Tommaso Augusta

Price Paid:  $400.00 at rscycle.com

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
los gatos creek trail

Bike Setup:
I have taken out a spacer and flipped the stem over to give the bars a lower position. The gearing has been changed to 46/17 (71 gear inches). The pedals were switched out for standard track pedals with toe clips. Old shimano 105 front brake with inline lever. Flop and chop bars. I have never used the freewheel side of the hub but just from looking it is clear that you would have to respace the axle and dish the wheel to maintain a straight chain line.

Summary:
My bike is actually an 08 model year but they haven't added 08 as an option yet.

This bike is really nice for an entry level fixed gear. The geometry is similar to the pista. It is like a track bike in the sense that it has a short top tube, semi aggressive angles, and a high bottom bracket but I wouldn't consider it a true track bike. Its more like an aggressive street bike. Its responsive and fun to ride.

Strengths:
- cheap
- comes in all black including the components
- components are a little better than you might expect for the price
- more aggressive than a conversion bike
- quiet

Weaknesses:
- the seat is not great for longer rides
- the logos are painted on so you do not have the option of going with a blank frame
- the stock drop bars are ugly, they are comfortable though
- the stock pedals are strange
- stock gearing is up around 78 inches which is too much for most people/conditions
- the riser head set seems to tall

Similar Products Used:
I have ridden a couple conversion bikes and I prefer the augusta. I have ridden a pista and there was no noticeable difference other than a lower headset, resin pedals and more comfortable seat.