Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - IRO Rob Roy vs Bianchi San Jose

I'm in the market for a new bike...and with my budget I'm looking into the IRO Rob Roy and the Bianchi San Jose..the purpose of this bike is to be an urban commuter. I will add a rear rack and fenders for sure.
What are the opinions and or experience with either of these bikes? They seem to be rather even to me but I'm an old skool mtb guy who believes suspension is for sissies...i've read alot of possitive remarks about IRO on da net...and I've heard the Bianchi is hard to get...I haven't talked to IRO or a Bianchi dealer as yet....I'm a tall guy 6' plus.

All insight appreciated.

you should get the bianchi pista concept! its the most illest track/fixed/singel speed ive ever seen

Naw dawg, teh IRO is mad illin' like Keith Urban Assault Vehicle style, yo. Straight up steel, holmes, 27" blades on that piece and wicked fresh chainstays. Beats my GMC Denali rollin' lo profs FOR REALS.

bianchi's in general are overrated, i think....in perfomance and asthetics. go for the iro, but go for the angus. the mark v is nice, but the straight fork on the angus is killer.

are you riding with or without a break?

whoops, i guess you're riding a ss.

in which case, the rob roy. definately the rob roy. same idea applies. forget about bianchi's.

bianchis are nice, but I'm going with the IRO The Hour Frameset on ebay. just gotta pick a color........

bianchis are nice, but I'm going with the IRO The Hour Frameset on ebay. just gotta pick a color........


I think you're confused. "The Hour" is not an IRO.

and the OP is looking for a cyclocross SS style frame with clearance, and brazeons for fenders and racks, so all the track frames mentioned are not appropriate. I've heard really good things about the San Jose, and IRO in general, so you wouldn't go too far wrong with either choice. You might also consider the Surly Crosscheck, which can be set up SS or geared. Or if you're just getting the frame, the Bianchi Volpe would make a good SS frame while still leaving the possibility to set it up geared as well.

I think I'd probably go with the San Jose if I was looking for a SS specific cross frame, but once again, you probably won't be disappointed with the Rob Roy either.

If you think you might want the flexibility to set it up geared later, go with the Volpe, or Crosscheck.