Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Best Sub 1k SS?

Hello my friends,

So I've been biking for about 7 months now and I actually just did my first Century on Sunday! It was fun but I'm really ready to get back to riding for fun, not to train. I have a trek 2100 right now and I like it but I'm planning on trading it in for a single speed. The rides I do now are commuting to work (10 miles total) and 20-30 mile weekly group rides so I wouldn't have a problem doing those on a single speed.

What do you think it the best bike for under 1000? I've looked at the Langster, the single speed Felts, the SS Treks and god only knows what else. I'm just wondering what you guys would do if you were in my position.

Another random thing- I hate bikes with curved forks, I have no idea why but I'm just a hater lol. I suppose I could get over that though. Thanks guys!

Matt

Bianchi San Jose. Straight fork (on the new ones) and you can put some big cushy tires in there along with a rack/fenders for commuting.

Jamis Sputnik

IRO Angus

Jamis Sputnik

X10000000! That's a great complete bike.

gt gutterball

the felt tk3. Sweet street bike.
Frame:
Felt Custom Butted Super-light 7005 Aluminum, Forged Dropouts w/ Stainless Steel Inserts

Fork:
Felt TKR carbon fiber

Components:
Felt 3pc Cold Forged Track w/ CNC Machined Alloy 144mm B.C.D. 48t 3/32” Chainring x 15t 3/32” cog w/ lockring; Felt TKR Track Bar & Post

Wheelset:
Felt TKR4 High Flange track hubs/Stainless Steel Spokes/30mm deep aero track rims, 28H front, 28H rear

Finish:
Gloss Black

Sizes:
700c x 52, 54, 56, 58, 60cm

Weight:
17.97 pounds

MSRP:
$869

http://feltracing.com/09-catalog/track/track-series/09-tk3.aspx

gt gutterball

thats one of the first times i have heard anyone on this forum mention or recommend that bike. I was sort of curious what people thought about it. Obviously, the GTB and Pulse are great bikes, do you have experience w/ the gutterball?

i was kinda saying it to fuel some flames. i just rode it around a store, but loved it. it's not going to compare with the gtb/pulse on any real level, and the tk3 is WAAAAY better.

sputnik

Felt TK3

/thread

TK3 can't be run SS, though. It doesn't have cable housing guides. Besides, it's a pretty hardcore track frame assuming the OP wants this for general use (he did say SS and NOT Track/FG)

funny how everyone says that the tk3 is the best and i haven't even read one review of it on here.

also, you can still run it ss. it's drilled for front and rear brakes. you don't NEED cable stops, they just help.

from the description in OP's post, a straight up track bike like that might not be the best option.

I do love my Mark V.

schwinn madison. thats it. end of thread. :D

I also must recommend the Sputnik. Carbon fork, Reynolds 631, decent crankset, OK wheelset... Probably one of the best if not the best SS/fixed complete you can get for your money, especially under a K.

Yeah as some people have said- the TK3 is a great looking bike but it's a little too intense. It would be great if there was a track around here but unfortunately there isn't. I really like the Bianchi San Jose Cross bike. It seems similar to the Felt Cross bike (http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog/cyclocross/cyclocross-series/09-breed.aspx). As far as specs go, there is no real downside to a cross bike is there? I think it would just leave more options open in the future for the purpose of the bike.

Do they carry any kind of weight penalty? Also- how are those cantilever brakes compared to normal road bike brakes?

Another option would be to buy a frame and build from there although my perception is that ends up being more expensive than buying a whole bike. Would there be any big advantages to that?

I've been pushing the '08 Fuji Track Pro lately because the price of the bike lately has plunged extremely extremely low both at bike stores and online.

Anyhow, there are a lot of good bikes under $1000 ... it depends on what *you* want though. Aluminum/steel? NJS? Track geometry?

EDIT: Main advantage to building up your bike is having the experience of building up your bike. Otherwise it is just more expensive, really.

hadn't seen the breed.

awesome.

i'd definitely get that or the san jose.

As far as specs go, there is no real downside to a cross bike is there? I think it would just leave more options open in the future for the purpose of the bike.

Versatility is key if you don't plan to own 7 or 8 single purpose bikes. (not that there's anything wrong with having 8 bikes)



Do they carry any kind of weight penalty? Also- how are those cantilever brakes compared to normal road bike brakes?

They will be a little heavier but a big part of that is the weight of the larger tires. Nothing to be worried about though. They are still much lighter than most "geared" bikes. Canti's should stop as well or better than traditional road brakes. They clear mud better if you go offroad too!


Another option would be to buy a frame and build from there although my perception is that ends up being more expensive than buying a whole bike. Would there be any big advantages to that?

You gain experience building up a frame from scratch but you gotta know what you want or you'll way overspend trying to get the best of everything.

Anyhow, there are a lot of good bikes under $1000 ... it depends on what *you* want though. Aluminum/steel? NJS? Track geometry?

Good point for sure. As far as material I really don't have a preference. My bike is aluminum with carbon seatstays and fork right now. I rode my coaches bike for a while (all aluminum, including fork) and the difference wasn't that jarring over the course of 22 miles. Long story short- material isn't a big thing and as others have pointed out, there are ways to adjust road feel other than frame material.

As far as geometry- I'm looking for something a bit more relaxed. Not hybrid relaxed but certainly more relaxed than a track bike.

Again, Sputnik. It has relaxed geometry and a lot of other great features. Steamrollers also have chillax triangles

In that case, I kind of like the cross bike option. Several of my friends have them and I've seen them take their bikes everywhere. My only reservation is that a real road bike or real track bike is a *lot* better for the streets. But they tend to be less versatile. On the upside, I know this is true for where I live at least, your streets may be ragged enough to warrant something a little more rugged!

In that case, I kind of like the cross bike option. Several of my friends have them and I've seen them take their bikes everywhere. My only reservation is that a real road bike or real track bike is a *lot* better for the streets. But they tend to be less versatile. On the upside, I know this is true for where I live at least, your streets may be ragged enough to warrant something a little more rugged!

Yeah something like the San Jose wil have relaxed geometry, but you are going to want to change out the tires on it to increase your speed (or not, if you don't care about going fast). Once you do put slicks on a San Jose, I think it would look kinda weird w/ the cantilever brakes and everything. That's why I say you should go w/ a Steamroller or Sputnik---2 good bikes w/ relaxed geometry that are meant for on-road use. Again, if you are planning to use this off road or on bad roads, maybe a CX bike is best for you....