Should I get a Pista or a Steamroller? Opinions/thoughts/etc welcome.

Free beers are also welcome.

everyone and their mom has a pista. i mean, surly's aren't uncommon, but i just don't see as many. i'm getting pretty sick of seeing pistas, to be honest.

Also, both are kinda heavy.

steamrollers have sweet clearance for fenders and bigger tires and ****

Aren't pista's around 18 pounds stock?

I would go for the Surly because it's a bit more practical for street riding with the tire and fender clearance. But this is a boring old mans reason.

Edit: does anyone know of any other practical, high-tire-clearance fixed frames, besides an old path racer or something like that?

I like the steamroller. It seems more rugged. Plus, I'm not interested in seeing another pista on the road. Those things have become standard issue.

Pistas are classic. I would get it over the surly, but realistically, just got a cheaper, better bike.

pista? classic?

steamroller? hip?

i think you're confused.

I was assuming since Bianchi is something like 180 years old they might be seen as classic, but being new to the whole singlespeed thing you are absolutely right. I know doodley squat.

A stock Pista is definitely not heavy. If we are talking a full carbon road bike, maybe, but as for steel framed bicycles, it most certainly is not.

Pistas were already standard issue in some major American cities a few years ago. But, most of those "riders" have already put them up on craigslist since the fun factor has worn off for them. Ain't nothin' like getting the gear to get into something first and once trying it realizing it is harder or more work than one is ready to put forth.

And while were on the topic, since I feel a "I hate Pistas and anyone who rides one" post coming, I don't think there is much a difference between someone who runs out and buys a Pista and someone who spends a few more weeks looking around and sourcing parts and has a shop build them a full NJS track bike. I think a line in the sand needs to be drawn.

Pista riders getting bashed left and right, and some deservedly so, for jumping in so fast. But what about the people who either have more money or drop more money for some high-end bike but can't point at their bottom bracket if you asked them to?

I think the person who spends $2000 on a track bike but doesn't ride more than a few miles a week and can't even replace their tubes is a much bigger ****** than someone who throws down $500 on a Pista. The person with the more expensive bike is really just working harder and that much more concerned with street cred and appearances than the Pista owner.

I'd like the pictures thread to have the requirement of posting what you did to the bike yourself. Posting a stock Pista picture isn't exciting, but I don't think posting a Nagasawa with a tri-spoke and all that jazz is that exciting if the owner is just some d-bag with a Chrome bag, rolled up $200 denim, some slip-on Vans and the comb over I-listen-to-the-Shins haircut.

And as for this poll: I think both frames/bicycles have lots of potential.

I'm rebuilding my steamroller right now. Pics soon

I ride a Kilo TT and love it but I wish I had a steamroller for the above reason.

I personally cant voice an opinion, I think both are great frames, and both have different strengths and weaknesses. As far as picking one, I think you would be happy with either, so I wouldnt stress it too much.

The problem with this is that you are countering stereotypes with stereotypes. I don't think it matters who rides what bike, just that they enjoy riding. If you have the money to ride a $2000 bomber pro, you ride it 5 miles a week and love those 5 miles, then awesome, I'm happy for you. If you ride a $10 dumpstered conversion 40 miles a day and love every minute, that is just as cool.

As to the original question, I think it is really a question of use. I see the surly as more of a commuter-oriented frame (fender room, more tire clearance- maybe even just the name makes it sound more strong), and the Pista as more of a fun/fast frame. That isn't saying they can only be used for those things, but that is my impression of them. I suppose the easiest way for you to decide is to go to you LBS and try them out; every bike will ride and feel different for every person.

you get an instant +1 street cred with cyclists when you get a steamroller.

you get an instant +1 street cred with hipsters when you get a steamroller.

pista is probably 'cooler' but from a more utilitarian perspective, the steamroller will give you much more bang for your buck and as far as i'm concerned, is a better bike.

The one that feels best when you test ride them.

[QUOTE=felldownthewell;6140192]The problem with this is that you are countering stereotypes with stereotypes. I don't think it matters who rides what bike, just that they enjoy riding. If you have the money to ride a $2000 bomber pro, you ride it 5 miles a week and love those 5 miles, then awesome, I'm happy for you. If you ride a $10 dumpstered conversion 40 miles a day and love every minute, that is just as cool.

Fell,

I completely agree and that was something left out of the post...whether your ride a Pista, Steamroller, or Samson, I'm still pretty happy that you're another person out there riding and not in a car. Most post was mainly a commentary on the forum members who will kick the hell out of some new member who is asking questions about a Pista but someone else throws up a really nice high-end bike and is given a pass, though they might be as new to fixed gear bicycles as the Pista owner.

I should have countered my commentary with some positives. Thanks for doing that! Sundays are too nice of a day for negativity, but it does bother me how certain bikes/frames get piled on in the forum while just because you have access to some money you are suddenly an god.

A nice bike is a nice bike and any rider is still someone I have something in common with

That said, it looks like I'll be riding my rollers today, as there are serious winds and low temperatures outside.

I love my pista but I've upgraded it a lot. Personally I'd get a kilo if I was doing it again.

Hey Oleanshoebox. I just put a Surly ring on the bike you sold me that I converted (got the ring from your employer as well). Judging from how much respect I have for that one component, go Surly. But what the he77 do I know?

I've been riding the fixie along the SART all weekend -- you're going to love it.

pistas have good geo

Yeah I would say it's more of a geometry question. The Pista has a steeper head-tube than the Steamroller and that effects the handling. Some will like it and some won't. That being said I have a Steamroller and you would be hard pressed getting it away from me.

i would absolutely ride a fixed steamroller with fenders and 35s before ever touching a pista

Don't buy a steamroller except as a frameset (which is overpriced anyway), for the completes Surly uses the Sugino RD crank with bad chainline and by their own admission don't give a **** that it's messed up:

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=338855

Pistas may be cliched, but the geometry is really nice for a trackish road fixed gear. Steamroller isn't really worth it unless you absolutely must have big tires and fenders and you can't live with a road conversion that would have the same geometry, cost less, weigh less, possibly be made from better materials, and would involve reducing and reusing rather than buying, buying, buying.

Ill trade my gently used steamroller frameset for a gently used Chrome pista frameset. 57 c-c seat tube.