OTP lovers!

Bianchi Pista 2008, entirely standard with the expection of;

• MKS pedal (with NJS cage and cheap strap from Condor)
  
• Nitto bullhorn drop
  
• San Marco Rolls saddle
  
• Tiagra brake with dirty harry levels, does the job now and for insurance purpose and emergency use.
  
  

the bike look quite clean and tidy, but in reality it's very scruffy with lots of marks and a couple tiny dents from the d-lock, didn't care, just love the ride.

that it, thought I have Mavic Open Pro in black for the front and rear wheel coming soon to complete the bike (and black Nitto seatpost with black shorter glossy stem).

You've done a good job on that mate. It's not too loud and the bars look good on it.

It may have escaped your attention but up to this point I was having a bubble. For a serious reply please read the following:

In my experience, and although I've never ridden on the track (something I'm looking forward to as I get fitter after a long layoff from cycling), I've ridden many different bicycles for all sorts of reasons off and on since I was about 10 I guess, so over the past 29 years - it's what is comfortable that really counts. And that often comes down to the individual. I do ride on the drops but infrequently and find the position my bars are in perfectly comfy, thanks awfully.

It's also interesting to note that from the pictures that were posted up, very well known professional cyclists, both track and road, seem to have their bars in a more upright position. Perhaps this is because they understand and appreciate that it's what suits them best that really matters. Or, perhaps in their professional careers they just haven't had the great benefit of your obviously superior experience. If only they had positioned their bars the way 'fred' on the interweb said they have to to be right. Who knows, by now some of them might have won Olympic gold or something...

got your period?

I gave a pretty reasonable and rational argument for a horizontal bar set up and accepted that there are exceptions, and you're still arguing against it with no substance.

Camra added.
Hippy will be along shortly to approve.

Friggin' system won't let me rep you..

Tis ok, I accept cash or beer as well.

You've done a good job on that mate. It's not too loud and the bars look good on it.

thank, I try to keep it minimalised without going OTT.

Not a great pic, but you get the idea...

Had her a couple of months, first proper single speed bike - trying (but failing!) to htfu and go fixed, next week maybe.....

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how are you trying when you never flip the wheel? that´s not trying, that´s simply not doing it.

i got a bowery the other week, went fixed the second day i owned and i havent looked back
just got the hang of skid stopping

Its a mental thing, i know it hurts when you fall off!

it hurts when you fall off regardless! face still go to tarmac either way.

It does hurt, I know that first hand, but I honestly cannot wait to rebuild my Fixed! I still have my s/s and I'm dreading riding it now coz Fixed is just SOOOO nice to ride!

As you said . . .

I gave a pretty reasonable and rational argument for a horizontal bar set up and accepted that there are exceptions

That'll teach me to skim-read posts at work! I 'thought' you were suggesting that there was only one position for drop-bars and that was with the drops at horizontal, when obviously it's not that black and white. Knickers now untwisted.

;p

Hi, I've only had it a few weeks but riding my bike to work and back is one of the highlights of my working day. It's a completely stock charge plug racer but with MKS pedals and clips. I know opinions of the plug are very mixed on here but its great fun!

the Plug opinions isn´t that mixed, it´s only the sheer weight of it that put people off despite being quite strong.

it doesn't feel that heavy to me but I haven't got much to compare it too.

After getting soaked on my ride home on Monday I've been wondering what I should be doing, if anything, to keep my bike in good nick after it's got wet. I used the search but couldn't find anything relevant.

Give it a good wipe down. I use kitchen towels; the ones already soaked in mild cleaning agent. De-gunk the brakes - those are your best friends.

If your saddle is leather, someone else who own's a leather saddle will give you the SP on that.

Take care of the safety aspects first, then the aesthetics after.

always made sure that the chain is free from gunk (at least try and clean off the dirt), it'll keep your chain running smoothly and enable it to last a lots longer due to the lessen wear and tear.

will do, the saddle's not leather so don't have to worry about that. cheers guys

After getting soaked on my ride home on Monday I've been wondering what I should be doing, if anything, to keep my bike in good nick after it's got wet. I used the search but couldn't find anything relevant.

FWIW, here are my tips:

1. Leather saddles, stuff a plastic bag between the saddle and rails, it'll stop the saddle getting some of the light spray. When it's tipping down, tie the bag over the saddle. Ok, it looks shite but it's only until the rain stops.
   
2. If you have holes for water bottle cages put hex head bolts in them to stop water ingress, or plug them up with rubber. If you don't plan on using a bottle cage... ever, pare down an old black crayon, screw it in the hole and cut off flush.
   
3. Use spray-guards. I've got an old road frame that has no eyelets for mounting guards and minimal clearance between tyre and fork crown, but there's always away to do it: Cut four short strips of rubber, wrap around bottom of forks and seat stays, punch two holes in each to take a small hex head bolt. Put bolt through: washer, rubber, guard eyelet, rubber, washer, locknut. I now have a set of full SKS spray guards on for the winter.
   
4. Some of the cheaper track hubs are not sealed well against water and road grime. Smear some light grease over the sides of the sealed bearings that you can see. Thick grease tends to drag itself off after a few spins of the wheel, but by using light grease and not much of it you can give some protection against the elements. Do the same for your BB. Replace grease at regular intervals.
   
   

I've seen some folks mention "Framesaver" or some other brand of gunk that you pour down the seat tube. I've never tried this but have made a mental note to look into it before the roads start getting salted this year.

TTFN

Upgraded Bowery '84 - unusual picture (as requested)

Fucking love it, look like a batmobile that has been ordered in the wrong frame colour.

Soon to get a re-spray, although I'm keeping the Bianchi decals because I'm proud that it's a Bianchi because Bianchi are a legendary brand and they're Italian breeeeeeeath

check this out - the Bianchi Pista that sold in japan have it's own version - Bianchi Pista Classic.

Upgraded Bowery '84 - unusual picture (as requested)

That's nuts! I quite like it in a sick and twisted way, if they made one of those knitted dolly toilet roll covers but as Marilyn Manson, this would be it.

love those saddles. just s strip of carbon right? one on ebay for £65, just a bit pricey. Did you find yours for cheaper by any chance?

Upgraded Bowery '84 - unusual picture (as requested)

Fucking love it, look like a batmobile that has been ordered in the wrong frame colour.

it needs a black ortlieb utility belt