Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - An elegant steel singlespeed - preferably Italian...

I recently bought my first single - a red Langster Steel, which (minus all the Specialized stickers) I like, but now I've got the single speed bug, I'm hankering after one of the steel Bianchi's.

But before I go for a Bianchi, can anyone recommend a similarly timeless, elegant looking alternative?

Must be steel, preferably Italian (sorry British frames/brands just don't get my juices going).

I don't care too much about weight... and while I'm a brand snob, I'm not going to waste money on a Colnago Super.

Thanks! :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHESINI-FRAME-CHESINI-PISTA-/160491323422?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item255e07401e
http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-Francesco-MOSER-Leader-Bugno-60cm-frame-/110581094685?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bf25991d

You gotta copy any paste these, not just click the link. Probably.
http://store.repartocorse.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?RowID=3091&CS (http://store.repartocorse.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=reparto&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=479381740&Count2=396522164)
http://store.repartocorse.com/shared/StoreFront/product_detail.asp?RowID=1082&CS (http://store.repartocorse.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=reparto&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=479381740&Count2=396522164)
(http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-Francesco-MOSER-Leader-Bugno-60cm-frame-/110581094685?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bf25991d)

Thanks dsh. That Chesini is my size - I was looking at it last night.

What did you have in mind with those links to Reparto Corse? The Torelli Corsa Pista I like!!! Their white Ciocc San Cristobal is gorgeous, but that's for another thread!

I was thinking specifically the Torelli Corsa Pista and the De Bernardi Thron Pista. Some people may complain that Thron isn't exactly top of the line tubing, but it's all good quality, modern Columbus steel. It's not like they just stop trying after Foco.

I don't know why the reparto corse site is ********, but really, if you highlight those links then copy and paste them into a new browser window (instead of just clicking them), they take you to the product page.

are you looking for a complete bike, or just a frame? i think pretty much any lugged frame is "timeless," whether it stays that way is a matter of the build. a frame built with chrome parts, low profile rims, traditional track drops, leather saddle will look quite timeless. the exact same frame built up with risers, a messenger ring, deep v's and a pink chain will not.

what is it about Italian brands that get you excited? is it the name? i hope you don't think that all italian brands are made in italy. bianchi sure isn't. colnago and de rosa are i know. most brands today, the frames are made in asia, with only the final bike being assembled in it's respective country (sometimes not even then).

however, if you are sifting through ebay, the shift to asia is only something that has been going on in the past 20-30 years, so finding nice italian frames from the 70's-80's or earlier are pretty much guaranteed to have been built in italy. hope that helps.

bianchi is like the italian schwinn lately..it used to feel cool.

I was thinking specifically the Torelli Corsa Pista and the De Bernardi Thron Pista. Some people may complain that Thron isn't exactly top of the line tubing, but it's all good quality, modern Columbus steel. It's not like they just stop trying after Foco.

I don't know why the reparto corse site is ********, but really, if you highlight those links then copy and paste them into a new browser window (instead of just clicking them), they take you to the product page.

Very cool. I think if we ever get a velodrome built here, I'd like to get a classic Italian pista rather than some generic Trek T1 or Spec. Langster.

i'll take a torelli over a bianchi

Sounds like you have Bianchi on the mind. On a mission, anything less won't satisfy the craving. I keep wanting to upgrade the bike I bought too, but everytime I ride it, I just can't come away with a miserable enough experience to justify the effort to sell it and go thru the process of getting what I think I really want. It all comes back to inexpensive, reliable, durable & decent quality with low theft appeal. What I want doesn't fit that profile, the bike I have does, a daily rider that flies under the radar.

As you are finding the Langster, if you decide to pursue the Bianchi, hope it's everything you're after, otherwise you'll be chasing a color, a component or whatever for the rest of your life ?

i'll take a torelli over a bianchi

I would too and that's coming from a guy who owns a Bianchi Pista (which is still a nice bike in it's own right)

I was gonna pull the trigger on a Torrelli Corsa Pista but because of the price and the fact that they use italian bb threading I opted for a Dodici, which is a little cheaper. With that said, a Torelli would still be a great choice.

I would too and that's coming from a guy who owns a Bianchi Pista (which is still a nice bike in it's own right)

I was gonna pull the trigger on a Torrelli Corsa Pista but because of the price and the fact that they use italian bb threading I opted for a Dodici, which is a little cheaper. With that said, a Torelli would still be a great choice.

The De Bernardi has an english BB. Gotta say, I much MUCH prefer the red (older, harder to find) to the blue (what Reparto Corse has in stock). The logos on the blue one just look half assed.

http://www.yellowjersey.org/debpist.html

If you can find a red one, I'd jump on that.

By the way, I know you say you prefer italian but if these Bob Jacksons don't get your juices flowing then you are bike-gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=307

Not super expensive either.

that chesini is pr0n

Chesinis in general are pretty flippin underrated if you ask me. Mine has served me better than just about anything else I own.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/125/imgp5158.jpg

Schwinn Sprint... with Reynolds 853 steel.

What the heck are you waiting for?

By the way, I know you say you prefer italian but if these Bob Jacksons don't get your juices flowing then you are bike-gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.



Bob Jackson? You need to be over 70 years of age to want one of those. :lol:

Guys, I know most Italian branded bikes are made in Taiwan, but I like a bit of history, heritage, romance - a story - behind what I ride. It's like the difference between Shimano and Campagnolo... the former may be functionally superior, but do I really have to explain why I'd always take the latter...?


PS. Schwinn? Which part of Italy do they come from?

PPS. Any views on the Cinelli Gazzetta? That looks nice (and cheap), especially in 'bike gay lime green'.

Chesinis in general are pretty flippin underrated if you ask me. Mine has served me better than just about anything else I own.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/125/imgp5158.jpg

more pics plz. looks sweet. how many gears in the rear?

I would too and that's coming from a guy who owns a Bianchi Pista (which is still a nice bike in it's own right)

can i have your autograph?

Bob Jackson? You need to be over 70 years of age to want one of those. :lol:


??

http://velospace.org/files/99943580_ad7ac1c338_o.jpg

Man up, just buy a sputnik. :p

On the subject of Italian via the Orient ? Mine's Italian, Vilano ? ;)


Chesinis in general are pretty flippin underrated if you ask me. Mine has served me better than just about anything else I own.

I have a feeling in a decade or so I'll be making this same claim ? :)

http://velospace.org/files/99943580_ad7ac1c338_o.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sz6xhPkGJ4

Bob Jackson? You need to be over 70 years of age to want one of those. :lol:
You must be crazy.


more pics plz. looks sweet. how many gears in the rear?
7 speed, with Shimano 600 bits.

7 speed, with Shimano 600 bits.



Shimano. I like their Baitrunner's, but fishing tackle on a bike... a lovely ITALIAN bike? Who's crazy? :D

And I've got Campy 11 speed on my lovely AMERICAN S-Works.

That's why they call me Crazy Dsh!