Flat Bars & Front Breaks

Hi peeps,

I'm planning to buy an off-the-shelf Bianchi Pista, change the bars for flat ones, add a front break and a freewheel. I'm looking to get quality components, any suggestions/ links appreciated.

Ta, Steve

Just front brakes can cost from a tenner up to thirty quid, fifty quid, and beyond.. Whats your budget?
You may be better off getting the shop to supply and fit the parts as they will take your discarded bars for a discount.. and perhapst the stem if you change it? ( or flip it?)
What is the diameter of the stem clamp? MTB flat bas are either 25.4 or O/S.
Brake lever: would you prefer a one-finger or are you hoping to fit 3, perhaps 4 fingers? ;-)
If you do not want the shop to help then get ready for some googling and searching and searching and googling as everyone has a personal preference.

I too have a Bianchi Pista. Bought a flat mtb bar for a fiver from my local bike shop and sawed the ends off with a hacksaw cos it's way too wide.
Fitted a Dirt Harry brake lever and a Shimano Tiagra front caliper brake. Also Oury grips which're nice.
It's a real nice setup - very comfy.
If you want a freewheel you should also fit a rear brake - the rear fork is not drilled for this though - so search these threads - there's one about clip-ons

or just buy a singlespeed road bike instead of a track bike?

^yeah it's not the most sensible bike to make into a freewheel

I've been researching singlespeed road bikes, owned a Pompino and an old Peugot I bought off ebay but keep on coming back to the Pista. I think its because it's nice and shiny, sorry!

I'll take a look at the thread about clip-ons as this is new to me, now would you secure the rear break cable along the top tube.

Thanks for the advice guys

You could use zip ties to secure the brake cable or, alternatively, buy yourself one of those trendy toptube pads and thread the cable through that.

(Whilst my use of the word 'trendy' is mildly sarcastic, this is a serious suggestion and - despite the bike snob community's dislike for them - I actually think TT pads are a pretty useful piece of kit, especially if you have to shoulder your bike up some stairs or lock it up often.)

now would you secure the rear break cable along the top tube.

Cable ties!

Look at the Fuji Track. It's drilled in the rear.

is it just me or are we getting a lot more people wanting to go front brake/SS lately?

stevo: you could also just get the pista, put on the front brake and keep it as a fixed gear (honestly it takes about 30 minutes to get used to it).

I kept my Pompino fixed for about 29mins until I face-planted into some gravel. Perhaps it's time to get back into the saddle. Thanks

damn, missed it by that much....