Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Product Review: Bianchi Pista Concept Frameset

here

This is applicable to 2003, 2004, and 2005 framesets.

59cm Bianchi Pista Concept, 2003

Frame was purchased off eBay, less than $475 shipped. A great deal, as I was holding out for the 05's, but decided against at after spotting the great eBay deal..

At first glance, the aluminum frame and carbon fork combo is nice, sturdy, well built. And it is. The welds get a bit sloppy around the seat tube cutout, as well as the the bottom bracket area. But hey, its aluminum, and Im not a weld weeny, so I dont care.

The straight carbon fork is nice.

The Cane Creek threadless headset, 1 1/8, is fine. Not the greatest, but I'll deal with that.

The track ends have a nice feature: stainless steel inserts in the face of the drops, making a nice and firm gripping platform for serrated and integrated washers.

The paint was of nice quality. Was. I chipped the top tube with my keys. Its small, and nobody will noticed, cept for me. Still fine for a race bike, though.

The frame sports a relatively beefy integrated seatpost collar, which I dig. We'll see how long the stock fastener holds out, though.

An interesting discovery...owners of this frameset may have problems with their 170 cranksets rubbing ever so slightly on the driveside chainstay. It doesnt rub on the stand, but does when Im on the bike. Good thing Ive got 165s.

The bike seems super stiff, although I couldnt get it up to speed too much, as Im recovering from an illness, and the cranks were rubbing a bit.

see the attached pic.

http://www.tyrodot.com/DSC00037.JPG

That bike looks sick - nice, very nice.

Nice, Crustedfish. I've always liked the Pista Concepts and thought a 16 lb aluminum trackie would be sweet...steel for normal days, the AL for fast ones. So how does it handle? Is it wicked-quick feeling?

take that extra link out of the chain....

you know you want to...

fsnl
sparky

take that extra link out of the chain....

you know you want to...

fsnl
sparky

the bike is only in mock up stage...not done yet...so, keep your panties on..

p.s. the bike handles nice at slower speeds...when im back to 100% Ill take it for a real spin and report back, as well as a review of the components and odds and ends..

update on the driveside crankarm rubbing the chainstay...

seems as if the Miche BB, x107 square tapers, has quite a narrow Q factor. Even the 165's seemed too close to the chainstay...

Swapped it for a Shimano BB, one of the cheaper ones I had laying around, 68x107, (or was it 58x107????).. Works like a charm, now, as the cranks don't sit as far in on the tapers.

hope this thread is helpful to future builders of this frameset.

cf-
I believe the BB shell will stay 68, but maybe the spindle length is different? 107 refers to the axle length of the BB. If it is the same as the Miche, maybe the insertion depth of the axle into the crank is less based on the taper being different on the Shimano? Hmmm...now I am too curious to do anything worthwhile at work today! Let me know what you dig up.

*edit - can't wait to see the new wheels. they'll be sick I am sure!*

My jealousy runs rampant.

that seatpost is sweet. what kind of pedals are those...speedplay frogs?

']cf-
I believe the BB shell will stay 68, but maybe the spindle length is different? 107 refers to the axle length of the BB. If it is the same as the Miche, maybe the insertion depth of the axle into the crank is less based on the taper being different on the Shimano? Hmmm...now I am too curious to do anything worthwhile at work today! Let me know what you dig up.

*edit - can't wait to see the new wheels. they'll be sick I am sure!*

yeah...thats what i meant to say..thanks 165...

Undeniable bike pr0n. I'm especially liking the Supertype post. Very sweet setup.

that seatpost is sweet. what kind of pedals are those...speedplay frogs?

Speedplay Frogs they are..the seatpost is a Miche Supertype...too bad it's to short for me, though...

A Thompson Elite post is in the mail for a replacement.

Which seat post is that?

Which seat post is that?

Answer's right above your question.

PS. Read the thread. ;)

Speedplay Frogs they are..the seatpost is a Miche Supertype...too bad it's to short for me, though...

A Thompson Elite post is in the mail for a replacement.
crusted fish, the bike is awesome, cant wait to see the finished product. i've been looking for one of the supertype seatposts for the spicer. if you're in the market to get rid of yours since its too short. pm me and let me know.

Crusted, You selling the seatpost? If it's 27.2 I'll take it off your hands. Crap...just read the above post. :)

sorry for being such a vulture, but, if for some reason the two posters above have an "accident" and can't collect the seatpost, i'd be interested in it as well. how's that for a longshot??

crusted fish, the bike is awesome, cant wait to see the finished product. i've been looking for one of the supertype seatposts for the spicer. if you're in the market to get rid of yours since its too short. pm me and let me know.

i need to hold on to it just for a bit..in the meantime...


here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42319&item=7123588565&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

Crusted, You selling the seatpost? If it's 27.2 I'll take it off your hands. Crap...just read the above post. :)

gotta hold on to the post for a bit...

but, in the meantime... (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42319&item=7123588565&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

I like the fork, much. What she looks very tight—not much clearance between front tire and down tube. Nice.

composed like a true teacher on vacation

i need to hold on to it just for a bit..in the meantime...


here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42319&item=7123588565&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)
thanks crustedfist for the link! i just got the seatpost. its gonna be hot, especially since its black. thanks again.

FYI...

Just got my Thomsom Elite Seatpost, 27.2 x 410mm long...had MAJOR problems getting it to fit...seems as if I have an incredibly difficult time inserting and removing anything thats too long...too bad my Miche 250mm is too short... I dont think its the seatpost, as Ive tried two different ones with the same result...I think it may be an anomaly of the frame itself, especially the seat tube...

Have you tried reaming the seat tube?

Have you tried reaming the seat tube?

no, i haven't..but my mechanic might eventually...

hey crustedfish, i have seen that seat post on another thread but don't know what to search for to bring it up again. what make/model is it? it looks very nice and certainly complements your ride

miche supertype

People really don't bother to read threads anymore do they?

no, i haven't..but my mechanic might eventually...

I dont know much about frame construction...

In the aluminum seat tube, there seems to be a steel insert, starting at the top of the seatpost collar and working its way down a few inches. Below that, it appears that the aluminum tube opens up a bit..So, perhaps the insert (or shim, perhaps???) is not truly 27.2. Oh well..

I have a question about the intergrated headset. I know threaded and I know threadless. What's intergrated?

integrated has the headset actually buried inside the headtube. Usually (always?) you'll see the head tube flared at either end, externally butted they call it I believe, in order to accomodate the extra hardware because the head tube now acts as your headset cup.

I was just chatting with one of the owners at the LBS tonight about integrated headsets. Basically the hype as he relayed it to me is that it's more aero and drops your stack height by a few mm. whee.

On the other hand it also locks you into a particular headset or line of headsets which may not even be serviceable. Nevermind that it can increase wear on your frame. More of the Shimano school of thought.

My second question was about service/replacement...but you nailed it down. Thanks!

The image doesn't appear on this post anymore. Is it available somewhere else?

I've had a Pista Concept 03 for a few years and just didn't have the time to work on it. I'm recovering from a bad ankle break, so I'm thinking of putting an internal-gear hub with a drum brake on the frame, and ride without modifying the fork. What do you think?

Wow all this talk of 2003 pista concepts is making me jeolous, I'm bummed they changed to celeste for the new colors. If any one has one that 59cm, hit me up.

Concerning the internal gear hub and drum brake, I think you'd definitely be able to pull it off. Only concern seems to be braking in the front only. dunno if there are internal geared rear hubs with drum brakes in them, doubt it.

Wow all this talk of 2003 pista concepts is making me jeolous, I'm bummed they changed to celeste for the new colors. If any one has one that 59cm, hit me up.

Concerning the internal gear hub and drum brake, I think you'd definitely be able to pull it off. Only concern seems to be braking in the front only. dunno if there are internal geared rear hubs with drum brakes in them, doubt it.

Wow all this talk of 2003 pista concepts is making me jeolous, I'm bummed they changed to celeste for the new colors. If any one has one that 59cm, hit me up.

Concerning the internal gear hub and drum brake, I think you'd definitely be able to pull it off. Only concern seems to be braking in the front only. dunno if there are internal geared rear hubs with drum brakes in them, doubt it.