Black is back.

One of our regular patrons at the company pub is the 2011 Pista. With two color options in 2011, white paint with a red panel graphic (like the Vigorelli) or gloss black with a creme panel, this classic steel bike keeps getting better with age.

The steel Pista is sporting a new crank from FSA. Inspection of the crank from 10 feet away, it looks like a Campy throw back to the Nuovo Record days. The gold chain ring bolts are definite hints from this era. And utilizing a square tapered bottom bracket spindle. The square taper bb axle opens up possibilities for upgrades down the road.

The Alex Solo track wheel set is stout spec for the Pista. This bike will see more urban use than Velodrome so having a strong, reliable wheel set is important. The last thing you need is to return to your LBS after buying your new fixed gear because the bike company spec'd a cheap wheel set just so they can sell a cheaper priced bike.

Even still, it's a great starter bike for those aspiring to spend some time at their local Velodrome.

Eat around your plate William!

I shook my head this week at the fact of some things, items, etc, fall through the cracks of my In-Bin. (old reference to the In and Out bin on the corner of some office worker's desk. Inbox is too tech for this example.) Namely, the pile of business cards I've been shuffling through since my return from the 2010 Interbike show. Yeah, I had that big of a pile of cards!

Like eating around my plate at dinnertime as instructed by mom when I was little, I got to the bottom of the mound of mashed potatoes, only find a business card from the guys at TRAFIK Pictures. Tim and Ace came by the booth at Interbike 2009. Ace had his Pista Concept with him and if you scroll down on the page I linked above, you'll see his black ride.

When Tim and Rick stopped by Interbike last month, I was like, Hey! How was your movie you did last year? (having no concept of time) Tim informed me that they just finished it up. Whoa, time slipped by me. But in the same sense, you can't rush a good production. Check the trailer below for their new joint, 'To Live and Ride in LA'.

To Live & Ride In L.A. OFFICIAL TRAILER from TRAFIK on Vimeo.

I'm impressed they got some airtime in a helicopter for this production!

The teaser looks good guys and I'm sure there's a Pista Concept among the masses in the video.

In the Cuts on a Bianchi Pista Concept.

Check the white bike. The stickers are off except for the one along the top tube. Yup, it's a Bianchi Pista Concept. This clip is just a snippet of what John Cardiel is all about. Aside from the language (hope corpo doesn't cringe too much while watching...) the clip covers a small session with Cardiel in Sacramento, CA (Sac); his spots to ride, mostly from his days skateboarding.

Most fixed gear riders were just going into Kindergarten in the early to mid-90s when JC was making money as a skateboard and snowboard pro. I remember seeing videos of Cardiel slashing lines and drops on the mountain; endless powder runs. His style on the snow echoed his search and destroy ethics when he skated. And as you can guess, that has transferred over to his fixed gear riding. Pick up a copy of Macaframa-- search and destroy style.

In short, I'm glad to see John G. Cardiel still kicking it, whether on boards or bikes, especially a Bianchi.

intheCUTTS Episode 6: JOHN CARDIEL from InThe Cutts on Vimeo.

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wrm

2009 Bianchi D2 Super Pista frame

There is no doubt the Pista Concept frameset is one of the most requested items from dealers nationally.

The PC has developed a large amount of street cred to the point that making enough to sell has been at times tough. But, when you're given lemons, time to make lemonade right? Fortunately our UK family has the solution for us Yanks. The D2 Super Pista frame.


So the million dollar question is, why this and not the Pista Concept? Well, for starters this frame is stiffer than the PC. Secondly, it is stronger than the PC. The PC is solely a track bike, or at least that is the intended purpose of it. This new frame track ready but the D2 SP frame will hold up to the rigors of non-track riding, if you get my drift. Urban use, non track use, commuting use, enough said.


Yes. That is a big frame. It's celeste paint despite looking more like light blue. That's the magic of the pearl based Bianchi paint. Depending on the lighting, it will look historically celeste(green), or in bright lighting, the pearl blue will dominate the color spectrum. Love it!

The top and downtube are also triple butted 7000 grade aluminum in order to create a responsive ride whether you're on a 61 or 51cm



The 61cm frame has 38mm high chainstays with the typical stainless inserts at the dropouts.


Here we have the fork lifted from the 2008 D2 Crono. Speed is of the essence here. The front brake mount comes covered with a small classy Bianchi Eagle that can be removed for the installation of a front brake. Ahhhh, front brake, couldn't do that on the PC, eh?


Here is the build up for now. Naturally I aspire to build up a wheelset with something more appropriate for a bike of this sweetness.

Here is the current build list:

	Model	D2 SUPER PISTA
Frameset	Code	X9B08U61K
	Colour
	Sizes	61CM
	Frame	D2 PISTA ALU
	fork	BIANCHI FKU CARBON/ALU 1-1/8"
Group	headset	FSA ORBIT
	shifters	none
	rear derailleur	none
	front derailleur	none
	crankset	CAMPY XENON 170MM w/TOKEN ISO TK867CM BOTTOM BRKT
	chain	KMC Z410-gold
	sprocket	STEEL 16T
	brakes	Bianchi RC-Alloy
	brake lever	CYCLOCROSS FRT ONLY
Wheels	wheels	ALEX SOLO TRACK 28H
	rear hub
	front hub
	rims
	tire	CONTI ULTRA SPT 23X622
Components	stem	SALSA S.U.L. 110MM
	handlebar	TITEC HELLBENT 26.0 CHOPPED DOWN
	bar end	none
	grips	OURY BLACK
	seatpost	Kalloy alloy 31.6
	saddle	TOKEN TK954U RED
	pedals	P.O.S
	waterbottle hanger	NONE

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Will Mahler