I commute on a hybrid year round.
As a training incentive, I have placed a fixie in in my mind as a carrot.
I'd like to start riding this spring.

I think, with careful buying, I can put together a Steamroller for a hair under a thousand.
My family (wife and son) think that because I won't ride the fixie that much, I can get buy on a less expensive bike; specifically, a Bianchi Pista, and save the family some money.
So, for four or five hundred bucks, I have to justify the Steamroller over the Pista.

A word class triathelete friend who builds bikes tells me I won't like the handling of the Pista, because of its track geometry, and that I will find the Steamroller more practical and street friendly, for me.
I don't know how much he really knows about it.

Could someone who has ridden both bikes comment on their handling characteristics with a newbie in mind?
Would I notice a difference?
A $400 difference?