Ken Cox

I worked last night and as I rode home this morning I stopped by my lbs.
Yes, they had it.

They had put armadillos on it and the Profile Design Stoker Bullhorn bars, and they had put an intriquing double-screw chain tug on the dropouts.
They had not as yet installed the extra 18t sprocket, which pleased me because it gave me a chance to talk to them about the stripped lock rings discussed in another thread.

First impression: five times more beautiful than anything I could have imagined.
Pictures do not communicate the presence of this elegant little machine.
The embodiment of function.

Second impression: I don't want to use the word fragile, but Bianchi better have put each molecule of steel in exactly the right place because they didn't use any more than they absolutely needed.
I weighed 203lbs in my full flight uniform this morning, which means I probably weigh a shade under 200 in my bike clothes, and I feel BIG on this greyhound.

Third impression: light.
I know my son's aluminum road bike weighs less than the Pista, but the Pista feels lighter and moves like a bird.
I attribute much of the lightness to perception and not to real weight, but it feels sooo light.

Fourth impression: very nice finish.
I thought I would find the chrome and the big white panels gaudy, but it all not only works together, it does so much more quietly and tastefully than I thought it would.
This does not look like budget bike to me.

Ha! I imagine I sound like school kid with his first crush.
Go ahead, laugh at me.
But I feel very happy this morning.
I worried I might have made a mistake with my familly's money, but now I know I spent it well.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experience with me, the newbiest of newbies.
You steered me straight.
Thank you.

crust & crumb

jolly good. now then, on to the pictures...

straylight

Yeah, that about sums up when i got my '04 Pista. I had originally bought it as a stop-gap solution to replace my swiped bianchi road conversion (rolling on Phil'd Mavic Open Pros, no less), yet here we are, over a year later, and I still have it.

It's different. But I love it all the same.

crust & crumb

ultra-g

The Pista is an awesome bike, I have the 2005 Pista too and took it for it's 2nd 30 mile ride yesterday afternoon, it's fast and very responsive.

I have a 17t cog I had installed and this bike is fast! I don't know the weight, but it's probably close to 20lbs.

I am buying a LeMond Poprad (Cyclocross bike) and you might be amazed to hear that the 55cm model I checked out at the bike shop is lighter than my 51cm Pista!

I ordered a 52cm Poprad, which is a fusion of True Temper OX DB steel and Reynolds 853.

I was amazed that the Poprad, with the double chainring, derailleurs, 2 sets of brakes and all the components and at 3 sizes larger than my Pista, was lighter.

climbo

Nice !!! That's funny, I have the 2004 Pista and just ordered the Poprad. I like the longer TT on the Poprad than most CX frames.

ultra-g

Excellent choice Climbo! I like the traditional geometry and the steel frame.

Anyway, not to hijack this thread, sorry Ken. But I am in love with my Bianchi too, I even named "her"... Giada.

auk

Nice to hear that you finally got it Ken. Sounds like you are fully addicted. The standard rule is that you know if you are going to like fixed in the first few minutes.

The nimbleness is the geometry making it dance.

Congrats and have fun!

TheDL

I'd like to see a pic of that....

BostonFixed

Like this?

Ken Cox

BostonFixed's chaintugs looks like the concept, but mine came in chrome and I didn't see a logo.

I didn't take delivery as they had something else to do to it, and I haven't ridden it yet.

Friday I should have it in my possession and I'll ride it over to journalist-acquaintance's office and get some quality digital photos.

Between now and then I need to learn how to post photos here.