Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Bianchi Freemont... worth the price tag? any reviews?

Havent seen much on the Bianchi Freemont out here yet. They list for about 740 but you can find em for about 670 if you find a nice bike shop.

Is it worth the price?

Ideally id like a single speed though.. would it be a pain to order a flip flop hub and install it on the Freemont? Its already set up with brakes and all... hmmm..

you can thread a singlespeed freewheel onto track cog threads.

interesting... and how much would something like this cost to do? im a bit clueless on the subject.

less than 20 bucks at any LBS. just ask for a SS BMX freewheel.

and it is set up with front and rear brakes

you dont just 'install' a hub like its a water bottle cage. you have to get a completely new wheel built up. you could reuse the rim.

im almost positive its the same wheelset as the pista so it should already have freewheel threading on it

Does anyone out there actually own or even ridden this bike yet?

im almost positive its the same wheelset as the pista so it should already have freewheel threading on it
pretty sure megatron was answering the OP's question about how involved it would be to "install a new hub"

yeah I know I was just trying to clear up the op's misconception that it did not come with a flip flop hub.

why not the san jose for $599 ? since you just want a single speed

Nice bike, if only one could get it without a carbon fork. It has an integrated headset: can such fork be replaced by a normal, non-integrated threadless fork?

the fork is neither integrated not non integrated. You cannot replace the integrated headset with a standard one.

can such fork be replaced by a normal, non-integrated threadless fork?

yes it can.

omg i cant tell what is the truth anymore!

yes it can.

i don't believe that this is true. on frames designed for use with integrated headsets, the headtube is differently shaped (has races, etc) and won't take standard press-in cups.

the fork is neither integrated not non integrated. You cannot replace the integrated headset.
An integrated fork differs from a non-integrated fork in aesthetics, they are otherwise interchangeable.

You absolutely can replace the integrated headset, with another compatible integrated headset of course. :)

haha, sorry i wasn't very clear.

the headset cups are part of the frame, they cannot be replaced. the sealed bearings can be replaced if need be. that (plus a cap and races) is what you're ordering when you order an "integrated headset (http://cgi.ebay.com/Cane-Creek-IS-2-Integrated-Headset-Tall-cap-Sil-Blk_W0QQitemZ180092031810QQcmdZViewItem)"

the fork is just a regular ole threadless fork, and can be swapped with any other regular ole threadless fork.

haha, sorry i wasn't very clear.

the headset cups are part of the frame, they cannot be replaced. the sealed bearings can be replaced if need be. that (plus a cap and races) is what you're ordering when you order an "integrated headset (http://cgi.ebay.com/Cane-Creek-IS-2-Integrated-Headset-Tall-cap-Sil-Blk_W0QQitemZ180092031810QQcmdZViewItem)"

the fork is just a regular ole threadless fork, and can be swapped with any other regular ole threadless fork.

aye.

According to Bianchi, "The Fremont is a first-of-its-kind
fixed-gear road bike." I just thought that was funny.

Also, I think that Bianchi would be crazy to sell this thing
without a flip-flop hub, especially when the Pista is still
coming with a freewheel side, but it looks like they don't,
judging from the website.

why not the san jose for $599 ? since you just want a single speed


Mine came with the flip-flop hub. Bianchi doesn't advertise it. Been riding it fixed since day one but the option is there. Fremont has road geometry; San Jose is 'cross. Fremont is aluminum with carbon fork and road brakes; San Jose is all steel with canti brakes and can take wider tires and fenders. The San Jose can also take racks so would be the better choice for a commuter bike. Fremont should be lighter and faster.


We need pics.

Fremont
http://bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/99ae4a67f3.jpg


San Jose
http://bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/9f36627c21.jpg


I prefer the light blue over the green
http://homepage.mac.com/bbattle/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2007-02-16%2015.07.08%20-0800/Image-4151E42EBE1211DB.jpg

My 2006 San Jose came without a flipflop hub, but it has braze-ons for a 3rd bottle cage and a front rack on the fork legs. I really think Bianchi just grabs whatever they have on the parts rack at the time.

I prefer the green, but had to take blue. "Washed up Blue"? Not a good color for a 49 year old guy. :)

what? the color on the san jose is freakin' great! that and the green pista are beautiful. everyone else seems to be copying these colors now. the fremont just kinda seems like a pretty Giant Bowery... no?

I recently purchased an 07 San Jose. Came with freewheel and fixed cog installed. Put a midge bar on there and it's my new favorite. Free in the trails, fixed on the streets and a nice steel ride. Excellent-o. Salsa levers and brakes. Paid $599 but the lbs included black eggbeater pedals and free framesaver application for two bikes. Chose the blue, use an NOS chrome color pista seat (WTB) and red wrap. Sharp.

hey pope- i was thinking between the san jose and pista. thanks for the advice... i have a buddy from college who rides bikes and was from laramie. he was (is) a pretty amazing dude... plus, the san jose is baby blue!

Oh yeah. You'd have to spend a lot more than $599 to get a bike with that set-up that's noticeably better, in my opinion.

Next time you see your buddy from Laramie, mention the Happy Jack trails and watch his eyes light up. US Forest Service works with us out here like a dream.

I took my first ride on the San Jose last night. Mine also came with a 17t freewheel/17t cog+lockring. Gear inches in the high 60s. My brakes are Cane Creek, not Salsa. I took off the chainguard & put on my old SPD pedals. I'm also losing that furry saddle right away. I rode the free side about 30mi with a small group around the city. I honestly didn't think it would feel as good as my road conversion (& I was hung up about the lack of lugs), but it turned out to be fun as hell. I was even doing little bunnyhops, but didn't want to taco the wheels. I was like a really comfortable BMX that you can actually go distance with. The tires are a decent compromise for on/off road, not enough rolling resistance to worry about. I'm going to put my old 16 fixed/18 free deep Vs on, the stock wheels are the same as the Pista & seem too light for offroad. I can't wait to take this thing out on some fire trails. I'm definitely glad I chose it over a Cross Check. Awesome ride.

ps. Since it's cyclocross geometry, compare top tube length (not seat tube) to your current frame when ordering. The seat tube is about 2cm shorter.

My error. My brakes are Cane Creek also. Was on the Salsa site earlier and that stuck in my brain for some reason. One interesting thing with mine: the fixed cog is 17t and the free is 18t. That seems right but the 42x18 is a little tall for singletrack. Up here anyway. Perfect for rolly dirt roads.