Bianchi Buying Advice

mowestusa said:

I'm posting here because some of you may know the value of
the bike I'm looking at and could steer me in the right
direction.

I'm looking at a Early 90's Bianchi, I believe. I can't
find any model name on the bike. It has the Bianchi
markings, but then nothing really beyond that. It has
Suntour STX derailers, 12 speed, downtube shifters,
Aluminum rims, arrow brake handles, and Shimano brakes.
The frame label says "Made in Taiwain CR-MO", and the
color is a royal blue. That is all the information that I
have to identify the model. Anyway I was wondering if it
was worth the $95 bucks that the person is asking?

I would like to use it to replace my Trek 830 1991 that I
basically just use on the road. However if I take this
one I know that I will need a new saddle and a new stem
(I have this) and new handlebar tape. I should probably
replace all of the cables too. Now I do all of my own
bike work, and I don't pound fast miles, but I would like
something a little faster and more geared to the road
riding that I do all of the time and a little lighter
than my old mountain bike. I know that buying new and
getting one of those light Aluminum frames would really
be the way to go for most people, but I like old bikes,
and I like cleaning them up and getting some use out of
what others feel is just junk, but I don't want to put
all this time and money into a bike that is not much
better than a Huffy.

What do you think? Does it sound like a good deal? I
know the Bianchi name is thought of highly by many road
bike riders.

Assuming it fits you and is in good condition, it'd be worth
looking through eBay to get a feel for price.

mowestusa said:

I'm posting here because some of you may know the value of
the bike I'm looking at and could steer me in the right
direction.

I'm looking at a Early 90's Bianchi, I believe. I can't
find any model name on the bike. It has the Bianchi
markings, but then nothing really beyond that. It has
Suntour STX derailers, 12 speed, downtube shifters,
Aluminum rims, arrow brake handles, and Shimano brakes.
The frame label says "Made in Taiwain CR-MO", and the
color is a royal blue. That is all the information that I
have to identify the model. Anyway I was wondering if it
was worth the $95 bucks that the person is asking?

I would like to use it to replace my Trek 830 1991 that I
basically just use on the road. However if I take this
one I know that I will need a new saddle and a new stem
(I have this) and new handlebar tape. I should probably
replace all of the cables too. Now I do all of my own
bike work, and I don't pound fast miles, but I would like
something a little faster and more geared to the road
riding that I do all of the time and a little lighter
than my old mountain bike. I know that buying new and
getting one of those light Aluminum frames would really
be the way to go for most people, but I like old bikes,
and I like cleaning them up and getting some use out of
what others feel is just junk, but I don't want to put
all this time and money into a bike that is not much
better than a Huffy.

What do you think? Does it sound like a good deal? I
know the Bianchi name is thought of highly by many road
bike riders.

Unfortunately Bianchi make everything from kids' bikes and
motor scooters to pro race machines, so the name doesn't
mean anything. I've never heard of Suntour STX (Shimano STX
was a 21 speed MTB groupset) but Googling finds one
reference, so I assume it's just rare.

I would see how worn the chain, sprockets and (especially)
chainrings are, that nothing is bent, and how heavy the bike
is. If it's more than 25lb (without fenders or racks) or
there is any real wear, leave it. Otherwise it could be a
good training bike.