elbertwang

I found this bianchi on craigslist and was wondering if anyone could identify it and appraise it for me. It is in an album in my profile titled "bianchi to be identified (sorry can't share links or photos yet!) Selling is asking $600 firm in the Bay Area. I was also wondering if the componentts are EOM. It looks like some of it is campy NR. Thanks!

T-Mar

Based on the combination of Piaggio era decals, droput eyelets, Campagnolo Nuovo Record derailleurs and Modolo brakes, the subject bicycle would appear to be a 1984 Bianchi Nuovo Racing. If so, it is a Columbus SL main triangle with Falck fork blades and stays. The only Campagnolo components are the derailleur set. In my opinion, it is aggressively priced, even for the high priced Bay area. May sure the seat post isn't seized. Selective photo assist.

wrk101

+10 Slammed seat posts are often seized. Have the seller raise the saddle for you. Make sure stem is not seized too.

Complete with flat tires.... Depends how much you want a Celeste bike. At the $650 price point, there will be many alternatives, not so many in Celeste. And not many Italian made. Taking a quick look at SF C/L, this is about the price people are asking.

Bianchis tend to get a premium, and Celeste Bianchis even more. It's OK to overpay if it fits and you really want it. Someone wanting a Celeste Bianchi in their size, locally, with some Campy components, is going to pay a price like this one has.

Now if you are open to other brands, I like doing a search at a price level, say $400 to $500 for one search, then $501 to $600 as another search. This will show you your local options. I found some good possibilities on my $400 to $500 search, like a pretty nice Guerciotti, SLX frame, full Campy, some SR?, same size, for $450. To me, a significantly better bike. To you, maybe not!

elbertwang

Super helpful responses, thank you! Did not even realize the seatpost could be seized. And sorry for the dumb question, but how could you tell the tires were flat as well? The seller said she didn't know much about bikes, so she'll probably be selling it as-is..

Thanks for pointing out that Guerciotti, I think I will check that one out as well!

wrk101

The rims are nearly touching the ground. A fully inflated tire width will look the same all the way around: top, bottom and sides, particularly with no rider on the saddle. The side wall of a flat tire will tend to hold the tire up on the top and sides, but not on the bottom. What keeps the rim off the ground is the thickness of the tube and tire, even when flat.

Before dropping $650 on a bike, I like to know what else is out there, in the $400 to $750 price range.

Nadia1976

Following as I have an older version myself 1976 bianchi Specialissima barcelona top of the line for the time all original campagnolo components and never ridden.

RobinWarrington

Is that colour correct???? I know they had lots of versions of "Celeste"....😱😂🤣