Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Schwinn Cutter vs Bike Gallery Workhorse

Hi I am moving to Portland Oregon and am in need of a simple, reliable, yet fun bike to ride. I do not like cruiser/comfort type bikes. I like traditional road bike geometry, but like to sit up-right. I would also like to add fenders, racks, and eventually panniers. My budget is $300-400, but less is better. I will be using this bike for everything: getting around town, recreation, commuting to school, and fitness. I've come across two bikes that I feel may fit my needs, but they are very similar in price. If anyone has any input on these two bikes, and how they compare to each other, it would be greatly appreciated.

Schwinn Cutter: $300
http://www.safetycycle.com/09-schwinn-cutt09.html

Bike Gallery Workhorse: $370

http://www.bikegallery.com/city-biking.php
http://www.bikegallery.com/blog/2009/a-look-at-the-new-workhorse-bike

My current ride is a bike I built 100% from parts found in the trash, so I think I deserve a new bike that I will enjoy. Here she is:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VidmmG5jHv_geBdHedc_dA?feat=directlink

OTHER bikes I should be looking into in this price range would be helpful as well! Thanks

Both of them have platform pedals, but you can change those out.

I would go for a dawes sst or windsor clockwork on BD if you have some mechanical skill to make sure everything is tightened. they're about the same price as your options but are made of better steel. they have rack and fender mounts

though fenders would be a PITA with fork ends. it might be best to convert an old road bike with horizontal dropouts. get an old quality frame like a steel trek or something and convert that. it'll be comfy and have a pretty lively ride.

I love me Cutta but I replaced a whole lota ****e to get it to its current Lovable state.

I would pick the Workhorse cuz:
It looks like it has a threadless steer and ahead stem, More modern n practical. On the Cutter 1" Quill.
It has Tektro brakes. Calipers on the Cutter were god awefull.
Handlebars look like a good length, Cutters was too wide for me.

If these were my only choices Id go with the WH.
But I would recommend you get the MERCIER STRIPPER from BikesDirect or
Build up a JURY frameset from BikeIsland.

Don't buy a bike made of Hi-tensile steel. It's garbage, it's heavy, and both of those are stupidly overpriced for what you get (an SE Draft is $100 cheaper than both and comparable if not better, BTW).

Just get a bikesdirect bike. It will be better than those tanks.

Don't buy a bike made of Hi-tensile steel. It's garbage, it's heavy, and both of those are stupidly overpriced for what you get (an SE Draft is $100 cheaper than both and comparable if not better, BTW).

Just get a bikesdirect bike. It will be better than those tanks.

This.

Hi I am moving to Portland Oregon and am in need of a simple, reliable, yet fun bike to ride. I do not like cruiser/comfort type bikes. I like traditional road bike geometry, but like to sit up-right. I would also like to add fenders, racks, and eventually panniers. My budget is $300-400, but less is better. I will be using this bike for everything: getting around town, recreation, commuting to school, and fitness. I've come across two bikes that I feel may fit my needs, but they are very similar in price. If anyone has any input on these two bikes, and how they compare to each other, it would be greatly appreciated.

Schwinn Cutter: $300
http://www.safetycycle.com/09-schwinn-cutt09.html

Bike Gallery Workhorse: $370

http://www.bikegallery.com/city-biking.php
http://www.bikegallery.com/blog/2009/a-look-at-the-new-workhorse-bike

My current ride is a bike I built 100% from parts found in the trash, so I think I deserve a new bike that I will enjoy. Here she is:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VidmmG5jHv_geBdHedc_dA?feat=directlink

OTHER bikes I should be looking into in this price range would be helpful as well! Thanks

Get an '08 Schwinn Madison, great bike, and you can still get them at a great bargain price if you look around, I got mine for $450.00 at Performance, but I apparently over paid as a few members got them cheaper.

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm not totally convinced on the SE Draft. It's also a Hi-Ten steel frame. I'm not sure why one would advocate this bike over the other two. Please convince me otherwise. I'm also kind of sick of seeing this bike everywhere, especially in Brooklyn.

The Dawes SST and Windsor Clockwork definitely look right up my alley, and have Chromoly frames. Any thoughts on these anyone?

Im also looking into the Cutter more and I don't think it has fender mounts... Am I correct on this?

Also, look at stuff like the crank on the Workhorse, no options to change chainring...

IMO BD bike will be much more bang for the buck.

Unless I'm very much mistaken, the Workhorse is an SE Draft Lite with a few minor tweaks and Bike Gallery branding. One of the best upgrades it will have is the little Bike Gallery decal at the base of the downtube. What that gets you is that the mechanics will groan a lot less when you take it into the shop to have something done to it.

Of course, on a bike like that there isn't a lot to go wrong, so that's less of a factor than it would be on a geared bike.

Where were you going to buy the Cutter?

If you're willing to forgo LBS relationship, you could also consider the Performance Bike singlespeed line. They've got several to choose from under $350, and of course you'd still get some level of post-sale service, as there are several Performance shops scattered around the Portland area.

Hi-ten is pure crap. These are both bikes that you'll quickly regret having bought. Get a used bike if you can't spend more.

A bit OT, but if you're going to be in Portland, you should checkout an LBS there called Full Cycles. I've ordered a ton of stuff from them and had it shipped to me in Seattle. Great guys, really helpful and friendly over the phone at least.

@Andy K: No I have not decided on the cutter. I'm still considering my options.

Hi-ten is pure crap.

Now I gotta defend the Cutta frame a bit.
As a complete bike buy the CUTTER IS overpriced.

The frame itself, yes HiTen steel, not crap.
Ive ridden mine thru murderous city streets, its bombproof, eats up road vibe like mad.
Ive ridden it thru one winter with very little cleaning, no rust on the frame,
Its my beater/lock up bike but the paint is holding up with very little to no chips.

Is it heavy? ONLY when I lift the freakin thing up a flight of stairs.
Does it feel heavy when riding/stopping? One must have really weak legs to think so.
Do I know what a light, well made frame feels like? Ive got a Cinelli Road bike and a Cervelo SS.
The CUTTER STEEL Frame not crap.

And then there's the other Cutter, and it's kinda heavy (duty) too...

http://www.volumebikes.com/frames-cutter.html

$300 is more than one should EVER pay for a HiTen frame.