I'm confused...
 

I really, really want this. I have no idea why. I keep pulling up the auction and have to force myself not to hit the "Buy It Now" button. And it's orange - like I need a fourth orange bike. But this is really getting under my skin and I cannot for the life of me figure out why.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170723427427...84.m1423.l2649

I mean, just look at it: it has a chainguard, spring-saddle - even a kickstand for crying out loud. Everyone knows a bike with a kickstand is a POS :)

But I still find myself wishing this was in a bike box with my mailing address on it, headed my way.

Anyone else either now or in the past find themselves desiring a bike for no good reason whatsoever?

DD

PS: Please understand I'm not knocking on those who ride bikes with chainguards, spring-saddles or even kickstands (well, the kickstands...um...). It's just that in my personal collection I tend to a completely different type of knitting.

I agree it has a certain something to it, it kinda looks like a hotrod or something. after all it is a Bianchi :)

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Bianc...PF+Q~~60_3.JPG

would u like me to buy it now so you don't have to?!

it's actually quite interesting, i know what you mean by it has something to it, something different about this bike, the headlight's really cool too.

I don't know why you would want it though, there's no drillium....

The only thing I can think of spending that much cash on this bike is for nostalgia. Otherwise the cottered crank is sucky and the steel rims are suckier, especially in the rain. And the steel bottom bracket is gonna make that thing extra heavy.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...k_xii_2100.jpg
Mercier Galaxy Tour 2012
Why not buy this beaut at bikes direct? Add some rims and a back rack! A lighter more dependable steed with less cost besides, $399.00 new.

I just love how people put a hefty starting bid amount and then say "no reserve."

What's not too like, pull the trigger!

Hell, even I am attracted to that bike even though it has been handicapped with a rear derailleur! It does have a "Make an Offer" button and I know from personal experience that there are many sellers who are willing to take reasonable offers.

My mind is running wild with visions of a 5-speed SA hub bolted onto that baby... Yes, IGH is about all I think of when it comes to bikes. Sorry. :(

It's a Sport bike. I have wanted one since I was outbid 5 years ago. They are really cool.

That said, one from the 50s will run 200-300 euro. A new one like in your listing (likely 60s) will go for 120-180 euro. Then it will cost 200 euro to ship from Italy. The $600 he's asking is a bit high but not too far out.

This is the one I lost.

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/a...kes/5330_1.jpg

'Tis a bit confusing isn't it? I'd say that is a contradiction, but happens a good bit atmo.

One look at the stock brake calipers takes my appetite away.

-Kurt

ah just buy it - its got a cool kickstand for goodness sake ;)

What???

Long-reach side-pull Balillas? Those have the stopping power of a BB gun. I have two bikes with them. Awesome stuff. :thumb:

Buy it, send it to me. We will both feel better.

That got me laughing. :) Thanks marley!

Dd don"t do it!!

Polished turd, but I agree the polish has style.

DUDE! I love that bike. There are definitely a few things I change, and a few things I'd tweak (fenderline . . . HELLOOO?!!?!!?) and fatter rubber would make sense on this bike. But the color is great, the matching fenders and chainguard are outstanding, the bars are very cool, internal cable routing on the top tube, down tube, AND chainstay. That saddle needs to go, and I couldn't live with those reflectors. The pedals are really neat, though. That kickstand works with this bike.

Maybe the best part of this bike are the chrome head lugs. They are really neat. I've seen bikes with those lugs all over Tuscany, but those bikes are still used every day, and have WAY more patina than this one.

You do know that this Bianchi is from Florence, and has no relation to the other, right?

You need a grocery getter, Dude. Get this, put a Brooks saddle, and one of those huge saddlebags from Rivendell on it. You'll have a blast. Own it.

L8er,
Alex

Dd, if it was a 24" or 25" I'd have clicked the buy it now already! Do it, if you don't you'll spend years regretting it. You'll always be able to sell it and even if you lost a few $ in the end, so what?. It's better to have loved and lose then to have never loved. Do it!

Ditch all the crusty stuff and deck it out with some drilled Campy stuff. Come on your Drillium Dude!

I know nothing of an "other" Bianchi. Can you elaborate on this statement?

It has chrome lugs and crown, that makes it coool. Kick stands are removable and it's a snobby grocery getter. If I had the extra chedder....

It's a neat ol' turd.

Giuseppe Bianchi had a shop in Florence and is not related to Edwardo in Milan. I believe Giuseppe's son, Sergio, has the shop now. http://www.ciclisergiobianchi.it/

It does have a certain something, doesn't it? I don't know what it is, exactly, but I like it too.

You guys aren't helping :)

Now I'm thinking of going on CL locally to find a big wire basket and an old Brooks B-17. I thinks somebody slipped me a mickey when I wasn't looking and my brain has suffered some sorta shift in aesthetic processing.

Seriously, though, I will probably own this by the end of the month. **sigh** And I will probably go with Alex's suggestions to update/un-suckify it. And I will probably ride it lots and look decidedly un-styleman-ish. And I will probably love it.

DD