$500, ya, thats the going price for them these days, for track riding only and learning on sure, its no worse or better really than any of the other choices like the khs 100,bianchi pista, and maybe slightly better than the windsor track bike.The frames are all almost identical.Matter of fact an unpainted pista,fuji track,and khs frames are tough to recognize when put side by side.Their weak points with all of them is wheels,hubs,BB,and stock pedals.Ive seen messengers here get away with riding them stock for a year or so without problems though.