Pista vs Capo
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 1
From: Kitchener, ON
Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU
Pista vs Capo
Why: commute & lack of maintenance
Where: Toronto
Stored: My bedroom or the bike locker
Which one is the better SS/FG bike?
Where: Toronto
Stored: My bedroom or the bike locker
Which one is the better SS/FG bike?
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Bikes: BMC SR02, 07 Cannondale Capo
capo > pista. but if its a commuter the 925 is a great deal and pretty comfortable on the road. i love my capo, but its also around 250$ more (MSRP) than the pista. the redline can be found cheaper than both. theres also the mercier kilo TT and Windsor Hour from bikesdirect that are in the 350 range.
#4
extra bitter

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 7
Bikes: Miyata 210, Fuji Royale II, Bridgestone Kabuki, Miyata Ninety
+1 (again) on the 925. That's a pretty good package for the price, and it's really set up far better for commuting than the other options. Of the other bikes mentioned, I believe only the kilo tt even has fender eyelets. But even there, it seems worth upgrading to the 925 for the better components and commuting perks (fenders, moustache bars, and brakes).
#5
I use my capo as a commuter. It is a solid bike and it's so light that carrying it up to my 3rd floor apartment is a breeze. That being said, I think the Redline 925 would be a better commuter if you never intend on track use/performance isn't too much of an issue.
#11
Cement sea swashbuckler
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: BURLINGTON VT
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Super Record conversion SS, 2003 Bianchi Pista Street, 2007 Mercier Kilo TT complete custom fab. to smoke your beech*****
#12
I just sold a Cannondale CAAD8 road bike (an evolution of the CAAD5 frameset which is what the Capo uses) and the aluminum tubes are super thin and would not do well locked up. It's a helluva lot stiffer torsionally than the Pista however, which I also own.
#13
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 1
From: Kitchener, ON
Bikes: 1994 Proctor Townsend Reynolds 753, TT S3 True North, Kona Major Jake, Kona Honky Tonk, Marinoni Puima, Cannondale BBU
I have a CAAD9 right now, so I know what you mean; OTOH, Cannondale's frames are the ****.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: Redline Conquest; Salsa Las Cruces; Cannondale Track; Bianchi San Jose
I have not a single complaint about the bike, but then again, I have not a single stock part left on the bike. The frame stood up to the forces of a Toyota Camry...the fork, well, not so much:


Reborn:

JAH
#15
here is a shot of my Capo just for fun:

Anyways, what's the story with the Camry?
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Bikes: BMC SR02, 07 Cannondale Capo

here's my capo since everyone else is posting pix. no dents so far. the only complaint is the headset is a little squeeky so imma swap it out for a campy record IS or a FSA orbit carbon..
oh and i have champ grips on the deda bar and a ttpad coming soon. tape is a little tacky but it does the job. and the straps are temporary till the toshis come
edit: just noticed from the pix thread. my seat is low, its been adjusted already so yeah lol
Last edited by rokphotography; 09-11-07 at 10:47 AM.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: Kitchener, Ontario, CANADA.
Bikes: Jamis Sputnik, Custom Cannondale CAAD8 road, 1994 Rocky Mountain Metro
As of a couple of weeks ago Dukes on Queen had a 56cm Capo in black for a grand and Sporting Life Bikes had a silver 54cm Capo in silver for nine hundred bucks (if waiting times are an issue for you)...
The only store I know in Toronto that sells Pistas is Urbane and, based on the setups on the bikes I test rode there, I don't think they have the best mechanics in the world (undertensioned wheels, loose bb, horribly set up brakes)...In addition, the sales staff didn't seem to really know how to fit me properly to a road bike...
Bikes on Wheels has IROs in stock but, if you want the best setup possible, I'd stick with Dukes or Sporting Life since BoW has a sketchy rep at best for their mechanical work...
I've bought new bikes from both Dukes and Sporting Life over the years and both shops did a great job setting them up for me...
Cycle Therapy might be able to hook you up with something too (either a Lemond or a Jamis most likely)...I bought a Jamis Sputnik off of them for nine hundred with brakes and a freewheel installed and they did a fantastic job building it up for me...You could buy a Sputnik off of BoW for a bit cheaper but it won't have nearly as meticulous a setup (which is worth the extra cash in the long run)
The only store I know in Toronto that sells Pistas is Urbane and, based on the setups on the bikes I test rode there, I don't think they have the best mechanics in the world (undertensioned wheels, loose bb, horribly set up brakes)...In addition, the sales staff didn't seem to really know how to fit me properly to a road bike...
Bikes on Wheels has IROs in stock but, if you want the best setup possible, I'd stick with Dukes or Sporting Life since BoW has a sketchy rep at best for their mechanical work...
I've bought new bikes from both Dukes and Sporting Life over the years and both shops did a great job setting them up for me...
Cycle Therapy might be able to hook you up with something too (either a Lemond or a Jamis most likely)...I bought a Jamis Sputnik off of them for nine hundred with brakes and a freewheel installed and they did a fantastic job building it up for me...You could buy a Sputnik off of BoW for a bit cheaper but it won't have nearly as meticulous a setup (which is worth the extra cash in the long run)
#19
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
Bikes: BMC SR02, 07 Cannondale Capo
#21
It's an old photo
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Entropia
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
Warning: I am such a Cannondale shill.
The Capo is an amazing frameset and fork bolted to completely uninspiring parts. I think that some of the parts on the Pista are better. So if you were to get a Capo frameset and build up all the parts yourself, you'd probably end up around $1000 for an excellent bike. Now, because the frame is lightweight and the fork is carbon, it's not the best choice for commuting. I commute on mine, but I'm gentle and I weigh 125lbs. On bad days, though I ride my steel conversion. So if you want a sweet bike you can commute on occasionally and use for recreational rides on the road or track, get the Capo frameset and build it up.
If you want a bike to commute on every day, as everyone has said, get a Redline 925: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/redline-925.html
About $300 cheaper than a complete Capo and it has slightly better parts, includes fenders, has a frame more suited for commuting, and comes with moustache bars (which may or may not be your thing.. though they are very comfortable).
Oh, and Rokphotography: The previous owner of my Capo had switched out the headset for an FSA Carbon (Orbit, I guess.. It doesn't say), and I had some squeaking issues with it. Nothing a little grease on the rubber bit on the bottom of the dust guard (right below your spacers, turns with the bars) couldn't solve.
The Capo is an amazing frameset and fork bolted to completely uninspiring parts. I think that some of the parts on the Pista are better. So if you were to get a Capo frameset and build up all the parts yourself, you'd probably end up around $1000 for an excellent bike. Now, because the frame is lightweight and the fork is carbon, it's not the best choice for commuting. I commute on mine, but I'm gentle and I weigh 125lbs. On bad days, though I ride my steel conversion. So if you want a sweet bike you can commute on occasionally and use for recreational rides on the road or track, get the Capo frameset and build it up.
If you want a bike to commute on every day, as everyone has said, get a Redline 925: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/redline-925.html
About $300 cheaper than a complete Capo and it has slightly better parts, includes fenders, has a frame more suited for commuting, and comes with moustache bars (which may or may not be your thing.. though they are very comfortable).
Oh, and Rokphotography: The previous owner of my Capo had switched out the headset for an FSA Carbon (Orbit, I guess.. It doesn't say), and I had some squeaking issues with it. Nothing a little grease on the rubber bit on the bottom of the dust guard (right below your spacers, turns with the bars) couldn't solve.






