Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - comparison: redline monocog or surly 1x1/instigator

I'm looking to get a 26" street and trails bike. I havent had this kind of bike in a while, so my riding wont be anything too specific, just generally destructive. I'm looking to keep it around the $500 mark, and less would be fine.
I really like surly frames, and was sold on the 1x1. Simple 26" singlespeeding. But then I remembered about the Redline Monocog, which seems like a reasonably priced alternative. And now that I'm considering different options, I'm looking at the surly instigator as well.

Any thoughts on the differences between these frames? One thing that kind of appeals to me is how the monocog seems more like an oversized bmx bike, than a mtb. Can't figure out why I get this impression, it just has that look/feel to me, even tho the geometries seem very close between the monocog/1x1. And what would getting an instigator offer, that cant be had from the other two frames (besides the derailer hanger?)

The instigator won't be a SS without a tensioner, and those can be a PITA. Also, it is a heavy-ass hell frame. Fine if you don't need to pedal it uphill a lot.

The 1x1 frame costs around $400, the monocog is about $500 complete. Personally, I'd go with the monocog and beat the crap out of it.

Don't just swallow all the marketing. Look at the materials, geo, and prices to make your decisions. Ride them, if possible.

I rode the monocog around in circles at my shop and I think it's great, but I've heard numerous reports of the parts being of a cheap quality.

I've ridden the monocog a couple times, but plan on giving it a good spin again, now that I'm considering it seriously. I've been having a harder time finding a 1x1 that I can ride.

Good to know about the weight of the instigator. Thats probably reason for me to pass it up. Any idea on the weight difference between a comprably built monocog vs. 1x1? I don't want to say weight is a -huge- issue, but this bike might turn out to be one of my more ridden bikes during the winter months, so I wouldnt want something too heavy..

New monocog vs. new 1x1, and I don't think I could be considering a 1x1...But used on ebay suggests prices closer to the new monocog, for used, but better quality on the 1x1.

And anyone else get that sense of the monocog looking more bmx, while the 1x1 stays true to its mtb roots (I'm kind of partial to the bmx look myself..)??

I get that impression. I think the frame looks streched out like a bmx frame but it may just be the redline logo playing mind tricks on me.

I like my monocog but it's a tank in terms of weight, handling and durability.

1x1's are not known for being lightweights. Stock components on the monocog aren't the best, but I'd certainly not call them crap. More like the frame itself: decent and solid, but not light or fancy. Full builds of 1x1's are a crapshoot, but most folks build them up with good stuff.

Ive ridden a moncog 29er quite a bit on the trails and it defiantly holds its own and ive never had one problem with cheap parts. also moncogs sell for 450 at the lbs. also go 29er you will be happier.

also go 29er you will be happier.\

for urban and trials... If anything I would say go 16er you'll be happier.

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for urban and trials... If anything I would say go 16er you'll be happier.

agreed, but 29er for the trails. And he didnt say trials he said trails.

I rode a monocog a few years ago and thought it was a blast, but in the end 29" wheels and XT fiddly bits got my money. I'm 6' 1" and the 29" made for a mountain bike that I didn't feel like I towered over.

also go 29er you will be happier.
Man, I thought I could escape you zealots on this forum at least. ;)

Monocog is a great bike for the price .
You can get it on ebay used for about 100 to 250. I have two of them. I have one setup for winter commuting . Have a good nite .

Lots of pimped out 1x1s floating around out there for cheap since the 29er thing happened.

You might check out the Jamis Exile...the 26" is a little pricey complete but is available as a frameset....and the Exile is now available as a 29er....

i have a monocog flite (the aluminum version) and its a blast. It comes with better components than the regular monocog but is about 150-200 bucks more. If you think about it, you would pay that switching out parts on a regular monocog AND you get a really light weight frame, lighter than all my bmx bikes and lighter than most bikes as my other friends tell me. Its probably in the 23-24 lb range. It is like a big bmx bike crossed with a monster truck. I love it. Pretty solid too.

Can't beat a monocog for the money.. Seriously.