Price Paid:  $580.00 at LBS in Dublin, CA

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere around town...

Bike Setup:
So far...AlphaQ Seat Post, ITM Stem, Deda Bar. Slapping on King Headset, Possibly changing to a 44T, and need a front brake. Any cheapy will do. Unlike most, I hate my chrome parts. I have a 2008 (Blue), and tried offing all the chrome for Black. Im just a picky character...

Summary:
I was comparing several bikes and decided on this because it was in my face and ready to go. Im just a weekend rider, nothing hardcore, ride my Mt. Bike occasionally and just love riding for the exercise and enjoying the moment - not being at work.

Strengths:
Simple, Functional, Light (to me, after riding a mountain bike forever), easily customizable, looks sweet.

Weaknesses:
None yet...other than no brakes. I know its a SS, but still, Im not a trained skidder. I think a front brake will do for now and Ill be a "cool" person later.

Similar Products Used:
None - First Road/Track Bike. Only rode Moutain Bikes before this one.

Price Paid:  $550.00 at Bicycle Stable

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
N. Philly-Manayunk

Bike Setup:
stock chrome Pista frame/forks w/decals stripped
stock stem/Cane Creek headset
stock chrome seat/seatpost
silver Velocity Deep V track wheelset w/ silver Velocity track hubs
Soma chopped bulls (white Fizik tape)
TruAtiv cranks
MKS track pedals with cages/ white Christophe straps
white/black Vredestien Fortezza Tricomp tires
Reload silver top tube pad

Summary:
fair to say that this bike has treated me pretty good! I've had it for about a year now, and loved it from the minute I got it. I had never ridden fixed before, but after trying it out at the shop, it only took a few minutes to get used to it. I had them hook me up with a brake for emergencies, which I ended up taking off after a month or so. it's safe to say that these bikes are very very common, but with a little thought, some money and time, you can really make it your own individual ride. hooked up the way it is now it gets alot of comments, even from the hardcore messenger types. I'm a year in on this bike, and I dont see any reason for me to switch, as I absolutely love it and it's a dream to ride!

Strengths:
inexpensive
solid, comfortable ride
easy to work on
light
very agile and responsive, even at slow speeds
looks sooo nice!
with the chain properly tensioned and oiled, it is an ABSOLUTELY SILENT RIDE. I mean, NO SOUND AT ALL. ninja bike!

Weaknesses:
ok. the bolts that hold the end cap onto the stem, and also the ones which hold the horizontal seat clamp together are made of a REALLY soft metal, and they strip way too easily. also, stock bars suck; I know they are trad 'track' bars, but the are really uncomfortable (another reviewer mentioned the same outward wrist angle problem) and I switched them out. other parts are a bit fragile, such as back hub spacer nuts (probably my fault, overtightened) which cracked after a while. so far, no crankarm/bolt issues. fingers crossed...figured I've had it a year now, and no problems so far...also, I think that Bianchi may have fixed that problem in later models.

Similar Products Used:
this is the first bike I've owned in 20-25 years.

Price Paid:  $550.00 at River City Bicycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
everywhere

Bike Setup:
Brooks Finesse saddle.
Sugino 75 cranks, chainring and BB.
Toshi Double toe straps.
Soma Everwear tires.

Summary:
I bought this bike almost a year ago. I wanted a complete/off the shelf number so I could learn more about bikes and slowly upgrade when needed.....eventually ending up with a completely different bike. I love the dumb thing. I've replaced a bunch of the whack stock parts ( pedals, seat, BB, chainring, crankset....etc)
and just ordered a new wheelset.
I also took off the Decals.

Strengths:
price (good starter bike)

Weaknesses:
seat is harsh (looking and feeling).
The 3/32 chainring is kinda sketchy if you're using a 1/8 chain and riding brakeless.
Cranks.
white bar tape.
The fact every little hipster in the hood has one.

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Glory cycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Bianchi Pista

Bike Setup:
59cm size looks quite big compared to Trek 59 but remember BBracket is high up.
Front brake extra. Clipin peddles fitted

Summary:
Iam now 61 years old and last rode a steel fixed wheel racer when I was 17.
I have 3 race bikes including top of range Giant full carbon T mobile race model used for races.
Recently in the USA I bought a Bianchi Pista track bike. There is nothing quite like it.If Leonardo da Vinchi had made a bike this would be it.It is where man,machine and beauty all merge into one. With Shimono clip ins and good shoes, man and machine become one. No drive train losses with this direct drive.I know some riders not used to fixed take time to learn the difference.
I got it for training and fun and manage longish hills standing and working hard on the 48/16 gearing that would have me in a 39/27 gear on other bikes. Did a 3 hour group ride with the local Florida peloton and gearing a bit low for fast work. Probably 15 on the back better depending on your muscle power.Used to have a 16 and 12 when I was young. Spinning out downhill an experience as you are fixed in.Cadence probably 130+
Great bike for training and flat or rolling rides.Im now riding it in Thailand as it was simple to strip down and pack.Even the chain comes off easily like they used to.Suggest frequent chain cleaning as they are very stressed parts. Fitted a front bike as a must. No hole for a back brake.
Drinks go in back pocket of cycle shirt with decent spanner as wheels are not clamp in but bolt on.
The 48/16 gearing is about right for most occasions.A fixed wheel needs to be on the high side and you get used the out of the saddle work.

Strengths:
Strong,comparatively light, responsive bike. High BBracket with 170 cranks allow cornering. Frame rear drop outs for fixed wheel adjustment of chain tension.

Weaknesses:
Handlebar extension angle severe, Saddle doesn't suit this rider so will swop over some time.

Price Paid:  $569.00 at R&A Cycles, Brooklyn

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Prospect Park, NYC

Bike Setup:
Stock 48x16, except I have added a Shimano front brake, and a new attaching bolt for the left crank after old one fell off during ride. Added toe clips to the pedals, but getting rid of those pedals completely and soon replacing with my clipless system.

Summary:
I wanted a track bike for winter training and to improve my strength and spin. This bike is light, fast on the flats, and very, very comfortable. Last but not last, it is just so pretty. The stock gearing is fairly tough for hills, so you may want to gear down if there are any substantial hills near you. I can't emphasize enough how comfortable and smooth the ride is. I think it may have something to do with the steel frame. I have only ridden aluminum frames before this, but I read in the past that steel frame have more give. I dismissed this as old-school bike snobbery, but now I think I understand. This is my first fixie. It takes a couple of weeks to get used to a fixed gear, but once you do, it's lot more fun because you're more engaged in controlling the bike. Plus, you focus less time staring at the speedometer or fellow cyclists and more on the skill and joy of riding. I had a mechanical issue very early on (see weaknesses) and apparently that has been a common problem with these bikes. Fortunately, an easy fix is just replacing the bolt. Nevertheless, I couldn't give it 5 stars for that reason.

Strengths:
Very, very light. (I feel like I could throw it across the street.) Extremely comfortable and springy on the pavement. Good pedal clearance.

Weaknesses:
-My left crank arm fell off after the first ride (of 10-13 miles). The bike shop explains this model has a problem with the crank's attaching bolt. They put a new bolt in and it has been fine ever since (for about 70 additional miles).
-Stock gearing is a little high. Makes it tougher to accelerate and stop quickly, as well as take on massive hills.
-Stock pedals are very, very cheap - as if Bianchi assumes you'll replace them anyway.

Similar Products Used:
Lemond Reno 2006 road bike (currently owned). Jamis Citizen hybrid bike (owned in the past). Cheap mountain bikes (ridden sporadically).