If you've spent 25 years riding road bikes, I'll make some analogies. You know more about the game that most around here whether you know it or not.

- $2,500 will get you A LOT in terms of a Track/Fixed Gear bike. This is probably the equivalent of having a $3,500-4,000 road bike budget. You are getting into the Custom or Race Spec bike range. $2,500 will get you any off the shelf street/commuter fixed gear available.

- Don't mistake Track Racing equipment for Fixed Gear equipment, just like you wouldn't mistake road Time Trial race equipment for Commuter equipment. Many on this scene do this A LOT. I.e, "I've got a 'track' bike so I need the best 'track' bars." and buy some Nitto B123s which are great for track racing...but suck balls for commuting. On several occasions I've seen the $3,500 Mavic IO used on a street "fixie" for daily use. This is a wheel that hardcore racers only pull out a hand full of times a year.

- The Campy Pista wheels are quality track training or weekly racing wheels. Not good for street use. Sort of along the lines of Mavic Kysrium ES. Great for weekly racing, but for a big race like States, Regionals, or Nationals, you bust out the 404s or 808s.

- Buy the best bike for the job...which means you have to decide what that job is. If you are racing, $2,500 will get you a heluva track racing rig. If you are commuting, you can get a heluva commuter. But, it would suck for you to buy one and use it for the other. And there doesn't exist a bike that is good at both.


So, for the best recommendation, maybe give us some guidance by answering a few questions:
- How do you plan to use the bike? (short rides, long rides, commuting, coffee shop rides, racing, Sunday bike)
- Do you want custom?

This.

Carleton - Thanks for your comments. I do feel like single speed has reinvented my feelings and excitement about cycling. Hence, my perceived notion of being a neophyte.

I have three kids and over the last 10 years my time in the saddle has drastically decreased and then I purchased that cinelli....... Now I find myself riding it at least 4 times a week for fun, exercise, in group rides with roadies and as a alternative to my car. It's just awesome, I feel like a kid when I get on it. That being said, it has quickly taken over my road bike and I am truly dedicated to this new style of riding(for me). So I want a kick-ass bike. One that I will love to ride and look at. I agree about the Pista whelset, they would not be a practical option. I was just curious if people had used them as daily wheels. I tried fixed gear on my Cinelli and quickly realized that single speed is what I like....brakes are good.
I have considered going custom, however, I am not sure I have the patience to wait 3-6 months to get my bike. The NAHBS is in Austin, Feb 25-27 and I thought about checking it out. It would be pretty cool to have a frame built, but it may be more time consuming and involved than I need to be. I am just confused.

You know, you can ride brakes with fixed gears, a lot of us do...

I don't know why any of us try to answer questions when we should just be waiting for carleton's response.

I think this is pretty cool for commuting... it's a Sizemore.

http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2010/...emore-PINP.jpg

Sigged :)

If I had $2,500 to spend, I'd buy two.

One fancy bike.

And one beater.

Are the Colnago Super and Sprint frames made in Taiwan? It would make sense at the prices they offer those bikes. What about the Colnago Master Pista?

done wrong.

What's wrong with Made in Taiwan? It's the new Made in Japan.