Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Bianchi 928L SS?

Hello, first I want to say that I'm new to the singlespeed and fixed gear world so please pardon my noobieisms and my ignorance.

I purchased a 2006 Bianchi 928L frame back in november. I was planning on doing a full weight weenie build on it but since that time my beautiful son was born so now I'd rather save my money then spend it on overpriced light exotic parts.

I live in NYC and have always loved the look of these fixies that the messengers ride around on, especially the ones with the base (bullhorn) bars. I love how simple and light they are.

So here is my question. Can I use this frame to make it into a nice singlespeed with a freewheel? Is the geometry of the bike made for multiple gears?

If I can make it into a single speed what components can I use? I'd love to keep the italian theme going but I'm not sure if Campagnolo makes a SS group. I know they have a Pista crank. Would something like that work?

Anyway, thanks for all the advice in advance.

You can do SS by using a chain tensioner - however I've never quite liked the look of those, from an aesthetic angle. You can find a 'magic ratio' - a gear ratio calculated on your chainstay length that will give you enough chain tension. This is hard, though. The last option is an eccentric bottom bracket, which would even let you do a fixed gear (google it).

The reason for all of this is because the Bianchi has vertical dropouts as opposed to horizontal (which allow you to move the axle back and forth to adjust chain tension).

So there are ways to do it, but they're kinda convoluted. If I were you, I might just do a 105 build, or maybe Veloce. It'd still be a sweet bike. That, or save up money for Record - the 928L is a frame that shouldn't go to waste.

Beef thanks man. The frame is sweet and it also has a limited edition paint in honor of DiLuca. It was hard as hell to find so I want to build it up.

http://yearofthesheep.com/bike/928L3.jpg

I can afford a Record group but do I really need it? I'm just going to be riding around town for enjoyment and exercise. Veloce might be a good option but I wanted to go with a SS cause of it's simplicity and relatively lost cost. Gotta think about this one. I wish this bad boy below was available in the states.

http://www.facade.fi/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/alta.jpg

ENO hub would work great, but really that frame needs some gears.

Damn, man. You gotta build that thing up with some Campy gears - it's too beautiful not to. There are a lot of single speed options out there - check out the Mercier Kilo TT for example, or Bianchi Pista. For the price of a pair of Ultra-Torque cranks you could have your single speed relaxation/enjoyment bike right there.

I'm using a magic ratio on my fixed gear. I used this: http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/chain_length/chainlengthcalc.html

You must get an extremely accurate measurement of your chainstay length for this to work, so I would advise calling Bianchi to see if you can get the measurements, or if you do it yourself, try to be as accurate as possible. You might need to file the axle or the drop out a little bit if you mess up, but mine's been working great. I even have just enough room to make up for chain slack.

Thanks guys. It seems like this isn't the right frame to do it with. Thanks for all the input. It was very much appreciated.

Wow, what a pretty frame. Shame that those dropouts are ultra vertical..

If I did decide to do a SS build, where can I get a nice frame? Something clean and simple, along the lines of the Alta frame or the Pista Concept frame. I know nothing about SS frames.

Instead of Record, get an '08 Centaur Build for that at gvhbike.com http://www.gvhbikes.com/ for $1,324 vs. Record Build = $2,860

And the change of $1536 -

If you like the Bianchi Pista Concept order one at bikyle.com http://www.bikyle.com/Track.asp @ $1,299 and you're done.

Instead of Record, get an '08 Centaur Build for that at gvhbike.com http://www.gvhbikes.com/ for $1,324 vs. Record Build = $2,860

And the change of $1536 -

If you like the Bianchi Pista Concept order one at bikyle.com http://www.bikyle.com/Track.asp @ $1,299 and you're done.

Holy mother! The Pista concept is exactly what I was looking for!!!!! And it's in white! Can you mount brakes to this frame?

The pista concept doesn't have brake mounts. I suggest a Fuji track pro, you can find these for $600 to $1000 complete and in good shape if you look around, has a fork drilled for brakes, you can use extra money to powder coat it white.

The pista concept doesn't have brake mounts. I suggest a Fuji track pro, you can find these for $600 to $1000 complete and in good shape if you look around, has a fork drilled for brakes, you can use extra money to powder coat it white.

Hmmm. Couldn't I just put a different fork on the Bianchi that is drilled?

Hmmm. Couldn't I just put a different fork on the Bianchi that is drilled?

Of course you can, didn't you read this... "*This bike is NOT drilled for brakes. We offer a Torelli Aspect Carbon road fork with the bike for just $150. additional and yes, you get the original track fork too! Just let us know in the "Special Instructions" field when you place your order. "

Remember you still have change to buy the extra fork.
Anyway, do not go below Centaur when thinking Campagnolo.

Yeah, will change how it handles, but you can definitely do it. The stock for has 28mm of rake, most carbon forks I've see have more rake, the closest I believe finding was 35mm of rake. I was just suggesting it as an option as you could probably go more custom due to finding them at a lower price.

Of course you can, didn't you read this... "*This bike is NOT drilled for brakes. We offer a Torelli Aspect Carbon road fork with the bike for just $150. additional and yes, you get the original track fork too! Just let us know in the "Special Instructions" field when you place your order. "

Remember you still have change to buy the extra fork.
Anyway, do not go below Centaur when thinking Campagnolo.

Obviously not.

edited..duplicate post

Yeah, will change how it handles, but you can definitely do it. The stock for has 28mm of rake, most carbon forks I've see have more rake, the closest I believe finding was 35mm of rake. I was just suggesting it as an option as you could probably go more custom due to finding them at a lower price.

I wonder how much the handling will change with a fork with a larger rake.

Of course you can, didn't you read this... "*This bike is NOT drilled for brakes. We offer a Torelli Aspect Carbon road fork with the bike for just $150. additional and yes, you get the original track fork too! Just let us know in the "Special Instructions" field when you place your order. "

Remember you still have change to buy the extra fork.
Anyway, do not go below Centaur when thinking Campagnolo.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. I might just sell the 928 frame and use that money to build up the Pista.

Here's another question. What about a rear brake? Possible?

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. I might just sell the 928 frame and use that money to build up the Pista.

Bianchi Pista Concept is a complete bicycle for $1300.

You want to build it up with what? Okay maybe change the Cane Creek Volos track wheelset with Campagnolo Pista..

Here's another question. What about a rear brake? Possible?

here: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_482&products_id=2128

Bianchi Pista Concept is a complete bicycle for $1300.

You want to build it up with what? Okay maybe change the Cane Creek Volos track wheelset with Campagnolo Pista..

Sexy.

And OP - that is a sweet frame - what size is it? (In case you decide to sell it) :)

Bianchi Pista Concept is a complete bicycle for $1300.

You want to build it up with what? Okay maybe change the Cane Creek Volos track wheelset with Campagnolo Pista..

Sweet wheel. I want to buy the frameset and build it up to my specs.

here: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_482&products_id=2128

So how does that work? Those 2 plates mount on each side of the top stays?

Sexy.

And OP - that is a sweet frame - what size is it? (In case you decide to sell it) :)

Beef, it's a 55cm.