Cyclocross - SSCX Options

Hi everyone. I'm looking to add a single speed cyclocross bike to my stable. I've been focusing on the Kona Major One, the Felt Breed, the Singlecross, and the San Jose.

At this point, I am really partial to the Major One and the Breed. With that said, I am going to try to test ride all of these...but I am probably going to have to circumnavigate my state to do so.

Can anyone offer any insite/first hand reviews of these bikes? I know that the San Jose is fairly well regarded; how do the others match up? I have about $1K to spend, give or take a little. Are there any other offerings I should consider?

I've had the same thing in mind for a several weeks, but I can't find a shop in town that carries a single speed cross bike and has it in stock. I was thinking about the Kona or the San Jose, but now I think I may go with any old SSCX bike on CL or Ebay for this year. If SSCX is for me then I will probably get a custom steel frame built up from Primus Mootry or another custom builder this winter.

I have been looking for an old touring frame to convert to single/fixed and use as a kind of beater/SSCX bike, but I stumbled on a great deal on an IRO Rob Roy. All the parts are coming in the next week or so.

So, check craigslist?

The San Jose is a nice bike, but no longer much of a deal with current pricing. It makes a nice commuter. The Breed is pretty awesome for the money, but make sure you like the fit--I tried it out and it didn't work for me. The Major One was awesome. Worth it, I don't know. I've riddern them all.

So I just realized the Breed has 135mm space rear hub that uses a cassette. It looks like the others utilized freewheels. What are the pros and cons to using a cassette vs. a freewheel? Does this make or break the Breed?

I guess it depends on if you will ever want a nicer freewheel or if breaking a freewheel means a new wheel vs. a $20 part. That is your call. I personally don't like that set up but I doubt it would be a deal breaker for me. There is no shortage of 135mm SS hubs available.

Also, have you considered using a used frame for a SS? You could use something like this.

http://forwardcomponents.blogspot.com/

Also, have you considered using a used frame for a SS? You could use something like this.



This will probably be the last bike I buy for some time, so I thought I would treat myself to new.

I understand how a freewheel works, and I though I understood how a freehub cassettes work, but maybe not. Is the freehub actually intergral to the hub itself? Is it servicable?

A freehub is integrated into the hub like a modern geared hub. A freewheel hub uses a BMX freewheel instead, at least for a single speed application. I can't speak to the servicability of this hub, I would ask a Felt dealer about that.

I just got a new 09 singlecross SS for $550 from my LBS. Specialized is trying to get rid of some inventory. They're not doing the SS for 2010. This will be my first cross bike and am looking to do some races this year.

The Bianchi San Jose is an excellent value. Its made of heat-treated steel. Nice and rides like a champ!

I just bought a Fantom Cross Uno frameset from Bike Island. Great deal for $208 and now I can re-purpose my Poprad back into a geared bike.

I don't know if you can get Genesis bikes in the US, but they've just launched a whole updated range here in the UK, including the Day One singlespeed CX. I saw it at the bike show here in London yesterday and I'm buying one tomorrow.
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/day-one/day-one-cross/overview/