Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Looking to buy a single speed

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to buy a single speed in the $400-$600 range. I'm currently riding a 52 cm Ross Signature 290S and an old Cannondale (can't remember the model). I'm looking to maybe get something in the 53-54 cm area, becuase I think that 52 cm is just a little too small for me (I'm 5'5" 150 lbs). I'm currently looking at Bianchi Pista, Orgin8 Uno, Raleigh One Way, Raleigh Rush Hour and SE Lager. I'd like something sturdy that doesn't weigh a ton like the Ross, handles well, and looks pretty sick.

As of now I'm leaning towards either the Orgin8 Uno, Raleigh Rush Hour, and the SE Lager. Any suggestions/comments/ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Juan

Here's my list again:

Schwinn Madison - Love, Scrod.
Kilo TT
Pake
Soma Rush
Surly Steam Roller
...

Some people throw in the Jamis Sputnik on a good day.

Here's my list again:

Schwinn Madison - Love, Scrod. :thumb:

Of the bikes chosen by the OP, Rush Hour is the best choice.

I suppose everyone is different, but I am 5'8 125 lbs 30.5 inseam not too lanky arms, but I feel like a 54 cm bike is uncomfortable because it is just a hair too big.

I suppose different bikes have different geometries, but my rocky mountain RC30 is a 54cm and I don't ride it anymore. the top tube seems a bit long and the seat has to be fairly low(about a fists worth from the top tube - max) for my feet to reach the pedals.

The size makes it so I have to be riding in the tops to be in any kind of comfort. My mentality has been that it's better to have a bike slightly small and to have one slightly big. Just my opinion though.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm really leaning towards the Rush hour, but I've only found one site that offers it for 539.99, and they are offering in store pick up only... but they're located in L.A., and I'm in Chicago. I just shot them an email if they'd make an exception, and I'm really hoping that they will...

I DO love the rush hour. Good choice.

This isn't a bad price
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2010-Raleigh-Rush-Hour-Fixed-Gear-Steel-Bike-55cm-/380236406876?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item5887db205c

OP, you can get the Jamis Sputnik for $545 from this guy on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/BN-2009-Jamis-Sputnik-fixed-gear-bike-50-53-55-57-59-62-/220608125619?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item335d44dab3).
I would looove to buy one for myself (bike retails for $900), but I still can't justify spending that much money on a commuter, heh.


This isn't a bad price
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2010-Raleigh-Rush-Hour-Fixed-Gear-Steel-Bike-55cm-/380236406876?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item5887db205c
This used one (http://cgi.ebay.com/Raleigh-Rush-Hour-Commuter-Bike-/280511032261?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item414fc2abc5) is a tad cheaper at $400, assuming OP fits a 54cm. Mm, ebaylicious.

Oh damn, that Sputnik looks epic and it seems to have gotten nice reviews on roadbikereview.com. It's also within my price range. I'd like to buy a new bike, as I have never had the luxury of owning a brand-spanking new bike; I've always bought beaters, so I really really want to get a really nice new bike.

The only issue is that it is a fixie, and to be honest, I don't really have much experience riding them. The couple times that I have, I was definitely not used to it and did not enjoy it... I guess if I get one I'd have to learn to love it lol. Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it, and keep em coming! I probably won't get it for a week or two, so I'd like to definitely continue comparing bikes until then!

Juan

Here's my list again:

Schwinn Madison - Love, Scrod.
Kilo TT
Pake
Soma Rush
Surly Steam Roller
...

Some people throw in the Jamis Sputnik on a good day.

Are you not a fan of the Sputnik? Any particular reason why?

Are you not a fan of the Sputnik? Any particular reason why?

No I don't have a problem with th Sputnik.

That list is in no way in order of what I would buy. It is a list comprised of bikes everyone here seems to push/recommend/***** to people looking to buy a new bike,

The sputnik is just less mentioned.

Ah, gotcha.

Well I've read the reviews on Roadbikereviews.com It appears that the Rush Hour, The Lager, and The Sputnik have all received similar reviews. The main complaints about the Sputnik seemed to revolve around some cheap parts as did that of the Rush hour. The Lager however get some really solid reviews. I'm kinda at a stand still now, cause the places that I checked out don't have the rush hour or the sputnik as SS, just FG (although I did inquire about possibly getting them to send it as a SS rather then a FG, just waiting the reply.) I like the Lager cause it comes up in the setup I already want, SS, bullhorns and complete. The Sputnik and the Rush hour come with drop handle bars, which is no bigge I guess, and the sputnik comes sans pedals. If I go with the latter, I would probably get some bullhorn handle bars (I'm gonna assume are gonna run me between $30-$60), and if I go with the Sputnik, I'll also have to invest in some pedals as well. Regardless of whatever bike I pick, I'm also going to have to invest in some very good tires (I'm looking at Continental Ultra Gator Skin or Top Touring and Specialized Armadillo). It's looking now that the Lager may win out... hmmmm

at 15 dolla bmx freewheel will spin on a fixed hub just peachy.

The only issue is that it is a fixie, and to be honest, I don't really have much experience riding them.
It actually has a flip-flop hub (as do most of the bikes you are looking at), which means that one side is fixed and the other is freewheel/singlespeed. So, all you gotta do is flip the wheel around and you more or less have "two" bikes! :)

Also, I'm just repeating hearsay from this forum, so I don't know if it is true or not, but people have said that the SE Lager and BikeDirect's Dawes SST (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm) are the same thing, so just something to keep in mind.

Why not an Iro Mark V?
I love mine! Rides solid!

Lol I just seen that it was a flip flop hub, so I think that I am gonna try and go with that one, as it looks hella sick. I feel like though people maybe complaining about the "cheaper" parts on it, those "cheaper" parts will probably be better than what comes standard on the Lager. Thanks for all the help guys, you've made this really easy. If I can get it tomorrow, I'll post pics when I get it all set up the way I want it.