Bianchi Sempre

[Johnny 89]

I know little about bicycles having not had one since my youth. However, I've been offered a second hand Bianchi Sempre at what seems to me like a reasonable price (see point above re. Not knowing much).

I'm thinking now, what the he'll, it might be an opportunity to at least give cycling a go and it's a pretty nice bike to be fair. Some spec. Includes:

Frame Sempre carbon, 
BB30 system,
Fork Bianchi FN11 Alloy
Gears Shimano 105 Black 10 speed compact
Brakes FSA Gossamer custom
Wheels SRAM 527AL
Tyres RibMo PT 700 x 25

Bike is fully serviced

I'm told the current owner has it 3 years and the model was released in 2011. So I don't actually know how old this particular bike is.

Here's an article on the model:
https://road.cc/content/news/18317-bianchi-launch-...

So, any help for a beginner would be much appreciated. Are there any reasons I shouldn't be looking at this type of bike? Is it silly if I'm not sure I'm even interested in cycling? Also, any ideas on a rough ballpark cost for a used model, 3-9 years old!

All help greatly appreciated.

[anonymous-user]

Is it the right size?

A brand new one can be had < £1500

A 2011 can’t be more than a few hundred quid

[Johnny 89]

JPJPJP said:

Is it the right size?

A brand new one can be had < £1500

A 2011 can’t be more than a few hundred quid

Thanks for the reply.

It's 54cm so going by the guide I've used it would suit my height. Guide estimates 5'7 to 5'9.

I'm in Ireland and he's asking €500. Maybe it's in and around the ballpark of normal prices then.

[frisbee]

The challenge with secondhand bikes is how much they've been used, how much they've been neglected and how much has been replaced.

If it has just been ridden twice in the summer and then stuck in the shed you might not have to do anything.

If you have to replace tyres, chainrings, chain, cassette and cables then like for like will be a few hundred pounds. If the rims are worn out then another few hundred pounds...

You can get a new Triban from Decathlon with 105 for £700.

[Johnny 89]

Thanks, I've been told it has had little use as the guy who owns it just isn't that in to cycling. The following has been done recently:

new brake cables
new brake blocks
new Lizard Skin bar tape
new crank bearing
new wheel bearing
Chain cleaned and inspected, re-oiled 

[anonymous-user]

go and have a look at it and a ride on it to check it is about the right size for you (should be based on above)

at €500 it isn't a bad buy if it is in good nick and you use it

you aren't getting the bargain of the century, but you aren't getting ripped off, it's about the right money

[Johnny 89]

Yeah, that's fair enough.. I'll have to take a look anyway..

[Hudson1984]

my turbo hack/winter bike is a bianchi, and it's a really comfy bike, and even old 105 groupset is pretty decent...ish.

as above, it's not a bargain, you'd find newer gear on a similar bike for the same money fairly easy (plenty of cube bikes on ebay at the moment going for bargain prices)

the thing with carbon is you could get a great bike or one that's got a problem and you'll have no idea until you hit a pothole and it all goes wrong.

I bought my current carbon bike second hand and I got lucky but it's a real mixed bag but if you trust the seller you're not going far wrong and replacing 105 parts isn't going to cost the earth.

[Johnny 89]

Thanks for that.. makes a lot of sense.. yeah, I trust the seller.. he's a car guy, and a bike guy! That's the reason the bicycle isn't being used!

[nike 5]

I've got a Sempre (similar age).
Comfortable bike, and has done many many miles - from mountains to long distance to chaingangs (though I would not describe it as an out and out race bike due to level of components and height at the front end).
I do have a more aggressive bike, and I feel I am quicker on this but not by much.
I bought it second hand 8? years ago.
A bit like Triggers Broom, components have all been upgraded as they've worn out - best upgrade was wheels (especially on your bike that's as old as yours)

I'm campagnolo, but Shimarno 105 is a groupset liked by many.

Value for money? You'll always get something cheaper than a Bianchi (pronounced Bian-key). But it's nice having nice things.

[Johnny 89]

nike 5 said:

I've got a Sempre (similar age).
Comfortable bike, and has done many many miles - from mountains to long distance to chaingangs (though I would not describe it as an out and out race bike due to level of components and height at the front end).
I do have a more aggressive bike, and I feel I am quicker on this but not by much.
I bought it second hand 8? years ago.
A bit like Triggers Broom, components have all been upgraded as they've worn out - best upgrade was wheels (especially on your bike that's as old as yours)

I'm campagnolo, but Shimarno 105 is a groupset liked by many.

Value for money? You'll always get something cheaper than a Bianchi (pronounced Bian-key). But it's nice having nice things.

Thanks for this.. yeah, absolutely agree. It's a nice bike. I got the pronunciation right from Auto Bianchi (I also like that connection) and the famous wine of course!