Bianchi Pista Sei Giorni?
pda
Posts: 12
Hi all,
I've been away from cycling for a few years now, and seeing as I finally have some cash in the bank it seems like a good time to invest in my first road bike. As I like the simplicity of a single speed and the lack of being able to slack off with a fixie (getting in better shape is a large part of what this is about) I've been looking at Bianchi Pistas and I think I may have tracked down a 2012 Pista Sei Giorni in red and in my size within my budget (i.e., not the ~£800 price tag online). Specs here: http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/fixed-g ... ei-giorni/
Does anyone have experience with this bike? or have any experience of Pistas, or of Bianchis more generally?
I've been away from cycling for a few years now, and seeing as I finally have some cash in the bank it seems like a good time to invest in my first road bike. As I like the simplicity of a single speed and the lack of being able to slack off with a fixie (getting in better shape is a large part of what this is about) I've been looking at Bianchi Pistas and I think I may have tracked down a 2012 Pista Sei Giorni in red and in my size within my budget (i.e., not the ~£800 price tag online). Specs here: http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/fixed-g ... ei-giorni/
Does anyone have experience with this bike? or have any experience of Pistas, or of Bianchis more generally?
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You can slack off on one just as easily as on a traditional freehubbed bike - you just go slower/slacken off the effort pushing the pedals. You also aren't gaining great amounts in "lack of having to fettle"......but you're losing a huge amount in versatility (i.e. taking it further afield/doing some serious hills) and choice of bikes.
Sorry, I know it's straying from your actual questions!
I had considered something like the Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (yes I have a Bianchi hard-on) if I could find one in my size and in my budget (~£700) but frankly, the Pista that I've come across is around £200 under that and I feel like it meets all my requirements for now. In the long run I'm definitely looking at getting a proper road bike though.
I love the Bianchis too.
We are Gods chosen ones.
I got a Via Nirone as a winter bike, was my first proper road bike when I got into it. Then I got a Sempre and I love it more than the wife!! They are beautiful bikes to ride and to look at. Thats why I stuck with them.
I think the Pistas are also a good bike if thats what you are after. I try not to recommend bikes, I'm sure you know in your own mind what you like the look of and want to ride.Though I think if you got a Via Nirone or a Pista you would be happy with it.
I know....what is is with putting 105 on say an Infinito!? It's like getting a Ferrari then painting a Japanese flag on the side.
Hardly. It all depends what you can get on with.
My Basso has Ultegra as I just do not like the ergonomics of the Campagnolo stuff.
I was truly gutted when I realised this fact as I had lusted after Campag since being 12 on my Raliegh Team Replica with 501 tubing and friction shifters.
No point fitting something if you do not get on with it.
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Until you realise your "Italian" frame is also made in the far east.
The seller of the Pista has said they won't shift on the price (~£585 for ex-display), but I think I'll still go with it as I don't think I can do any better at that price. Then if all goes well I can begin to save for a Via Nirone for longer rides. I'll update here if anything happens with the Pista.
You need to be more wary of "made in ***" stickers
My Deddacai framed Ribble Gran Fondo says 'Handcrafted in Italy' on it. I'm quite sure the only time it was in Italy was when the ship carrying it over from Taiwan docked in Genoa
I don't think the Italians are too fussed about little details like the accuracy of 'Made in' stickers
The only bad thing about it was the fact that the Italians think your front brake lever should go on the left side of the bars, so unless you buy a new brake lever, you'll be running it upside down, if you see what I mean.
I also switched out the saddle: the one supplied looks lovely but is fabric and absorbs water like a sponge, so rather than put a plastic bag over it every day when it looked liked rain, I bought a red Cinelli Unicanitor for 30-odd quid.
Final thing I'd say is that if you are buying a white bike, you need to be up for cleaning it regularly because it certainly shows the dirt!
Hi Matt, thanks for the information, and sorry to hear that your bike was nicked! It's happened to me a couple of times and it drives me nuts! How did you find the geometry of the bike for sizing?
Some people just want to follow the crowd and pour scorn on something without knowing the facts. Typical British mentality. Almost like its a fu@k you attitude.
There is the proof! If it wasn't, it would not be allowed to sell under a false label. I'm sure EU law would prohibit such an act.
Yeah it was fine. It's a bit more racey in geometry than other bikes I've had, by which I mean I felt I was angled down to the bars a bit more. But not really a noticeable difference tbh; I would say the geometry was "normal". Maybe my current bike (Orbea Dude) is a bit tighter but I find that saddle height and position can affect this feeling just as much as the frame.
For £585 I would walk/run to the bike shop for this.