Jay wrote:
> The seller, Giampaolo,who also sold the 1953 Campione del Mondo earlier
this year for north of $4000, said the bike has all of its original
components.The handlebar and stem were (over)polished and the Bianchi logo
is no longer visible.
in response to Kurt's comment:
> > That bike looks a little fishy to me. More than half the photos didn't
download for me, but the brakeset looks ALL wrong (too new, short reach and
hoods.)
> >No mention I saw of whether it is a restoration. Implication that Coppi
rode THIS bike, etc. Anyone else?
all with respect to Dale's first comment:
> >Everyone will know about this anyway, so I am talking about it BEFORE it
> >sells and I don't care!!! :)
> >Seems like I heard a bit about this bike.. That it is incorrectly
restored or
> >something...? Comments? Start a no-betting pool on it's final selling
price?
> >
> >item: BIANCHI PARIS ROUBAIX WITH CAMPAGNOLO
> >Seller: speedster@katamail.com
> >Starts: Nov-17-02 12:13:22 PST
> >Ends: Nov-27-02 12:13:22 PST
> >Price: Currently $710.00
> >To bid on the item, go to:
> >http://ebay.com/<blah>
As I have owned an earlier version of these bikes in preserved state, so I feel that I am in a good position to comment on this particular bike. The components all appear to be original, or at least period correct with the sole question being the saddle. They tended to have small rivet Brooks or Bianchi branded saddles from what I know. The brakes are most defintiely correct and if you added the mudguards and larger tires that were common at the time, the clearances would look perfect. The brake levers and hoods are also correct. The only part that I believe is very wrong is the restoration of the frame. The headtube, seattube decals are not correct at all and the downtibe ones are questionable. The color is also not a fantastic recreation but as there were many different 'celestes' I suppose that this shade is as good as another. The seatlug is not chromed like others that I have seen, nor is the chroming of the rear drop-outs all that convincing. Lastly, the red and blue highlighting of the chainstays and fork blades is very poor. None of these things could not be corrected by the eventual new owner, so all told I believe it is a very nice bike. As I already mentioned, I am presently the high bidder but have no illusions of winning the auction. Besides, my bid, at more than double the price reached so far, has not even met the reserve. Please don't worry about bidding against me as I have already had the pleasure of owning one of these bikes in the past and feel that it is something all vintage collectors should experience.
Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ
---