Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Help me choose a ss/fixed

Hi all...this is my first post, but i'd really appreciate some help. I look forward to joining in on the community. I was directed to this site from one of my friends that I ride fixie with. I'll try to keep this short.

I'm looking for a new bike but I'm not sure what would be best for me.

I do ride to the video store or the market or whatever, but most of our rides are in the 30-50 mile range. We are trying to work up to doing centuries. We do one big ride a week, and throughout the week I will ride another 10-15 miles. Basically, i need something I can be on for long periods of time comfortably.

We average about 13-14mph on our rides, with typical max speeds about 23-24mph. We're riding on streets (obviously) so we are doing a lot of stopping and starting at red lights. What i'm trying to get at is that I'm not looking for an absolutely FAST bike to maintain top speed, but acceleration is important. Though I want comfort, a beach cruiser is clearly not the right choice.

I've riden mountain bikes for a long time, but never road bikes. I dont quite understand the nuances of road bike geometry vs. track bike geometry, though I'm learning.

The bikes i've been looking at are:
Bianchi Pista
IRO Mark V
Raleigh Rush Hour
Scwhinn Madison
Masi Speciale Fixed

I ride with the same two guys and they have very differing opinions and I'm not sure what is best. One guy thinks the best choice is the Bianchi Pista...the other thinks that a vintage frame converted to ss is best.

To rank the importance for me:
1. Comfort for long rides
2. Efficency (my current bike feels like it saps the energy pedaled, rather than utilizing all of it)
3. Speed
4. Agility
5. Cosmetics

Thank you all so very much for your help.

i bought a Pista out of the gate. i really like it, but then again i haven't ridden anything else.

Here's a crazy idea. Test ride some of those.

If you're looking to do long distance riding and don't have much experience with road bikes I would stay away from a traditional track geometry bike like the pista. Also the pista will not come with brakes so that's an extra necessity if you're looking to ride it single speed. Any of the other bikes you're interested in offer a more slack geometry suitable for longer rides. I can vouch for the MASI being a very good quality bike, so are the rest of the other bikes however I have not owned those.

If you're not familiar with bike sizing go to your bike shop where you can test any of the bikes (except for IRO) mentioned and they should help you with fitting and sizing.

Here's a crazy idea. Test ride some of those.

sarcasm noted...that being said, it is very difficult to test ride many of these, and I would be ordering sight unseen. That is why i was hoping to get some useful insight from those more knowledgeable and experienced than I am.

It is also not helpful to walk in a store that carries one or the other brand, but not all as you wont be riding back to back and seeing what you think.

Finally, I can't take a test ride for miles. They usually let you ride it in the parking lot, and its hard to get a really good feel for it.

i highly recommend the Mark V, though I haven't ridden any of the others you mentioned. The Masi sure is purty, though.

i know this is the ss/fixie forum, but if your interested in comfort efficiency and speed, why not go for a traditional roadie or better yet, a touring bike?? more relaxed geometry, wide gear ratios...

sarcasm noted...that being said, it is very difficult to test ride many of these, and I would be ordering sight unseen. That is why i was hoping to get some useful insight from those more knowledgeable and experienced than I am.

It is also not helpful to walk in a store that carries one or the other brand, but not all as you wont be riding back to back and seeing what you think.

Finally, I can't take a test ride for miles. They usually let you ride it in the parking lot, and its hard to get a really good feel for it.


good luck getting good information here. some people are awesome and super helpful, others are just dicks. they will tell you to use the search function, but that does not always yield the proper result. asking for specific information is some times like pulling teeth. if you know exactly what you are looking for the search function works great, but if you don't know what to search for you come up empty. you will get a lot of sarcasm and a lot of rude comments. but again some people are awesome and can help you out immensely. sorry i am not one of those people. I'm new to this as well, and i am learning as i go. my advice is troll a lot, you will learn a lot more that way, i have.

i know this is the ss/fixie forum, but if your interested in comfort efficiency and speed, why not go for a traditional roadie or better yet, a touring bike?? more relaxed geometry, wide gear ratios...

Haha...you make a very good point! That was my initial thought when i got into this. I said to my friends who already were riding fixed, "what's the point? why NOT get gears?" but now that i've done some riding with them I appreciate the simplicity of the style and the fact that the people i ride with all ride fixed I want to stay with that.

i've ridden the pista and the Madison. If you are going to go SS, get the madison, it is drilled for rear brake, the pista isnt. Also, IMO the pista is a bit to ubiquitous.

good luck getting good information here. some people are awesome and super helpful, others are just dicks. they will tell you to use the search function, but that does not always yield the proper result. asking for specific information is some times like pulling teeth. if you know exactly what you are looking for the search function works great, but if you don't know what to search for you come up empty. you will get a lot of sarcasm and a lot of rude comments. but again some people are awesome and can help you out immensely. sorry i am not one of those people. I'm new to this as well, and i am learning as i go. my advice is troll a lot, you will learn a lot more that way, i have.

Hey Meepers-I'm new to fixed gear bicycles but i'm not new to the wonders of the internet so I know very well how a lot of people on forums are. You get the good and the bad. I just try to add a bit more good to it all. Thanks for your words and i'll see you around.

Hey Meepers-I'm new to fixed gear bicycles but i'm not new to the wonders of the internet so I know very well how a lot of people on forums are. You get the good and the bad. I just try to add a bit more good to it all. Thanks for your words and i'll see you around.


I've used other forums where people have been nicer and more helpful, that's kind of what i was getting at. then again i have used forums where people are down right *******s. there is another forum, not going to say which one, that people are complete dicks here on bike forums. SS/FG isn't to bad, but i think i have gotten more trash talk then help. but i agree, bad with the good. I'll take the insults and sarcasm to get the information i need.

Have you considered a Surly Steamroller? or a Jamis Sputnick? I'm comfortable for 50 miles on my Soma Rush which has more track than road geometry, but would probably be more comfortable on one of those...plus I don't believe you can typically buy complete Rushs.

One thing you'll be looking for is slacker geometry. For example a 72 degree headtube is more relaxed than a 74 degree headtube. More relaxed angles in the headtube/seattube will be more comfortable on longer rides. There are more factors than that, but it is something to consider.

Have you considered a Surly Steamroller? or a Jamis Sputnick? I'm comfortable for 50 miles on my Soma Rush which has more track than road geometry, but would probably be more comfortable on one of those...plus I don't believe you can typically buy complete Rushs.

I looked at the Soma...Delancey is it? but its just too much money.

I haven't looked into the Surly or the Jamis. Back to the research i guess! haha

One thing you'll be looking for is slacker geometry. For example a 72 degree headtube is more relaxed than a 74 degree headtube. More relaxed angles in the headtube/seattube will be more comfortable on longer rides. There are more factors than that, but it is something to consider.

What is the downside to slacker geometry?

Less responsive handling. Possibly a slightly less efficient saddle to pedal position (I'm not entirely sure if that's correct).

good luck getting good information here. Some people are awesome and super helpful, others are just dicks. They will tell you to use the search function, but that does not always yield the proper result. Asking for specific information is some times like pulling teeth. If you know exactly what you are looking for the search function works great, but if you don't know what to search for you come up empty. You will get a lot of sarcasm and a lot of rude comments. But again some people are awesome and can help you out immensely. Sorry i am not one of those people. I'm new to this as well, and i am learning as i go. My advice is troll a lot, you will learn a lot more that way, i have.


+200

+200

srsly, TROLL a lot? you mean _lurk_ don't you?

+1 on the fit thing. Especially if you are ordering sight unseen, I think it's a very, very good idea to get a proper fit. That means using a fit bike, not having someone eyeball you and put you on a random bike to see where the spindle is under your knee. Often a place that does fittings like this will credit the cost of the fit to a bike purchase, too.

It's certainly possible to do centuries on a fixed-gear, and some people even tour on them.

troll, lurk, same thing. i found out more information by reading through 3 pages of people getting flamed up then finally getting answered then by asking or finding anything from the search function. i learned things i wasn't even looking for and used. it seams the asking/search function works about 15% of the time. reading through pages and pages of people raging on one another and getting far off topic helped more. plus some times it was amusing.

I think the problem you're finding is that by the time you ask:

What color is fastest, and what flavor of the week bike, yadda yadda yadda...see where this is going?


It's not a matter of being a dick, but after seeing (let alone responding) to the same questions, post after post, year after year after year...................................................well, the people with the information get tired of repeating it.

So when someone says something curt like "Use Search Function" they're really just trying to say:

Kind new rider to the wonderful world of two wheels without gears [or potentially a freewheel hub]; the selection you've asked for - the [x] is [x]. I've also had the opportunity to ride every single bike in your selection and think that [based off real world information I have about you including height: [x], weight [x], sexual preference and political orientation - you should purchase [based off my expert knowledge in the field of all things fixed wheel/SS] a [x].

But they figure the answer is buried, somewhere.

<---Personally, I've been around for a long time, but have ridden exactly ONE SS bike and ONE fixed-gear bicycle. Would I recommend it, of course I would. Would it be the best option for you. How the heck would I know?!?!?!?!

So maybe I am a dick. /shrug

I think the problem you're finding is that by the time you ask:

What color is fastest, and what flavor of the week bike, yadda yadda yadda...see where this is going?


It's not a matter of being a dick, but after seeing (let alone responding) to the same questions, post after post, year after year after year...................................................well, the people with the information get tired of repeating it.

So when someone says something curt like "Use Search Function" they're really just trying to say:

Kind new rider to the wonderful world of two wheels without gears [or potentially a freewheel hub]; the selection you've asked for - the [x] is [x]. I've also had the opportunity to ride every single bike in your selection and think that [based off real world information I have about you including height: [x], weight [x], sexual preference and political orientation - you should purchase [based off my expert knowledge in the field of all things fixed wheel/SS] a [x].

But they figure the answer is buried, somewhere.

<---Personally, I've been around for a long time, but have ridden exactly ONE SS bike and ONE fixed-gear bicycle. Would I recommend it, of course I would. Would it be the best option for you. How the heck would I know?!?!?!?!

So maybe I am a dick. /shrug

thanks for telling me to use the search function. i didn't think of that. if you read up you will see my first post had that point in it. if you don't know what you are looking for the search function is useless. you don't get the right response. i will say i have not ask a question about hight weight. i asked about gearing, and gear inches, and was helped out without being flamed. i did ask about bars, not knowing what kind they were and i was flamed for that. i searched and seeing as the picture was blurry and i couldn't read what they said i was flamed, and side bar. the person flaming me was a bit wrong. i searched for said bars and they still were not it. my point was this board has more *******s on it than any other i have encountered. sorry, second most, the other is a local board and mostly just the "web guy" is a dick. my point was to read the pages of flaming and people going off on each other, much like now, to get an answer. it works better. i read almost every new post, the main way i learn about my bike.

I looked at a lot of those, wound up with the Masi. Tried it at my LBS first though, and that's what I'd recommend for you too.

I used to read and post to another forum before Bike Forums, oh yeah, Craig's List. Those people were so obnoxious and sarcastic, I couldn't stand it. It would be tragic to get those attitudes on BF.

Be funny and cute sometimes, but please don't be nasty.

I think my point was taken wrong:

I meant that more from the point of view of someone who actually responds (and KNOWS) what they mean.

Me, personally, I know nothing. I just like the taste of the sauce used here for BBQing.


Sorry if you thought I was attacking you, personally.

Buy a nice used road bike off Craigslist, the kind with clearance for real tires and horizontal dropouts, then get a fixed gear rear wheel, and you have yourself a bike made for long distance comfort, with a nearly maintenance free drivetrain, incredible sensitivity to road conditions and it's a lot of fun to ride as well.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/fuzz2050/Funeral/CIMG0281.jpg?t=1233288288

The reason I'm proselytizing, and no, it's not because I'm drunk.

I think my point was taken wrong:

I meant that more from the point of view of someone who actually responds (and KNOWS) what they mean.

Me, personally, I know nothing. I just like the taste of the sauce used here for BBQing.


Sorry if you thought I was attacking you, personally.
i apologize to you. i did think you were attacking me and i was defending my point and taking offense. i know little about FG but on other forums i know much more and do my best to help out new people even if the question has been asked 100X's already. i was them once (and with FG i am them again) so i know how frustrating it is when you don't know what to search for. i will say i do my share of ball bustin, but all in good fun and i fallow with an answer to the best of my knowledge.

Another bike I'd add to your list is the Bianchi San Jose. It's a great bike for long distance riding. Canti brakes, lot's of clearance for just about any tires with fenders if that's important.

I don't have a San Jose, but I do have a Volpe which is the same frame but with horizontal dropouts instead of track ends. I converted my Volpe to single speed a while back and I've since ridden many rides of 70+ miles and a couple centuries. I've never had a more comfortable bike.

^ + 1 for a San Jose. i really like that bike. if i had some extra coin i would get one. put on some fenders and tires for the in-climate weather.

Hi all...this is my first post, but i'd really appreciate some help. I look forward to joining in on the community. I was directed to this site from one of my friends that I ride fixie with. I'll try to keep this short.

I'm looking for a new bike but I'm not sure what would be best for me.

I do ride to the video store or the market or whatever, but most of our rides are in the 30-50 mile range. We are trying to work up to doing centuries. We do one big ride a week, and throughout the week I will ride another 10-15 miles. Basically, i need something I can be on for long periods of time comfortably.

We average about 13-14mph on our rides, with typical max speeds about 23-24mph. We're riding on streets (obviously) so we are doing a lot of stopping and starting at red lights. What i'm trying to get at is that I'm not looking for an absolutely FAST bike to maintain top speed, but acceleration is important. Though I want comfort, a beach cruiser is clearly not the right choice.

I've riden mountain bikes for a long time, but never road bikes. I dont quite understand the nuances of road bike geometry vs. track bike geometry, though I'm learning.

The bikes i've been looking at are:
Bianchi Pista
IRO Mark V
Raleigh Rush Hour
Scwhinn Madison
Masi Speciale Fixed

I ride with the same two guys and they have very differing opinions and I'm not sure what is best. One guy thinks the best choice is the Bianchi Pista...the other thinks that a vintage frame converted to ss is best.

To rank the importance for me:
1. Comfort for long rides
2. Efficency (my current bike feels like it saps the energy pedaled, rather than utilizing all of it)
3. Speed
4. Agility
5. Cosmetics

Thank you all so very much for your help.


I would stay away from the real aggressive geometry bikes like the Pista and instead go for the infinitely more versatile and just as fast Bianchi San Jose. It comes in two models, flat bar and drop bar. Get the drop bar. More comfortable because it has several hand positions. The stock gearing is good for long rides and low enough to get you up hills. You can always change the gearing with just a new rear cog. I run a 42-15 fixed and 42-16 freewheel.

http://gallery.mac.com/bbattle/100046/P1010070/web.jpg

You might think the stem is too high but ride it just like that for a few hundred miles before changing it. You'll probably decide to leave it just like it is. You can't see the stem rise from the saddle, only the side view.

You can put a rack on the back; I've got one along with two side "grocery store" pannier bags and a top bag as well. The San Jose will also take fenders and wide tires. I run 23's on it for speed.

I go on 30-40-50 mile rides in the country at around 15mph average for the entire ride. I ride this bike when I'm riding with my wife because it's much easier to modulate my speed to match hers as we tool around the city.

okay, you want to ride longish rides. cross check, il pompino (both somewhat upright in geo), salsa casseroll (not a bike i would go for but has calipers of the long reach variety), a surly steamroller would be good, not too agressive, and you can fit a back braek too if you want ss. i will get crucified for this but for road style riding look at langster, pref not the current models, but one from a few years back with decent drop style brakes, or an older model cannondale capo, or even a redline 925. the masis will be great too.

Thanks for the tips guys. My list of possible bikes has really expanded, and i've been able to ex off the bianchi pista.

I have to try to find places to ride these. One of the problems with a few of them is that the stores only sell the frames, not complete bikes. I couldn't try out a Mark V for instance.

The Bianchi Pista is a known quantity.

A Vintage road frame converted is an unknown quantity. There's lots of good stuff out there, but also a whole lot of crap.

Might I suggest a Surly Steamroller?

i've ridden the pista and the Madison. If you are going to go SS, get the madison, it is drilled for rear brake, the pista isnt. Also, IMO the pista is a bit to ubiquitous.

OMGWTFBBQ! There are a lot of Pistas out there, but if you are going for boutique, the Madison isn't the right place to look.

The comment about brakes is right on. :thumb:

I agree with others that for the mileage you are talking about a somewhat relaxed geo is a good idea. I don't think that this has come up yet, but I would steer away from bullhorns. I love the things for shorter rides, but I would want to be able to get into the drops for longer rides.

Lastly, don't forget how easily modifiable ss/fg bikes are. Geometry sort of a big deal, but you can more easily/cheeply screw around with a ss than you can a geared bike.

I looked at a lot of those, wound up with the Masi. Tried it at my LBS first though, and that's what I'd recommend for you too.

Me too. Rides really well and all the components are solid for entry level stuff.

So, i've narrowed (or changed) it to:

Masi
IRO Mark V
Surly Steamroller
Jamis Sputnik

I'm leaning towards the steamroller right now... sway me some direction!

I can vouch for the steamroller as being a super nice frame to build on. The complete is one great deal as well although it only comes with a front brake but adding a second wouldn't be a big deal. Of all the bikes I've owned I like the steamroller best simply cause you can put on some fat tires and take that thing off road. The geometry is roughly the same as the MASI but the steamroller just seemed like a stronger frame.

Yeah, those four all have very similar geometry.

In fact 3 of the four even use the same steel with the sputnik being the exception.

I have found the 09 steamroller for 720 but i think that is full list. i'd like to pay less than that.

i bought a Pista out of the gate. i really like it, but then again i haven't ridden anything else.

Same thing here. I started on my friends IRO Mark V and it rides great. pista + IRO can't go wrong in my eyes.

all will be good. personally, i'd choose a steamroller. the most utilitarian, fat tyre options as has been said. nice and solid. not too fancy. just right.

I bought a Maddy, its my 4th FG/SS, I REALLY like it, and Ive ridden a lot of bikes (besides FG/SS) in my days.
So Madison gets my vote.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/maddyandlemmonpepperfish003.jpg

I'm gonna vote for the Sputnik for 3 reasons.
1. It's a higher grade steel than the others. (Jamis is one of the best brands for steel MTBs out there FYI)
2. The dropouts are forged (see image: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/330444349_04967b1304.jpg?v=0). That will make for a much nicer ride.
3. The Steamroller - which seems to be most peoples choice - is much more common; you'll see far fewer Sputniks out there.

EDIT: Here are a few more reasons:
The Jamis will be ligher - it has a carbon fork.
It comes with 2 brakes.
It comes with both a freewheel and a cog.
It comes with more practical handlebars with hoods - essentially giving you drop bars and bullhorns.
The seat also looks much nicer...

I can vouch for the steamroller as being a super nice frame to build on. The complete is one great deal as well although it only comes with a front brake but adding a second wouldn't be a big deal. Of all the bikes I've owned I like the steamroller best simply cause you can put on some fat tires and take that thing off road. The geometry is roughly the same as the MASI but the steamroller just seemed like a stronger frame.

Ditto.

I've owned one.

You can put some fat, comfy tires on the steamroller. Comes with a water bottle boss. Not sure about the Sputnik, never seen one in person.

Ditto.

I've owned one.

You can put some fat, comfy tires on the steamroller. Comes with a water bottle boss. Not sure about the Sputnik, never seen one in person.

Sputnik does come w/ a water bottle boss

I'm gonna vote for the Sputnik for 3 reasons.
1. It's a higher grade steel than the others. (Jamis is one of the best brands for steel MTBs out there FYI)
2. The dropouts are forged (see image: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/330444349_04967b1304.jpg?v=0). That will make for a much nicer ride.
3. The Steamroller - which seems to be most peoples choice - is much more common; you'll see far fewer Sputniks out there.

EDIT: Here are a few more reasons:
The Jamis will be ligher - it has a carbon fork.
It comes with 2 brakes.
It comes with both a freewheel and a cog.
It comes with more practical handlebars with hoods - essentially giving you drop bars and bullhorns.
The seat also looks much nicer...

1. What grade of steel is that?
2. Forged fork ends? OK. Make for a much nicer ride. I dont know why? but they do look sharp! :love:

3. You'll also see fewer Madisons.
4. carbon forks on a steel frame? not a good idea if you ask me BUT! it does make it lighter.
5. Madison comes with front and rear brakes.
6. Madison comes with fixed cog and freewheel.
7. Madison comes with more practical handlebars with hoods - essentially giving you drop bars and bullhorns.
8. I feel the seat on the Madison looks much nicer. :thumb:

what's wrong with a carbon fork on a steel frame? tons of people do it.

I share your interest in using a SS for road riding. I alternate SS riding into my road bike workouts and have 3 SS bikes: Schwinn Madison, converted Ti road bike to SS, and converted 1985 Team Fuji. These are pictured below. BTW, don't give me too hard a time over the Fuji. It was intended to be bling outrageous and I haven't finished it yet, i.e., removal of inner chainring.

Guidelines about frame geometry are just that. All of my bikes have actual or virtual seat tube angles of 74 degrees or higher because it fits me: long legs, short body. A sharper head tube angle gives you a twitchy, quick response, which can be fun. A softer HT angle can give you significantly better tracking. But with all of this discussion about angles, we are, realistically, only talking about a degree or two difference, i.e., ST -- 73-75, HT 72.5-74. So, again, you need to figure out what fits you.

Regarding the bikes below, the Madison fits me very well and is a delight to ride, but it weighs 22+ pounds, which, for most purposes, is not a bit deal. The Ti conversion is is on the small side of my comfort range, very quick and light (15 lbs). The Fuji is a recent conversion and I'm still figuring it out. It probably weighs 19 lbs.

I hope this helps. BTW, I've never ridden a San Jose, but have always thought it was an interesting bike.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0070a.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0017r.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/SchwinnMadison5.jpg

i have the bianchi san jose and a kilo tt, and they complement each other nicely. however, nowadays i ride the kilo tt primarily and am thinking about selling the san jose. i prefer the kilo on rides (ranging from 15-40 miles) as well as commuting (unexpectedly). i like the more aggressive geometry of the kilo and don't find it uncomfortable at all (though i'm not doing centuries or anything). i love the san jose, but it's slower and less nimble than my kilo. since i'm only putting in 50 or so miles a week, most of them are spent on the kilo.

1. What grade of steel is that?
2. Forged fork ends? OK. Make for a much nicer ride. I dont know why? but they do look sharp! :love:

3. You'll also see fewer Madisons.
4. carbon forks on a steel frame? not a good idea if you ask me BUT! it does make it lighter.
5. Madison comes with front and rear brakes.
6. Madison comes with fixed cog and freewheel.
7. Madison comes with more practical handlebars with hoods - essentially giving you drop bars and bullhorns.
8. I feel the seat on the Madison looks much nicer. :thumb:

The sputnik is a nicer bike than the Madison. Between the two I'd think if the money is there you'd almost certainly want to pick up a sputnik.

The carbon fork also rides nice from what I've heard and the bike itself weighs alot less than the Madison (if you're into that kind of thing).