Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - first 'real' bike

My girlfriend and I are getting new bikes this week. I've already ordered a complete Surly Creamroller from my LBS after hearing good things about it and doing a bunch of research. My girlfriend has been looking into the IRO Mark V or the Origin 8 Uno, but hasn't made a final decision quite yet.

I figured I'd inquire as to what bike might be better for her for the money. The complete Uno hovers around $500 and the Mark V at around $700. She wants to know what will give her better bang for her buck, but I don't know enough about bikes/components to give her any decent advice.

Any thoughts? Do they provide different types of rides? Is one more suited for the road than the other or provide more options for changing builds?

IRO Mark V > Origin 8 Uno

Have fun with the Surly....love that bike!

I love my Surly Steamroller. You can't go wrong with that bike.

As for your GF, others might recommend the Kilo TT and its variants, although you can't get that at an LBS.

You should also check out the Felt Broughman (http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2010-Product-Catalog/FIXIE/FIXIE-Series/BROUGHAM.aspx) and the Masi Steel Series (http://www.masibikes.com/tab4_subNav2.php).

The Mark V is a good looking bike with lots of good reviews. I've never had one, so I can't say from experience, but i do own an Origin8 Uno.

And i gotta say I love my bike!!!

It comes with a flip/flop hub. I haven't ridden it as a ss yet, but you can't beat it for a ride around town/commuter. I ride my bike back and forth to work (13 mi one way) and on longer rides. It's got lots of eyelets so you can put whatever you want on it (a rack, fenders, water bottle, extra water bottle or pump.)

I've also gotten a plethora of compliments on it being such a nice looking bike.

comparing the bikes is easier than you might think. since you're not comparing different frame types (aluminum vs. carbon fiber) or different component groups (Shimano 105, SRAM Rival), it won't be as hard to tell which one's "better." just note that plenty of people ride both bikes, so it's unlikely that she'll "hate" either one.

bike pricing is pretty competitive.
that means that it's not super likely that you're getting "screwed" if the bike is high-priced
and it also means that if you paid very little for a new bike, it probably isn't good.

so what does it mean to have a "bad" or "cheap" singlespeed/fixed gear bike?
if it's made out of heavy steel, so it won't be fun to ride.
if it comes with lots of cheap parts that wear out quickly

look at the components - the wheels, tires, headset, handlebars, cranks, chainring, cog, saddle. you can just google for these things and see what they cost.
look at the frame material - both made of steel? does one have better/lighter type of steel?
if they're all essentially the same, look at the geometry. are the angles steeper (more aggressive) on one than the other?
do you want front and rear brakes? does the bike you're looking at accommodate those?

Note, my girlfriend tried the Felt Brougham and really didn't like it.
i own a steel Masi (road bike, but same thing) and i love it.

et cetera.

i got my steamroller yesterday and i'm loving it. with a few minor changes [new rear cog, new bars, saddle, tires] i'll be totally set.

my girlfriend ordered her iro mark v yesterday doing the custom build-a-bike thing on their site. looks sharp and can't wait to see it in person. she's already jealous that i'm riding already and pouts when i tell her i'm going for a quick spin, haha.

i got my steamroller yesterday and i'm loving it. with a few minor changes [new rear cog, new bars, saddle, tires] i'll be totally set.

my girlfriend ordered her iro mark v yesterday doing the custom buil-a-bike thing on their site. looks sharp and can't wait to see it in person. she's already jealous that i'm riding already and pouts when i tell her i'm going for a quick spin, haha.
may I ask why you are switching out all of those parts right away? If you are new to cycling, I would suggest riding it for a good month or two before deciding on what you like or don't like. You may end up loving the saddle, the gear ratio might be perfect for your terrain, the pedals might suck, etc. Unless you know exactly what you want (eg. you love riding a particular ratio, a certain saddle is perfect for you, or prefer the feel certain bar tape) there is no need to jump to switching out components

cog: the 47/19 gear ratio is awkward to me. i feel like i'm spinning way too much for the speeds i'm going, and i like to go fast.

bars: don't like the dropdown look, and prefer leather over cork. simple as that.

saddle: i feel like i have to sit too far forward on the stock saddle for comfort, moving back makes my sitbones hurt. need something softer or smaller and i hear great things about brooks [and the looks don't hurt either].

tires: simple aesthetic. i want a set of vittoria rubino pro II's to match my frame and make it 'pop'.


all in all, just my personal preference, but i can see why people would be all wtf since i'm already changing a new bike..

cog: the 47/19 gear ratio is awkward to me. i feel like i'm spinning way too much for the speeds i'm going, and i like to go fast.

See my reply in your other thread regarding this :)


saddle: i feel like i have to sit too far forward on the stock saddle for comfort, moving back makes my sitbones hurt. need something softer or smaller and i hear great things about brooks [and the looks don't hurt either].

Are you used to riding? If not, your crack (the tissue between your sit bones and the saddle) will be sore/bruised for 1-2 weeks at least when you first start riding. Let this go away before you decide for sure that saddle isn't a fit. It felt hard to me too at first (is it the stock WTB?) and my ass was hurt but after 2 weeks it was smooth sailing and has been perfect for whatever length rides. Although yeah I've thought of a Brooks myself.


tires: simple aesthetic. i want a set of vittoria rubino pro II's to match my frame and make it 'pop'.

What color are they, white? Just curious

Are you used to riding? If not, your crack (the tissue between your sit bones and the saddle) will be sore/bruised for 1-2 weeks at least when you first start riding. Let this go away before you decide for sure that saddle isn't a fit. It felt hard to me too at first (is it the stock WTB?) and my ass was hurt but after 2 weeks it was smooth sailing and has been perfect for whatever length rides. Although yeah I've thought of a Brooks myself.

yeah it's the stock wtb. i don't ride a ton, but i have ridden enough that i feel like i'd benefit from the brooks saddle. i also feel like it'd add to the overall look of the bike as well, which can't hurt.



What color are they, white? Just curious

yeah they have an all-white version and one that has a white/black mix. i'd probably go for the white/black, they look sharp.