new to the city, new to road bikes

[KLizotte]

Umm, are you in the six foot range? If it doesn’t fit perfectly it’s not worth $10 to you.

[Emm]

Hi fellow Michigan native! Welcome to the forum, you’ll find a few transplanted MI natives on here

You can get a feel for what the price should be using https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/, but in my experience hybrids in the DC area go for a little less than what they say on here, and road bikes can be a bit all over the place. Based on that website this bike may be a little high priced, but I will say it looks pretty cool so I’ll let someone who knows Bianchis more comment.

For the record, I’m always a little jealous of Bianchi owners since the bikes are really pretty.

A few things to consider:

• As KLizotte said: DOES IT FIT? That’s the most important part. if you’re not sure, head to a bike shop that sells Bianchi bikes and see what size they think is right for you, and test ride a few. Once you know that, you can tell pretty quick if this is the right bike size. This is non-negotiable. A bike is useless if it doesn’t fit right.
• If you’re using it as a commuter, do you ever want to attach a rear rack to it? If so, does it have the mounts? If you’re not sure if you’ll prefer a rack or daily backpack use, I recommend finding a bike that can have a rack added later, just in case you change your mind about always wearing a backpack (DC summers make backpacks uncomfortable for me, but I know others them).
• What extra accessories will you need? Factor that into your budget. You’ll need pedals on this bike for sure. Probably water bottle cages, and maybe a new saddle if the one it comes with isn’t comfortable for you. Are the tires in good shape and able to handle DC’s streets, even in rain? Are the handlebars the right width or will they need replacing? All things to consider… My last used bike purchase was a bike in great condition, but it still required new pedals, new handlebars (the fit on those being right makes a world of difference) which also necessitated new tape, and a new saddle, which together probably cost me ~$250 total. That stuff adds up!

[GoldieE46]

KLizotte, I am 6’2″.

Emm, This is amazing. Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. I followed the link and if i did this right, it says $300 for private party value. On ebay, there is a similar bike for $650, so I am not sure which site to trust when making an assumption.

I will definitely follow the list when checking a bike. Very helpful.

Cheers,
GoldieE46

[vvill]

Being a made in Italy steel Bianchi with a Campagnolo drivetrain does give it a bit of extra cachet. On the other hand, a 63cm size bike should probably be cheaper, as there’s generally less demand for that size (that’s a really big bike).

[BobCochran]

@Emm 146824 wrote:

As KLizotte said: DOES IT FIT? That’s the most important part. if you’re not sure, head to a bike shop that sells Bianchi bikes and see what size they think is right for you, and test ride a few. Once you know that, you can tell pretty quick if this is the right bike size. This is non-negotiable. A bike is useless if it doesn’t fit right.[/LIST]

This is very good advice. Why not go to a couple of Bianchi dealers and test-ride different bicycles? I test rode a bunch of bicycles before buying my most recent one, a Jamis model, and the great people at Proteus ordered it for me. How the bike fits is truly important. You can also get a handle on the different models and capabilities of other bicycles. Emm made other great suggestions too.

Bob

[Judd]

@vvill 146895 wrote:

Being a made in Italy steel Bianchi with a Campagnolo drivetrain does give it a bit of extra cachet. On the other hand, a 63cm size bike should probably be cheaper, as there’s generally less demand for that size (that’s a really big bike).

I take the logic the other way. Since there’s generally less supply of large (and very small) frames on Craigslist, sellers should gouge appropriately.

I’d also offer a cautionary tale about selecting frame sizes. I’m 6’3″ and every time I go bike shopping the sales person insists on rolling out the 62-64 cm size frames, when a 58 cm fits me way better. I recall there being a few good online calculators where you can enter your body measurements and it will spit out a suggested frame size.

[honestmachinery]

@GoldieE46 146886 wrote:

KLizotte, I am 6’2″.

Emm, This is amazing. Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. I followed the link and if i did this right, it says $300 for private party value. On ebay, there is a similar bike for $650, so I am not sure which site to trust when making an assumption.

I will definitely follow the list when checking a bike. Very helpful.

Cheers,
GoldieE46

I might offer 400 for that if it fit. Kind of racy for my commuting style. You won’t be able to put full fenders on it at all, and 28c tires might not fit either. At 200 pounds with gear, I won’t ride on thinner tires, but ymmv.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[GoldieE46]

I see. It all makes sense now. I already went to a bike store (not a Bianchi) and the guy insisted to go with a 63cm which felt super awkward…no bad, just strange.
The seller of this bike will not go down on the price. He now has it on ebay for even more that what’s on craigslist.

One more bike I found tonight, and I promise, I will not bug you anymore. I just need your help/advise with all the components, they make 0 sense to me:

Specs:

Frame: 1996 Bianchi Eros, 62 cm. Steel. No bents, no dents, no cracks, perfect geometry. Originally a magenta color but had the frame completely sandblasted and powder coated in a fiery red. Frame with new paint job alone is about $400.

Bianchi Eros was the best entry level road frame for Bianchi during the 1990s. I would not use this bike for racing today, but rather as a gorgeous road bike to enjoy the beauty and simplicity of yesteryear’s bikes.

Components: Campagnolo Veloce 2×8 speed used Group Set. Original Bianchi build came with Campagnolo Mirage Group Set but I couldn’t find a vintage Mirage so retrofitted the frame with a Veloce group set instead. Group dates from the mid 90s. Group has been used but is in good condition and shows normal signs of use. Components work 100% and I had them professionally inspected, cleaned, lubed and installed.
Components include:

Crankset 170mm with original 52-42 chainwheels
Brakes (customized drop bolt installed for rear brake given low drop of original brake)
Brake shifterlevers
Front derailleur braze on (had installed also a MaxFit Braze-on Front Derailleur Adaptor Clamp 28.6mm Silver)
Rear derailleur
Seatpost ITM 27.2mm
Headset 1″ for threaded fork
Cassette 13-23
Chain
New cableguides (non Campagnolo)
Bottombracket 1.370x24T (British threaded)
Handlebar Cinelli ‘Giro d’Italia’ 39cm (c-c) with new Brooks white leather handlebar tape.
Stem Cinelli 105mm for 1″ threaded fork

Campagnolo Record Strada Road Bike Pedals Platform (I will separately include the toe clips which I did not install)
I can include Cateye CC-FR-7CL wireless computer upon request (needs a new battery)

Seat: Specialized Evo Gel bike Seat 168mm. Little use. Some scuff marks on it.

Wheels: Vintage Ambrosio Evolution 700 Wheelset – Red Annodized

Tires: Brand new black-white Fyxation Session 700 Dual Compound. Harder, long-wearing black rubber compound down middle. 700x23c. Kevlar rolling protection. Fyxations specially designed pinch-flat protection. Full wrap-around tread and diamond pattern for great control and traction

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12524[/ATTACH]

[honestmachinery]

@GoldieE46 146904 wrote:

I see. It all makes sense now. I already went to a bike store (not a Bianchi) and the guy insisted to go with a 63cm which felt super awkward…no bad, just strange.
The seller of this bike will not go down on the price. He now has it on ebay for even more that what’s on craigslist.

One more bike I found tonight, and I promise, I will not bug you anymore. I just need your help/advise with all the components, they make 0 sense to me:

Specs:

Frame: 1996 Bianchi Eros, 62 cm. Steel. No bents, no dents, no cracks, perfect geometry. Originally a magenta color but had the frame completely sandblasted and powder coated in a fiery red. Frame with new paint job alone is about $400.

Bianchi Eros was the best entry level road frame for Bianchi during the 1990s. I would not use this bike for racing today, but rather as a gorgeous road bike to enjoy the beauty and simplicity of yesteryear’s bikes.

Components: Campagnolo Veloce 2×8 speed used Group Set. Original Bianchi build came with Campagnolo Mirage Group Set but I couldn’t find a vintage Mirage so retrofitted the frame with a Veloce group set instead. Group dates from the mid 90s. Group has been used but is in good condition and shows normal signs of use. Components work 100% and I had them professionally inspected, cleaned, lubed and installed.
Components include:

Crankset 170mm with original 52-42 chainwheels
Brakes (customized drop bolt installed for rear brake given low drop of original brake)
Brake shifterlevers
Front derailleur braze on (had installed also a MaxFit Braze-on Front Derailleur Adaptor Clamp 28.6mm Silver)
Rear derailleur
Seatpost ITM 27.2mm
Headset 1″ for threaded fork
Cassette 13-23
Chain
New cableguides (non Campagnolo)
Bottombracket 1.370x24T (British threaded)
Handlebar Cinelli ‘Giro d’Italia’ 39cm (c-c) with new Brooks white leather handlebar tape.
Stem Cinelli 105mm for 1″ threaded fork

Campagnolo Record Strada Road Bike Pedals Platform (I will separately include the toe clips which I did not install)
I can include Cateye CC-FR-7CL wireless computer upon request (needs a new battery)

Seat: Specialized Evo Gel bike Seat 168mm. Little use. Some scuff marks on it.

Wheels: Vintage Ambrosio Evolution 700 Wheelset – Red Annodized

Tires: Brand new black-white Fyxation Session 700 Dual Compound. Harder, long-wearing black rubber compound down middle. 700x23c. Kevlar rolling protection. Fyxations specially designed pinch-flat protection. Full wrap-around tread and diamond pattern for great control and traction

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12524[/ATTACH]

Well, I like that better than the other one for the price. The rear brake drop bolt is a kludge for a caliper with incorrect reach. You could use it that way or replace the caliper. The other components are nothing special but probably serviceable. Gearing is high if you have hills to climb. The Eros was kind of a fast/light sport touring bike, and would be a reasonable commuter with some flexibility to add bigger tires or a rack, fenders…

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[huskerdont]

@GoldieE46 146904 wrote:

and I promise, I will not bug you anymore. I just need your help/advise with all the components, they make 0 sense to me:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]12524[/ATTACH]

You kidding? We live for this shite. Otherwise we’d have to work.

This one is a better value. We get excited about bikes and think that we have to get this one before it’s gone, but there’s always another, perhaps nicer, bike out there.

[GoldieE46]

honestmachinery,
What do you mean by “Gearing is high if you have hills to climb”? Can you please explain?

Thank you huskerdont…I emailed the seller. Fingers crossed.

[honestmachinery]

@GoldieE46 146957 wrote:

honestmachinery,
What do you mean by “Gearing is high if you have hills to climb”? Can you please explain?

Thank you huskerdont…I emailed the seller. Fingers crossed.

I couldn’t get back to my house with my backpack, the weight of the day, and a 42×23 low gear. You can change gearing, but if you have hills to climb, you may prefer lower, easier gears, rather than the higher gears on that bike. It may not be a problem at all for you.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[GoldieE46]

oh I see. I have one real hill to climb right before my house. Currently, I do it on my MTB, so I hope that’s not a big deal

p.s. seller has not responded yet

[vvill]

@Judd 146899 wrote:

I take the logic the other way. Since there’s generally less supply of large (and very small) frames on Craigslist, sellers should gouge appropriately.

I’d also offer a cautionary tale about selecting frame sizes. I’m 6’3″ and every time I go bike shopping the sales person insists on rolling out the 62-64 cm size frames, when a 58 cm fits me way better. I recall there being a few good online calculators where you can enter your body measurements and it will spit out a suggested frame size.

I’ve always thought CX frames would be easier to sell before CX season, studded tires before winter, etc. and conversely studded tires would be tougher to sell after winter – less demand. I’d agree if it were a rare highly sought after frame in a 53-57 that it would be more expensive, but as I said (and you mention) 63 is really big! Like… almost beyond most of the bell curve of heights. There’s [flexible] 6″ people on 54 frames, etc. Take it to an even more extreme: try selling, I dunno one of Shawn Bradley’s 80cm bike frames for more than it’s otherwise worth.

[GovernorSilver]

@GoldieE46 146904 wrote:

I see. It all makes sense now. I already went to a bike store (not a Bianchi) and the guy insisted to go with a 63cm which felt super awkward…no bad, just strange.

Dunno if this helps, but when I went shopping for my first road bike last year, just about all of them felt awkward to me at first. I was used to riding in the more upright position that one gets on flat-bar bikes, whereas road bikes encourage more of a forward lean.

I only say this because you said you’re new to road bikes. You might want to test ride a bunch of them before making a final decision. I test rode about 10 road bikes. By the time I got to the 5th bike, I was more comfortable with riding on road bikes and was thus better able to ascertain a good fit for myself. If you buy from a store, try to buy from one that will give you a basic fitting, just to have the saddle, handlebar, etc. set in places that are right for your body.

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