enjoi07

Hello. I have the opportunity to grab either bike:

Bianchi with Sram Force components for $800 (buyer is willing to sell for $700)
Masi with Campagnolo Record components for $1000 (not sure about flexibility on price seller says they can do $900)

Both look to be and are described as being in excellent condition.
I've ridden SRAM and Shimano, so maybe it's time for Campy? Bianchi's are also a dime a dozen around in my area so the Masi has a bit more of a unique factor but not by much. I'm also putting a lot of weight on resale value since I tend to buy, ride, then sell in a couple of years.

Thoughts?

Frank72

The one that fits the best. Fit is more important than allot of other stuff. If it fits you will ride it more! Personally I like the look of the Masi better.

enjoi07

Of course! Both are my size, I'm sure there are differences in the geometry to consider but I'm banking on them both being in line with my fit.

Eric F 

Based on both being the right size, I'm picking the Masi every time. If the Bianchi was celeste, I might change my mind...but probably not.

Toespeas

for that price you could do better and newer , but if you must have an old crappy frame then i still think you could do better , but its up to you id go with the cheaper one , but then again i would buy either one of those when i could get a modern trek for like 400 , you will pay for these delusional vintage values on outdated obsolete bikes AKA hipster prices LOL good luck

samkl 

I'd go with the Masi. Campy Ergos match old bikes better than Sram stuff. Old Italian bikes especially.

genejockey 

Masi, hands down. It's got Record, fer cripes sake! That Record crank is the second most beautiful crankset ever produced, after the Shimano Dura Ace 7410.

Litespud

Both look pretty old (quill stems!), but personally I’d go with the Masi in a heartbeat - Record 10 (is it 9 or 10?) is a beautiful groupset. I’d say be aware that 10sp stuff (eg cassettes & rings) are supposedly starting to get trickier to find new, but if you’re only holding on to it for a few years, this is less of an issue. I’ve been running Chorus 10 on my main bike for ~17 years and can still find what I need. Can’t predict resale value, but I would imagine that a Campag fan will likely pay more for the Masi/Record down the road than someone else would pay for an old ten-a-penny Bianchi/SRAM

bruce19

Assuming they both fit, I'd go with the Masi but my opinion shouldn't matter. Grab a bourbon...sit down and look at each one. Which one "speaks" to you? That's the one.

enjoi07

I mean, my city is notorious for the hipster prices so unless I want to spend months hunting, this is what I get, especially in the Covid market. From what I've seen the SRAM and Campy components alone fetch a pretty decent price so... Either way, definitely not buying a Trek.

If you have suggestions for a steel or titanium frame with solid components I'm all ears.

enjoi07

They are definitely older models. My first bike was an older steel Univega with downtube shifters and I absolutely loved that thing. I've done the carbon S-Works, the Aluminum CAAD-9, and kinda want to go back to the nice steel ride. I mean, I'd really like to try titanium but $$$.

enjoi07

If the guy with the Masi didn't point his handlebars towards the sky for a nicer photo it might make my decision easier.

enjoi07

Very solid point.

Eric F 

If you're wanting to go back to a nice steel ride, but want to keep a performance tilt to it, the Masi is your answer. Older it may be, but it's always going to handle like a race bike - agile and responsive. Dial it in to fit your body, and you'll be in in for a good time every time. I dig older Bianchis, but that particular one does nothing to excite me.

That said, it's your bike, not mine. Go with what makes your own heart beat.

Litespud

I honestly can’t tell the ride difference between Ti and steel. Ti’s great for low maintenance, but if you’re diligent about keeping your bike clean etc (I’m not) there’s no real difference

Bigbus

Diddo!

Ghazmh

I would buy them both.

woodcraft

I'm pretty happy with SRAM, but SRAM/Bianchi seems mismatched.

MyTi

you get what you pay for here. I despise quill stems myself. i guess i just do not get the desire for an old heavy streel frame outside of the rigors of bicycle touring. you can get a newer specilized tarmac...much newer and lighter for what you are paying for these. $400 is the most i would spend on a complete steel bike.

big chainring 

Masi .... And put some nice gumwall tires on it.

alcjphil

That would be my choice as well. As to the appearance of the crank, I have had both Dura Ace 7410 and Record cranks and found the Dura Ace to be much flexier. I found my Record crank to be an upgrade over the Dura Ace

enjoi07

Absolutely, mandatory.

enjoi07

I keep seeing "you can get a newer..." and then lists a make and model that runs $1,600–$1,800+ on the used market. The cheapest Tarmac I see near me is $1,200 and that's because it's a 61cm. Newer Allez? Sure, but I don't see a case being made for a tarmac at $1k