Bike Check: Tommy’s 2006 Bianchi Pista Concept
If you're a listener of our podcast, you know that the Bianchi Pista Concept has a very special place in my heart. So, after reaching Japan, it was clear to me that I have to introduce you all to the man who sparked my fascination for this frame.
Today we're taking a look at a couple of shots of Tommy's 2006 Celeste Bianchi Pista Concept. Since I landed in Japan, I've also been trying different film stocks and I have to say, I am really pleased with this series. In the future, I might publish a write-up on the various rolls used during my trip but let's get to the bike.
At this point, we almost all know the Pista Concept, but something very special about it makes it even more legendary than it already is. It was designed by renowned bike designer Sky Yeager. If you don't know who Sky is, I highly encourage you to do your own research (we might do a podcast about her one day). To give you an idea, she has been in the bicycle design industry for more than 45 years, raced in the ‘82 United States National Track Cycling Championship, and she is the woman behind more than 70 frame designs while she worked at Bianchi. So…when it comes to bicycle geometry and design…she knows her stuff.
To me it makes complete sense when Tommy tells me it's his favorite bike ever; Relatively new aluminum manufacturing at the time, good geometry, and a simple but effective paint job checked all the boxes for the frame to be a success.
ommy actually owns all three colors, but today we're gonna focus on this size 55 Celeste. So let’s crack on with the cockpit: a now-classic Ritchey WCS stem paired with this Nitto For-Shred riser, and a little touch of hype with this Mash/Zeiss top cap. Moving to the seating area, we have a trusty Thomson seatpost with this limited edition Flite Italia in its beautiful perforated white.
If that white Flite fits so well, it’s thanks to the two OG Phil Wood white hubs that Tommy got way back. They are laced to completely random rims but it’s definitely fitting with the rest of the build. If you know me, you know I love white bikes to see them getting dirty. Well, these hubs are just covered in just dirt and other road delicacies. Hum tasty!
For the drivetrain, Tommy is rocking the excellent Sram Omnium with a Deluxe chainring, paired with an Izumi Super Toughness for that extra bit of bling. The pedals are in my opinion THE perfect street combo: MKS Stream pedals (in this Mash limited all-black version), MKS Fit-Alpha double straps, and a pair of nylon cages. It’s comfy, durable, and a flawless combination of parts that will last you a while.
Finally, I wanna come back to a few details, especially, the decal you’ll find under the top tube.
“100% Chick Designed”.
Earlier I was talking about Sky Yaeger and her really impressive career in the bicycle design field. To know more I asked some of my friends and contacts if they had any pieces of info I could add to my write-up. It came as a surprise to everyone that a woman was designing bikes. Therefore, I’m gonna borrow some words from a friend here, but this is basically what I learned while doing my research:
“It’s not uncommon that men are always the default assumption when it comes to bike excellence, and that women’s participation in and contribution to the field is continually buried and overlooked. This process continues to render important historical women invisible as role models for girls and young women, who frequently don’t see examples of themselves in design and leadership roles”
I feel it’s quite an important and powerful message there. So, who knows, maybe a future design genius is reading this right now, and just needs an extra push. And you know I’m all for seeing new and creative things in track cycling.
Detailed Parts List
Frameset 2006 Bianchi Pista Concept (55)
Chainring and Cog Deluxe 49T with 17T cog
Crank Sram Omniums
Seatpost and Saddle
Thomson Elite, Flite Titanium (limited edition)
Stem and Handlebar
Ritchey WSC 100mm Stem, Nitto For-Shred bar
Wheels Random rims laces to 32h high flanges Philwood hubs.
Tires Continental GP 4000 25c
The Pista Concept was six glorious years of Italian engineering and dozens of riders taking them to the streets rather than in a velodrome. It is truly an icon for a lot of us and is in what I consider, the holy trinity of 90s/early 2000 track bikes. Every detail, like the “No brakes” or “Campion del Mundo” decals, the rebranded Alpina fork with an insanely short 28mm of rake, or that famous seatpost clamp that we all fear cracking one day, are many things that make this frame unique. As for Tommy’s? Well, I’d like to say his Pista Concept is the perfect expression of a street track bike. No carbon, no extras, just toe cages, wide bars, and cotton bar tape to feel everything this build has to offer.
Trendy is temporary, but that kind of simplicity…that’s forever.
You can follow Tommy’s adventures on his Instagram just here -> @moyatommy
