Thief), you will then understand that bikes were the mainstay of transportation and they were comparatively expensive and nobody would spend the money and let it sit around. There was simply no market for "duplicate" bikes or not necessary bikes in the 30's. With austerity measures during the war, the use of a bike only became even more important, with many of those lucky enough to own a car switching back to bicycle use. One simply would not forego the use of a bike.
|
Originally Posted by Citoyen du Monde
(Post 12083841)
I have a 1936 Bianchi that is 100% original apart from the tires, inner tubes and rim strips (I have a full uninterrupted history of the bike from 1936 onwards, as the bike was my wife's Granfather's, then sat in my Mother-in-law's garage before being gifted to me as an engagement gift from her). You can check it out here: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/..._da_Passeggio/
http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/..._and_grips.jpg Well, this guy does: http://longhornbikes.com/Hub/wp-cont...nghornbike.jpg |
The seller says about the wheels "fully original with the exception of new rims and tyres (which are a N.O.S. couple of the legendary Pirelli Stella, widely considered the best tyres of those times), a new set of N.O.S. decals of the very same quality they used originally and a B33 Brooks saddle" so the seller claims to have laced new wheels, replaced transfers and the saddle. Perhaps the paint was good to start with and the bike had some luck.
'just sayin' |
Originally Posted by Citoyen du Monde
(Post 12083841)
I call foul on this bike..................
then don't buy it............... |
Regardless, I wouldn't kick it out of the garage, would you? The price is way to high though. Whenever I see inordinately high prices especially starting prices on a bike, I get suspicious. Still if I stumbles on one for around $450-$500 I would be sore tempted.
|
Isn't there a company in Italy still producing a bike almost exactly the same as this? I can't remember the name of the brand but i recall it is a man's name, Ulmo, Pio or something like that
|
Originally Posted by bikerosity57
(Post 12085743)
Regardless, I wouldn't kick it out of the garage, would you? The price is way to high though. Whenever I see inordinately high prices especially starting prices on a bike, I get suspicious. Still if I stumbles on one for around $450-$500 I would be sore tempted.
Not an uncommon bike. |
Originally Posted by Thumpic
(Post 12085457)
then don't buy it...............
|
Umberto Dei. That's the brand I was thinking of. It took a while for my internal hard drive to spin up.
|
4 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by Thumpic
(Post 12085457)
then don't buy it...............
Originally Posted by bikerosity57
(Post 12085743)
Regardless, I wouldn't kick it out of the garage, would you? The price is way to high though. Whenever I see inordinately high prices especially starting prices on a bike, I get suspicious. Still if I stumbles on one for around $450-$500 I would be sore tempted.
Originally Posted by bikerosity57
(Post 12085808)
Umberto Dei. That's the brand I was thinking of. It took a while for my internal hard drive to spin up.
|
You can see that the quality of these Italian roadsters is a lot higher than even the old Raleighs. I believe the modern Italian roadsters are a lot better quality than the Indian, or Chinese by a long way. I had a catalog once a while ago for the Umberto Dei (amazing I couldn't remember the name), and regardless of whether they aren't as nice as in by gone days, they are still very nice indeed.
|
Originally Posted by bikerosity57
(Post 12089236)
You can see that the quality of these Italian roadsters is a lot higher than even the old Raleighs. I believe the modern Italian roadsters are a lot better quality than the Indian, or Chinese by a long way. I had a catalog once a while ago for the Umberto Dei (amazing I couldn't remember the name), and regardless of whether they aren't as nice as in by gone days, they are still very nice indeed.
|
Wow, that Bianchi would have been considered "C&V" even back when "The Bicycle Thief" was filmed :).
|
Originally Posted by Citoyen du Monde
(Post 12086004)
I have no intention of buying it, but at the same time, I don't plan to let some unknowing buyer purchase it under the impression that "Both paint and every component is fully original" I stopped reading the description when I saw this misleading claim in bold type. A nice Bianchi roadster in truly original condition from the mid-30's will often sell for 1000 euros upwards in Italy. The problem for North American buyers is shipping due to weight, size and technical complexity. Dismantling the rod brakes and mudguards for shipping is not overly simple.
These bikes have many collectors in Italy. In fact there are likely more collectors of vintage roadsters than vintage race bikes. Another thing that most people ignore is that the most expensive bikes in virtually any full-range bike manufacturer's selection was invariably a roadster and NOT a racing bike! A nice, matching numbers, original Bianchi roadster will go for over 1000 euros if sold by a savvy seller. I have even seen some immaculate ones (with the white rear mudguard) go for over 2000 euros. Umberto Dei is no longer an independent builder but is now just a marketing brand. You can indeed get a modern interpretation of one of these old-timer roadsters in Italy with Umberto Dei name as well as a few others, unfortunately the quality has no comparison to what you can get on some of these older bikes. I personally would like to find myself a nice Taurus. If I could find the specific one that I want, the ebay seller's asking price would not be out of line. Pay special attention to the brake calipers, the routing of the brakes and the crank attachment method. |
CdM, Thanks for sharing your expertise. I've been tempted to buy a truly vintage (say, pre-WWII) bike as a restoration project, but then I'm reminded how truly over my head I would be.
Originally Posted by Citoyen du Monde
(Post 12086004)
Dismantling the rod brakes and mudguards for shipping is not overly simple.
Originally Posted by Citoyen du Monde
(Post 12086004)
I personally would like to find myself a nice Taurus...
|
Originally Posted by gaucho777
(Post 12125995)
I can see why!
|
Originally Posted by rhm
(Post 12128520)
+1. Rod brakes routed through the stem and steerer tube? I've never heard of such a thing before.
|
Too cool! I've often thought about how one could do this, but was under the impression it would be a new idea! New, like integrated headsets, I guess....
|
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:29 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.