Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - bianchi pista - opinions needed

I'd like to build a track bike for myself, but I can't escape the affordable Bianchi Pista ($550). The cost of the complete bike is less than what some track frames cost. Does anyone have Bianchi Pista and what's your take on this bike. Is it really worth buying it for track purposes or it's bette to go with a different option.
Thaks

never heard of it. try searching the forums.

Deja Vu? (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=102928&highlight=pista)

Is it really worth buying it for track purposes

By track if you mean racing, then its ok. Its heavy and you'll need to change the stock gearing. Have seen lots of beginners on these bikes doing fine. At some point, if you're racing every week, you may want something with better kit and less weight. You will also be better suited to posting in the track racing sub-forum.

If you mean track as in riding track on the street then search the forums; theres a lot of info out there. Bottom line, most people think its a great little bike for the money.

Rode one last night
Nice bike
High chrome-pimp factor

Enjoy

I ride my Pista on the street and not on the track.

I consider it the best purchase of my adult life.
I've never gotten as much value for the money.

In that respect, value, I think the Pista has much in common with its competitors, the IRO, Fuji Track, KHS Flite 100 and such.

I upgraded the pedals, put on a front brake and changed the bars to bullhorns; but, I did that to make it more street-friendly for me.

I'd like to get that decal, the one that says "A chick designed my bike."

speaking of Bianchi...check out this vintage Bianchi frame:C-4 Project (http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/bianchi5/2.jpg). wouldn't you rather ride one of those?

my ex had an older pista (the grey one that came out before the 2 chrome ones). I cant say about the newer ones but he told me he changed out everything that came with the frame that was stock with the exception of like 2 things because they were pretty much crap. so essentially he bought a bike for about 400 but after changing everything out it became a $900 bike which is what building up a track bike might cost you if you did it piece by piece, which honestly sounds like more fun to me(and am in the process of doing) plus it gives the bike a more unique quality then just buying one off the shelf that looks the same as half of what you see on the streets. you know...personal touch and whatnot

Adate wrote:

"...after changing everything out it became a $900 bike which is what building up a track bike might cost you if you did it piece by piece, which honestly sounds like more fun to me..."

It sounds like fun to me, too.

When I do this, taking care to choose cost-effective, serviceable components on, say, a DeBernardi frame, it comes out more like $1200.
I read somewhere that anyone can build a good $1300 track bike, but it gets hard to do below that figure.
QBP does a reasonable Steamroller for around $1100 retail, I think.
I like to see a list of frame and components that comes out to $900.
In fact, I'd like to see several lists, each a hundred dollars apart, like from $900 to $1300.
Perhaps I should start a thread.

Ken - I'll take you up on that. It's worth noting how different framesets, parts, etc would give you different configurations. Though this would have to be all retail and not include deals and such which in reality would be a much more realistic build.

better options - yes, for that price, no.

I bought one and race it on the track, all I did was put on a set of better wheels and it's fine. Not stupid light but then again I can't afford anything else and can't replace frames if I crack one in a fall. Not sure what a better lighter frame would get me in terms of speed but for now this one does the job.

Its a good starting point. The stock set up is pretty much crap. You will need to at least upgrade to a better wheel set. But its all about the here and now. Building one from scratch can take awhile if you are on a budget. Depends on how bad the fixed bug bit you. Either way happy riding

Just picked mine up yesterday, it was under 5 bills. This is bike no. 4 so I was hesistant to throw some serious cash on a fixed being that I'm a newbie. If you are a member of a club getting a discount helps out a little...at least eating up the tax. I got rid of the seat and put on bull horns too. To me it looks great, I used to love chrome back in the 80s. If Cook Brother's reinvents itself then I'll upgrade :) ... I'm not too knowledgable about the parts though, but I took it for a spin for a few hours in the evening and it seemed like when I backspin the bb was slipping, or maybe not, (could of been me just getting used to it and I was going slow too so the rear wasn't skidding). I must say the ride is wonderful in the streets and the velodrome will be a once in a while event being that I live 45 miles from the nearest one. I don't like to drive that much plus I'm still in school. Plus when the top tube and down tube get all scratched up you can throw a nice paint job on it and leave the chain and seat stays chrome. I'm going to tape up those parts so I can protect the finish.

...but I took it for a spin for a few hours in the evening and it seemed like when I backspin the bb was slipping, or maybe not, (could of been me just getting used to it and I was going slow too so the rear wasn't skidding).

This sounds like the classic case of your cog and lockring not being snug. When you back pedal the cog is moving resulting in this 'slipping'. (some LBS don't know jack about installing cogs correctly). Need to check that theres no gap/play between the cog and lockring; you don't want the cog moving at all.

ken cox wrote
"When I do this, taking care to choose cost-effective, serviceable components on, say, a DeBernardi frame, it comes out more like $1200.
I read somewhere that anyone can build a good $1300 track bike, but it gets hard to do below that figure.
QBP does a reasonable Steamroller for around $1100 retail, I think.
I like to see a list of frame and components that comes out to $900.
In fact, I'd like to see several lists, each a hundred dollars apart, like from $900 to $1300.
Perhaps I should start a thread."


i think i came up with that number due to the fact that he was getting parts wholesale from working at a bike shop rather then retail price which is what the rest of us might be spending.
so basically i guess having a sweet hookup would be ideal for anyone wanting to build an awesome bike on the cheaper end.

Oh, I think a person can make a nice bike for $900 retail.
I build bikes on paper all the time, with parts prices and links from the various online sellers.
My versions run $1100 to $1300 because I like nice pedals, rims and tires.
I'll check my lists and post one I have put together on paper within the last month.
Let me fix breakfast for my son and I'll get back to it.

The following represents my proposed ice bike, with two sets of tires and utilizing a saddle I already have.
Add $40 for a saddle.

-----

Surly Miche

Surly Frameset $410.00
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=FM3027

Cane Creek S-2 headset, black $36.99
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=HD2262

Velocity Dyad 700c 36h silver $43.99
Velocity Dyad 700c 36h silver $43.99
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=RM4460

Miche large flange track hubs, pair $119.50
http://www.businesscycles.com/trcomp.htm

DT Competition 14/15/14 spokes/nipples, 4 packs $45.96
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=1709

Miche Primato Pista crankset $159.50
http://www.businesscycles.com/trcomp.htm

Miche Primato Pista Bottom Bracket, 107mm, English $25.00
http://www.businesscycles.com/trcomp.htm

KMC Chain, INOX S10 (stainless steel) $24.50
http://www.businesscycles.com/trcomp.htm

Miche Sprocket 16t $18.50
Miche Sprocket 18t $18.50
Miche Splined Sprocket Adaptor $7.00
http://www.businesscycles.com/trcomp.htm

SHIMANO M424 ATB PEDAL $59.95
http://www.nashbar.com

Profile Design Stoker 26.0 40cm h-bar $39.99
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=HB1530

Salsa MotoAce 26.0 80mm 115 deg Stem $24.99
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=SM8775

Tektro RX 4.1 Reverse Brake Lever Black $20.99
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=BR7319

Shimano Sora BR-3300 Front Brake $24.95
http://harriscyclery.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=49&SKU=BR3370

American Classic Seatpost 27.2 x 235mm Black $28.99
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=ST2404

Nokian 700c Hakkapeliitta W106 35mm (2) $104.00
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

Panaracer T-Serv Messengers 37mm (2), or
Specialized Nimbus Armadillo 38mm (2) $60.00


$1317.29

if OP still is looking for opinions....last post on this thread (although beaten to death) is only a few days old.
i bought an 04 pista new. i have had no problems with it. i ordered MKS track pedals when i bought the bike, put clips/straps on them. put a 17t cog on it. no problems...rode all summer, fall, some of the winter, this spring i put bullhorns (syntace 5deg) on my baby. no problems. chain noise after a couple weeks/a month, then i clean & lube it, and it is quiet as a presbyterian church. it isn't the lightest bike i've heard of, but it's the lightest i've ever owned, and the fastest, and the most fun. buying one is easier than building one up (a +/-) and cheaper, unless you've got a lot of parts around. it is a good bike.

oh and the saddle. def cheesy. mine's thin plastic wrap started to peel after a month, and so i peeled it all off. the silver wears off. in the shape of your quads. the seat is not uncomfortable. though i wish it were, so i could justify a b.17 and fix it. (ala "the fixer")