Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - A Totally unpractical desire:)

I am a big road biker and mainly hang out on that forum but i have recently been tempted by the sexy simplisity of this.. http://www.bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/d9d3b3b101.jpg

This may be totally outragous and impractical but, i am just drawn to it. Can anybody possible talk me into or out of this... Is this a good track bike?

outrageous?
impractical?
I think not.

No one here will try to convince you the Pista is either outrageous or impractical, but they probably will try to open your eyes the the many other similar options.

There is nothing wrong with the Pista for the price as far as I'm concerned, but there are other options in that price range which may better suit you.

So no, we won't try to talk you out of buying a fixed gear, but allow me to talk you into doing your homework before you run out and buy a Pista.

Heh. It's impractical only in the sense that there's a good chance you'll be overcome with desire to upgrade almost immediately.

But, before you go with the Pista (say it with me), check out www.irocycle.com...higher quality stuff, comparable price, from our hero Tony.

A lot of riders are disillusioned with the ever-increasing number of gears, the relentless pressure to "upgrade," the annual obsoleting of the previous season's greatest. (Do we have 25-speed cassettes yet?)

By some arguments, the fixed gear machine is far more practical than the bicycle with multiple gears. There's less to break, less to maintain, less to do. Just get on and pedal.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 14-speed (ha!). But for most riding, and certainly for commuting, the fixed gear is more fun.

Do you intend to ride track, or would this be a street fixie?

I don't think its impractical at all ... my dad and I decided today that in celebration of his 2000+ mile summer on his fancy geared cannondale we're gonna go get him an IRO for some extra fun and training and myself one because 2 bikes is better than one..... and he's 52 goin for his first fixed.

Not impractical at all. I bought a 2003 Pista and I really enjoy it. I do all of my week day rides on the Pista, and my longer week end rides on my multi. But who knows, I may retire the multi one of these days because my long ride on the Pista is now 137 miles.

dont you get you know...tired without a flywheel? This bike if i got one would be for training an fun.

dont you get you know...tired without a flywheel? This bike if i got one would be for training an fun.

of course, but for many people it turns out that riding fixed is WAY more fun than gears :D

yeah, the ride is more rewarding for whatever reason. the pros outweigh the cons by a long shot.

dont you get you know...tired without a flywheel? This bike if i got one would be for training an fun.

If its for training, isn't getting tired sort of the idea? They are known to build up leg strengh far quicker than riding geared bikes.

if you want road geometry, don't get the pista--its more trackish. the IRO is a great choice for a road-trainer and all-round riding bike.

another option is the raleigh rush hour

this has to be trolling?

What is trolling?

just buy it. once you ride it you'll convince yourself into upgrading it and start deciding what your next ride will be.

What is trolling?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slashdot_trolls

pretty much just when someone asks a dumb question that they already know the answer to, they just want to see people squirm around. i guess asking "should i buy a fixie/ss" in the fixie/ss forum, where everyone has them and likes them can come off as trolling even if it is a legit inquiry. i think you're geniune, though.

Do your homework ... perhaps you want a BETTER track bike for general use.

... but I would buy the Pista in a heartbeat

Over 500 miles on fixed and loving it. My multigeared bike sees 1/5 of the action that it used to. Did I mention that I became a much stronger climber and a more conscientious spinner?

I have been mauled by the spelling police.

Three languages ... and none perfect

me fail english? thats unpossible!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slashdot_trolls

pretty much just when someone asks a dumb question that they already know the answer to, they just want to see people squirm around. i guess asking "should i buy a fixie/ss" in the fixie/ss forum, where everyone has them and likes them can come off as trolling even if it is a legit inquiry. i think you're geniune, though.

that and the first thing he does is throw the pista. i mean, either you love it or you hate it, perfect for trolling. everything was just too sketch.

if you're genuine, it's a good entry level bike. i like mine, already fixing it up though.

iro or pista. go with those.

iro, pista, or rush hour

They are known to build up leg strengh far quicker than riding geared bikes.

^^^^ That OR ruining your knees.

Personally, I have found that it has been great for my road and 'cross training and has strengthened my knees. But you have to be cautious. I run a 48x16 on my fixed, and when I get on my geared road bike now, I tend to push really large gears, rather than spinning smaller gears (I like feeling like Jan Ulrich)...

Definitely put a brake on it. I know there are a bunch of fixed purists out there that might tell you otherwise, but IMO, brakeless is for the Velodrome only. It is not safe for you or those around you to run without a brake. Sorry to rant about this, but I was been badly injured several years ago by a supid ass driver and will not risk my life just to make a statement.

just my .02

do it

do it

Word

Word

what he said, and make sure you learn how to do a no handed trick wheel and curb speed on your first day or else they're all gonna laugh at you :-/

If by big you mean tall, the largest size is pretty small. I tried a 61 I think and it was extremely small for me. And I sure wanted one too.

I giggle with maniacal delight at the prospect of another convert! There is no way anyone is talking you out of this. I'm a convert myself. IRO rider. DO IT!