norwegianRoadie

A unexpected question that has popped up.
I've now saved up for more than 6months for my return to the world of Gears, after buying a (too small) Bianchi Pista last summer that I LOVED to bits, but got frustrated and wanted more flexibility (i.e climbing UPhill) and speed.....

So, made up my mind on a New but discontinued Via Nirone With Campagnolo Veloce (or a 2014 Via Nirone where the dealer will switch Tiagra to Veloce), or a 2014 Impulso Veloce.

NOW, something has popped up:
A 2012 Bianchi Sempre With Ultegra. It is second hand, and it is a 2012, but it is the classic - selling for his Brother who has moved abroad, has been travelling a lot so it is hardly used. Therefore it is out for $1400, and I can probably get it Down to $1200 or so. It is not Veloce, and not Celeste, but a mainly black With white and red combo.. So : A full Carbon bike With the wrong colour and gear set. BUT seems fantastic value.

What to do ?

I have two small kids so no long treks for me, so the Whole touring versus racing focus on the frames is not that important... And the Sempre is my size (61).
Stick With my plan or do a Full Carbon Choice?

dtrain

I'd check out the used '12.

peaches123

[h=2]>> New 2014 Bianchi Via Nirone Veloce, Impulso Veloce OR second hand 2012 Sempre?? [/h]Yes.

thehammerdog

fit is key.....it gotta fit ya...go for cheaper bike your not a pro....ride the one you like and that fits ya

znomit

Offer him 350$, because it's not Celeste.

norwegianRoadie

Won't be able to try out any, there's snow here, + the sellers are all faaaaaaaar away...
Looks very Nice and NOT much used and super clean being just left by the owner at his brother's house, don't you think?

norwegianRoadie

Or the original plan with no carbon....:-)?

RollCNY

If you are a big dude, ergonomics on ultegra 6700 kind of sucks (IMO) versus Veloce. I would absolutely choose Veloce in silver on Celeste over any other color Bianchi. Riding Bianchis not in Celeste is much like riding your wife's sister: same name on the frame, but it will never feel right.

dtrain

Good thing my wife doesn't have a sister, 'cause for that price...

norwegianRoadie

Right. Good advice here.

Is this a good idea: The bike looks almost unused, so I'm thinking:
retail price for a 2014 Sempre Ultegra here is $ 4 800, IF I can get this down to $ 1300 I could actually afford to BUY it, and then flip it and sell at a profit if I'm not happy . Win/Win situation?

norwegianRoadie

Or am I just sticking with the original Via Nirone or Impulso plan in Celeste? After all, this is my FIRST road bike with gears after different MTBs years ago, and falling in love with the road after buying a Bianchi Pista last year and realizing the limitations of no gears :-) (i.e. Speed......!)

Afdica

I assume you speak from experience.

wheelreason

Unless he's adopted, that's not his brother's bike.

norwegianRoadie

z
?
Don't geddit...

RollCNY

OP, I have no clue whether you should get it and flip it, or not. I have a high level of intolerance to selling things to strangers, so I never embark on that path. Your tolerance may be higher.

The carbon & ultegra bike may well be lovely, and be worth it. I wouldn't do it because I have no interest in Ultegra 6700. That is entirely my personal preference. None of these decisions look like a bad option, so buy whichever one will get you to ride the most.

RollCNY

A dirt cheap price on an expensive bike may be an indication of theft. Hence, not his brother's bike. At least that is how I read it.

norwegianRoadie

Well, now I feel ashamed and a bike pimp..:-)
Brilliant point, but I'm in sales, so it is in my nature to consider the possibility of profit which will lead to my dream Bianchi, though through a lack of morals

But! I take it to heart about the Ultegra, as I agree and would prefer Campagnolo by a big margin. My wife's from Milano for god's sake.

Regarding the theft aspect I have asked for a receipt, google Earth-ed the house of the seller, and checked his income from 2011, no I'm not kidding, that's possible here

norwegianRoadie

$90000 BTW, so i don't think he's into bicycle theft :-)

RollCNY

I don't think flipping stuff is immoral. Do it if you choose. I am in the fortunate enough spot that my means exceed my desires, so the hassle of sales is of no benefit to me. I clearly need better desires.

norwegianRoadie

Word.

What about dropping Down a bit on my Budget and buying an Impulso With 105 in CELESTE, or, as I REALLY want pure Campagnolo, they don't do a Via Nirone With Veloce anymore, and the Xenon seems a bit plasticky (true=?), what about making a dealer order me a 61cm Via Nirone With Xenon, and customizing it (there) With a Veloce/Xenon mix. Good idea? Seem to remember Bianchi doing that mix on a few bikes but maybe not 2014 models.

norwegianRoadie

Right!
The guy with the second hand Sempre didn't get back to me when I tried to get the price down at at the same time asked for a receipt, so your doubts were probably well founded.

Going with my heart, and a new Bianchi Via Nirone with Campagnolo.
I've got contact with an Italian retailer that will also be happy to customise before shipping, so they KNOW their bikes instead of shipping boxes. And from the source. EXCELLENT!

The Via Nirone only now comes with Xenon, WHICH pieces of the Xenon are imperative to change for Veloce, except the shifters, I already understood that they are very plasticky and will have them changed for the alloy Veloce shifters.

norwegianRoadie

F#ck it, I ordered the best option from a VERY serviceminded dealer in Torino, Drigani Cycles:
new Impulso in Celeste with a full Veloce groupset.:-) good price(!) and bargained to even get one of their own team jerseys included as a present, + an invitation to a coffee in the shop when I am in Italy.
win win.

dtrain

Wow, sounds great! Enjoy!!

Kinda miss my Celeste Bianchi...but it didn't fit or ride as nice as it looked.

RollCNY

It sounds awesome. I didn't know enough about Xenon to answer your other questions intelligibly in this or the other thread. Now you will know that you are it's first and only owner.

norwegianRoadie

EXCITED!!!!!

Never mind that we now have 1 foot of snow which is increasing by the minute.