Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Which inexpensive fixed gear commuter?

I don't want a conversion. Unless I found a nice frame for cheap, but I'm not really looking.

I've listed what I want from the bike in order of importance (most important at the top):

less than $600 (the cheaper the better)
fender eyelets
wide tire clearance
decent or good components
no braze-ons (water bottle mounts are okay)
120 mm rear spacing
classic styling (no sloping top tube or funky graphics)


I don't think there is a complete bike, or even a comparable frameset, that fills all my criteria available right now. If it is, then I can't think of it. The closest ones I've found are the Raleigh One Way, Redling 9-2-5, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi San Jose, and the IRO Jamie Roy. Right now the One Way is my favorite. I don't like the cable guides or rear canti bosses. The 9-2-5 is tempting because it is definitely the cheapest of all the choices, and it fits a lot of my criteria. The San Jose is without a flip-flop (unless they changed it for 07), so that's not an option. I IRO bikes are alright. I think they both have ugly paint jobs.

A couple questions now. Are there any I missed? The first two criteria are essential, so don't suggest something that doesn't have both of them. I must have fenders on this bike. I'll probably get some full coverage steel ones and put on a mud flap, so it doesn't matter if it comes with them or not. Does anyone know what hubs come on the One Way?

KHS Flite 100/ebay variation (Windsor?). The ebay version is cheap cheap cheap. Supports full fenders (though it may involve some modification). Doesn't have super wide tire clearance, but should take 25's with the fenders on. It is also more agressive than the other bikes mentioned with a tighter geometry.

Jamie Roy is sans fender eyelets.

Jamie Roy is sans fender eyelets.
No it's not.

No it's not.

Yes it is.
you're thinking Rob Roy

No, it's not.

http://irocycle.com/imagelib/jamieroy.jpg

well color me ********. has it always come with that fork?


i think we're looking for the same frame. well i don't care if it's a sloping TT. actually I'd prefer it.

Anyway, i think we'd both like a Kogswell Model G. but they don't exist anymore.

also, don't discount the steamroller. It fits all your criteria except for the fender mounts. but that's what P-clips or SpeedEz are for.

I like what Surly has to offer, but built up it would probably exceed the $600 limit. I would get a cross-check before I got a Steamroller though. Yeah the Model G was nice.

No, it's not.

http://irocycle.com/imagelib/jamieroy.jpg

I see 2 holes drilled in each track fork. don't you see them?

I think our little ))<>(( confused you. No, it's not without fender eyelets is what I'm saying.

I see 2 holes drilled in each track fork. don't you see them?

*cough*
No it's not sans eyelets.

There's a sticky on budget fixies at the top, but my vote is for the Rob Roy for obvious reasons. Fender and rack eyelets, accomodates wide tires, but the rear spacing is 132.5, not 120. The rear brake cable guides are on the top tube if that matters.

No it's not.

Well, I learned something today.

The rear brake cable guides are on the top tube if that matters.

indeed, more specifically the top of the top tube, making both cyclocross races and flights of steps up to one's apartment easier on the shoulder.

indeed, more specifically the top of the top tube, making both cyclocross races and flights of steps up to one's apartment easier on the shoulder.
LOL Yeah, that's what I meant. Good catch.

BUT WHAT ABOUT RACK BOSSES?s

BUT WHAT ABOUT RACK BOSSES?s

rob roy's got em

First, how wide a tire?

Secondly, why a rear brake?

I've never had a rear brake on a fixed bike, partly because I have my legs to do the amount of braking one can expect from a rear brake, and, more importantly, it seems (I don't know 'cause I've never done it) like an unnecessary complication to adjust the rear brake for a different cog or chainwheel.

Thirdly, why a flip-flop hub?
I had a flip-flop hub on my Pista when I got it, and found it more trouble to flip it just for a gear change than the situation warranted.
As for a flip-flop hub giving one a backup in case of stripped threads, I use only one brand of cog (EAI only) and I think that gives me considerable protection from stripped threads.
The flip-flop thing doesn't matter, though, because I think all of the budget bikes (San Jose?) come with a flip-flop hub.

For most of the year I ride with an SKS race blade fender in back; nothing in front.
When it gets really icy and rutted, I switch to my geared ice bike with mega-studded tires and big steel fenders on both ends.

I visited the Bianchi USA site and that San Jose looks good, except for the freewheel.
Could a person replace the freewheel with a fixed cog?

At least enough room for fenders and a 32 mm tire, which should be enough room for 35 mm studded tires sans fenders.

I don't want a rear brake. Ideally there would be nothing back there, but nobody sells a frame/bike in the price range with fender eyelets that doesn't have cable routing. If only the Steamroller had eyelets.

I didn't say anything about a flip-flop hub. If I had my way it would be fixed/fixed, but that's just unrealistic.


visited the Bianchi USA site and that San Jose looks good, except for the freewheel.
Could a person replace the freewheel with a fixed cog?

I hadn't thought of that, but I'm not sure. As long as I could thread a lockring on there I'd be happy. Any San Jose owners want to comment?

the 2006 san joses were freewheel only
i'm assuming the same thing for the 2007s

p-clips!

the 2006 san joses were freewheel only
i'm assuming the same thing for the 2007s

p-clips!

Last visit to the lbs, the hunter green '07 San Joses had flip-flop hubs, but no cog.

!Ole!

Well, some commuters want full fenders, a rack, brakes, etc. so the Rob Roy comes w/ eyelets for fenders front and back and a rear rack. Canti bosses front and back too if you run it SS. Wide enough for 35s.

i have a San Jose coming in tomorrow or friday for exactly the purpose you describe. according to others the recent ones have come with a flip flop hub meaning you only need a cog and lockring to run it fixed. i'll let you know.
its for my wife and seems like a great deal on a versatile commuter.

is it strange to anyone else that the jamie roy can take up to 38mm tires and the rob roy only 35?

Go with the 925, It a great bike for the price.
Have a good nite .

The Raleigh One-Way fits almost all your requirements.
http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=349

http://www.raleighusa.com/images/items/Road/full/2007/R07-OneWay_Black-f.jpg

Do people even bother to read the threads they post in? I already mentioned the One Way, but thank you anyways.

It's pretty much between the San Jose, One Way, and Rob Roy right now. I'm still waiting for confirmation on whether or not the 07 San Jose has a flip-flop hub. My LBS of choice is both a Raleigh and Bianchi dealer, so he should be able to get either. I think I prefer the looks and the geometry of the San Jose though. The One Way's cable routing is also on the bottom of the top tube. If I have to get a bike with cable routing I would prefer it on the top of the top tube (thanks for pointing that out guys).

If I had more money I might be all about the new Pompino Pro (http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=187). I would actually love to have the regular Pompino too, but they are too expensive complete, and I can't seem to find any used ones.

The One-Way has the same hubs as the Rush-Hour (SB, flip/flop) but nicer rims.

Do people even bother to read the threads they post in? I already mentioned the One Way, but thank you anyways.

Sorry. I was at work and didn't have a lot of time to read the whole thread. My bad! :(

I'm still waiting for confirmation on whether or not the 07 San Jose has a flip-flop hub.
ones.
again nothing today on my wifes san jose. whats started as "we should have it in 3-5 days" has turned into a 2 weeks and still waiting situation. last time i spoke they said today or tomorrow, so i'm hoping i can let you know. i know others who've gotten them lately have had them come with the flip flop.

again nothing today on my wifes san jose. whats started as "we should have it in 3-5 days" has turned into a 2 weeks and still waiting situation. last time i spoke they said today or tomorrow, so i'm hoping i can let you know. i know others who've gotten them lately have had them come with the flip flop.

No worries man. I called my LBS about it too, and they haven't gotten back yet. I'm patient.

KHS Flite 100/ebay variation (Windsor?). The ebay version is cheap cheap cheap. Supports full fenders (though it may involve some modification). Doesn't have super wide tire clearance, but should take 25's with the fenders on. It is also more agressive than the other bikes mentioned with a tighter geometry.

Jamie Roy is sans fender eyelets.

no it is a mercier first off the windsor=fuji - the mercier will run 23 with fenders on at best dunno abou the fuji/windsor... but please do the smart thing and by something from your lbs they are generally easier to deal with if something goes wrong.. get it

and you should be able to find the kona paddy wagon just about anywhere for around 650 ish or get an iro mark v or angus you can get rack and fender adapters to make thing work and I think they will go up to a 32 or something

I bought a San Jose a week ago. 140 commuting miles on it now and I'm getting its groove down. I used to commute on a Giant Bowery (fixed) but got tired of ghetto fenders. I wanted full front & rears for the winter. I have a LeMond Poprad, and I appreciate the versatility of a 'cross bike, so the San Jose is a natural. I also wanted (required) a steel frame this time 'round.

less than $600 (the cheaper the better) yep, street price
fender eyelets yep, Freddy fenders fit right on w/no zipties. That felt good.
wide tire clearance yep, not sure how wide, but easily 38s. 32's w/fenders leave tons of room.
decent or good components they seem so, although my cog slipped at first so we'll see about the new for '07 hub
no braze-ons (water bottle mounts are okay) bottle mounts
120 mm rear spacing haven't measured
classic styling (no sloping top tube or funky graphics) the San Jose does have a slight slope to the top tube. Still looks classic, though. Love the flat spot for resting on my shoulder as I carry it up the steps at work.

My '07 San Jose came with the new Pista Alex Solo wheelset, and actually had a fixed cog installed on the flipflop. No freewheel. Apparently, this was a mistake (in my favor) at Bianchi. I am told the '07s will all come with the Pista Alex Solo wheelset, which means they will have a flipflop installed already for you. Bonus. I'm going to shove on a bigger freewheel and use this thing offroad, too.

It's a nice little commuter. Negatives? 42x17 is low, IMO, I might go with 42x16 to regain some speed. And we'll see about the hub: both my Pista and my San Jose have had cog slipping issues (the Pista more, the San Jose once and not again), so even though Bianchi "upgraded" the wheelset for '07, the hubs might not be wonderful. I'll see as I pile the miles on. IMO the ride isn't as nice as my Pista. It's softer, yet less lively. Still way better than alu. The brakes are powerful as heck, but the Kool Stop silver's aren't stellar in the rain. I'll wear 'em out and go with Salmon's.

The rest has been quite positive. I have had some serious fun so far, although I've been fiddling like crazy with positioning on the bike, it's been a hoot. Bombing across broken pavement/dirt on a knobby 32c fixed is quite addictive, it seems.

HTH

Thanks for the mini-review ducati. What lock ring are you using for the bike? I had some slippage issues on a Sputnik with the stock one, but after I put on a Dura-Ace lock ring no more problems. I've been riding it brakeless too.

Thanks for the mini-review ducati. What lock ring are you using for the bike? I had some slippage issues on a Sputnik with the stock one, but after I put on a dura-ace lock ring no more problems. I've been riding it brakeless too.
You're welcome. I'll post some more thoughts as time wears on, certainly regularly in my blog.

I'm using the stock Bianchi lockring. Good idea on the Dura Ace one. I'll grab one if I keep having problems. The cog slipped once on the San Jose, the LBS cranked it down and loctited the lockring after that, and I haven't had that happen in the last 80 miles or so. They did the same to my Pista, we'll see if that fixes the issue there, too.