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Reviews 1 - 5 (9 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
Slodo
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: May 7, 2005
Strengths: The frame is flexible enough to absorb city street potholes yet not weak to cause you to lose power on hard pedaling. Comes from the factory with flip-flop hubs (one freewheels) so if you're not ready to take the fixed-gear plunge right away you can ride with the freewheeler for awhile. Mine also came with Shimano-style cleat pedals. Aesthetically speaking I think the bike is gorgeous- totally vintage track. Also comes with reversable stem. Traction is great over wet pavement.Weaknesses: Like all track bikes, has no provision for water bottle cage or rack mounting braze-ons. Stock saddle is ugly (I put on a Brooks). Mine came with VP clipless pedals that work kind of rough with Shimano cleats.Bottom Line: Brilliant bike. I grew up riding road bikes; this is my first fixed gear and I am hooked for life. After riding aluminum racing bikes the Pista's steel frame feels like I ride with shock absorbers. Great intro to fixed. I've ridden them all- high-end mountain bikes, performance road bikes, cushy comfort bikes- and I was starting to get frustrated with spending more time and money on repairs and adjustments than actually on the machines; this bike takes you back to why you ride in the first place.
Favorite Ride: Chicago streets
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At: On the Route Bicycle
Similar Products Used: Trek 1000 road, Trek 4100 MTB, Trek 8000 MTB.
Bike Setup: Brooks Team Professional in Honey Brown. Shimano Sora front brake (soon will upgrade to Campy).
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Submitted by
Stuart
a Recreational RiderDate Reviewed: November 30, 2003
Strengths: Frame absorbs harsh vibrations from the streets. Wheel bearings are sealed, BB and headset are ultra reliable, even if not the slickest track components. Looks cool.Weaknesses: Finish is weak and susceptible to damage. Stem flexes a lot, causing the finish to come off, leading to rust! Road cranks are very stiff but don't line up well; the drivetrain is thus crooked making the tension of the chain vary when the bike is in motion. Soft track end on the non-drive side of the frame easily bends as the axle nut is tightened. (I installed a BMX dropout spacer to cure this problem)Bottom Line: The Pista's more relaxed heads-up geometry makes it perfect for city streets. Steel tubing is extra soft and absorbs tons of road vibration. Matte black paint and red lettering make the bike pretty tough looking. I've ridden mine thousands of miles in 2 years without any serious parts failures.
Favorite Ride: Streets of Richmond
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At: Rowlett's
Similar Products Used: KHS Flite 100
Bike Setup: Blue Vittoria Rubino tires, drive side chain adjuster, 48-17 drivetrain, pedals with toe clips, blue Bianchi seat, vintage 120mm forged/polished Cinelli stem with 6061 Bianchi drop bars for racing, original welded black Bianchi stem with 1 3/4" rise black S&M BMX bars for riding in traffic. No brakes.
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Submitted by
Athame
a Road Racer
from Burlingame, CADate Reviewed: November 19, 2002
Strengths: The bike tracks quite nicely. It's very stable at high speeds. Currently, I have bullhorns on my bike and it feels great.Weaknesses: as an entry level track bike one could quite possibly assume that it comes with track parts--which isn't the case. It REALLY should come with alluminum track bars. I would recomend a first time buyer who wishes to ride the track to install some track bars (preferably aluminum.) Steel track bars is probably fine but it might put too much stress on the non-track stem.Bottom Line: Two important things to note: (1) set up stock it's a great, inexpensive bike to start out on the velodrome. (2) set up stock it comes with road parts: road bars, stem, cranks, cog, chainring and chain.
Favorite Ride: The Noon Ride
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At: Palo Alto Bicycles
Similar Products Used: I've had two
Bike Setup: Deda murex stem. Bull horns. Dura ace SPD-R. Michellin Axial Pros.
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Submitted by
tronracer
a Commuter
from voorheesDate Reviewed: May 2, 2002
Strengths: It's black. One gear. Flip flop hub. Seat is amazingly comfortable. I put it on my mtb!Weaknesses: headset, stem, tires, seat doesn't match tires don't match the red letteringBottom Line: 531 Frame is just okay. Wheels are cheaper than the promax's. Fork predictably flexy which eats up some road buzz. Overall, you get what you pay for. It's a $550 bike. Very fun. Make sure you lock tight the cog if you're riding w/out brakes.
Favorite Ride: Philly Streets
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At: Bicycle Therapy
Similar Products Used: Vicious Cycles, Trek, Santa Cruz, Derosa, GT.
Bike Setup: Bullhorn handlebars, diacompe front brake, specialized armadillo tires
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Submitted by
colossal
a Commuter
from BostonDate Reviewed: April 24, 2002
Strengths: Light, nimble ride. Great for your cadence and strength. Low maintenance. Components work well together. Sleek matte black paint job.Weaknesses: The stock headset is not the best. I'm guessing it's one of the corners Bianchi cut to keep the price down. I've had problems adjusting mine, and will likely upgrade within the year. Next, I've been told the hubs on the 2001 Pista are the same as the Suzue ProMax's on the 2000 Pista, only painted black. I've also been told they're not. I'm telling you, they're not. I prefer the ProMax's. The black hubs are fine, I'm just picky.Bottom Line: There is nothing on earth like riding a fixed gear, and you can't go wrong with Bianchi's Pista. I ride mine daily through Boston's traffic, then take it for long rides on the weekends, and I've seen dramatic differences in the way I pedal. You will never feel more connected to a bike than when riding a fixed gear. You'll forget about shifting and coasting, and trust me, you'll be happy about it. Very nimble, light, fast, and fun!
Favorite Ride: Boston streets
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At: Harris Cyclery
Similar Products Used: 2000 Bianchi Pista. My fixed gear beater bike.
Bike Setup: Shimano Tiagra front brake. Shimano M515 clipless pedals. Suzue ProMax hubs. Chris King Headset (eve
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