quattro7703

Buy a Pista if that what your into. If you want to make it "your own", re-wrap the bars and maybe put some nice tires on it. You don't really need any special tools to do that type of work and will provide a little expierence under your belt If you avoid getting a Bianchi based on what a bunch of bike clowns think, then your just as bad as them and don't deserve to own a nice bike like that.

SingleSpeeDemon

OK...maybe I'm an idiot, but what's so bad about the decals on bikes? I hardly see a Bowery or Pista that hasn't been stripped of it's identifying marks. Is there some stigma behind riding a branded bicycle or just certain brands?

kalani79

So I went to an LBS around here and looked at the Pista. They only had it in the Gang Green color and it just wasn't doing it for me. Turns out thebikebiz dropped the price on Fuji Tracks to 349.95. They only had three, a 52, 54, and 56, so I went ahead and ordered the 56. There was not tax so it came out to just under 400 shipped all the way from Sacramento to DC.

I'm fairly certain that if I don't like it I could sell it for what I paid on craigslist, so I went for it.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

If anybody wants a 52 or 54, I suggest ordering right away. Seems like a sweet deal.

Retem

bike biz is my lbs they are the only shop in sactown that knows anything bout track

Mr.Joey

Of all the bikes you mentioned, the fuji unfortunately has the lowest quality components. The 1/8" DT is kinda nice though. Im not sure what year you went with as many lbs's are blowin fuji's out like whoa (just got a new track PRO frameset for $300). My point is the 06 had a rear wheel recall. My boy destroyed his hub in about 2 weeks. Hes rides hard. The bs that sold the bike compensated him with a deep v/surly for 50$ + his blown rear wheel.I have a few other friends in town with 06's, and theyve had no problems with the rear wheel; but theyre ummmmmmmm, fashionistas who cant ride to save their lives.

kalani79

Thanks for the heads up. It's my first fixed gear so we'll see how hard I can ride it. It was just a good deal and chances are I'll want to be upgrading anyways.

ryand

post recall fuji's from 06 seem to do well. babychris rides hard as **** and he hasnt had any problems yet. but when it came to the shop that ordered it for him, it came in two packages, one sans-rear wheel, the second (which came a day or two later) with the rear wheel. quite possible because of the recall. its a good first bike, plus at $350, its a deal. i still would have suggested waiting and taking some test rides on wednesday, but to each his own.

kalani79

Yeah I would have preferred to but there was only one bike at this price in my size so I went for it. The way things go on craigslist in DC I bet I could get what I paid for it.

gregtheripper

you won't be dissapointed with your purchase. i feel like all the around 500 offerings for complete fixed gears are pretty much the same, and give you a good starting point. once you beat the **** out of it you can make it nicer.

Serendipper 

*wraps black electric tape around beer gut. sticks campy v-brakes in ridiculously oversized earlobes*

ryand

OMG OMG OMG ROOFLEZ


PS- you missed your shift key you sick jerk.

Ken Cox

I bought a Pista because I could get one in a timely manner.
I put a front brake on it.

Now that I've ridden it for two years, I applaud Bianchi for its choice of components, the geometry, and the low cost.

I found that the headset wouldn't hold up to my weight, and lighter riders don't seem to have any problems with the headset.
I have also found that I prefer the quick handling of a track-type bike to that of the typical road bike, and no factory-assembled bike handles as quickly as a Pista.
Just look at the numbers.
Personal preference, but I think it and the bike does it, and I like it that way.

I have since replaced everything except the frame and fork because I had the money to do so, and I wanted a lighter and more reliable bike, and a perfect fit.
Light, strong and perfect costs money.
I see no way to improve upon the frame and fork.
If I had Mercian make a frameset for me, I would ask them to make it handle like my Pista.

I love my Pista.
I ride 15-30 miles per day, every day, all seasons and weather.
My bike flies like an F-16 fighter, but it did that right out of the box.
The Chick did a good job.

theHappyA$$hole

The Pista is so d*mn heavy, it is embarrassing. I have an older steel road bike that weighs less than a Pista.
Check out the Jamis sputnik. Light and more responsive. Way better built.

hyperRevue

More responsive how?

theHappyA$$hole

It leans into and out of turns more easily. Quicker acceleration...since it is a solid 2-3 lbs lighter. I've ridden both..the Jamis is $200 some dollars more then the Pista but well worth it. Nice drop outs...with built in chain tensioners.