Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - still indecisive - fugi, bianchi pista or terry dolan

Are there any important differences between the pista and bianchi? (I'd save £50 after the front brake with the fuji).

The Terry Dolan is the first new fixed I've come across in the UK for between 400 and 700, is still more than I want to spend. Does anyone have a view on it? I liked the feel of it on the test ride.

Actually, that was a lie. There's the on-one Pompino; it's famous, but what's so good about it? And via ebay I came across "lifelogic" recently - anyone heard of it?

If people have other suggestions for decent fixed gear in London, I'll be much obliged.

see the budget fixed gear sticky above....

I have a fuji track, and it's okay, but I think the bianchi pista is a little bit nicer, and much nicer looking IMO. Both frames are easily upgradable. Go with whatever feels the best to you.

That's some cold-blooded **** Don.

:beer:

Honestly, there are a number of bargain bikes, look around this site. I am sure there are a number of lists of them on this site.

Bianchi pista, fuji track, schwinn, Raleigh, jamis etc, langster.

Some bikes have a cult following but aren't necessarily that great. (or that bad, its is just that their popularity is out of proportion with their actual quality).

pista is hot cause it is shiny, well and the old school design is actually really nice looking.
It is just that those who love the look contend that they love the quality.

Though, I would say check used bikes. The craze doesn't seem as bad in the UK and I have seen good used bikes on ebay.

Maybe a better deal.

The guy behind on-one is really nice, I cannot remeber his name right now but I have had a number of conversations with him and besides, the frames are really nice.

Good luck.

I vote for the fuji.

what about the EAI brassknuckle? it seems like a pretty good value for 350 bones

I like the hubs on the fuji. They're very smooth! I have fuji wheels on my fixie right now, and they're nice. I was going to get a Fuji track.

All for the Fuji track. I'm simple like that. And biased.

Bianchi baby!

I bought a Bianchi Pista two years ago, not knowing too much about fixies.

I have since upgraded everything on the bike except the frame and fork.

I think the "chick" did a good job of putting together a usable bike for the money, and a good place to start.

I really like the handling of my Pista.

As far as I can tell, it has the quickest handling geometry of any of the off the shelf track-type fixies, with only 28mm of fork rake.

Some people don't like that.

I do. :)

Pompino. Track bikes are so 6 months ago.

If you're gonna spend up to £700 then the Condor Pista is in your price range as well. If you wanna spend less there is also the specialized langster (I can't remember how much that is though.)

I think the fuji, bianchi and spec are all pretty similar in that they have decent enough frames and slightly crappy componenets. Plan to upgrade those as they wear out and it'll be fine. I think the pomp comes with better components and those who have them seem to love them. The condor pista is a good bike and it's a proper london bike.

Keep an eye on ebay though - I think the bset track deals there are on complete bikes, which often go for about £200 - 300 with a decent component set.

Learn a little bit before you drop coin. There's a big difference between aluminum and steel frames, and there's a big difference between riding a frame with clearance for huge tires and a frame that you can only fit 23's on.

what's the equipment spec on the condor?

what's the equipment spec on the condor?

http://www.condorcycles.com/showBike.php?id=46

http://www.condorcycles.com/bike_pics/Pistawithpanel.gif


“The simplicity of a single-geared bike is unsurpassed, which is one of many reasons why this bike is now a firm favourite with commuters who needs a reliable bike to battle through the traffic. Equally popular with London's couriers, this continues to be the bike all others are judged by.” The popularity of this bike grows year upon year as it surpasses anything else in terms of quality and specification at this price. Upgrades for this year include an integrated 1 1/8 head tube and full carbon forks to reduce weight and improve front end response. Drilled for both front and rear brakes, it gives you the option of running the bike fixed or with a free-wheel, or maybe even both. Dedacciai's SAT14.5 low-torsion profile steel offers great comfort on a frame that is a courier and commuter favourite.

Price: £699

Condor also do these more expensive ones:
http://www.condorcycles.com/showBike.php?id=47
http://www.condorcycles.com/showBike.php?id=51
http://www.condorcycles.com/showBike.php?id=57
http://www.condorcycles.com/showBike.php?id=52

And that's all that they publish on it btw... it doesn't really go into details of the components, the only thing you know for sure is the Dedacciai SAT 14.5 steel tubeset.



And yes it looks like I'm promoting them, but I don't like Condor. They've got great ****, but just like Walker not liking Dolan, Condor can be prissy and frankly their condescending attitude gets right up my nose so I avoid shopping there. Nice gear though.

Learn a little bit before you drop coin. There's a big difference between aluminum and steel frames, and there's a big difference between riding a frame with clearance for huge tires and a frame that you can only fit 23's on.

If you're planning on using it as a track bike, this doesn't matter. The frame material matters more. If you just want a nice little fixie, it's best to just build one.

get a bob jackson!

get a bob jackson!
+1

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=307

One of my favourite bikes is absenter's Bob Jackson:
http://static.flickr.com/27/99943728_59cabd188d_o.jpg

More pics here:
http://flickr.com/search/?w=51035719258%40N01&q=jackson&m=text

The condor comes with whatever components you want, but the £699 price means (I think) ambrosio/system EX hubs built up by condor to either MA3s or open pros, stronglight chainset, various condor finishing kit.

A Bob Jackson frame + fork is about £350 with a headset and delivered. Add about £150 for a similar wheelset, about £80 for a stronglight chainset and ring and you've got about £120 for finishing kit (tyres, saddle, seatpost, bars, stem, BB, tape etc). Definitely doable, especially if you buy second hand components, but maybe not easy. I don't know how much BJ charge for a built up bike though. I also don't know why I didn't suggest BJ, since I have one and think the frames are great value for money!

I have to say that at the £700 range you've got a lot of choice and it's definitely a step up (and double the cash) from the bianchi/fuji realm.

And that's all that they publish on it btw... it doesn't really go into details of the components, the only thing you know for sure is the Dedacciai SAT 14.5 steel tubeset.



And yes it looks like I'm promoting them, but I don't like Condor. They've got great ****, but just like Walker not liking Dolan, Condor can be prissy and frankly their condescending attitude gets right up my nose so I avoid shopping there. Nice gear though.

yeah, i would be really interested to know what the drivetrain and wheels are on that bike. it's expensive

yeah, i would be really interested to know what the drivetrain and wheels are on that bike. it's expensive

For a US price comparison perhaps, but a lot of things are pricier here (hell, Rapha seem affordable at times!), we're kinda used to it.

One thing to note if the bike is being purchased in London... Join the LCC and look for shops that give a 10% LCC Members discount. It's wonderful.

Condor don't give the LCC discount on new bikes though, or Rapha, or Campagnolo, or Sidi, or Colnago, or... whatever else I ever seem to want to purchase from them. I sometimes suspect that they just don't give the LCC discount.

yeah, i would be really interested to know what the drivetrain and wheels are on that bike. it's expensive

The whole GBP-USD conversion thing can be misleading. Things are expensive in the UK. Comparing what you get in the UK for £700 to what you get for $1300USD in the US isn't going to tell you anything meaningful, except that life in the UK is a pricey proposition. With a lot of things, musical equipment especially, something that costs $500 in the US will cost £500 in the UK. I would not be surprised if a lot of bike stuff was the same.

That's not to say that this is the case here, as I really don't know enough about what £700 buys you in the UK bike world.

m.

I built a conversion from a '80 frame thats a little to small.my other is a little to big...So I'm looking at the Jamis and the Fuji, leaning towards the Jamis

A Pista runs to £400 here, a Fuji is £300.

On the upside, you can a cheaper bike on ebay here. I have this super sweet EG Bates trackie, which I paid £220 for on the bay.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/DSC00054.jpg

That's a big ol stem, but that's also a huge frame. You must be 6'3"

The thing is that we get holidays and so it all evens up! And even better, we can use those holidays to come to the US and it's like everything is in a half price sale!

I think (for comparison) that the fuji track goes for about £300 ($600). Probably a lot more than they cost in the US. The comparison that I love the most is that a Surly Steamroller and a Bob Jackson cost the same over here!

I am indeed 6'3. Good guess! Momentum - as mentioned above, you can find the Fuji for £300.

The Bay is definitely better here. A combination of ebay and classified ads means that I have invested £250 in a super tight geo 80s track bike with Dura Ace cranks and BB, high flange Dura Ace 7600 hubs laced to non-machined rims and a freshly bought Dura Ace headset. Plus I got a pair of wheels (old Dura Ace hubs with cutout flanges laced to Mavic Gel 280s) for £50.