Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Another newbie with a question - Hounder or Draft

Hey all,

So I've basically got about $250 to spend on a SS. I know it's not much, but it's what I've got available for the time being and I know I can get something basic to get me around town. I'm not riding a ton, will park it around town (partially why I also don't want to spend a lot on it), and am not needing anything outstanding.

With the great promos going on at nashbar and peformance, I'm narrowing it down to either:

The Nashbar Hounder ($200 w/ discount code)
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_504148_-1_201675_10000_200348

or

The SE 2010 Draft ($168 w/ discount code)
http://www.performancebike.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&catalogId=10551&productId=1083175&summaryOnly=true


Factor in the $30 or so my LBS charges to put together the bike and I'm under $250. I realize beggars can't be choosers, but ideally I'd like the one that is a) on the lighter side and b) more worthy of upgrades if I'm able to afford them down the line. Both come in 49cm which is the size I think I need.

Just as an aside, I've looked at beaters on craigslist (sadly, $200 doesn't get you much on CL in NYC), but honestly don't know enough about bikes to risk buying used and ending up with something shoddy that needs extra maintenance.

If anyone has any experience with either bike, I'd be happy to hear your opinions.

Thanks everyone and happy riding :) :thumb:

I've never heard anything about that Nashbar bike, but it is chromoly vice the hi-ten Draft.

I've never heard anything about that Nashbar bike, but it is chromoly vice the hi-ten Draft.

Will that even matter on a bike of that caliber? everything else is going to fail before anything happens because of frame material.

No experience with either. IMO the SE looks better. Dont worry about weight differences as they are probably minimal. The bikes are probably both "heavy" by today's standards, but being your first bike it may feel light.

Worthy of upgrades is subjective. Is It going to be worth it to you spending $200 dollars on a new set of rims when the stockers fail? Just remember a lot of times when your done upgrading and personalizing to your liking you usually end up at the price range for the mid-high end completes.

Maybe compare warranty info between the two, but I have no idea how that works when buying a complete bike online from either site. Both are low end bikes, the ride quality will be very similar.

another forumer wrote a review. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=628267) Check it out. Hounder seems to be decent by this guys words. Most people say the Draft is horribad but do a bit of research. I think the Hounder is going to be lighter.

People on here have found good deals with Nashbar and Bikes Direct. Its a matter of knowing what to look for and your first SS ride doesn't have to be expensive.

Be on the lookout for a high quality bike on CL and eBay.

Good luck.