Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Dawes SST frame vs Steamroller frame

I am starting to wonder if I should spend a little more money now instead of later and get a Steamroller instead of the Dawes. Is there anything about the surly frame that makes it better and more expensive or do you just pay for component upgrades? I will be using this bike for commuting and learning fgfs.

i own a steamroller and the bike is a tank.. anyone who owns one or has riden one can tell you that. the components are up to par and is worth the money IMO

having ridden a steamroller, it does ride really nicely. i don't really love the way the chainstays bow out though, but i know that's to be fat-tire friendly and stuff.

not really related: for some reason, riding my kilo feels closer to riding a steamroller than a pista, but i have yet to determine why that is.

I think it would have alot to do with your personal perference as well as how much you wanted to spend.
I also looked at the Surly but I'm also not crazy about the chainstay shape either. IMO the "maroon" lookes more like "hershey" brown to me. So I went with the Dawes SST because all I really wanted in the first place was a beater FG to ride without worries if it gets banged up some. $325 SST + $30 cog/lockring and it's enough to fit my needs.
Again I think it is all in how much your comfortable in spending. Good luck.

having ridden a steamroller, it does ride really nicely. i don't really love the way the chainstays bow out though, but i know that's to be fat-tire friendly and stuff.

not really related: for some reason, riding my kilo feels closer to riding a steamroller than a pista, but i have yet to determine why that is.

i would say steamroller. The difference on the frame being the dropouts and being double butted. Not sure if the dawes is butted but since it didnt say on the website i would assume not. The welds look better (aesthetically) on my steamroller then on the dawes in the picture. Also the parts on the steamroller are better.

on the kilo - steamroller - pista question. Look at the geo. the kilo is closer to the steamroller than the pista

having ridden a steamroller, it does ride really nicely. i don't really love the way the chainstays bow out though, but i know that's to be fat-tire friendly and stuff.

not really related: for some reason, riding my kilo feels closer to riding a steamroller than a pista, but i have yet to determine why that is.

I vote steamroller too b/c the frame is very tough. The paint is hard to chip and the steel absorbs vibration very well to make for a nice ride. But the Pista and IRO steel frames can get you that as well.

Concerning this question, could the difference be in the angle of the Steamroller's headtube? The Pista's headtube is almost completely vertical, while the Steamroller's is at a slight slant. This makes for more front wheel clearance and makes a major difference in the way these two bikes handle.

ah - good call guys, it does seem that the slightest differences in the headtube angle can result in different handling.