Road Bike Find

[turbojackie]

Hi ladies! I currently have a Cannondale Quik and love it. I have been eyeing a Specialized Roubaix, but was a little short o the $$$ needed for what I want. On top of that, I wasn't sure that I would love it.

On Craig's List I saw a Bianchi Giro. It was a 2006, 51 cm (my size!) for $600.00 I didn't call, then I saw it dropped to $500.00 When I called finally, he said $350 I was really tempted, but didn't act on it. He texted me the next week and said $300. I went and looked at it and it looked like it hadn't ever been ridden. The speedometer had under 100 miles on it! He said he only road it one summer and not very much. His parents had bought it for him for graduation, in hopes that he would ride, but he didn't. He offered to show me the receipt (to prove it wasn't stolen) and told me where they bought it. (The same bike store I had purchased my Cannondale. I was going to buy it, then I had some personal stuff go on (my brother was in a serious car accident in Germany), and the bike just slipped off my radar. This past Monday I got a text from him that said he had to get it out of his parents house (he was living in what looked like a garage converted into a tiny apartment) and he didn't have room for it. He said $100 if I get it in the next 2 days. Of course, I went and got it! I am taking it to the LBS next week for new tires and a tune up and a fitting for me. It has Shimano 105's, and they said that you can't even buy them for that! It is the lightweight aluminum with the Bianchi Carbon Fibre Fork. Other than needing new tape on the handlebars, it is a beauty! So I will have $100 in the bike, $95 in the fitting, $80 in tires and $45 in the tune up. $320 total! I am so excited about it!

[Biciclista]

photos please? I love your story. That's how I got my double bass. I put a want ad in the little nickel and this guy called, but he wanted more than I could come up with. I told him that as soon as I could come up with all the $$ i would buy it. A couple weeks later, the price had dropped to what he knew I had! and I got the bass.

I am so glad you got that bike for such a great price. I LOVE your story. now SHOW us.

[hebe]

What a great story! I hope your brother is ok.

Biciclista - I would love to be able to play double bass. It's such an expensive instrument. Lucky you, getting one from a wanted ad!

[turbojackie]

I will take pictures this weekend.

My brother is doing better, we didn't know if he was going to make it when it happened. He broke 3 vertebrae in his neck. He was in a drug induced coma for 9 days, and then they did surgery on his neck. The surgery was a success and he can move his arms and his legs. He was in a drug induced coma for 1 week after the surgery, then they brought him out of it. He woke up 2 days after that. He has been transferred out of ICU and is recovering in the hospital where he will be for approx 10 months. He will be doing LOTS of physical therapy. It was horrible because my dad and I are here in the US, and he was in Germany. The language barriers with the hospital and the time difference made it difficult to get info. His wife is there with him and my dad and I will be going over soon. Thanks for asking!

[hebe]

My word, your poor brother. You and your family must be having such a hard time of it, it is hard enough getting information out of hospitals without the language and time differences. I hope that he makes a full and steady recovery. In the meantime I'm sure that your new bike will provide an excellent and much needed diversion.

[Tri Girl]

Wow- what a great story about how you came to find that bike. What a sweet deal!! And oh my about your brother! I'm glad he's on the road to recovery.
Can't wait to see pics of the bike! Congrats!

[Roadtrip]

Glad your brother is on the mend... Very glad!!!

I am sooooo envious of your find! That's my size too! Want pics

Shannon

[turbojackie]

Here she is! I'm going to have the tape changed. I don't like the dingy white. Other than that, she's a beauty!

[Tri Girl]

it's SUPER pretty!!!! Congrats!

[hebe]

That's beautiful! What colour bar tape do you think? I love duck egg blue bikes.

[turbojackie]

They said that they had the same turquoise color (I think it is called Bianchi celeste blue?) They also have the blue that is the color of the writing. I'm thinking the blue that is the writing. What do you guys think?

[jlnc]

I like the idea of the darker blue...little bit of contrast.

[hebe]

I think either blue would work. If it were mine I'd be thinking about a brown saddle and tape.

[Tri Girl]

I think the darker blue, too. I've seen the Celeste blue bar tape- and it doesn't really totally match IMO. Go with the contrasting color!