Marinoni Bike - What is this worth?

[scarlet begonias]

Trying to figure out if this is a good deal or not.

$500 for a 98-99 Marinoni Bike. Lugged steel frame, Campy chorus groupo, except for the front derailur which was swapped out for a Shimano 600- not sure when. Everything else looks original. It is an 8 speed double. Not sure on mileage. Frame condition is good.

Some pics:
13984

13985

13986

13988

Is this a good deal or would I be getting raped if I bought it for $500? :confused:

Currently I am riding the same vintage Bianchi Eros - lugged steel bike. Campy Mirage groupo. 8 speed triple. Definately heavier than the Marinoni. Frame is in good condition as well.

Thanks for the advice all! :redface:

[sfotex]

What do you want to do with this bike? Seems like an ok deal, what kind of Columbus tubing is the frame made out of. The only gotcha with a bike like that is if you need spare parts (cogs, ergo power spring, etc. ) you can get gouged. That said, you could probably find enough wheel sets from your cyclling friends to last you a lifetime.

[scarlet begonias]

The sticker on the frame is half gone so I am not completey sure. It says Columbus Special Rinforzati (sp?)SDS and the fork is Columbus Fodori Lamanati (sp?). I mainly use it to cummute to work, 15 miles each way, weekend rides and training for mtb rides. I am working towards racing in the VT 50, a 50 mile mtb race in Vermont. I am finding that I like road riding as much as mtb. The ulimate decision is by this bike as an upgrade to hold me over for a few years, or hold off, save some money and get a new/newer better bike.
Do you think it will hold its value? I got the Bianchi for $250 and could probably unload if for the same amount on Ebay, etc.

[marshalolson]

good deal. should be columbus sl tubing. marinoni are really nice canadian frames that rival the euro/us stuff.

i'd say go for it. the frame only could prolly sell for $300ish.

[sfotex]

Could be the camera angle, but the wheelbase on that bike looks super tight, esp the rake on the front fork. Bet it turns fast.

[Viva]

Marinoni's are great frames. Made in the Montreal area. If it is indeed a SL tubeset (old tube technology), then I would try offering 400. Also, if it's SL and you're either really heavy (like me) or really strong (like I once was), you'll likely fine this bike to have a lot of flex, maybe too much.

So, no, $500 isn't an ass-rape, but offering less isn't unreasonable.

Have you taken a test ride? That should be the clincher as to whether or not it's worth the consideration.

[scarlet begonias]

Viva-

It rides pretty facking amazing- lite, quick etc. Specially compared to the Bianchi.

Question about the tubing- is there any special way to find out what kind of tubing it is. Serial Number? Etc. I would like to find out what the tubing is...especially b/c I am a decent sized woman- 5"11 170 pounds. Good strong skier body! (NO NAKED PICS - My hubby is on this site :eek: )

I am torn b/c I am considering holding out and just buying a brand new bike at the end of the summer/early fall. Decisions, decisions right? It is a tough call. For sure it is nicer than the Bianchi but still - do I spend $500 now or wait and apply towards a $1500 (or so) bike later, that will have newer technology etc.

Awww shit. Tough call. :D

[scarlet begonias]

Could be the camera angle, but the wheelbase on that bike looks super tight, esp the rake on the front fork. Bet it turns fast.

I think it is super tight....when I turn the handlebars if my foot is at the top of the stroke, the wheel will hit my foot.

I think that is what you mean??

[sfotex]

I think it is super tight....when I turn the handlebars if my foot is at the top of the stroke, the wheel will hit my foot.

I think that is what you mean??

The wheelbase is the distance between the front hub and rear hub - generally the longer the wheelbase the more stable the ride, the shorter the quicker the bike will turn.

Columbus SL was some of the lower end 'hi-end' Columbus tubing. I believe it was plain old' dlb butted, Columbus SLX has spiral reinforcments in it to stiffen the tubing. SL was usually used by good manufactures in their lower end frames (Note, SL isn't garbage by any means, it's like saying I bought a lower end Audi, etc.)

While this isn't a bad deal, but if your not in a hurry and don't mind spending a little more, you might just want to hold off and find something newer/better.

[marshalolson]

i would rather have a super high end 7 year old bike than a new mid level bike. just me, but that thing is nicer than a 1500 giant/trek/specialized

[kidwoo]

i would rather have a super high end 7 year old bike than a new mid level bike. just me, but that thing is nicer than a 1500 giant/trek/specialized


I was just about the say the exact opposite.:D


I'd save the money and put it towards a new bike that will have much better shifting and be a lot lighter.

It's insane the quality of bike you can get for just over a grand these days.

I sold my road bike when I moved to tahoe because the roads and traffic around here are a nightmare in the summer. But I've been looking at one of these just cause they're so damn cheap.

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1442000&f=4

[marshalolson]

IMHO: 8spd chorus is shifts so much nicer than 105 and a really nice light steel frame rides way way better than any aluminum w/ carbon stay frame on the market. again, just my opinion.

[kidwoo]

IMHO: 8spd chorus is shifts so much nicer than 105 and a really nice light steel frame rides way way better than any aluminum w/ carbon stay frame on the market. again, just my opinion.


Actually I do dig the campy shifting system better as well. The little thumb dealies rule. And I like the way a steel frame damps out roughness.

For me though weight and power transfer are more important. When I get on a road bike to pound out some miles, I like to really feel the fact that I'm on an efficient super accelerating little rocket.

That said, my concerns aren't really as relevant I guess if this thing really would be used mostly as a commuter/trainer. It certainly has more style.:)

[sfotex]

i would rather have a super high end 7 year old bike than a new mid level bike. just me, but that thing is nicer than a 1500 giant/trek/specialized

True, but you probably enjoy tinkering with 'em, so overhauling ergo power, finding eight speed cogs,etc isn't a big deal. I had a Bianchi EL/OS bike w/ chorus 8 speed on it I sold a few years ago, it needed some new parts which were going to run around $200 bucks, so I ended up selling it, threw the $200 I would have spent on parts into the pot, and saved a couple of hundred more and found a newer used cherry road bike.

So I guess what I would do is spend $800-1000 on a nicer used road bike, and you can get something like this bike but newer..

Also, can you bring your bike inside when you commute to work? If not, get the cheapest bike you can 'cause locking a nice bike outside makes baby jebus cry.

[scarlet begonias]

Also, can you bring your bike inside when you commute to work? If not, get the cheapest bike you can 'cause locking a nice bike outside makes baby jebus cry.

Haa haa! I work in a small little VT town, where I would HOPE that it wouldn't get stolen. Regardless, yes I do bring it inside. Sometimes I leave it on the rack on my truck but I park right outside the HUGE front windows. I am thinking about getting a lock also.

:smile:

[sfotex]

Haa haa! I work in a small little VT town, where I would HOPE that it wouldn't get stolen.

Bored teenage punks + summer = trouble!!

[Viva]

You can contact Marinoni direct and ask about the frame construction, just give 'em the serial #.

If you can drive the price down, then this is a great bike, especially since you like how it rides. Campy shifters can also be rebuilt when the time comes, unlike Shimano.

This is all that I could find...I wonder if the company's still around...

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/FBeauchemin/

[scarlet begonias]

What about that Litespeed that is for sale in Gear Swap? That looks like a SICK bike.


How do the two compare?

You guys seem to have some extensive knowledge which is always nice. I am a road bike JONG for sure. Just starting to REALLY enjoy it. Great stress reliever.

Here is the Marinoni website http://www.marinoni.qc.ca/html/en_index.html

[Plakespear]

do I spend $500 now or wait and apply towards a $1500 (or so) bike later, that will have newer technology etc.
Spend $500 now, wait awhile, sell it for $350, apply that toward a $2000+ bike.

[scarlet begonias]

I am going w/the Marinoni!

Thank you everyone for advice etc etc. Much appreciated.

:biggrin:

[sfotex]

I am going w/the Marinoni!

Thank you everyone for advice etc etc. Much appreciated.

:biggrin:

Sweet, let us know how she rides.

[scarlet begonias]

^ Will do.

Something I just found out-
The bike is made of Columbus Neuron tubing, it was, at the time the lightest
steel tubeset they made. The fork is also quite unique as it uses a
special hollow fork crown to save weight and has straight blades.

Any comments, opinions??

Thanks Again

[L7]

The marinonis are great bikes/frames. I've known several people who have raced many long successful miles on one.

They generally go with a fairly laid back classic euro road geometry but as someone pointed out that wheelbase does look short. Still the tubes may be laid back some and just shorter chain stays and less fork rake. The real important thing is fit. Leg length probably suits that size fine but if you get a saddle on it see how you sit and if you reach too far or are bunched up too tight in the torso. You can alter that with the stem some but you should just be aware of that expense going in.

Don't know if they still do but Marinoni used to let you ship back any frame they built and for $50 they would repaint and re decal it. Good steel frames rock.

edit/ seat tube looks back and head tube looks a little steeper = longish top tube. Should suit a longish torso well. If you are long legged and short torso you definitely want to get a saddle and check it out for fit.

[scarlet begonias]

L7 - I think I have a pretty long torso. The bike fits well, but some adjustments will need to be made to the stem, I need to be more upright, but in general the bike rides like a facking dream!

Thanks again for the help. I will let y'all know how she rides. For now I am into mountain biking for the weekend.