Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - "Better" bike: Bianchi, Olmo, DeBernardi...

I presently have a Bianchi Pista to ride around on. I also have all the parts for another bike, minus the frame. (Miche track group, Nitto bars, etc.) I am looking at either a DeBernardi or Olmo track frame for the second bike. The thing is that I am going to have to sell one once I'm done. So my options for which bike to keep are:

-59cm Bianchi Pista, flat black, bullhorns, otherwise stock

-56cm DeBernardi or Olmo, Miche components plus Nitto bars and undecided saddle

Pros of keeping the new bike are that I think the smaller size will be better for jumping on and off, plus it will be fun to have a new bike.

Pros of keeping the Bianchi are that I can probably make more money selling the other bike since I got everything pretty inexpensively and it will sell for more than the Bianchi.

Now that I have typed this I'm leaning towards keeping the new bike as it will be a little nicer plus I think the size will be better. But for conversation's sake, what do you guys think? Also as a side question which frame should I choose between the Olmo or DeBernardi?

-Jason

Sell your car and keep them both.

keep and ride them both for a while, weigh the pros and cons, then decide to keep them both because you can't bare to part with either. :) that's how i ended up with two track bikes, one frame, a road bike, a mountain/trials bike, a BMX, and an as yet unbuilt "punk rock" trash bike.

I recently bought a Debernardi via mail order and was less than satisfied with the quality of the paint job on the bike I bought. The bike rides great though in it's own way. It is a little more relaxed than a "true" dedicated track frame (Cinelli) for example. If you have the ability to see the frame that you will get before any money changes hands then make your decision based on what you see as it applies to paint. I have talked to other people about the quality of the Debarnardi paint and they all say it is marginal at best. I guess you get what you pay for. The forks on the Debernardi are in reality the same forks they use on the road frame. Not bad but not true track forks. They are a sloping crown drilled for brakes, and so is the rear brake bridge, if that matters to you. They used to offer true track forks but in the interests of production efficiency have gone to the one type for both bikes. Probably because most people who buy their bikes run brakes on them on the street and don't race them on the velodrome, where brakes are not allowed. If you can get it cheap enough then it is probably a "good deal". I paid $450. recently from the YellowJersey.com but I now see the price has gone up on their website. I don't know about the other bike so I can't comment.
Good luck.

fixedgearhead

I recently bought a Debernardi via mail order and was less than satisfied with the quality of the paint job on the bike I bought. The bike rides great though in it's own way. It is a little more relaxed than a "true" dedicated track frame (Cinelli) for example.


was that the debernardi zonal track or debernardi thron track? i'm looking into these as well vs. cinelli olympic frames..

mc

I just got a thron. Paint isn't the best, but I can deal. But I like all else about it

I just got a thron. Paint isn't the best, but I can deal. But I like all else about it

what's the paint issue? is it like nail polish or what? thron is the steel one right?

mc

what's the paint issue? is it like nail polish or what?
it is a bit thin and depending, can be a bit bubbled

thron is the steel one right?
yes

Seem typical with Italian frames. Usually just enough paint to make it a color.

I think 165's bike (It's in the gallery) looks damn good.

Hey 165, you have any more pics of the hotrod?

Dave

waiting on a longer stem, then taping the bars.
Should be up next week

I got my DeBernardi back in December and got a discount because of bubbled paint. If it is an Italian-paint-thing, then will the Olmo be any better?... I don't know. Nevertheless, I like the bike itself, and yes, the Thron is steel. It rides smoothly, and it fits well to my body. Though I am NOT pro with lots of experience to back up my opinion.

has anyone ridden the debernardi zonal track? it's aluminum with a steel fork. a little more expensive, but more of a true track frame. i'm looking into this one over the cinelli olympic. but both look entirely adequate..

jason: i have a bianchi pista as well. but i'm done putting money into it. i plan on keeping it as a commuter.

mc

was that the debernardi zonal track or debernardi thron track? i'm looking into these as well vs. cinelli olympic frames..

mc

It was the Thron Steel frame. I haven't seen the Zonal up close so I don't know what the paint job is like. I wouldn't buy it anyway because it's Aluminum and I only like lugged steel bikes.

fixedgearhead

I have a Cinelli Olympic and like it a lot, so I think that would be the one to choose if you can swing for the price which I think is up in the 900+ dollar range. The finish is far superior to the DeBernardi and there is all that chrome to love. It is a true track bike with no brake hold drillings and a flat fork crown. the Red color is nice but the Yellow is an acquired taste. Not bad just a little different; Not quite canary yellow.
Call John Dacy at Businesscycles.com and see what he can do for you. I got mine from him and received great service and the best price at the time. I have bought many things from him and every transaction has been prompt and correctly handled.

fixedgearhead

I recently bought a De Bernardi SLX from the original importer in NOS condition sight unseen. Everything was fine but the decals started to bubble a little and the clearcoat was thin. Then another NOS frame came up on Ebay, same size and color. I bought it hoping it would be better looking and have less issues. After talking with the owner, it had less issues. So for a while I had two NOS frames and eventually sold one without a loss. I was lucky but now I want to take it to a shop for additional clearcoats. The problem I have is knowing what the original paint is...lacquer or enamel. The shop wants to spray it with PPG Global urethane clearcoat. Awesome stuff. Does anyone know what kind of paint De Bernardi used?




I recently bought a Debernardi via mail order and was less than satisfied with the quality of the paint job on the bike I bought. The bike rides great though in it's own way. It is a little more relaxed than a "true" dedicated track frame (Cinelli) for example. If you have the ability to see the frame that you will get before any money changes hands then make your decision based on what you see as it applies to paint. I have talked to other people about the quality of the Debarnardi paint and they all say it is marginal at best. I guess you get what you pay for. The forks on the Debernardi are in reality the same forks they use on the road frame. Not bad but not true track forks. They are a sloping crown drilled for brakes, and so is the rear brake bridge, if that matters to you. They used to offer true track forks but in the interests of production efficiency have gone to the one type for both bikes. Probably because most people who buy their bikes run brakes on them on the street and don't race them on the velodrome, where brakes are not allowed. If you can get it cheap enough then it is probably a "good deal". I paid $450. recently from the YellowJersey.com but I now see the price has gone up on their website. I don't know about the other bike so I can't comment.
Good luck.

fixedgearhead

why not sell both and use the money to buy a new one?

This thread is from 2004

We got my girlfriend a red Cinelli Olympic for a great deal, it's hot. I saw a Zonal in person the other day, I must say that I like the shape a lot, but in that price range I'd just get the Cinelli.

This thread is from 2004

Haha, good call. Why the hell was this resurrected? :p

Sell your car and keep them both.

Thats the answer.