For what it's worth, I had a pista for about three years (an 03, in grey, much like the one described above somewhere, although mine was a 53cm and I didn't think I sold it for a steal, but rather, for a good deal that benefitted both the buyer and seller . . . anyway)

I thought it was a great bike. I got rid of it because I started to have sharp pain in my right knee (back foot on slides and stands) and because I had to move to a smaller apartment recently and couldn't keep all my rigs. I got rid of it and the mountain bike conversion I built. I kept my racing bike and my Nishiki (gotta love the Nishiki).

I would say you should try to find a track frame and then work your way through getting some decent components. I thought building the Nishiki was a blast, and every piece on it is a story. But, if you're going to off the rack, the Pista was solid. Unlike some of the other folks, I never had any serious problem with the saddle (maybe my @$$ is weird or something) and I thought the wheels were decent. I had to tighten the cones a few times but I didn't have major problems with them going out of true and I rode the crap out of it). I replaced the track drops with Nittos and put Shimano 520's on to replace the stock WTB pedals (which weren't worth a damn).

FYI: the 2003 was only drilled for a front brake. The Langster is drilled for both, I believe, as is the Lemond Filmore (which is not a real track bike but is set up with a flipflop hub and has a really high quality steel frame, but no track geometry) . . .

oh yeah, i have no problems with the drops at all, either.

love my pista. Though none of the origional parts remain, except the frame. I really enjoy it. I ride on the street and at the drome. Wheels were great for me but i upgraded anyway. Found a deal where i could break even after selling mine for phil's/open pros.

I have had problems with the bars though. I hate them. They are flexy in sprints and numming on the road.

pista be a good bike and there are others out there that do the same thing for the same amt or less if you doo some looking- i see them everywhere and i just like of a bike thats been put together and more unique- do you ride mostly in the city? for me thats a factor- mine got pieced together and is a work in progress not out of the box cookie cutter style if you catch my drift- not hatin its just how i feel- i dont know if the satisfaction of building a bike up piece by piece can match buying a good ride straight out - but id give it a shot- did i just ramble?

I love my 2005, and especially the way it handles.
I have steadily upgraded my components as I've had the money and the inclination.
I think Bianchi did a great job of providing the most bike for the buck.
Love the handling.
Anyway, if I had it to do over again I would do it over again. :)

im might be getting a 05 pista real soon. hope it works out

Wow, that's a lot of info. My thanks to all who contributed. I'll test the Pista before I buy, but also check out the Fuji track, since I'm just looking for something cheap that I can ride right off the bat without having to do too much modding.

Pista is the best $500 retail price track bike out there.

I'd skip the IRO.

Seriously, Kogswell is making a dedicated track frame out of steel that may be ready any week now (at least I'm hoping) . You could probably build something custom up with that for about the same price (if its priced anything like the model G)

The San Jose is a nice alternative.....I love mine