1. My 06 pista came without a brake. The shop will hook you up. Actually, I think they told me they were required to put one on the bike before it left the store which was probably some bull**** to charge me for a brake.
2. This might not answer your question, but I bought a track bike to improve my legs and core for ice hockey. weird huh? It has worked outstandingly well. Track bikes kick your ass in such a rewarding way. I don't know **** about geometry and haven't ridden a road bike in ... maybe never. 1 gear is ****ing cool and the bike was fun to ride. That's all you need to know. Go buy it.