When I first started looking at bikes the Bianchi Pista Via Brera / Condotti came up, I know most of you would say they're sold for the name but are they good bikes? My other main choice was the Mericer, which i know is the favorite around here, but I want I bike that is good for more than just entry level riding. Which is better? Is the Bianchi worth it? I'm only unsure about the Kilo because I want a bike that is going to last a long time, not a back up bike either, I need something with good components.


Sorry if this post drives you insane, I just want to make the right purchase.
Any others suggestions would be nice as well.

Thank you very much!

I meant to add a poll...

But my options are Bianchi Pista Via Brera, Condotti, or the Mercier Kilo TT to be specific.

So you're thinking of racing?

Only you can decide if it's worth it. Can you go try some bikes at a bike shop? Different people like different rides. Going by looks over the net isn't the ideal way to go. IMO I recommend brick&mortars for noobs. The Pista Via Brera looks kinda dope out of the box imo. With a BD bike consider the cost of having a mechanic looking it over (at least tighten the cog/lockring, and a stem/headset adjustment), maybe a wheel truing or 2, and new pedals and maybe saddle. The rest should be fine until it breaks. Both of these bikes are geared a little high so you may want to gear down too with a bigger cog.

mercier.

300 vs 650 (not sure what the new ones cost, but probably around that)

save your money and get better parts

in terms of the frames, both the bianchi and kilo have reynolds 520 tubes. maybe some minor differences in geometry, and that the bianchi has better paint schemes. you'll probably replace all the stock components down the line anyway. you decide whether the pista is worth 2x the kilo.

I know that the Bianchi is pretty expensive, but I don't want to get just a decent bike I want a really great bike. I figured the Bianchi would be better overall.

But if it isn't really anything but the name is there any bike that you guys feel is really worth the money (no more than $800)?

Honestly probably not, most low budget bikes are made in taiwan and are extremely similar to kilo frame and parts wise. Iro bikes and surly steamrollers are a bit ahead of this curve, you might wanna consider those.

But if i were you Id buy a kilo frame, omnium cranks, sweet wheels (or these for super low $$$), invest in some decent components, and id have a pretty great ride in the $800 dollar range.

I second the statement made above.

or get the motobecane track team at bikes direct. It has a great crankset, great frame and great parts.

The wheels are probably the weakest link, but as you aren't track racing/maybe starting track racing they are more than adequate.

falls into your below 800 awesome deal criteria just nicely

There was a dude 'round here, that got a good deal on a new Masi Speciale Commuter. One of the best frames for the money, and decent components.

I still dont understand why that frame needs horizontal dropouts, if i went out to buy a fixed gear my minimum expectation would be that it has track ends. To me it seems like buying a new conversion.

Yeah i was gonna recommended that too but i havent heard a crazy amount about the quality of the frame yet, so im holding off until I do. And did the OP want to keep it steel? The components on the motobecane are pretty bomb though, especially that sexy crank.

You "still" don't understand? The word "still" suggests that you have invested a bit of time to research the issue. However, since the Masi Speciale Commuter isn't a fixed gear bike (more appropriately called "fixie") but a singlespeed, I'd rather think you have no clue about the bike in question.

same reason why it has a derailleur hanger and braze ons...so you can put gears on it if you want. I think it's a great idea.

No need to become all prissy because I disagree with you. Im just saying that if I buy a bike that is meant to handle a TRACK wheelset with a TRACK flip flop hub, why not just make TRACK ends? Seems logical to me, no matter if its a singlespeed or fixed gear. And of course I understand it might appeal to the tiny crowd who later might want to convert it to a roadie, but from an OP considering a kilo or a pista, I dont think thats the case.

Do you perceive some huge disadvantage to horizonantal dropouts? The bike is called Commuter, not Track, and in addition to being a convertable bike (see also Surly Cross Check), those dropouts can make it easier to mount a fender tight and still easily change flats. it's not really about agreeing/disagreeing, it's just a niche.

This (even if we are way off-topic by this point).

Thanks guys! I think I'm going to get a Mercier Kilo frame off of bikeisland since the components are gonna fall apart on me sooner or later. Anybody else second the Masi?

Have you priced that? Builds can get kinda expensive. Have you not seen any nice completes in your area?

BTW Masi Commuter is a completely different bike than the ones you've posted. Look at any of their Speciale's with Fixed in the title. The reason I recommend a complete is they're usually a far better bang for the buck, and do you have all the tools/knowhow to put a bike together from scratch? I vote riding and looking at as many bikes as you can. It really beats internet shopping because every bike rides different, you can get a much better gauge of quality in person, and the color may look slightly different than online, etc. I like my Creamroller, but it wasn't until I saw it and rode it that I knew I wanted it.

yeah i i really don't know how to build a bike. I was going to get the Bianchi from this one bike shop, when I mentioned the Mercier they said it was an okay bike. Another shop said it was a pretty decent bike. The first dealer had Bianchi and Masi so I was going to get it from there.
I really didn't want to get the Mercier because I already spent so much time saving and from what I know it's only good for a little while. I don't plan on having more than one bike and I plan to ride it as long as possible.