Bianchi Pista, an easy out?
 

I traded my Schwinn Traveler (70s vintage) fixie for a Trek 950 front suspension MTB. I enjoy riding over parking blocks and dogging up my front stairs, but I miss the fixie. I am mainly a road bike guy, but I miss commuting to the store in one gear.
Anyhow, I know that the Pista is very much a bike with track geometry. However, they are cheap and already built. The only candidate for fixing right now is my Cannondale, and I am not willing to chop it up.
So, I guess my question is if buying a Pista and adding bullhorns would be a wise idea for an urban commuter or should I look for another old roadie to fix? Giant makes a fixed gear in the same price range, but it is aluminum and ugly. My Cannondale is ugly and aluminum, but it is my road bike so I don't care about that.
Advice, Suggestions?
j

windsor

Check out the 925

do you want to spend the time and money to convert a road bike?

or do you want to buy a bike off the shelf?

sounds like the latter

go for it

the redline 9-2-5 comes stock with fenders and eyelets for a rack good for commuting

is it aluminum? i dunno and beer tells me not to look it up

bye

I recommend this route.

I've had two conversions, and now I have a Pista, and I prefer the Pista by far. Granted, it depends on what you are converting, but for the price, I find the Pista to be an incredible bike.

Get a Pista: you'll be able to depend on it and, over time, you can make it amazing.

Exhibit A:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ot/mikeb-1.jpg

for only a little more money, and with patience, you'll find a much better complete bike on ebay. just sayin'.

there are many more low-cost options than a Pista. You should read through this thread.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...scussion+fixed

If you want a good and brand new bike, get a pista, it is sexy.
If you prefer a cheaper one, get something like a WIndsor.

Just be aware that if you spend a lot of time on them (or love it), you will change parts so it will not be a $500 anymore...

Get it. Yes, it's an easy and fairly economical way to a good bike.
That's why everyone and their aunt sally has one.
You should too.
Their high end pista is the Concept.
It's aluminum and...

Buying a pista is like buying a Honda civic. Yeah its a good ride, its cheap, but the problem is..everyone and their gay cousin has one.
Maybe you should break free and get something a little less common. I mean if you have any individualist cell in your body.
IROs are pretty damn cheap and way better made id say. Theyre pretty common in some parts i guess. Never seen a single one here. :)

Popularity always seems an odd sort of argument against the Pista. The wide range of manufacturers now making single speed and fixed gear bicycles is largely due to the success of the bike. If I were you, I would ask some questions about what kind of riding you plan to do with the bike and then make a decision based on that, not fashion.

I guess a Honda Civic is perfect to "commute to the store in one gear".

Actually i just read an article and the Honda Civic was ranked the "Best Car for Commuters" in Boston. :D

It's really pitiful that your idea of individualism is to base your purchases purely on what other people are purchasing.

To the OP
-If you want a track bike get the pista(which it sounds like you don't) it's the best one I've seen.
-If you want a commuter right now get a san jose, one way, 925 or something like that.
-If you want a commuter but can wait a few months spend some time and find a nice older mid-range roadie and do a good conversion. You'll end up with more bike for your money.

What's really pitiful is that you display a complete lack of common sense. It was a suggestion to HIM. He was asking for advice.
I could give a damn what he buys. I was merely offering another suggestion and gave reason as to why it MIGHT be more appealing to him. Most people prefer to have something a little different. ****ing relax, Mary.