crustyrooster77

Hello, y'all!
I'm very new to biking, and I've been meaning for a long time to get into this community.
I've been saving money for a while, and with spring on its way, I'm really looking forward to a new bike.
I found a 1997 Bianchi Campione for $500. It's in excellent shape, the bike owner is a bike shop owner, and every thing is in working order.
It has full Campagnolo components with double butted Dedacciai chromoly (I don't know what this means).

What do you think about this?
I'm very new to biking, so any tips regarding shopping for bikes are greatly appreciated.

znomit

What colour is it?

crustyrooster77

It is a beautiful sea foam green. I heard the sea foam green makes the ride really smooth.

dougphoto

I had a 1995 version of that fantastic bike, I raced on it for years. Buy it, it'll be a great and affordable starter bike.

maartendc

If it is in MINT condition, with the components in perfect condition as well, maybe. Otherwise, I think $500 is WAY too much for a bike that old.

$350 sounds like a better price.

eja_ bottecchia

I assume that the bike was well cared by the bike shop owner. If that is the case and the bike is in good shape, then $500USD is reasonable.

I own a 1989 Bottecchia with Columbus SLX tubing and fully Campy group. I was recently offered $1500USD. I politely turned it down.

See if the seller will take $400USD from you. If he sells you the bike he will have a lifetime customer for parts and labor.

Good luck.

crustyrooster77

Wow. Thanks everybody for all your advice!

I forgot to add some pictures.
How does this look to y'all? Thank again!

thehammerdog

Fisrt question is it Celeste?
If yes proceed ,buy bike and enjoy.
Oh, does it fit?
If so buy said bike.

thehammerdog

Sweety Sea Foam green?
WTF....CELESTE....I own a Bianchi with matching celeste seat & bar wrap...SEA FOAM green....omg

crustyrooster77

My bad. Yes, CELESTE. A beautiful CELESTE.
I guess I'll have to learn my color jargon as well as everything else!

maartendc

It looks to be in pretty good shape, not mint condition, but pretty good. Looks like it was pretty well taken care of.

The components are Campagnolo Centaur and a Mirage derailleur, which is entry level. Campagnolo is solid quality though, but this was not exactly a top-of-the-line bike when it was new.

Also, the cassette in the back seems pretty small, which means you dont have a lot of gearing options in the back for hilly terrain. If you live in a very flat area, thats fine. If you live in a hilly area, you might want to upgrade or replace the rear cassette to something with more teeth, which makes biking uphill easier. That would cost you another $30 or so. The rear cassette looks pretty worn as well, another reason to perhaps replace.

Given this, I'd say try offering $400, that seems like a more fair price to me. It is a nice looking bike, thats for sure. If it fits you, go for it.