Ready to buy a bike
 

I've been looking around this place for a while, but I haven't really seen much about Bianchi bikes, yes I even searched. I don't know much about bikes so it would be nice to help this fellow newb. I was looking into buying this bike
http://www.bianchiusa.com/09-bicycle...-flat-bar.html
I'm looking for something around that price, single speed, and to commute as well.thanks again :)

ride it, like it, buy it. failing that just get a republic bike.

Nice motto! I'm going to go check it out this weekend lets see how much I like it to get into further debt.

Do a forum search for Pista and you'll get a month's worth of reading. A San Jose would probably be more utilitarian than the Pista though. Props for trying before you buy.

The San Jose is a great bike, but I'd rather have the version with dropbars/hoods. If you honestly want solid advice, you need to give more information. How far and who often to you plan on riding? What to you expect to be carrying with you?

I have a Pista '08 and it has worked well for me as a commuter and all around fun bike. I'm at 4300 miles and the only thing I've had to replace were tires.

Oh sorry about that, not really good at providing information. If the dropbars are the bars that roll down and curve, I really don't like them. I prefer straight bars. I'll be using it to go to work which is about 6 miles from and to. I'll be riding probably 3-5 days a week. I know you can customize it as well. I want a cushion seat so my buttox doesn't get sore either. I willl also be usuing it go around the city, maybe with some people from here as well.

Track dropouts and fenders don't work
 

Rear facing track dropouts and fenders don't work. You can't remove the rear wheel without removing the fender first.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/?3446&bike...se_flat_re_img

The only sensible way to use a rear fender with a single speed is to have forward facing rear horizontal or semi-horizontal dropouts and a gap between the forward section of the tire and fender.

Um....no.

Did you look at the image in the link?

I was actually thinking of removing the fenders. This may sound but it would work properly without them correct, because the the more expensive doesn't have the fenders. But I don't have the extra 300 for that one :/

I say cop a pista. I have an 08 and it rides pretty nice.

if you plan on riding in the rain ever, fenders are great. so if you're planning on all weather commuting, fenders are essential, but if you're only riding when its nice, you won't miss them.

Well, sure, you can remove the fenders and it won't affect the functionality of the bike. I think $850 is a lot to spend for plain steel SS, but the Bianchi is a good bike and if you really like it then get it. I happen to like fenders on my commuter bikes, but my SS is an ancient Mercier road bike with forward facing dropouts and a large gap between the front of the rear fender and rear tire to allow easy removal.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=128269

Thanks guys, I've actually been looking on craigslist for either a pista or 05' san jose, and some guy is actually selling and 05 san jose with slight modifications, cane creeks brakes, sigino rd cranks w/ 42 chainring, and single speed alex rims w terrainasaurus tires? Jump on it?

If the tire is flat you'll be able to get it out.

I disagree. The tire will not compress enough to clear the fender IMO. Besides, you should not need to deflate a tire to remove or install a wheel. If you get a flat out on the road, it's a lot easier to inflate the tire after repair with the wheel off the bike before re-installation. You could of course move the fender way out at the rear to provide sufficient clearance, but it will at best look real goofy.

Normally, the only reason to remove the wheel is if the tire is flat. Its really not that big of a deal. I have had several bikes with fenders and horizontal dropouts. I have always been able to remove/install the wheel without loosening or removing the fender. Its not that difficult to inflate the tire with the wheel on the bike. You don't remove your wheels to top off your tires do you? You seem to be making a mountain out of a molehill.

So thanks to you guys I looked around and found the Bianchi San Jose '05, even though oyu guys recommended on the pista (sorry) It was a good deal, since some pista frames were going well over 400, unless I wasn't looking properly. I bought this for 300. Curious, what would I do if I wanted to get it painted?
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=128307

i have an 09 pista; i'm loving it so far.

I have a 08 Pista had a 06 Castro Valley (the same as the San Jose) both are great bikes. You shouldn't be disappointed but if by some weird chance you are Bianchi's have a great resale value
FACT

Looks like you got a great deal. Why do you want to re-paint it?

Yeah I'm really excited about it. :D I want to change the bars to a straight bar, since the down bar seems like a stretch for me. I wanted to paint it darkish yellow (aeroyellow) since I really like that color. I might be just too excited as well :/