Just picked up a Bianchi Pista 2006 as my first FG bike
06-08-14, 06:25 PM
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Just picked up a Bianchi Pista 2006 as my first FG bike
Replacing the pedals with MKS sylvan and avenir toe clips/straps.
I want to start doing velodrome, as there is a track 5 minutes away from my house. I was wondering if it is possible to put a brake on the bike for riding on the street, and taking it off when I bring it to the track. Or is that too much of a hassle? In addition, any suggestions for brakes/levers?
06-08-14, 06:45 PM
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It isn't much of a hassle to get brakes on and off if the fork is drilled for a brake. If you can put a cross lever up near the stem you will be able to avoid messing up the tape. The only thing is that you might not have enough flat section of your bars for a lever to fit near the stem and it wouldn't be a terribly comfortable place to rest your hands anyway. It might be a better idea to get some narrow compact road bars. People do use them on the velodrome.
06-08-14, 06:46 PM
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You'll need bar ends and tape on them bars anyway.
It's been suggested before and while I've never done it, it seems like a sensible way to go. Simply set up one set of bars with tape and brakes and another set of bars for the track, then swap them over as needed. This also allows you to use track bars on the track (which aren't good on the road) and a good road set up on the road, all for a fifteen minute swap over. Similarly, you can set up some road pedals and simply spin on a set of racing pedals for track night. By they time this becomes a pain in the neck, you'll know whether you're ready for a dedicated track bike or not.
It's been suggested before and while I've never done it, it seems like a sensible way to go. Simply set up one set of bars with tape and brakes and another set of bars for the track, then swap them over as needed. This also allows you to use track bars on the track (which aren't good on the road) and a good road set up on the road, all for a fifteen minute swap over. Similarly, you can set up some road pedals and simply spin on a set of racing pedals for track night. By they time this becomes a pain in the neck, you'll know whether you're ready for a dedicated track bike or not.
06-08-14, 08:56 PM
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Don't listen to these people about track drops not being good on the road. Try them for yourself. I have both and find my track drops on there more than any other bar I have.
Some peoples children.
Some peoples children.
06-08-14, 09:27 PM
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Road drops, bottom of drops, mid drop, hoods, top of bar.
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06-08-14, 11:05 PM
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Welcome to the Pista club! I agree. I'd get dedicated road and track bars. If your clamp size is 31.8, which I believe it should be, check out the Deda RHM. I haven't ridden them (I'm running a 26.0 quill system), but I know Scrod and some other people on here who know a lot more than I do have recommended them.
06-09-14, 01:19 PM
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I'm building a Pista as well.. The RHM deda bars are a good one, I just ordered some Deda Pista track drops, and will be riding on the road about 10+ miles a day for my work commute. It all just depends on what you're comfortable with. Some riders like a lot of hand position options, some just are comfortable with very little.
06-09-14, 01:28 PM
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Its possible but a track bike will be stiff on the road. My Bianchi Trofeo is a classic road bike and is more suited to urban FG riding.
06-09-14, 01:35 PM
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Excellent choice.
Seems like this was somebody else's (i.e. the seller's) 1st fixed gear too from the looks of how it is completely stock.
My advice for you:
Wrap those bars with bar tape.
Get a front brake set up for the street.
Seems like this was somebody else's (i.e. the seller's) 1st fixed gear too from the looks of how it is completely stock.
My advice for you:
Wrap those bars with bar tape.
Get a front brake set up for the street.
06-09-14, 10:37 PM
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The guy road this stock set up for 1,500 miles + apparently.
06-10-14, 10:56 AM
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Nice purchase! I have a 2011 Pista and the stock chromed stem is 26.0 mm and I run the Civia Emerson handlebar on the road and I really like it. I have the Deda RHM on my Via Nirone road bike and that's a good compact bar, as well. I run a cross lever for a front brake on the Pista and it wasn't a hassle at all to remove it when I used to go on the velodrome down in Atlanta.
06-10-14, 08:53 PM
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I was wrong. The stock clamp is 26.0. Check out the Nitto dream bars or the Nitto noodle bars for road drops in that size. I'm running the noodle bar and I love it.
06-11-14, 12:40 PM
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Just realized I ordered a 26mm clamp for the front brake lever...will I have problems running the lever on those bars? Or the stock bars?
06-11-14, 12:56 PM
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That's a good question. I guess it depends where you mount it. I'm sure someone with more experience can chime in here, but I think it will be fine if you mount the brake up near the stem clamp.
Last edited by rmpmcdermott; 06-11-14 at 01:05 PM. Reason: clarity
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