Bianchi Imola w/ 105 for $550: deal?

[Katiebikes]

Newish rider here..I'm looking to upgrade/update from a Specialized Dolce 51cm and found a Bianchi Imola 44cm, used, on craigslist, for $550. Its about an hour away so looking at it isn't terribly easy to look at. I'm wondering if this is a good deal, and whether or not the bike'll fit me. It has all Shimano 105 or better components, and seems in pretty good shape from the pictures. Is the bike worth getting just to swap components and selling off the frame, etc, if it doesn't fit? Does anyone have experience with the Imola? Could I negotiate down to a lower price? Help!

[sarahspins]

It might be if it's a recent 105 set and not something old, but if you watch CL you can often fine new take-off groupsets for about that much.. a lot of people buy a bike already built up, then change out everything to campy. There is (or was) a Dura-Ace set on my CL for $600... which was just such a case.

I doubt that a 44cm frame would fit you if you're riding a 51.

[sarahspins]

It might be if it's a recent 105 set and not something old, but if you watch CL you can often find new take-off groupsets for about that much.. a lot of people buy a bike already built up, then change out everything to campy. There is (or was) a Dura-Ace set on my CL for $600... which was just such a case.

I doubt that a 44cm frame would fit you if you're riding a 51.

[OakLeaf]

I doubt that a 44cm frame would fit you if you're riding a 51.

The current model 44 cm Imola frame has a 510 mm effective top tube; the current 51 cm Dolce has 518. So going just by those models and that measurement, it's certainly within the range of what might fit or could be made to fit with a longer stem.

But... the OP didn't specify the model year of the Bianchi (if the 105 componentry are OEM) and anyway I didn't see any model archive on their site. I don't know if you can know whether it's a "good deal" without knowing the model year, and I definitely wouldn't automatically assume they'd never changed the geometry on the frame.

[Katiebikes]

Here's a picture, I don't know the year...maybe the picture is indicative?
11002

[Becky]

2005, maybe? http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2005&Brand=Bianchi&Model=Imola&Type=bike

It figures that 2005 is the only model year whose picture won't load!

[Katiebikes]

Definitely 05, I found the picture here: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6383

It's exact! Thanks! Now to compare the measurements to my Dolce...

Is there that big of a difference between women's specific and non-women's specific?

Edit: Still wondering about the price...he says it was 1300 new, is 550 a good price for a 5 year old bike?

[WindingRoad]

BTW, I have that bike and it is a great ride! Extremely responsive and feels racy, the steel kills a lot of the road buzz. I paid $500 for mine used off craigslist a couple of years ago. The 105 on that particular bike works fantastic. It works as good as my Ultegra its just a few grams heavier and not quite as fast to shift. You would only notice that if you were planning to race with it though. The only thing I want to change is the crappy crankset that came with it, surgino, weighs a ton!