Bianchi Henri

Sorry I am new here so forgive the ignorance
I organized a charity ride for Juvenile Diabetes today.
What fun is organizing if you don't participate, so
Last week I went into the garage and got my Vintage Bianchi down from where it has hung for the last 25 years
I took it for a tune up & new tubes .

so...today I did the 50 mile ride to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes. What a blast.
The bike has less than 1,000 miles on it and is all original in very good shape.
The Serial # is ES438865
It has the eagle with crown front tube logo
It is royal blue with full silver front forks
Has Suntour drop shifters and Cyclone M-II derailer made by Maeda Ind Japan - AE serial #
Has the O22 logo on vertical tube "Shiwata CrMo double butted tubes, forks & stays"
Takagi Aerox crank
Shimano brakes
Ambrosia 19 Extra Elite Made in Italy rims
Because I am new I cannot post photos or add links to them or I would (need 10 posts)

Appreciate some help on the following:
1-What make/model and year was this Bianchi
2-Should I keep it or sell it to upgrade to a newer ride if today made we want to get back into road riding ( I have nothing to compare to)
3-Are collectors interested in these steel frames

noobinsf 

Short answer is that it must be a very good bike — those are high level Suntour derailleurs and the topline crank of that era, and Ishiwata 022 is an excellent steel frame, the kind of coveted steel you might seek in a custom frame today. Spend some time with it before you decide whether to keep it, since you clearly enjoy it. You can always rent a modern bike to see how you like it in comparison before making a decision.

machinist42

Please upload a full drive side photo to your Album?
(Preferably taken after you've flipped around the front wheel, or you won't hear the end of it...)

T-Mar

Based on the serial number, in conjuction with the Ishiwata 022 tubeset and SunTour Cyclone M-II derailleurs, the subject bicycle is a 1984, Japanese manfactured, Bianchi Limited. This was a mid-range model with an MSRP of $475 US. The Shimano brakeset is not OEM spec.

While it lacks some of the amenities of modern day bicycles, it is a good bicycle to get back into raod riding. I suggest you use it until you decide whether you want to get back into bicycling long term. At that point, you can make a more informed retain or upgrade decision. If you decide to sell it, it should be easy to dipose of, for a good price.

Bianchi Henri

Thanks so much for the informative and insightful response.
I will definitely do more riding and will explore options for renting a modern bike to compare.

Appreciate it.

Bianchi Henri

Thanks for the information.
Do you know what it would be worth in todays market to a collector?
PS I do not plan on selling it.

Bianchi Henri

Thanks loaded.
Maybe not so much on flipped wheel.
Need to have something other than Covi to talk about.

T-Mar

...and we get...

alcjphil

That isn't the drive side

machinist42

microcord

The major amenities of today's bikes are a wider range of gears and LED lighting. Lower gears will be very welcome if your surroundings aren't flat; but you can get that bike converted to lower gearing. Excellent LED lights of course attach to old bikes as easily as they attach to new ones.

You might prefer a shorter stem, less of a drop to the handlebar, or both. Those alterations wouldn't cost much.

And your bike is far better looking than most new bikes.

himespau 

That is a very attractive bike. Those pictures make it appear as though you could take a fair bit wider of a tire if you'd like some more comfort.