Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - LBS/Pista question

So here's the deal. My LBS sucks butt, and besides that, they aren't a Bianchi dealer. I have set my mind on getting a Pista but want to ride one before i buy. There are a couple Bianchi dealers close enough to me. Is it legitimate to get them to order one to test ride? Or, if anyone knows where I can test one in Orange County, I'd appreciate it. I just want to know how something liek this works, having a store order a bike that you most likely will buy, unless test ride reveals you hate it.

I'm 6'2" so if anyone knows of a bigger Pista around here, let me know. Thanks guys.

my shop almost strong armed me into making them order one in my size to test ride before i committed to buying. they ended up having one in my size, but that they told me they'd get one and i would be under no obligation to buy it was kinda nice. so i guess it depends on the shop; if they're a good shop, they'll want you to be sure you want/like/fit the bike before you buy it.

Will your LBS order one just for you to test ride it? My LBS wants a deposit for anything they special order and I'm sure they'd give me hell if I decided I didn't want it because I don't like the way it fits. My LBS kinda sucks too though. I imagine some are cool about it.

It's an entry level track bike, I doubt there's anything unique to the Pista that's going to come out on a test ride. I'd just try out a comparable track entry level track bike and see if you like the feel. Keep in mind the Pistas are sized C-T instead of C-C. Also be sure that you're testing out something with track geometry and not something more relaxed. THAT will be noticeable during a test ride.

Will your LBS order one just for you to test ride it? My LBS wants a deposit for anything they special order and I'm sure they'd give me hell if I decided I didn't want it because I don't like the way it fits. My LBS kinda sucks too though. I imagine some are cool about it.


yeah they wanted a deposit but they said if i ended up not wanting the bike they'd refund it. keep in mind this is a rather large shop, Gregg's Cycles (in Greenlake!). they wouldn't have a hard time selling it at all if i hadn't bought it. i imagine a smaller shop would get miffed if you put down a deposit, had them order it, and then not buy it. but i would hope that if the shop was run well by nice people they wouldn't make you buy it if you really didn't want it.

it is completely reasonable to have them order a bike for you to test ride. remember that they're there to help you, not the other way around. there are lots of places in so cal that sell bikes, and you should ride several different brands and sizes before you buy. nothing's worse than getting stuck with a bike that doesn't fit, and good bike shops know that if they take care of you, you'll come back. don't settle for less.

on the sizing note...i'm 6'2" and i ride a 58cm pista with a 130mm stem and it feels great. i dunno how you're proportioned or what sort of ride you like. but there's that, just so you know.

Pistas come in odd sizes.
I ride a 57cm and am 6'1"

hmm, maybe i oughta remeasure.

I'm 6' and I ride a 61. It's a little large for me though and I'd prefer something smaller.

I am around 6'1" and ride a 57cm, though I could maybe stand a 59cm. I am not entirely used to track geometry, though.

My good friend is 6'4" and he rides a 61cm.
I know everyone is proportioned different, but 61 seems huge for you Sin.

Thanks for all the replies, definitely helpful. I'm gonna try to find some to test ride this weekend.

One more question. What is the stock stem length on a 59cm Pista? Thanks...looked for it on Bianchi site but couldn't find it.

My good friend is 6'4" and he rides a 61cm.
I know everyone is proportioned different, but 61 seems huge for you Sin.


It is too large, I'm just not sure how much. I bought it second-hand and mistakenly matched the frame size to my other bike that has compact geometry. I clear the top tube, but it's a snug fit.

I need something smaller and am shopping around for a new frame.

I'm still not sure what C-C size I should ride. The Pista is 61 C-T. I'm assuming somewhere around a 56 or 57 would work, but I've yet to try any out.

Thanks for all the replies, definitely helpful. I'm gonna try to find some to test ride this weekend.

One more question. What is the stock stem length on a 59cm Pista? Thanks...looked for it on Bianchi site but couldn't find it.

100mm, I believe.

5' 10" here and i ride a 55 and have almost no stand over height.

5' 10" here and i ride a 55 and have almost no stand over height.

5' 9" also have a 55 and clear the bar with no problem, weird. Just goes to show you that you need to get on one, or something the same size/geometry.