Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Convince me not to buy a SE Lager

So I just moved out west (Portland or Seattle, haven't decided yet) and have been shopping for a bike. Last bike I had was an old school 18 speed Raleigh that sucked. I think it's time for a new, nice bike. Now, I've always been a fan of my gears but I've come to the realization that I can't afford to drop $1k on anything. I went into a bike shop here in Seattle and found the SE Lager on sale for $435 (with tax, i think). This bike will be my main form of transport, getting me around town for groceries, work, and drinks. Any thoughts on why I shouldn't buy the bike? Any better bikes for that price?

http://www.sebikes.com/2008/images/popups/Lager.jpg
Specs:
Frame: 100% Cr-Mo, Euro Bottom Bracket, Water Bottle Mount
Fork: Triple Butted 100% Cr-Mo w/ Fender Mounts
Headset: Ritchey 1-1/8″ Threadless
Handlebars: Alloy Bullhorn
Stem: SE 3D Forged Alloy, 7 Degree Sweep
Grips: Velo Cushion Wrap Foam
Brake Lever: Tektro RX4.1, Alloy, F&R
Brake(s): Tektro 510A Dual Pivot Caliper F&R
Seat: SE Super Light w/ Custom Cover
Seat Post: SE Micro Adjust Alloy 27.2
Seat Clamp: SE Alloy
Crankset: FSA Vero3-pc Alloy, 170mm, Euro Sealed Bearing, 46T Alloy
Chain: KMC Z410 Silver
Pedal: Wellgo Alloy w/ Cage & Toe Clips
Rim: Alex R500, 32H, Double Wall w/ CNC Sidewalls, w/ Stainless 14Ga. Spokes
Front Hub: Formula High Flange Alloy, 32H, Sealed Bearing, Nutted
Rear Hub: Formula High Flange Alloy, 32H, Sealed Bearing Nutted, 16T Freewheel/Fixed Flip Flop
Tires: Kenda K176, 700 X 28c
Extras: Front & Rear Fender Mounts
Colors: Brown
Weight: 21.5 lbs.

spend a little more on a madison.

IMO i would either get an IRO or a Mercier Kilo TT. The Kio is only $350, but if you are in seattle it may rain on you, so you may want to consider an aluminum framed bike just so it doesnt rust, just my .02.

^ I love when people think Seattle gets *so* much more rain than every other city in the country.

haha i just hear it does

it gets a good share but it has weather, it's not like it's raining all the time. plenty of days when it's clear out.

nothing like socal where it's freakish if there's a single cloud in the sky.

spend a little more on a madison.

a madison?


IMO i would either get an IRO or a Mercier Kilo TT.

an IRO?

You guys have to understand that I am a complete newb.

a schwinn madison
http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=923

iro mark v
http://shop.irocycle.com/shop/pages.php?pageid=9&galleryview=prestonisjon1
(click the links to build your own)

kilo tt
http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm

also langsters and the like

I was looking at that Schwinn Madison when I was checking out the Lager, is it really much better? I couldn't see any significant advancements.

Don't get a Lager. Get a Kilo, Hour ect...Anything but the lager. I broke mine in under a year...but that was my fault...I just think for the same price you can get soo much more

Is there any real difference between the lager and the madison, both have cheap wheels and equally as rubbish bar/stem/seatpost. The Madison definitely looks nicer but is there much difference between the build quality of the frames?

Is your LBS selling any Fuji Tracks/The hours?

I saw a fuji track in my lbs the other day. It was built up funny with reflectors and mtb plat pedals. but it was in an amazing matte gray colour. It came with track drops and a cane creek front break...it was pretty sweet...get that...I cant remember the price though.

the fuji track seems like the best bet for how cheap it is. it's still cheap stuff, but decent, and pretty nice looking. thebikebiz has them for 435, i think, but they're out of stock except for 61 cm.

Since you all are mentioning the Fuji Track, don't forget the Windsor Hour. Isn't it basically the same bike and $150 cheaper?

thanks for the input so far. can you tell me specifically why the Fuji Track is better than the Lager? You have to understand that I've never ridden fixed/single speeds before, I'm only buying it because I can't afford a geared bike. I'll probably start out riding it as a single speed so I'll be needing both brakes.

yeah but the components aren't exactly the same and the paint is dumber. the 08 fuji can be had for 400 or less on sale and looks sweet. the bars alone are probably worth the extra.

I bought a Windsor "the Hour" last week and have been riding it around every day (not commuting, just pleasure riding before/after work) and I love it. Its my first fixed gear bike, and my first road bike, and hell...my first bike period in 10 years or so.

The only thing it needs is to have some locktight put on the rear sprocket (I'm a clyde though...6'2 290lbs for now) as when I tried to slow it down QUICK, i felt it slip loose and when I pushed down hard on the pedals, it tightened back up.

It was reccomended to me by a friend of mine to get an SE Lager before I bought my Hour, but I'm happy with my purchase.

i will put in +1 for the fuji track
and -1 for the lager

I bought a Windsor "the Hour" last week and have been riding it around every day (not commuting, just pleasure riding before/after work) and I love it. Its my first fixed gear bike, and my first road bike, and hell...my first bike period in 10 years or so.

The only thing it needs is to have some locktight put on the rear sprocket (I'm a clyde though...6'2 290lbs for now) as when I tried to slow it down QUICK, i felt it slip loose and when I pushed down hard on the pedals, it tightened back up.

It was reccomended to me by a friend of mine to get an SE Lager before I bought my Hour, but I'm happy with my purchase.


get a new cog and lockring

you shouldnt need to loctite something w/ a lr

so what makes the Fuji Track that much better? it would run me $120 more and is setup as a track bike when i'm looking more for a single speed.

if you just want singlespeed get this:
http://bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/messenger.htm

same frame as the fuji track and comes ready for singlespeed already.

the reason we don't like the lager is because SE makes the draft and the draft is downright ****ing terrible. the lager is better but i haven't ridden one so i can't say how much better and i'd rather not have any 700c SE bike at all.

besides, if you're going to get a bargain bike(which the lager is) get one from bikes direct and save a hundred+ for hookers and booze, instead of getting the bike that just looks like a hooker and is named like a booze.

Also consider the Raleigh Rush Hour for around $500 (sometimes less). It has tighter geometry than some of the aforementioned bike. For commuting purpose, a bike with tighter geometry will allow easier maneuverability through traffic and around obstacles. The Raleigh Rush Hour comes with both freewheel and fixed cogs; this gives you options.

How are you planning to carry groceries back to your place if you buy the lager...or most any of the above mentioned bikes for that matter? It looks like the "Windsor - The Hour" and the Mercier are the only ones with rack mounts.

besides, if you're going to get a bargain bike(which the lager is) get one from bikes direct and save a hundred+ for hookers and booze, instead of getting the bike that just looks like a hooker and is named like a booze.

Well played.

actually since you said that you're getting this because you can't afford a road bike... i wouldn't do it at all. i'd get a used road bike that's not too old.

convert an old frame instead. cheaper, and fun!

yard sale season is here......

I thought someone would suggest a Redline 925 by now (click for link) (http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/925.html). They're a few bucks more than the SE but seem better thought out, come with fenders, and look like a better town-transport type bike.

besides, if you're going to get a bargain bike(which the lager is) get one from bikes direct and save a hundred+ for hookers and booze, instead of getting the bike that just looks like a hooker and is named like a booze.

i actually like the way that the lager looks, although i also have a thing for cheap women.

I thought someone would suggest a Redline 925 by now (click for link) (http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/925.html). They're a few bucks more than the SE but seem better thought out, come with fenders, and look like a better town-transport type bike.

now this, i like!

I bought the lager for 400 AUS dollars. It's very cheap for a complete bike and I love it. The madison is 800 dollars in australia and bianchi pista is 1200.
For 400 this price, it's really a good bike.
I can't find any problems of it.
It's my first singlespeed bike. When I try the fixed gear, I never go back single speed. The freewheel option is useless.
Of course if you have money, buy a more expensive bike.

Nearly picked up an se lager there on sale for 399 aus dollar which is a steal

got a kona paddywagon instead

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/2523437616_18554f0dd1_b.jpg

Keep in mind you're going to want fenders, racks, and possibly bigger tires if this is going to be your primary transportation. I tried the Lager, along with a Redline 925 and a Cayne Uno at my LBS. I wound up buying the Cayne for subtle feel reasons that may not apply to anyone else, but for you, the Redline 925 probably makes more sense. Fenders and solid rack mounts are a big deal, and the prices are very close. The next quality step up pushes you well over $600 (Surly Steamroller, Kona Paddywagon, Biachi San Jose).

Keep in mind you're going to want fenders, racks, and possibly bigger tires if this is going to be your primary transportation. I tried the Lager, along with a Redline 925 and a Cayne Uno at my LBS. I wound up buying the Cayne for subtle feel reasons that may not apply to anyone else, but for you, the Redline 925 probably makes more sense. Fenders and solid rack mounts are a big deal, and the prices are very close. The next quality step up pushes you well over $600 (Surly Steamroller, Kona Paddywagon, Biachi San Jose).

ya, this is a good point, fenders especially.

i think the tyre on the lager is too thick for me. this is the only thing i dont like about it

I am currently looking at the lager at my lbs, and the tires didn't seem much thicker than most road bike tires. I should however say that I am new to looking at such details, but still didn't see much of a difference.

The lager has rack braze-ons and fender mounts so if you you're using it for commuting and such its not such a bad choice. A friend has one that he uses for those reasons and he's very happy with it. Everyone says the kilo's and such but there is something to be said for getting the bike you want as opposed to what others think you should get. Plus if your LBS has them in stock you can actually ride it and see if you like it and more importantly that it fits you properly. The Kilo's and windsors can't offer that.

I've been in the same boat lately. I'm looking to get my first single speed (I have a Trek carbon road bike currently) to just cruise around the neighborhood. I've been looking at the Redline 925, Raleigh and of course the Bikesdirect specials. Is it worth the extra $200 to buy the Redline or such from the LBS?

for one person's 3 part longitudinal review of the se lager, check out commutebybike.com (the following link is just the 3rd and final installment):
http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/26/final-review-se-lager/

also, many other people's personal quick reviews of other commuting bikes available on that website. check it out!

personally, i bought a used raleigh technium a couple of years ago that fit me suprisingly well, then converted it to fixed with a friend's help (he works at an lbs, yet the conversion was pretty easy i think i could have done it myself). we ended up using a used fixed wheel, as i didn't have the time to learn how to redish my original rear wheel and my friend had this spare one anyway. it's been a great ride! all in all, if i were to estimate the cost of a new fixed rear wheel ~$150, i probably spent around $300 overall on improvements/converting the ride. i like that we re-used perfectly good old stuff rather than buying brand new, though.

I have a 2007 Lager that I got a deal on, and I have to say, the largest drawback is the level of components and the component setup. When I purchased mine, I ran out and got a track hub, like one does, and was really surprised to see that my chainline was now crooked once I flipped to the fixed side. The freewheel side lined up, but the track side didn't. I ended up sorting it out (I wanted to swap to a black 5-arm crank anyway and don't plan on flipping back to the freewheel) but all in all, I think you can find a better deal if you're spending over 400 bucks.

It seems that people who don't like the Lager either have not ridden it, hate the Draft, are against factory SS, or are just some other kind of snob.

It's a pretty good bike for the price (usually under $450). There are a couple of other bikes in its class/price-range like the Redline 925.

Try a few and buy the one you like but don't listen to the peanut gallery.

yes try the lager at your lbs, and if you like it buy the Dawes SST from bikesdirect.com...same exact bike for $200 less, and the colors it comes in are much more attractive especially the matte black.

i was looking at a lager too when i started shopping for a fixed bike, they have a matte black one too...i thought it would be neat to have a bike named after a beer style but i am happy with my steamroller