The frame conveyed stiffness and pliancy to riders.
Even though it’s intended as a fixed-gear bike, the Tipo Pista comes equipped with optional brakes.
The no-name chainring, cogs and chain seemed durable to one expert.
Cranks are short enough that pedal-scrape was rare, on-road or in the velodrome.
The saddle was portrayed as cushy and comfortable.
Flat-topped handlebars and a moderate drop, meant that this bike was street-rideable.
The Tipo Pista can be used in the velodrome with an adjusted ratio, where it rides aggressively.
Owners said this was beautiful steed. The Cinelli logo bartape rocked pop-appeal.
Grimpeurs reported that the Tipo Pista climbed well.
The 48x17 gear ratio was rated as highly suitable for road-riding.
This bike features stainless-steel-plated rear dropouts to protect the frame from tight wheel-nuts.
The drivetrain proved sturdy and worthy of fixed-gear abuse.
Cyclists reported that the Tipo Pista climbed well.
The columbus carbon/alloy fork was light and sported a steep angle with minimal rake. This bestowed sharp handling and feisty cornering upon the Tipo Pista.
Thrashers deemed the Tipo Pista to be a durable bike.
The drivetrain proved sturdy and worthy of fixed-gear abuse.
Carbon forks sucked up bumps with nary a concern.
As a complete build, the bike was lightweight. Owners appreciated it.
The Tipo Pista sports clean, minimalist lines with no cable-guides, eyelets, bottle-bosses or space for mudguards.

10 reasons not to buy

The Tipo Pista sports clean, minimalist lines but no cable-guides, eyelets, bottle-bosses or space for mudguards.
Satin-finish on bartape was not to everyone’s liking
The square-taper crank struck experts as average.
Minimal front-end flex meant less comfort on long rides.
The painted rims are worn down by brake pads, detracting from their luster. Additionally, their heft diminished the bike’s acceleration potential.
Toe-overlap was noticeable at slow speeds, which may disrupt less-experienced fixed-gear cyclists.
The provided brakes were seen as average by one expert, who described pads as plasticky and difficult to adjust.
In one instance, an online buyer received a bike with scratches on the framework, incorrect bartape and a front wheel that didn’t fit fork dropouts. It was suspected to be a mismailed return.
This bike is only supplied with cross-top brake levers, which form an obstacle to grip position when upright and prohibit hand-braking in the drops.
As a fixed-focused bike, no freewheel is provided.

Bottom line

Cinelli has a cult following amongst some members of the fixed-gear fraternity. Because of this reputation, it can seem to buyers that all fixed-gear Cinellis are high-end machines of an elite Italian pedigree. For some models, this is true. But as one satisfied owner described it, the Tipo Pista is really a good quality, mid-range, average weight bike. With minimal adjustments, the Tipo Pista can easily be ridden as a freewheel commuter or at the velodrome. It isn’t a purebred track-bike, but with continual upgrades it has the potential to become many things.