Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - bianchi vs. iro vs. masi vs. khs vs. fuji vs. specialized vs. surly vs. mercier etc..

I have been riding a conversion fixed for a while now and have recently decided its time to step it up. I have been considering getting an ok Fixed for around $300-400 and replacing some components or just putting approximately $600-700 into an all around good fixed. The problem is there are so many to choose from and I have only ridden a few of them.
The following bikes are priced around or below $600 and I am not sure which one is the best for the money:

Bianchi - Pista
Surly - Steamroller
Masi - Speciale fixed
Khs - Flite 100
Specialized - Langster
Windsor - The Hour
Mercier - Kilo TT
SE - Lager
Fuji - Track
Motobecane - Messenger
IRO - Angus, Mark V, Jamie Roy, Rob Roy
**Schwinn - Madison
**Raleigh - One way, Rush hour
**Cannondale - Capo

Please help out.. gives reviews, opinions.. anything. Thanks!!

(** added after original post)

The Steamroller has a tough frame with good components for the price. Its hard to beat.

Steamroller suXxxxx! get a raleigh rUsH HOUr cus thats the bike i have and its is the best.

On a more serious note, you should consider the following:

1. What are you looking for in a bike?
- Is utility important (eyelets, tire clearance, etc.)?
- Are you looking for tight, responsive handling or do you want more of a road/touring type feel?
- Does steel appeal to you or Al?
- Are you attracted to a certain style and look?
The bikes you've listed are similar in many ways, but there are some significant differences that could help narrow the field. For example, the Pista and the Jamie Roy are very different kinds of frames and builds.

2. Try and ride as many of these bikes as possible and see which you like best.

Also, check out the Cannondale Capo.

I hate people that bash other people on this board, but really isn't this just like all other budget fixed gear question threads. There is no real problem with asking, but people all have there own ideas about each bike, each bike is good in there own way.


Steamroller suXxxxx! get a raleigh rUsH HOUr cus thats the bike i have and its is the best.
The only bike thats not on the list, something to really look at, There is also the Raleigh Oneway, witch is a very nice looking bike, I almost bought one, comes with a Brooks saddle & bar tape, for that price, thats nice, wider tires good for commuting.



Bianchi - Pista
Surly - Steamroller
Masi - Speciale fixed
Specialized - Langster
IRO - Angus, Mark V, Jamie Roy, Rob Roy(all different Geometry)

These are all complete budget, all basically the same, alot of them are just rebadged bikes of each other,
Khs - Flite 100same bike as the Kilo TT
Windsor - The Hoursame bike as the Fuji
Mercier - Kilo TTsame bike as the Flite 100
SE - LagerI think there is a new Bike Direct bike being rebadged with this frame
Fuji - TrackSame bike as The Hour
Motobecane - Messenger(maybe this is the fuji)

I think ther is another Masi to also that other Bianchi San Jose or whatever I dont fell like checking if that right im to tired.

Alot of the bikes are different from each other, but you cant really go wrong with a budget bike, some are more relaxed position, ride everything single one, That would be fun.

there's a masi speciale commuter

and the Schwinn madison http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=430606

I hate people that bash other people on this board, but really isn't this just like all other budget fixed gear question threads.

I'm generally not a big supporter of "USE TEH SEARCH" replies, but yes, this is just like all the other new user questions that we seem to be inundated with as of late.

In fact, this particular one touches on just about every thread come across BFSSFG over the last two or three weeks.

Really, folks, I encourage discussion in all forms, but please at least spend some time going over the first three pages of threads to make sure you're not just repeating the same question that's been asked over and over and over before you start a new thread.

You really do need to try these various bikes before you buy them. I was in the same sit. as you a few weeks ago (comparing entry level fixed gear) and just called up various bike shops to see what they had that I could test drive. This made it really easy for me to choose:

-I realized I wanted something that comes w/ brakes. That rules out Fuji Track, Kilo, and a bunch of others.

-I liked upright, track geometry. That rules out Surly Steamroller, Kona Paddywagon, etc.

-I wanted to have a flip-flop hub so I would have a freewheel just in case. Fixed gear is more tiring, and you might want to run SS sometimes.

-I realized I wanted to buy from an actual shop. I don't really have the tools, skills, or patience to do my own assembly and maintainence right now.

So that's a start. From there just see what feels good. Also, if look sare important to you then take that into consideration after components and comfort.

I ended up getting a Madison and really like it so far. If you're going to be commuting with youre bike and don't need the lightest frame out there it's good. Main problem w/ it is the weight, alot of which comes from cheapish stems, seatpost, etc.

Steamroller suXxxxx! get a raleigh rUsH HOUr cus thats the bike i have and its is the best.

this seems like an unneccessary comment
both bikes are pretty great...the steamroller can take larger tires too which would be great for winter riding or offroad

I ride a steamroller and would recommend it if you are going for something versitile. That frame is pretty much a jack of all trades and indestructible.

this seems like an unneccessary comment
both bikes are pretty great...the steamroller can take larger tires too which would be great for winter riding or offroad

Let's not be too hard on ol' Supercub. I think that he was just trying to joke around.

I'm just waiting for the real heavy hitting thread-killers to get in on this one. Where have they gone?

Steamroller suXxxxx! get a raleigh rUsH HOUr cus thats the bike i have and its is the best.

I was satirizing the budget bike wars seen on past threads. I have neither ridden, nor seen, a Steamroller and have absolutely no hard feelings toward them or their owners.:thumb:

sweet...i knew there was some humor in that comment
i have nothing but love for my steamroller

it is sturdy and stylish and light and it came with pretty decent components

if you plan on swapping parts anyway, just buy a frame, not a complete.

I would imagine that I would spend way over $600 on good components if I built it from just the frame.

I actually found a frame on craigslist.. a 54" lager that needs new paint asking around a $100.. a good deal? a good frame to start building up with??

the lager frame seems like a good one, better than going with the complete
and you get to paint it...

searchsearchsearchsearchsearchsearchsearchsearchsearchsearchsearchsearch

There are millions of these topics. If you want customized advise as to your bike size etc., go to your LBS.

soytiempo you sound exactly like this guy i know. lol but he does have a point. I personal have an hour and love it, I had a spare brake laying around so that settled that. Does everything I need, although it does look a little ugly. But for 300 shipped you can't really complain.

The problem with going to the local bike store and asking them is that they are only going to have 3-4 brands/models and of course they are going to tell you that one of those brands is the way to go.

I figured if I wanted unbiased opinions from the people who have the most experience on these bikes than this was the place to find out. Ive searched through tons of forum topics relating to this but mostly people just go on about the bike they own.

I was just looking to learn about the pros and cons of these bikes to make a more educated purchase.

Why do you want a new bike? For all intents and purposes, a conversion is best suited for the road!

The problem with going to the local bike store and asking them is that they are only going to have 3-4 brands/models and of course they are going to tell you that one of those brands is the way to go.

I figured if I wanted unbiased opinions from the people who have the most experience on these bikes than this was the place to find out. Ive searched through tons of forum topics relating to this but mostly people just go on about the bike they own.

I was just looking to learn about the pros and cons of these bikes to make a more educated purchase.


There might be a good suggestion of what you should do:

go to the bike shop
figure out what size you really are
not just on a fixed gear bike, but on other road bike
only for the reason they might force a larger bike on you if that's the only one they have like that
see what you like, steel, aluminum, Ti, carbon, its always fun to try a bike that's why to out of your range
different materials have different feels
different geometry, flat, cruiser, riser, drops, tire size
the good thing is you don't have to buy, but you will learn more of what you like
most towns have more the one bike shop so go to all of them & do the same
after that you could then come back here maybe & ask a little more,
then people can be more help

if you dont live in a town that has a bike shop(i live in one sans a lbs there are 3 thought within 20miles of my house so its not that bad) so you should be fine,

none of this is to be rude, this is really what I think you should do, & what I have done, & still do even though I don't need anymore bikes.

I really hope this helps

al those bike are good in there own way,

I've been riding an IRO Jamie Roy since March. Commute 12 mi. roundtrip to work every day and ride a good bit on the weekends too. An excellent frame and a nice smooth ride as well. I run it Fixed - great bike - absolutely no regrets.

My lbs carries the Surly Steamroller Complete, and it looks like the most bike for the money, if only because of the frame.

I ride a Bianchi Pista and I like its more agile handling, and I would go with the Pista again if I had it to do all over again.

That said, if buying a fixed gear bike today for my younger at-home son, I would get him a Surly Steamroller for the value and for the all around quality, strength and toughness of the frame.

For my winter fixed gear bike I ride a Surly Karate Monkey frame, and it has the same high quality, well thought out design, and strength of the Steamroller.

I recommend a close look at the Pista and the Steamroller.

picures of my buddy's surly from the other night. we're not really positive what happened, but i think that, somehow, the chain came off and got bound around the BB shell and rear hub/axle, causing the frame to bind like this. but none of us really know what happened.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2696070269_bbd8f34493.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/2693715128_666fab8f84.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2693706270_5acbf05f58.jpg?v=0

picures of my buddy's surly from the other night.....





http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2693706270_5acbf05f58.jpg?v=0


Redish and youll be fine :thumb:

wow, i can't believe that happened from a chain falling off
looks pretty messed up

^^^^^^

was there drinking invalided, that has to be a lot of force there behind that to do something like that. or was it just locked up & someone kick/drove it in. That kind of sucks, by kind of I mean really.

I have actually heard that surly has some shoty work, a lot with the LHS, maybe just because there are so meny out there, there are going to be more problems.

my steamroller is super sturdy...this one looks like someone jumped on it
YIKES

^^^^^^

was there drinking invalided, that has to be a lot of force there behind that to do something like that. or was it just locked up & someone kick/drove it in. That kind of sucks, by kind of I mean really.

I have actually heard that surly has some shoty work, a lot with the LHS, maybe just because there are so meny out there, there are going to be more problems.

Surly frames are usually really good. Good old 4130 cro-moly. And who says that there are alot of Surly frames out there? I see two to three times more Bianchi Pista's (I think that I am the only Surly rider around here). Things become less trustworthy, it seems, in reference to Surly hubs and cogs.

You really do need to try these various bikes before you buy them. I was in the same sit. as you a few weeks ago (comparing entry level fixed gear) and just called up various bike shops to see what they had that I could test drive. This made it really easy for me to choose:

-I realized I wanted something that comes w/ brakes. That rules out Fuji Track, Kilo, and a bunch of others.

-I liked upright, track geometry. That rules out Surly Steamroller, Kona Paddywagon, etc.

-I wanted to have a flip-flop hub so I would have a freewheel just in case. Fixed gear is more tiring, and you might want to run SS sometimes.

-I realized I wanted to buy from an actual shop. I don't really have the tools, skills, or patience to do my own assembly and maintainence right now.

So that's a start. From there just see what feels good. Also, if look sare important to you then take that into consideration after components and comfort.

I ended up getting a Madison and really like it so far. If you're going to be commuting with youre bike and don't need the lightest frame out there it's good. Main problem w/ it is the weight, alot of which comes from cheapish stems, seatpost, etc.

Dude, just do yourself a favor. Go to your local LBS and tell them that you want to build up a kick-ass Soma.

soma or bareknuckle...the bareknuckle will be my 1st build project...love that frame and the fork is really sexy

IRO Mark V. I got mine and it has been a whirlwind love affair ever since. But she is one high maintenance beeootch. But hey your project is never done when you're into fixed gears.

picures of my buddy's surly from the other night. we're not really positive what happened, but i think that, somehow, the chain came off and got bound around the BB shell and rear hub/axle, causing the frame to bind like this. but none of us really know what happened.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2696070269_bbd8f34493.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/2693715128_666fab8f84.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2693706270_5acbf05f58.jpg?v=0

Damn! I knew the chainline on the Surly completes what standardly 3mm off, but this is insane! He must have done more than just knocked his chain off of his rear cog. Unless your freind is a professional racer, it takes more than a pedal stroke to bend a frame like that! In any case, it seems like this is something that can happen to pretty much any non-carbon fiber bike frame (well, perhaps aluminum would have split in two). Your friend must have been careless with his bike.

no way that was just from a slipped chain. Likely all that would do is lock up the wheel. I suppose the inertia of the wheel could create a lot of force, but the rotational force should cause the whole bike to cartwheel with you on it, long before it would so severely bend the frame.

Me thinks a car was involved - like as is you forgot the bike was lying down behind your car when you backed out of your parking space....

just bend it right back thats one of the benefits of a burly ass steel frame. If you dont want it ill buy it for cheap from you?

i love the **** out of my masi. nice in-between geometry since i'm probably only going to see the velodrome once in my life. great for commuting. mine's orange.