I've been riding a fixed gear for a few years now and I'm thinking its time to get the real thing. I like the new pista with the white panels...alot more then last years. I need some reflection on the bike. The main reason I'm looking at Pistas is that I can pick one up through the shop I work at for rather cheap...to say the least.



Any opinions or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Trevo

P.S. How does one remove chrome? If I got a pista I would more then likely strip it and have it painted celeste.

I've been riding a fixed gear for a few years now and I'm thinking its time to get the real thing. I like the new pista with the white panels...alot more then last years. I need some reflection on the bike. The main reason I'm looking at Pistas is that I can pick one up through the shop I work at for rather cheap...to say the least.



Any opinions or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Trevo

P.S. How does one remove chrome? If I got a pista I would more then likely strip it and have it painted celeste.
You won't have to repaint this one...

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?p=162434#post162434

In fact, if you're from the Central States, you can help build it. For $125 it will have a brand new coat of Celeste from Waterford. We build it, you buy it off eBay and Ryan gets the money. We all win!!! - TF

P.S. How does one remove chrome? If I got a pista I would more then likely strip it and have it painted celeste.

I need some reflection on the bike.Then keep the chrome plating :D

Seriously, you need a professional to remove chrome safely.

I don't understand why the white panels make a difference if you are going to strip and re-paint the whole thing :confused:

P.S. How does one remove chrome? If I got a pista I would more then likely strip it and have it painted celeste.


Is it really chrome?

Is it really chrome?



I wouldent be able to afford a re-paint for a couple years probably. Yeah plus the chrome adds a buncha weight to the frame and when its a sunny day out, you'd get toally blinded.




Cheers,
Trevo

he's my brother

seriously, chrome is only a little heavier than paint an much lighter than most people think. plus it's cool.

ciao

No. There are so many awesome and much more involving (involved?) ways of building "the real thing" (what the heck is that?) that buying a built Bianchi seems like a cheater route. ie, even less "the real thing" than your current converted steed. I don't mean to knock Pistas or their owners, but there's lots of really cool stuff out there, ESPECIALLY if you're looking to have something painted anyway.

Case in point: I just picked up a bad-arse old lugged Takara that's going to get it's lugs polished, all unecessary braze-ones chopped and ground, and a nice coat of paint sprayed. All to the tune of $100 or so, I'll have a literal gold mine to spend on parts of my choosing, rather than generic Trek parts.

There are way too many sweet italian frames from the 70s and 80s that have style, class and elegance to spend money on a new frame. Buy a classic high end lugged steel bike, have it painted or powdercoated if needed and sweeten it up. It'll ride better than a track bike and be easier on you pocketbook than a new frame. Plus you win major style points.

buy an iro. Cheap as heck, durable, and you can add all you own bad-azz blingin' partz. tony@iro is also really cool.
www.irocycle.com

It'll ride better than a track bike and be easier on you pocketbook than a new frame. Plus you win major style points.

Right. That's it, right there.

Is cause I can get one from the shop I work at for super cheap and I would be able to pay it off later.





Cheers,
Trevo



If I were going to get a bike with money I had I'd not mess around and get one of these
http://www.businesscycles.com/pistaframe_cinelli.htm

Why buy a bike that you're going to want to repaint from the day you buy it? Maybe it's just me, but I can't see myself upgrading the paint without upgrading a few of the parts that I took off. It could easily wind up costing me more than saving for a while and buying what I want the first time.

Is cause I can get one from the shop I work at for super cheap and I would be able to pay it off later.


My grandmother used to say that a bargain is only a bargain if it's something you wanted in the first place. If the only reason you can find to buy the bike is that you get a discount and can pay it off gradually, I'd say you are trying to talk yourself into something you don't want. Save your pennies until you can buy what you really want.

Is it really chrome?

I don't think its chrome plated. Its clear coat paint over plain steel.

(but I LOVE my 2004 pista!)

I believe it is clear coat over decals over chrome.

FWIW, Bianchi notes "Chrome Plated": http://www.bianchiusa.com/569.html