Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Bianchi Pista, Mercier Kilo TT, or Windsor The Hour

Right now I have the option of waiting for BD to get a new stock of Kilo TT and pay $349.98. Which won't actually come in until the end of August or mid September.

A friend wants to sell me a Windsor The Hour for $250 which I think I can talk down to $225 since it's an older model (04) and he doesn't ride it/is sitting in storage. Like new.

Last but not least. A 05 Bianchi Pista which I can go pick up but I actually have limited time to get. For $400, I still have to go see it and ride it.

So what do you guys think. I need a bike soon and Aug is too late. So the Mercier is kind of out of the question.

I say go for the Windsor and use the $175 for something else.

I'd say go for the Bianchi, despite being a windsor owner. $400 seems like a good deal to me, seeing that the new ones go for $600ish.

If the Kilo is out because of the wait, and you can afford $400, and the bike fits and is in good condition, go for the Bianchi. 'Course, really, that's just a "name" decision; I doubt there's any real quality difference in the ride between a Pista, an Hour, and a Kilo. I know they have similar parts across the three, so... *shrug*

I would say get the best of the three that you can afford that fits and is available.

...

Well. That wasn't much help. Sorry. :)

Actually, if you can get the windsor for $225, use some extra money on new parts :)

I like the Pista's geometry and the handling that goes along with it.

The Pista has the steepest head tube (75 degrees for quick steering) and the shortest fork rake (28mm for stability), which makes for a useful combination, both agile and stable, on the street at relatively low street speeds.

By relatively low street speeds, I mean that I average 15mph for trips around town, including stop lights, and I mix with a lot of automobile traffic.

Most other so-called track bikes have head tube angles around 74-74.5 degrees and fork rakes between 38 and 44mm; still quicker-handling than the average road bike but more relaxed than a Pista.

Preference.

Hey, why isn't the Surly Steamroller on your list?

Hey, why isn't the Surly Steamroller on your list?

I haven't found a Steamroller in the $200-400 range. Nothing against Surly, I'd definitely take one if it was in the range.

Pista.

Go with the BD bike. After you replace the bottom bracket and the wheel hubs, it will be as good as a bike from a real bike shop...replacing those parts will only cost another $200 or so.

to be honest the kilo and the pista have almost the identical components except the wheelset and the frame. id say 1st go with the frame that fits the best. then go with the cheapest.

I just got one of the no name fixed gears off ebay. It was $292 shipped to my door. I assembled it before I left for work today, but didn't get to ride it. It is what I was expecting, the welds aren't real smooth, but the finish looks good. The geometry seems pretty relaxed, more road than track. No toe overlap at all on my 55cm. The frame geometry is pretty close to my 52cm Cross Check. The seat tube and top tube measurements are identical, but the new bike has a 6.25 inch head tube instead of the 4 inch head tube of the Cross Check.
I meant to post a review, since the last person who did didn't give any useful information, but my computer at the house is down right now so no pictures.

Go with the BD bike. After you replace the bottom bracket and the wheel hubs, it will be as good as a bike from a real bike shop...replacing those parts will only cost another $200 or so.

Or you could disregard this guy's near constant slams on BD and their bikes and take the word of people who have ridden BD bikes for quite some time and have had no problems with bottom brackets or hubs.

I just got one of the no name fixed gears off ebay. It was $292 shipped to my door. I assembled it before I left for work today, but didn't get to ride it. It is what I was expecting, the welds aren't real smooth, but the finish looks good. The geometry seems pretty relaxed, more road than track. No toe overlap at all on my 55cm. The frame geometry is pretty close to my 52cm Cross Check. The seat tube and top tube measurements are identical, but the new bike has a 6.25 inch head tube instead of the 4 inch head tube of the Cross Check.
I meant to post a review, since the last person who did didn't give any useful information, but my computer at the house is down right now so no pictures.

I was wondering about those. Who is the frame manufacturer, anyone know?

And let us know how she rides!

The Pista is closer to track geometry than the Windsor, no?

The Pista is closer to track geometry than the Windsor, no?

the pista is true track geometry. the kilo is pretty tight as well.

pista. the 05 came with better cranks than they do now and a much more comfortable saddle. i;ve got a buddy with an 07 and i own the 05 and i love mine.

Been riding fixed gears (on track and road) since 1975. Bought a Bianchi Pista last year for general fixed gear road training use. Been riding the crud out of it, and love it. Great performance for the $$. Nice balance between pure track handling and road trainer. Quite comfortable for 50+ mile rides. Have mine geared down to 72 inches...but my knees are old!

General sense that none of the three will be a bad choice, however I really like the Pista and would lean that way.

Enjoy!

Joel

Pista.
+1

i would get the pista as well. 400 bucks seems like a good deal.