fatum1965

I'm building a fixed gear for my daily commutes in Denver. I've been out of the game too long when it comes to riding fixed gear bikes so I want input from everyone on what I need to build this beast. The biggest thing was to purchase my first true Italian frame. I'm ordering a Torelli Corsa Pista track frame in blue. I'm building the wheels with Mavic Open Pros and Phil Wood Track Hubs. Still debating on what crankset to go with but I'm feeling Sugino. I'm going with the Thomson Masterpiece Seat Post with either Fizik or Selle Italia saddle. When it comes to the stem and handlebars I have no idea.

Sounds like a contradiction to ask for advice on my dream bike but its more of just having the perfect ride since this will be replacing my vehicle . I want the bike to look sharp but above all be practical and fast. So I'm open to any suggestions on anything I should do. I want the perfect bike and price isn't a huge issue but not wanting to overdue it at the same time. Again... look good, practical and fast.

TejanoTrackie 

Well, if you want it to be truly Italian, why not go with top tier Campy cranks, hubs, etc ?

Kindaslow

If it is a dream bike, why not an Enve stem and bars????

TenSpeedV2

Origin8. LOL. Kidding.

SquidPuppet

French rims + American hubs + Japanese crank + modern seat post on a lugged Italian frame?

I wouldn't..................but it aint my bike.

Did you buy the Torelli fork? One inch threadless makes shopping a bit more challenging.

hairnet

Open Pros are kinda meh for a dream built.

Muffin Man

Lightweight wheels or bust. With full enve cockpit.

Kindaslow

OP, what do you mean when you say dream build?

Sherblock

Ok, so actually my dad already did this when he built his second bike. Torelli Pista, Sugino 75's, open pro to Phil, full thompson, etc.

How much are you looking to spend? You're at least $3000 in. How much more over that do you want to go?

And I'll add this - from what I've heard over the past 6 years, you probably don't want a Torelli as your "do-all" bike. It can't really do anything as it doesn't have any mounts or water cages. You might want to think about that.

fatum1965

I agree, I was on the line with the whole wheel build initially. A local wheel builder pushed me in this direction. The hills around Denver can be a push and not to mention when I get closer to the range the crosswinds have no bs knocked me over. I go everywhere, not just fun but with appointments and work I find myself riding on terrible roads so a good wheel to meet every situation has been a tough situation.

fatum1965

I carry everything on my back. I use freitag messengers and green guru rucks for the heavy loads so the bike stays light. The bike gets left outside as well and we have a lot of homeless with sticky fingers.

fatum1965

Yea went with frame and fork. 1 inch threadless.

fatum1965

This is my first Italian lugged frame so is all this a huge clash. Someone else mentioned it too. I love the way Italian frames look and attention to detail is unmatched but with a classic frame and new high end components am I creating a monster. I want the bike to be fast still and newer high end components will help accomplish that. Campy would probably be a better choice and I do like the envy cockpit setup everyone suggested.

hairnet

I get it. I just meant aesthetically meh, but do what works best.

IAmSam

This!

This!

You are the one who made a big statement about having a "true Italian frame" and considering the big money in the parts list you have there - you are missing your opportunity to do things right if you throw a mish-mosh of parts from all over the world on it. If it is not too late to change your order, go back and get a threaded fork. That is what a lugged frame is meant for, especially an Italian one. FYI there are new production Cinelli quills & bars way better suited to the theme than Enve, which are amazingly inexpensive. If you hunt well, Campag Record Pista cranks, BBs or headsets can be found pretty reasonably, & there is also Miche to consider for cockpit stuff, cranks &/or wheels as well. Hell, I'm pretty sure even Gipiemme still makes new pista wheels & other bits in Italy.

TL;DR...rethink your build

Muffin Man

I still want to see Lightweight Rundkurs on this thing.

fatum1965

This has all been a huge help and I've already changed so much in the planning, thank you. I'm going with Campy for crankset and BB. I'll call tomorrow and try and switch out to threaded fork. Shouldn't be a problem given how early in the build it should be. Wheels are between Campy, Miche or Ursus (not sure if they have a fixed hub for Ursus). I only have one more question for everyone and thats, whats a good Italian company for quills and handlebars. I don't want to go with a company thats main production is bikes. This is just a personal thing. To me its always been like using Ford accessories on your Chevy; just seems weird. So a company who specializes in the build of quills and handlebars (high performance too). I'll start posting pics as this beauty comes together. Thanks again guys, you've really helped me in the build.

fatum1965

Everyone has been so persuasive with using 100% Italian parts so decided to move in that direction or I probably would have.

TejanoTrackie 

Cinelli still makes top quality traditional quill stems and handlebars. For a stem, I'd choose the 1A and for bars I'd choose the Giro D'Italia, which has a beautifully engraved clamping area.

fatum1965

Still not big on Cinelli. Chevy parts on the ford issue there. Campy track wheels are tubular too. Only wheels I've found from italy that fit the bill.

IAmSam

Over the years every European bike maker used Cinelli bits, especially their bars and stems - definitely should not be a worry…

But if you just cannot get past your imagined and are not in a big hurry – shopping for older, even NOS, Italian goodies (ITM, 3ttt, Modolo, etc) on fleabay or elsewhere on the interwebz can be very…uhhh…interesting(?)

Yeah, current Campy pista wheels are only available as toobie, so for pre-builts if you don’t care for Ambrosio/Miche you may have to consider non-Italian alternatives (hate to admit but I did it ). Or if you are willing to build and can't find suitable rims - building Campy track hubs to Mavic rims is a pretty traditional treatment.

Have fun and good luck…

T13

My Italian bike has French rims. Doesn't keep me from sleeping at all.

SquidPuppet

+1 This should not be a concern as it was/is the "norm". I'd even call it "correct". It's like Brembo brakes, they are considered appropriate for any motorcycle.

RoderWrench

I've always seen Cinelli as a component maker that also makes frames. I get the Ford-Chevy thing. I would never even put Bontrager on a Specialized, that's like putting Delco plugs in a Ford...it'll work, but doesn't seem right. However, a Cinelli cockpit on an Italian bike is iconic.

Scrodzilla

This kid should win an award.