Super Pista?

I've just joined LFGSS as I have a new project...

1 Attachment

What are your plans?

Having tried it not all that much as it's pretty good as is. Having got rid of the grime it looks really nice and rides well so I'll give it a couple of weeks before I decide...

Doesn't look to be much wrong with that unless you want to go ghetto tracklocargo

Hmm, think I'll pass on that one...

Well I've riden this about 40 miles so far and not many complaints so far.
This is the spec...
Bianchi Super Pista

Spec
Frame; Bianchi Super Pista 55cm
Rims; H Plus Son
Hubs; BLB
Tyres; Vittoria Corsa Graphine 2.0 28mm
Chainset; Miche Primato advantage 48T
Sprocket; Unknown chrome 18T
Bottom bracket; Unknown
Handlebar; Fizik Cyrano
Stem; Fizik Cyrano
Head set; Tange
Seat post; Fizik Cyrano
Saddle; Fabric
Brake; BLB Shroom

I'm not keen on the saddle, comfortable enough, but I don't like the look of it. Anyone know what model it is?

Looks much better for a proper clean up

The tyres are 28mm and I much prefer the 25mm Corsas I have on my Infinito..

2 Attachments

Have you tried having the saddle level? It should be flat, not pointing downwards. It may be a sign that you have it set too high if you find it necessary to have it angled like that.

I haven't changed the angle from the previous owners position, just set the height the same as my other bikes. I thought I'd try it out a bit before fiddling too much with the position etc.

Edit;

Actually now I've looked at it properly, it is tipping down much more than I thought. I've now tried to level it up, but this saddle is such a weird shape it's very hard to say if it's level or not! It does feel beter now, but I really don't like it so will look out for a reasonably priced Fizik or something else I like the look of.
While I'm on the subject of things I don't like, I've changed the bars for some Bianchi own brand I had sitting about and much prefer them. All my other bikes have either ergo bars or Cinelli 66 (ok, ok not the Brompton, but you know what I mean).

Second edit;
I should have said thankyou to @PhilDAS as it wasn't really obvious due to saddle shape and it has improved the position much more than expected.

1 Attachment

Good stuff. Those bars look better I think.
A lot of people get on well with fabric saddles, comfort wise. I understand wanting it to look good but for me, comfort comes first when it comes to saddles :)

I mostly have no problem with comfort on any saddle and this is no different, but I do usually find Fizik or Selle Italia saddles extra comfortable and I think they look much better than that Fabric...

So this arrived in the post this morning...
Here compared to the Fabric...
I have decided I'm keeping the Bianchi bars and got some new tape for them. I did consider fitting some proper brake levers with the left (rear) being a dummy as I have on my fixed Roberts. The down side to this is I have never been able to stop the redundant lever rattling, the up side is I don't instinctively grab the funny little lever fitted as it's in the wrong place for my muscle memeory when a skid and swerve is not enough to avoid the front of that Evoque heading straight at me...
Anyway decided on keeping the existing lever and trying to get used to it.
I can't say I think much of the Fizik seat post as it's way too fiddly to adjust and to fit a new saddle to compared to, well any other post I have really.
Haven't had a chance to try the new saddle as it rained non stop after I fitted it and although I'm no butterfly, I prefer to use mudguards when it's wet so will have to wait, but i don't expect problems as I already have Fizik saddles on two ther bikes.

Edit; I can't see how to move attachments around, but you get the idea...

5 Attachments

Looks good

Both bikes look great. Matching front wheel on the Bianchi and it’s done, right?

Thanks. The wheels do match, but the brake track anodising has worn off on the front, not sure I can do much about that apart from put a back brake on it haha!
By the way @Jonny69, you put me onto LFGSS on AS when I posted a pic of this...

1 Attachment

Heh, you’ve been lurking for a while then, I haven’t been on there for ages.

Yes, I bought that bike in 2015 and you mentioned LFGSS so I looked it up!

I took the tyres off so I could line up the Vittoria label with the valve (I am that sad) and rather strangely found the rear hub lock nut to be loose. Don't know how that happened or why I didn't notice it when I had the wheel out to clean it up the other day.

2 Attachments

This looks good with the changes you've made. Coordinating bartape with other parts is a risky one, especially with this celeste colour but I like how it looks here.

Have you considered putting Sram S500 levers on it since you're running a front brake? Would improve comfort and finish the build off nicely IMO (I've probably been spending too much time browsing the road fixed thread)
I would personally also opt for a carbon front wheel to lose the brake track. Maybe even a deeper profile than the rear wheel for that HHSB look 😎

Thanks @funky_d, I do feel like I'm getting there! I wasn't sure about the Celeste tape either, but as most of it is black I think it works.
I toyed with hoods for comfort but will stick with the little lever for a different look to all my other bikes at least for now. Also I will only be likely to ride a max of about 25 miles as I got this to use when riding with my wife as she is slower than me and riding fixed gives me more of a work out (while looking cool haha). I may have been on this forum for 10 days, but failed to spot the road fixed thread so thanks for the tip haha.
I like the deep section rim look, but couldn't run without a front brake, I just wouldn't feel safe really. Call me wimp if you like...

Looking good! Re: rattling dummy brake lever on the Roberts, I had the same issue and simply stuffed the hood, behind the lever with electrical tape. It was a completely different style of lever but might be worth a go!

different look to all my other bikes

Have you tried flat bars or risers? If it's for riding with your wide then they'll give you a more relaxed setup with a better braking position. I know some people get on with them but drops with a cross-top feel and look so awkward by comparison.

Also, see below for correct crank position for photos!

1 Attachment

@jono84
Yeh I'm sure you're right, but to me flats will always be a hybrid and risers a Raleigh Shopper, so just no for me.

Haha I almost got it (crank) right on some of the photos didn't I?

Anyway how does that Concept stay up? This is me doing that wrong again...

1 Attachment

Now done about 150 miles on this and liking it. About 50 miles were on the new saddle and happy with the look and comfort as I expected to be.
Here I am out for a ride with my wife, the exact reason I needed this bike, or so I explained to her. Not sure how to justify the next one yet...

1 Attachment

Nice ride sir. Saddle and bar tape are right on point and help redress the otherwise lack of Celeste.
Would be nice to see a set of deep sections on this. Not for any good reason other than they look really bad ass on Bianchi track bikes

Thankyou, thank you, I wanted a black one as I already had an all Celeste Bianchi, obviously deep sections or maybe four spokes are on the list, just not quite sure how to bring this up so soon after the totally unnecessary purchase of the Super Pista and a stupidly expensive saddle...