Bianchi Pista vs Fuji Track Pro

[AFrizzledFry]

I know, I know- two very different bikes, but I'm still not sure which to buy for my specific situation/needs. I'm a road racer and a newbie track rider who is looking to start racing this summer. My first few races will be done on rented bikes from the Frisco Superdrome, but after that I'll be looking to buy.

The reason I'm unsure is that the Pista is a great priced bike, but the Fuji is almost 3 pounds lighter and better equipped- in other words, I will be content with the Fuji and not get upgrade fever (other than a Disk sometime down the road, I'm sure). Again, I realise that one costs more than twice as much, but money isn't really much of a concern- my grandmother passed away some time ago, and I just received some money that she had been saving for me. My father told me that she would have wanted me to enjoy it, and I know that a track bike would do just fine!

My plans for the track are to do quite a bit of competing in the future: Collegiate Nationals, Regions, Friday Nights races, etc...

I think you can tell from reading which way I'm leaning, but any info or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
AFF.

[nocoins]

I have a Fuji Track bike as my daily rider in the city. I have no complaints. Its light and responsive. Its taken quite a beating on the philly streets and it still rides nice and smooth (reminds me, time to true up those wheels).

I have heard good things about the bianchi's too. But I have not had the opportunity to ride one yet. My only advice is for you to take each one for a spin at your LBS and see which one fits YOU the best. With any bike you will probably start upgrading as soon as you get it...so in the LONG run it probably wont matter much.

Goodluck!

[nhorscro]

I have been considering buying a track bike in anticipation of the opening of the new velodrome in Los Angeles. I'm also looking at the Fuji Track Pro as it seems to be good value for money. I've seen it available for the MSRP of $1299 but also as low as $900 on sale. I've also been considering the Bianchi Pista Concept which is sold as a frame set only (MSRP $599). It looks beefier than the Pista and comes with a carbon fork. Chucks Bikes has the Miche Pista Track group for $285. Then I would still need a stem, handlebar and wheelset.
So I am still undecided, but not really in a hurry. Let us know what you decide to get.

[auroch]

So i've never actually ridden on a track so maybe i'm out of my element. I have an '04 pista and I was seriously looking at the lower-end Fuji. My feeling was that the Fuji's frame felt a little cheap. It flexed a lot for me (140#'s soaking wet) and not in that normal steel-is-real way. The pista on the other hand felt much more solid, especially in weaving around chicago streets. I only got to try the Fuji for about 30mins, while my new fave LBS let me take the Pista out for hours.

happy shopping
jeff

[AFrizzledFry]

"It flexed a lot for me (140#'s soaking wet) and not in that normal steel-is-real way."

Well, my initial thought here is that this is your imagination playing tricks on you...Bobby Lea has won national championships on the frame(so I'm told by my hardcore-trackie friend). I seriously doubt he'd be riding it if it weren't up for the task.

anyone else experience this????


AFF.

[nhorscro]

I think stickerguy is talking about the Fuji track or track SE as he said it was the lower end Fuji track bike. These have steel frames. http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.a...yID=19&yr=2004
The track pro, which I think is what you were considering is a different bike having an aluminum frame. http://www.fujibikes.com/road/bike.a...yID=17&yr=2004

[xcutterx]

the pista is much of a race bike to be honest. my girlfriend has one and its more of a fixed gear road bike than a track bike. i used to work a shop that sold fuji and i works on 2 track pros. they are super nice. i am not to big on the look of the bike but i am sure they are great on the track. nice parts stiff frame. good track geometry. maybe check into the cannondale major taylor as well. its a pretty nice bike and its sort of in the middle of those 2 bikes as far as geometry goes.

[auroch]

yes, yes and yes.

yes I meant the $600 fuji, yes the pista is more road friendly, and yes I have no business in the track cycling forum. still...the C'dale is awesome.

jeff

[xcutterx]

oh the regular fuji track is a pretty cheaply built bike. the frame is ok at best and the parts are not worth your time. you might as well save a little more and get something a little better. it will last you longer and save you money in the long run.

[AFrizzledFry]

Thanks for your response, but I'm interested in the Fuji Track Pro, not the Fuji Track. any experience with this bike?

[timmhaan]

Thanks for your response, but I'm interested in the Fuji Track Pro, not the Fuji Track. any experience with this bike?

i happen to have just bought the track pro tonight! i rode it home for the first time a couple of hours ago. it felt really good. a little rigid, but i'll get used to it. it's also very light, which i really like. i was considering the pista as well, but i just knew i'd get more enjoyment out of the fuji. so far so good... i would recommend.

[digdug]

"I have been considering buying a track bike in anticipation of the opening of the new velodrome in Los Angeles."

Actually, I'm in the LA area...is there somewhere I can get more info on this? Where is it going in?

[velo]

http://www.velodromes.com/Los_Angeles.html

http://www.homedepotcenter.com/venue...tompageid=6773

[The Carpenter]

The new velodrome in Los Angeles is at the site of the velodrome that was used for the '84 Olympics. It's in carson at Cal State Dominguiz (sp) off the 405 Fwy. The old track was torn out and replaced by the first indoor, wooden velodrome in the U.S.
It isn't quite clear how accesable it will be to ride. The SCNCA web site says you will need to be at least a cat 2 rider to ride it. That means a cat 2 track rider. But have no fear you can still ride track in L.A. Go to Encino. They have a great program for EVERYONE! You can even rent a track bike to use for $2.00. If you have never ridden track before they will teach you. Check it out at www.encinovelodrome.org and checkout the new track at www.homedepotcenter.com.
The Junior Nationals and Junior Worlds will be there.

Jeff

[cyclorat]

"money's no big issue" you say? come now, then you have better choices that still won't blow up the bank. felt track, or pista concept with miche group, or a debernardi, cinelli or pinarello with a miche group...and you get the pleasure of building! and you get the style of italian steel with the last three!

get yourself a nice italian steelie!

[MCMVIIX]

These 2 bike are like apples and oranges, the Bianchi is a low-end steel bike and the Fuji Track Pro is a race-ready CAT4 bike (I'd change the stem, bars, and pedals though). Just so you know, flex in a frame isnt bad if you're going for comfort, since it takes the edge off, for example on the street. but in an all out sprint, stiffness is where its at, especially in a velodrome. also know that aluminum tends to break whereas steel bends, Ive had an aluminum TREK mountain bike just separate at the seat tube on me before.

[gerstle]

Ive had an aluminum TREK mountain bike just separate at the seat tube on me before.

Hm. Don't buy poor, mass produced bikes?

[TLN]

"money's no big issue" you say? come now, then you have better choices that still won't blow up the bank. felt track, or pista concept with miche group, or a debernardi, cinelli or pinarello with a miche group...and you get the pleasure of building! and you get the style of italian steel with the last three!

get yourself a nice italian steelie!

Fuji? I dont think I would buy a bike from a company that sells apples. If you want a bike go Italian. If you want a toy buy....well....Fuji or Granny Smith.

[xmoonstarx]

The Fuji is a far superior track bike hands down and a great value. If money is not a factor get a custom Yamaguchi frame- about $1500.00 he's in Colorado or a Spectrum frame- about $2000.00. Of course you would build these up.

[reve_etrange]

I'd recommend that you not buy the Pista...they're not that nice, heavy and the stock fork is a POS (at least on all the ones I've seen).

Depending on how eager you are to be riding, I'd suggest that you sit on ebay and your local craigslist for a while and try to pick up something nice and interesting for not too much money. Last year I bought my steel HPL track on ebay for ~$300 and it's been an awesome bike (speaking of which, if anyone knows anything about Human Propulsion Labs, PM me, I'm curious about the history of my frame).

[sivat]

You guys realize this thread is 2 years old, right?

[reve_etrange]

Ooops, brain fart.

[gargiulo.mike]

get the bianchi, trust me

[mosscoveredhat]

"It flexed a lot for me (140#'s soaking wet) and not in that normal steel-is-real way."

Well, my initial thought here is that this is your imagination playing tricks on you...Bobby Lea has won national championships on the frame(so I'm told by my hardcore-trackie friend). I seriously doubt he'd be riding it if it weren't up for the task.

anyone else experience this????


AFF.

I think he was talking about the fuji track, not the fuji track pro... I have both bikes... the fuji is much lighter stiffer and more responsive, with more agressive geometry and is pretty harsh on the road. The bianchi pista is a great city bike although it performs fine on the track as well... I made a lot of changes and upgrades to it though...