ccrnnr9

I was looking around my LBS today and really fell in love with the Bianchi Pista. I am wanting to get ahold of a fixed gear sometime this fall/winter as a good training tool. I think it would be a great offseason development tool that would allow me to get a good workout in a smaller amount of time for when there is less light out and I am limited on time. The LBS was asking 599$ for the pista. If I got a fixy I would want something that can go both fixed and single speed. I would also want to spend less than 600$ on the bike and have something that is a good fit (something that is similar to my road racing fit). Any suggestions out there? Being a college student, the less I spend the better. I also would like something with style as I may also use it to ride to class and commute here and there...that Bianchi sure was pretty!
~Nick

Eatadonut

if you're not looking to do track racing, convert a used road bike. It's cheap, and you'll be more comfortable with the fit. For $600, you could find an old 10-speed roadie in good condition for $100, $200 for a decent wheelset, and still have $300 left over for beer and lusting over NOS parts.

Alternatively, you could dumpster dive an old roadie for free, throw away all the rusty bits, hunt around for replacements, and build your own wheelset around whatever parts you want, and have a perfectly adequate fixie for <$200 and a couple cans of spraypaint.

Or buy an IRO or that pista.

sivat

The only problem i see with the pista for you is that it has track geometry, not road. The IRO might be a better choice, as would the san jose. Both have more relaxed, road geometry. The conversion is another good choice.

Sin-A-Matic

The San Jose would not be a good option for the OP. It does not include a fixed hub and it costs as much as his budget.

Assuming you live in a populated area, I'd watch Craigslist. If you're willing to wait it out, you can find damn good deals on track bikes. I've seen plenty of Pistas for $400 and less.

If you don't mind riding a conversion, that's a good idea as well.

worker4youth

What is so bad about track geometry?

onetwentyeight 

nothing. some people just dont like agressive bikes.

ccrnnr9

Thanks for the advice. I am considering trying to find a nice older steel frame in a comfy size and converting to a fixie/single speed from there. I just need to do some research on an adequate frame. You recomend the IRO and san jose...are those both bianchis as well? I don't know that I would mind the track geometry but it could be nice to have something a bit more relaxed. I do currently ride a pretty aggressive geometry with no problems.
~Nick

sivat

Nothing, if thats what you're looking for. But the OP is looking for a bike to supplement his road training, presumably on the road. I figured the road geometry would suit him better.

I thought the san jose came with a flip flop hub. My bad.

Eatadonut

The San Jose is a bianchi, IRO is a different company.

www.irocycle.com

B10Cycle

https://www.irocycle.com/

A company that makes several different fixed/SS options. Good bikes, reasonable price, good company to deal with. They're all $500-600 new, but with several options as for geometry and setup. Can be found used for ~$400, or so I've seen on Craigslist.

Also worth checking them out for wheels, parts if you go a conversion route.

https://www.bianchiusa.com/06_san_jose.html

The Bianchi San Jose is a single speed cyclocross bike. You'd need a new rear wheel or have it rebuilt around a fixed hub if you want fixed gear and it's definitely at the top of your price range. A good bike though, from what I hear.

simple312

anyone else hate the name/use of name FIXIE?

just get the bianchi put a brake/brakes on it so you can stop or for when you want to ride it single speed/freewheel. or look for one used (or other off the peg entry level/street fixed bike, ie khs flite100, specialized langster, raliegh (sp?) rush hour etc.) the bianchi looks pretty to you now, but after you see 5 or more all parked next to each other you'll probably want something different. they are really common.

ka12na

I have a Fuji Track. It's a nice steel bike and gets me where I need it to go. It's been very reliable. Not many parts to break, including brakes.

Here's a picture if you care. BF won't let me upload due to it's larger size.

https://img158.imageshack.us/img158/7...23large5pk.jpg

Bought new bars.. went clipless, and oh yeah.. dropped another $300 on that wheelset from IRO.

ROACHTRAP

Giant Bowery is nice for city riding, some people dont like that compact goemetry but for city weaving and dodging it's so nice responsive.

the pope

abeyance

Track bikes are like coked out girlfriends.....twitchy, and ready to dump you at a moments notice.

Old Breadbutt

I hear the pista frame is nice, but I know from experience that the stock hubs it comes with aren't so great. I bought an IRO Angus and built a wheel set with Phils and deep V's. I love the phils, but I kinda whish I had gone with lighter, more standard rims. anyway, I like my bike, I think the angus is a great frame for an around the town bike that you can still ride at the track. probably not so great for serious track racing though.

SCARFACE