Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Swobo Sanchez II

Hey,
I saw some guy riding a fixie down the street a few weeks ago, asked if I could take for a go, and I've wanted one ever since. I'm just using it as a form of main transport (I try to use my $400 car as little as possible) and my friends around town have picked up some Pistas, and one of em has a Swobo. Comparing the Pista to the Swobo, I like the feel of the Swobo more, it seems tighter or something, more ready to go (higher gear ratio?). I can pick up a stock one at the local shop for $525... I hear retail is $600. Good deal?
Thanks for the input
-HG
Edit
Just ran across this..
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm
That looks like a lot better deal. Any opinions on the Mercier vs the Sanchez?

get the mercier.

/end thread.

Is it the galvanized sanchez or the one painted to look like it's galvanized. I'd consider it if it's actually galvanized, if it's just painted then it's not worth it.

It's galvanized. I'm a broke student so the cheaper the better to be honest. I really can't imagine the Mercier is even close to the Sanchez based on the price...

use the search function.

The sanchez is made by a small company pushing relying on image to sell the bikes. The quality of the two bikes is comparable. The mercier is made by a big company making bikes as affordable as possible. I personally would rather have the sanchez just because I think the galvanizing is a great way to finish a frame. That thing will never rust and it should be damn near impossible to scratch.

The Kilo is a good bike though.

use the search function.

Yeah, sooooo true. We wouldn't want to take valuable board space away from the endless white people/condom threads that are so ss/fg related.:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

The Sanchez is a good bike. I've seen some around SF, and the owners seem happy enough. The up charge over the Mercier is moot if you get the support of a good LBS, and better parts.

Thanks
And for the record, I used search, and I just saw people complaining about how Swobo is getting on the "fixie fad" train with the Sanchez, and nothing about it's actual quality.

Swobo was urban cycling before there was such a thing. The fact a bunch of noobs don't approve of them entering the pool that they just jumped into makes me want one even more.

I agree with sfcrossrider in a way but $525 for a very low-end bike when the guy says cash is tight doesn't make sense. The Kilo TT is low-end but is superior to the Sanchez II and cheaper.

Cool.
Just found this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=238940&highlight=pista+mercier
Answered most of my questions (since my buds have Pistas, it sounds like the Mercier is on par and better in places).
Thanks!

Erin rides a Sanchez. And Erin is hot.

Need more reasons?

The mercier begs for a new everything when you buy it, the swobo has some decent components on it.