Pista Questions
 

For all who ride a Pista off-track:

Did you change the gear ratio in order to climb hills. if so to what config.

Did you add a brake?

Is 61cm big enough for a rider over 6'

If you made/ want to make any changes to the bike other than what I listed what are they.

I suck at punctuation?

Is that a question!


I test road the pista a few years ago, great bike. I personaly would have to change the gearing for my daily rides. IMHO, It is down right stupid to ride fixed on the road without a brake.

Realy hard to say if 61cm is right size, there is a fitting guide at wrenchscience you can check out. This is not the end all be all of getting right size bike but will give you a starting point.

Yes I added a brake but alot do not, I suggest one even if you don't use it. Gearing really depends on you're fitness etc.. and the terrain you will be riding.
I have 49x17 on one and 48x19,17 (flip flop hub)on another.

Kev.

An area with flat stretches and hills.(Now-Maui, Future-SW Colorado)

Why change the cog and not the chainring?

I was thinking a maybe a 42.

BTW Do you use the stock handle bars?

They seem like they whould be akward.

I have one track with bullhorns and one with standard drops both have their advantages and disadvantages try it out see what you think.

Reason for changing rear cog, is you get a bigger change in gearing that way. Like I said though gearing is different for every person.

As for me, I find pushing 72 inches to be a good compromise for riding in rolling terrain.

George

Seems to me like if you're not used to FG you add at least a front brake, but being a singlespeeder I could be wrong. Dirty Tiger, if you're 6ft 4ins like you say in your other post, then a 61 may be okay depending on the top tube length, angles etc. As I've mentioned, I'm also 6ft 4ins - my road bike is a 62 theoretical centre to top ( It has a sloping top tube ) and the top tube is 605mm long. Most tall guys seem to have longer legs and shorter torsos than they're shorter counterparts, but personally I wouldn't even look at a bike that didnt have a 72 degree seat angle or less or a top tube shorter than say 595.

Hope this helps. If you'd like to chat more about 'big guy fit', feel free to email me ( info@thylacinecycles.com ). It's a lifestyle, what can I say? :)

Not, sure of: the question"

I stuck with the 48x16 that came on the bike. Haven't really thought much about changing - maybe I'm just complacent. Atlanta is no Pittsburgh or San Fran, but it sure ain't flat either.

As far as the long debated break/no break - I have a front break, but I only use it when I'm being lazy. It's nice to know it's there, but really I think I ride faster than I should in certain situations and I take more risk knowing it's there - such as approaching intersections, going down hills, etc. I think you could make the argument that no brake is actually safer. Well, if you're going to ride the same with or without I would go ahead and say there will be once every 3 months or so that you'll be saying "that brake was a good idea." It sort of seems like there is a macho attitude associated with not having a brake. If that’s important to you, well that’s another topic. It’s not that a brake adds much weight, and one brake does not cause that big a maintenance issue. Some people say that it looks better without a brake. I feel like you’re then entering a realm where your bike becomes less than a means of transportation and more a fashion accessory.

Despite the potential argument that no brake is safer, I sort of feel that it ain’t going to hurt and if anything it will most likely help. I think the no brake safer debate would end in a draw anyway. This could just go on and on and back and forth. Oh well.

i have the 2003 pista.

i kept the gearing. i ride in nyc, not many hills.

no brake.

i changed the tires to specialized armadillos, changed the handlebars to bullhorns (although i miss my drops, i will switch back soon for a change of pace), put on TIME Impact-S pedals, and added a brooks saddle, and wrapped the sh*t out of the frame with electrical tape...

there's more to it than that--without a break, you rely on your chain to stop your FG. if you've ever jumped your chain(i have), you're looking at no stopping power beyond throwing down your feet as 'landing gear'. i run a brake, and i think it's pimp to do so.

-rob

Very good point

hey, i'm all for safety.. but saying it's "pimp" is pushing it. it's regulation, par for the course. riding brakeless is pimp.

mc

Drive guys has the 160 Gig for $111 plus $8.99 s/h I believe it is, or 120 gig for $78.
http://www.driveguys.com/Modern/item...c=6Y160L0&tpc=

huh? my bike has 0 GB's...

mc

To an extent, everyone picks with looks in mind.

If I painted Nazi slogans on your bike, would you care? Of course you would, it's not a representation of you. Brakeless maybe a represenation of how some people feel things should be.

Of course, some people take it to far, and some people don't know who they are.

Oops you ever read two forums at same time and got mixed up.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

EXCELLENT, kev.

:)

Kev, that was awesome.

On the original topic... there is some consensus that the magic gearing is 69". I agree with this. 46 or 47 x 18 have been my favorites. I just picked up a better wheel (suzue promax, had been using a suzue basic) and it came with a 17 t. I feel like I'm mashing now, compared to the 18 t.

YMMV!

Of course I would care if someone painted Nazi slogans on my bike. My political ideology is extremely and viciously anti-Nazi. However, I don't really see how a political ideology or any ideology would have a tenet regarding brakes on bikes. Physics is Physics no matter who you are or what you believe - gravity, friction, velocity, impact, etc. does not discriminate. I think I'll sit out the march for brakeless bikes.

-P.S.
Kev, I'm glad I read on, I about reported you as posting SPAM. Glad I didn't. Good deals though.

Brakes are nearly as much an ideology issue. And thier appearance can be the antithesis of what people want thier bike to be.

Brakeless is as much ideological in many respect to a lot of political views.

You ride how you prefer, it's a matter of point of view.

i don't run brakes. i used to, then i changed my riding style. i dont go nearly as fast as people with brakes, but i'm a hell of a lot more careful.

i thought about putting them back on, but i like the way my bikes look without them...plus i hate adjusting them. and i like being in total control. yeah, if my chain breaks, i'm screwed, but i know how to stop without brakes should that ever happen.

i'm pretty sure though, that if i was leg-locking, or hammering up a hill and my chain snapped i'd be going down regardless.

Better to have a brake and not use it than not have it and want it. I got a functional brake and lever for $30 new.

I'm brakeless now. I ride more carefully and holler at people more... The bike is not built for stopping and starting, it wants to keep going. So I ride it that way.