Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Surly Steamroller vs. Kona Paddy Wagon

Anyone have any thoughts on these two bikes? Pros, Cons? I am just trying to get a good all around bike for everyday riding as well as some longer stuff.

totally unrelated, but get the bikeforums iro!
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=3719639

http://irocycle.com/iro/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=61

Is there a particular Steamroller that's built up your looking to compare with the Kona? Steamrollers are usually bought as a frameset and built ala carte, so it's tough to compare with a stock bike like the Kona. Give us some specifics on the Surly you're looking at.

the surly steamroller complete comes out in early april. will run ya about $665. kona paddy wagons are out now and can typically be found for about $599. both are great bikes. get on them and ride one. pick the one you like better. 'nuff said about this.

if you got a cross check you could always add gears (!!!) later for the real long stuff.

steamrollers are fun.

get the steamroller and build it yourself, it'll be fun to build it and you'll probably like it more.

Ugh! Just buy a Bianchi already. You know you're going to, anyway.

Can anyone speak to geometry differences between the two? Based on wheelbase/toptube lengths the Steamroller doesn't seem that relaxed compared to track frames like my Mercier Kilo TT. I'm looking to get something more streetable for my next frame, like the Paddy Wagon seems to be. Advice?

steamroller is in my opinion the quintessential fixed gear for the road/city/messenger work. if i ever stumbled onto one, id definately get it even though ive got no room, or moneys...

The Steamroller, for some reason, has a way overinflated reputation. Seems to me that the Steamroller, with its generic chromo tubes is way overpriced. You can get frames with name band tubes for a similar price or cheaper (Soma, IRO, etc.). Overall, the Kona is probably a better deal (Dedaccia SAT tubes...the same as the EAI Bareknuckle). Hell you can buy a complete Paddy Wagon for almost the price of a Bareknuckle frame and fork. Moreover, its more street worthy than the Steamroller. It has roadish geometry and unlike the steamroller, it has eyelets for fenders and mounts for 2 bottle cages.

The Steamroller, for some reason, has a way overinflated reputation. Seems to me that the Steamroller, with its generic chromo tubes is way overpriced. You can get frames with name band tubes for a similar price or cheaper (Soma, IRO, etc.). Overall, the Kona is probably a better deal (Dedaccia SAT tubes...the same as the EAI Bareknuckle). Hell you can buy a complete Paddy Wagon for almost the price of a Bareknuckle frame and fork. Moreover, its more street worthy than the Steamroller. It has roadish geometry and unlike the steamroller, it has eyelets for fenders and mounts for 2 bottle cages.

I believe the Steamroller is double butted cromo, just not a name brand one, but it's not straight gauge. The geometry is road as well.

But it sure is weird that it doesn't have fender bosses - I suppose they were going for that "clean" look, or that lots of people just won't use fenders anyway.

The Paddy Wagon is a pretty amazing spec for the price - the only thing that looks kind of weak is the crank, but I say that only because it's not a name brand, I'm sure it's servable. The surly spec looks pretty good too. I'd say it's neck and neck valuewise, assuming the Surly will have the same retail price.

I really don't feel like the Steamroller is not over rated. 4130 is a tried and trued tubing which will last plenty beating. The geometry is tighter than road geometry making it fairly nimble and responcive, but not as much so as a tighter frame like the Rush. I think it's a nice all around frame. Good, clean and solid. Buy it if you like it, buy something different if you dont.

Just to throw this in since no one else has, but there's the Schwinn Madison coming in March (according to my LBS):

http://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=724

i just checked out the paddy wagon, and it seems to me that the tubing is the only redeeming value. and good god, i hope i never hear "paddy wagon" in the same sentence as "bareknuckle" ever again.
in my humble opinion, i think you're better off converting an old road bike with decent tubing. the geometry, the bells 'n whistles all over the frame, the notion that its a hideous bike....you're better off with a conversion.

but don't take my opinion for fact, it might ride wonderfully, but i highly doubt that it can perform like ought to for the price.

and i'm not gonna lie, the madison looks pretty nice! did they give an overall weight for it?

I too was looking for a more road oriented fixed gear. I purchased a new Jamis Sputnik and put 90mi on the first 2 days after I bought it - but thats all I've ridden it.
But based on those first two rides, I am very pleased.
Al