Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - closeout mania: '08 Madison v. '08 Speciale v. '08 Pista

A bike shop near me is discounting '08 FG/SS to the point where I can't take it anymore. For someone just getting into FG after starting SS, which deal would you pick and why: '08 Schwinn Madison for $399; '08 Bianchi Pista for $469 (plus whatever a front brake will cost); '08 Masi Speciale Fixed for $499? Testing them all and can't quite decide; I have a slight favorite but am eager to hear opinions from the more experienced.

Going on price alone, get the Madison. All the bikes in that price point are going to ride the same. So choose by fit, price and the dreaded word "aesthetics".

That's all it cost to get into a new fixed gear bicycle? Wow, not bad at all. I don't spend much time in these parts but those seem to be a fair bargin.

Of the three, I like the Pista the best.

I would be a proud owner of any of those three.

EDIT:

Didn't even answer your inquiry, hah!

Aesthetically I love the look of all three, but I've seen some awesome looking Madisons and Masi so I'd choose one of those.

I really like my Speciale Fixed but as said, all three bikes are about equivalent. To be honest I would go with whichever one comes from a shop who knows how to build up a good wheel as I think that would likely be the most noticeable difference between the bikes. My wheels were hand built at my shop and I've absolutely trashed them on potholes and hard riding and they still haven't gone out of true in the slightest bit after a year of hard use.

I've owned the Pista and Madison and the Madison is stiffer and more versatile, with room for bigger tires. No experience with the Masi.

Someone got the last Masi. It was probably trailing the other two in my book anyway, though I did love the orange-and-blue paint job. Down to the Madison and the Pista. Riding tonight. The Pista doesn't have housing stops for a rear brake so I'd really be making the FG commitment on that one, though at the price I suppose I could get most of the cost back on Craigslist if I wanted to go back to SS.

Ride both and see which you personally prefer. I've ridden both and I prefer the geometry of the Pista. But don't listen to me. LISTEN TO YOUR HEART.

looks wise, the only think i can really comment on, i'd go for the madison. you could always strip it and go with the all chrome frame. can't comment on ride or fit for you of either of them.

I've owned the Pista and Madison and the Madison is stiffer and more versatile, with room for bigger tires. No experience with the Masi.

How big of a tire could you go with a Madison? I'm a clyde thinking about getting a Madison and I'd like something bigger than the Schwalbe 23's.

How big of a tire could you go with a Madison? I'm a clyde thinking about getting a Madison and I'd like something bigger than the Schwalbe 23's.

28c with normal rear axle placement.. 34c cross tires with the axle scooted back slightly.

thanks man, :thumb:

Now hopefully GearsForFears doesn't buy the last Madison at the same shop I'm looking at!:eek:

Interesting. I didn't think the Madison had that kind of clearance. What about fenders? Not that I'd put on big tires or fenders, this won't be an all-arounder for me. But good to know regardless.

(antilogy - I think the shop I'm dealing with has some supply left in the Maddie. I'd be buying a large if that comforts you or alarms you more.)

Interesting. I didn't think the Madison had that kind of clearance. What about fenders? Not that I'd put on big tires or fenders, this won't be an all-arounder for me. But good to know regardless.

(antilogy - I think the shop I'm dealing with has some supply left in the Maddie. I'd be buying a large if that comforts you or alarms you more.)

I had fenders on the madison at one point but the rake of the fork and the shorter tt puts the front wheel too close to my feet, creating big toe overlap. I use fenders on a different bike. The frame has holes on the fork and rear for direct mount fenders.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Madison is a better bike in every way possible except for actual track use. But again, the Madison is way stiffer but has a heavier frame.

madison, stripped
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/a4de12bd.jpg

pista, non-stock carbon fork
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/fd3561bb.jpg

Interesting. I didn't think the Madison had that kind of clearance. What about fenders? Not that I'd put on big tires or fenders, this won't be an all-arounder for me. But good to know regardless.

(antilogy - I think the shop I'm dealing with has some supply left in the Maddie. I'd be buying a large if that comforts you or alarms you more.)

On paper I'm more likely a medium. I live an hour away from willy so it's a bit difficult for me to go and try and buy and whatever. With luck I can get there soon!

AFAIK the Maddie doesn't have eyelets for fenders.

EDIT: Nevermind, MIN has pointed out the eyelets.

That stripped Madison is mouth-watering. However the varsity blue is special for me. My first real bike as a teenager was a '74 Schwinn LeTour in that color. I adored that bike like only a 14-year-old can. My dad used to ride it after I went away at college; he would leave it unlocked in our garage and you can guess what happened. I've never gotten over it. The Madison in that color looks so much like my old LeTour (sans derailleur of course) it's almost scary. It would be like getting my old bike back, but better.

(Why are bikes so sentimental? Jeez.)

Madison for price. Masi because, well its a Masi ;)

I have a Le Tour (I believe it is an '84.) with that color scheme also, so I know how you feel.

I'm Italian so the Bianchi and Masi also appeal. Even though I know Masi these days is about as Italian as Pizza Hut. Really good reasons for picking out a bike, huh?

I'm Italian so the Bianchi and Masi also appeal. Even though I know Masi these days is about as Italian as Pizza Hut. Really good reasons for picking out a bike, huh?

All 3 are a Taiwanese branding exercise.

Correct

I'm Italian so the Bianchi and Masi also appeal.I am Italian/American AND my last name is Masi! :thumb:

go wif da masi, bianchi=all the little hipsters have, and it's lame, the madison is butt ****ing ugly, and the masi is pretty alright

That stripped Madison is mouth-watering. However the varsity blue is special for me. My first real bike as a teenager was a '74 Schwinn LeTour in that color. I adored that bike like only a 14-year-old can. My dad used to ride it after I went away at college; he would leave it unlocked in our garage and you can guess what happened. I've never gotten over it. The Madison in that color looks so much like my old LeTour (sans derailleur of course) it's almost scary. It would be like getting my old bike back, but better.

(Why are bikes so sentimental? Jeez.)
I don't see how choice could be an issue with that story-
Besides being a great bike, sentimentality is the reason I chose the Madison,
I've been into Schwinns since getting a new Stingray on my 8th birthday-

Also-Be sure to replace the horrid "Lincoln Continental" headbadge with a
white oval 70's re-pop one (less than 10 bucks on Ebay), It really fits the
bike and makes it look even more old-school!

I had fenders on the madison at one point but the rake of the fork and the shorter tt puts the front wheel too close to my feet, creating big toe overlap. I use fenders on a different bike. The frame has holes on the fork and rear for direct mount fenders.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Madison is a better bike in every way possible except for actual track use. But again, the Madison is way stiffer but has a heavier frame.

madison, stripped
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/a4de12bd.jpg

pista, non-stock carbon fork
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/fd3561bb.jpg

did you strip the paint off of the madison?

how did you do that?

paint stripper...

did you strip the paint off of the madison?

how did you do that?

how many licks does it take to get to the center of a bicycle frame?
1...2...3...

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2008/08/mr-owl-425.jpg

i hate the madison paint job. the stripped one is sweet though.

Jasco semi-paste. 5-6 coats. Lots of elbow grease. It was the worst 4 hours of my life.

^good ****, the stock madison is ugly as sin, stripped tho it's not terrible

Jasco semi-paste. 5-6 coats. Lots of elbow grease. It was the worst 4 hours of my life.

I would've guessed more than four hours for that result. Nice job.

When I arrived at the LBS yesterday I was debating whether to even bother riding the Pista because the Madison had become such a sentimental favorite in my mind, not to mention the less expensive and more "sensible" buy. The Pista became even less sensible when I realized it had, of course, no brakes. I'd planned to put a brake on it if I bought one but hadn't gone the step further to reason that I would have to test-ride it without. I'm new to FG, having practiced only on other people's bikes, and I've never ridden brakeless.

Being a fraidy cat I almost took the Maddie right there. But they'd built up the Pista especially for me to try, and compared with the Madison it looked so shiny and naughty, daring me to ride it. The salesdude sensed my hesitation and suggested I take it a block away to a lightly traveled side street adjacent to a large, mostly deserted office building parking lot.

I had to force myself to bring it back. In that half-hour I learned more about bike riding than in any month on another bike. On a FG with a brake, even if you don't use it, you know you have it, and consequently you don't pay as close attention. By the end I was constructing drills for myself in the parking lot, measuring how fast I could stop from various speeds. I managed not to fall, though some of my stops were less than artistic. It was a blast.

Reluctantly I brought the Pista back to trade it for the Madison. The Madison suddenly looked sort of complicated and old next to the clean, wireless Pista. On the road the Madison seemed to ride heavy and loud in comparison. Also the geometry wasn't as right for me - I have short arms for my height and the reach was too long. I'm sure that could be cured somehow but the fact remains that the 59cm Pista was perfect for me as is.

I asked if I could have the Pista one more time and the salesguy gave me a knowing half-smile as if I'd just tipped a poker hand. This time I had to courage to ride it around the side streets a bit. I haven't pulled the trigger but I think you can guess what I'm going to buy. I'm going to put a brake on it because I'm old enough to know better. But I'm not going to like it. Two days ago I thought riding brakeless was sheer hipster idiocy. I have to admit, at my advanced age - I get it now. I still think it's reckless. But I understand the risk. And I think I understand a lot more about the whole FG mystique and why the Pista is a part of it.

buy me a masi

All 3 are a Taiwanese branding exercise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bianchi_(bicycle_manufacturer)

Doesn't sound like a Taiwanese branding exercise to me. Just because it's welded in Taiwan doesn't mean it's a Taiwanese branding exercise.

uncles
i didn't think the madisons chromed throughout
monkeys

Ride both and see which you personally prefer. I've ridden both and I prefer the geometry of the Pista. But don't listen to me. LISTEN TO YOUR HEART.
Unless it tells you to spend 2k+ on a wheelset and run 100+gi.

I would've guessed more than four hours for that result. Nice job.

When I arrived at the LBS yesterday I was debating whether to even bother riding the Pista because the Madison had become such a sentimental favorite in my mind, not to mention the less expensive and more "sensible" buy. The Pista became even less sensible when I realized it had, of course, no brakes. I'd planned to put a brake on it if I bought one but hadn't gone the step further to reason that I would have to test-ride it without. I'm new to FG, having practiced only on other people's bikes, and I've never ridden brakeless.

Being a fraidy cat I almost took the Maddie right there. But they'd built up the Pista especially for me to try, and compared with the Madison it looked so shiny and naughty, daring me to ride it. The salesdude sensed my hesitation and suggested I take it a block away to a lightly traveled side street adjacent to a large, mostly deserted office building parking lot.

I had to force myself to bring it back. In that half-hour I learned more about bike riding than in any month on another bike. On a FG with a brake, even if you don't use it, you know you have it, and consequently you don't pay as close attention. By the end I was constructing drills for myself in the parking lot, measuring how fast I could stop from various speeds. I managed not to fall, though some of my stops were less than artistic. It was a blast.

Reluctantly I brought the Pista back to trade it for the Madison. The Madison suddenly looked sort of complicated and old next to the clean, wireless Pista. On the road the Madison seemed to ride heavy and loud in comparison. Also the geometry wasn't as right for me - I have short arms for my height and the reach was too long. I'm sure that could be cured somehow but the fact remains that the 59cm Pista was perfect for me as is.

I asked if I could have the Pista one more time and the salesguy gave me a knowing half-smile as if I'd just tipped a poker hand. This time I had to courage to ride it around the side streets a bit. I haven't pulled the trigger but I think you can guess what I'm going to buy. I'm going to put a brake on it because I'm old enough to know better. But I'm not going to like it. Two days ago I thought riding brakeless was sheer hipster idiocy. I have to admit, at my advanced age - I get it now. I still think it's reckless. But I understand the risk. And I think I understand a lot more about the whole FG mystique and why the Pista is a part of it.

Idiotic. Why don't you start driving a manual car brakless to help you get that Zen feeling too?

Idiotic. Why don't you start driving a manual car brakless to help you get that Zen feeling too?

Because you can't stop with your legs like you can on a fg?

I had to force myself to bring it back. In that half-hour I learned more about bike riding than in any month on another bike. On a FG with a brake, even if you don't use it, you know you have it, and consequently you don't pay as close attention. By the end I was constructing drills for myself in the parking lot, measuring how fast I could stop from various speeds. I managed not to fall, though some of my stops were less than artistic. It was a blast.

oh ffs

Idiotic. Why don't you start driving a manual car brakless to help you get that Zen feeling too?

I do drive a manual transmission car for a number of reasons, among them being I can slow the car down without using the brake, which is safer in some circumstances including on snow and ice. I think a FG bike affords the rider better control in a similar way. I said I'm going to run the bike with a brake, and I don't approve of going brakeless. All I'm saying is I've gained a better understanding of why people do it.

Idiotic. Why don't you start driving a manual car brakless to help you get that Zen feeling too?

breathe.

I don't like the geometry of the Masi, specifically the upward sloping top tube. I see way too many Bianchi Pistas around, too. I'd go for the Schwinn Madison. The '08 is the blue/chrome frame, right? I like that one alot better than the yellow '09 one.

No hate. Obviously this person is enjoying the unique aspects of fixed gear bicycles. Let him enjoy.

I do drive a manual transmission car for a number of reasons, among them being I can slow the car down without using the brake, which is safer in some circumstances including on snow and ice. I think a FG bike affords the rider better control in a similar way. I said I'm going to run the bike with a brake, and I don't approve of going brakeless. All I'm saying is I've gained a better understanding of why people do it.

sorry, we just dipped our toes into car territory so...

transmissions are like $2k, brake pads maybe $80.


think about it. if you can't modulate your brakes with greater precision than slowing with your engine (facepalm.jpg) then you're doing something wrong.

I do drive a manual transmission car for a number of reasons, among them being I can slow the car down without using the brake, which is safer in some circumstances including on snow and ice.

I also drive a manual transmission car, so no hate here, but according to the BMW owners manual, engine braking is not suggested on snow and ice due to traction issues. They recommend keeping it in higher gears in low traction situations.

think about it. if you can't modulate your brakes with greater precision than slowing with your engine (facepalm.jpg) then you're doing something wrong.
Yeah not to try and steer this topic more off-topic than it already is, but I cringe every time I'm in the car with someone who insists on engine braking at every possible opportunity. Engine braking is really unpleasant.

A couple months ago I rolled over 270,000 miles on my Ford, all parts of the drivetrain being original, never replaced.
I never engine brake, and I never even coast with the transmission engaged. If I'm gonna coast, the clutch goes in.
Causation, correlation, who knows.



As for GFF's editorial on the zen of riding a pista for an hour... what's the problem with this guy having a revelation? You think the Buddha gave a **** if the peanut gallery thought his achieving nirvana was just hipster ******baggery?

I'm sure lots of hardcore doods would think I'm a tool for riding out to the local wildlife preserve at 6am and watching the sun rise, but ya know what? It's serene, and beautiful. If home boy gets that feeling from something as simple as riding a new type of bike, who is anyone else to say he's doing it wrong?

As for GFF's editorial on the zen of riding a pista for an hour... what's the problem with this guy having a revelation? You think the Buddha gave a **** if the peanut gallery thought his achieving nirvana was just hipster ******baggery?

I'm sure lots of hardcore doods would think I'm a tool for riding out to the local wildlife preserve at 6am and watching the sun rise, but ya know what? It's serene, and beautiful. If home boy gets that feeling from something as simple as riding a new type of bike, who is anyone else to say he's doing it wrong?

Well put dsh, and funny to boot. :thumb: