Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Need help by 10:00 EST... buying a single speed/fixed gear for commuting

I can't ride either bike (buying online).

Here are the options:

55 cm 2010 Jamis Sputnik (a little more expensive)

or

59 cm State Bicycles Matte Black 2.0

I know the Jamis is a better bike BUT I ride a 57-59cm. Will the 55 cm be too small or is the quality of the bike worth the possible slight discomfort of a smaller bike?

What would you do? I've read several places that State is improving but the Sputnik seems to be a very solid bike. Just looking for opinions.

Would you buy a pair of shoes that didn't fit because they were a good deal?

I personally would do neither. Why do you need a bike tonight? Get a bike that doesn't make you ask questions, because you obviously have things against both bikes.

Would you buy a pair of shoes that didn't fit because they were a good deal?

Is it really that extreme? But I get your point.

Is it really that extreme? But I get your point.

Why would bikes come in multiple sizes if it weren't the case?

It doesn't matter what you're riding, if it doesn't fit, it's gonna suck.

Dude, relax. The world is ending in eight days.

Dude, relax. The world is ending in eight days.

It's the 21st, mang. Get it straight.

I know otherwise and am very seldom wrong. Have a good week!

I know otherwise and am very seldom wrong. Have a good week!


The blackest and most magical of all black magic.

:lol:

Thanks for the help...

is the quality of the bike worth the possible slight discomfort of a smaller bike?



rarely

never

fixed.

Why do you NEED to buy a bike before 10:00 tonight?

fixed.

Why do you NEED to buy a bike before 10:00 tonight?

They usually take a week to ship, and he wants to ride it for a day before the world ends.

Well, that 'splains it.

neverfixed.


http://i.imgur.com/NtDdW.gif

Bidding on ebay for one of them. Auction is up at 10:15. The other, I have time. Budget is capped at ~300. Thought about bikes direct and may still go that route. I thought I might get more bang for the buck on ebay or craigslist.

I don't have anything against the State. I actually like the bike. But I've read they're not the best bikes. As you can tell from my handle, this is not my area of expertise. Just looking for some direction.


fixed.

Why do you NEED to buy a bike before 10:00 tonight?

...more bang for the buck on ebay or craigslist...

As you can tell from my handle, this is not my area of expertise.

yes

Are you an expert dabbler?

Not sure what you're getting at. I'm just trying to get some help. Much better running than riding, if that's what you're asking.

I'd look around on CL, find something you can ride.

The Jamis is the better bike but if it's 4cm too small, forget it exists.

Just get a Kilo TT and be done with it.

Slim pickings in my area on craigslist. Is ebay unreliable? Should I wait for something on CL?


I'd look around on CL, find something you can ride.

Slim pickings in my area on craigslist. Is ebay unreliable? Should I wait for something on CL?

Ebay is cool for bikes if you know what you want.
You literally have NO IDEA of what you want.

start here: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

measure up to see if you are even looking at the right sizes.

I'm down to the Hour or the Kilo TT, if I go BD. Is the kilo worth the extra $100? Might have to sell my wife on me spending an extra $100....


The Jamis is the better bike but if it's 4cm too small, forget it exists.

Just get a Kilo TT and be done with it.

Thought about bikes direct and may still go that route.
Better start hoping someone outbids you then.

ebay is fine but you seem to have fit questions that are only going to be answered by getting on the bike.

When you say you ride a 57-59, what frame is that or are those? Measurements are fickle. If you use the fit calculator to figure out what you need, and can get ebay sellers to give you measurements or if you can reliably get geometry from manufacturer web sites then you might get away with buying a bike unseen.

I wouldn't say NO idea. This what I want

Spend less than $400
Single speed with a flip flop (learn to ride fixed)
Front and rear brakes (until I can ride fixed)
Best quality frame i can afford
rear rack braze ons
bullhorns (eventually; like the look)
a bike I can learn to work on


Ebay is cool for bikes if you know what you want.
You literally have NO IDEA of what you want.

start here: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

measure up to see if you are even looking at the right sizes.

That's a staggeringly low budget to start with, I'd say go used only because, at $300, you're not even out of the range of a quality hand-built pair of wheels. At least a used bike will get you in the saddle and learning what works and doesn't.

And I'm sure someone posted the fit calculator, but if not, you should google it.

Honestly.

Haven't been fitted. Did stand over a 58 cm mid 80's Schwinn and had a guy at a shop tell me 57-59 would work for me BUT I really needed to have them take complete measurements. I feel awkward wasting a shop's time when I know I'm not buying anything in the shop. I hate having people try to sell me on something WAY out of my price range. It's like going in and checking out running shoes and then going home and buying them for 40% off online. D..k move

Is the kilo worth the extra $100? Might have to sell my wife....

:lol:

That is pretty funny...

So I used the calculator.




The Competitive Fit
The Eddy Fit
The French Fit


Seat tube range c-c
55.1 - 55.6
56.3 - 56.8
58.0 - 58.5


Seat tube range c-t
56.8 - 57.3
58.0 - 58.5
59.7 - 60.2



Is the 55 cm Jamis really out of the mix?



:lol:

Yes. There's never any need for the 'competitive fit' on a bike you'll be riding on a daily basis and not racing.

Top tube is what matters.

Show us your measurements and results.

What he said about top tube. And hurry, 10:00 is creeping up on us.

Your Measurements

Gender
M


Inseam
33.5 in


Trunk
26 in


Forearm
14 in


Arm
26 in


Thigh
26 in


Lower Leg
22.5 in


Sternal Notch
60 in


Total Body Height
72.5 in









The Competitive Fit

The Eddy Fit

The French Fit



Seat tube range c-c
55.1 - 55.6
56.3 - 56.8
58.0 - 58.5


Seat tube range c-t
56.8 - 57.3
58.0 - 58.5
59.7 - 60.2


Top tube length
54.8 - 55.2
54.8 - 55.2
56.0 - 56.4


Stem Length
11.5 - 12.1
10.4 - 11.0
10.6 - 11.2


BB-Saddle Position
72.9 - 74.9
72.1 - 74.1
70.4 - 72.4


Saddle-Handlebar
54.5 - 55.1
55.3 - 55.9
57.0 - 57.6


Saddle Setback
6.9 - 7.3
8.1 - 8.5
7.6 - 8.0



http://www.competitivecyclist.com/images/global/arrow.gif About this fit
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/images/global/arrow.gif About this fit
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/images/global/arrow.gif About this fit





Top tube is what matters.

Show us your measurements and results.

Your measurements too?

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/pdfs/10_sputnik.pdf


Theresa geometry chart at the bottom of the page

I think the 55cm Sputnik can be in the mix, but I cannot believe I am saying that about someone 6 ft tall with a 33" inseam.

Couple fists full of seatpost and bullhorns might make out just fine.

Translation for a rookie? Longer reach due to bullhorns, longer seat post?

Couple fists full of seatpost and bullhorns might make out just fine.[/QUOTE]

Sure, if you want an uncomfortable bike.

I'll defer to scrod bc he's put WAY more people on bikes than I have.

It looks like the top tube is in the range for you. If you want to ride bull horns you're gonna stretch out even more.

But see my first sentance.

Did you measure yourself or have someone help you?

I'd lean toward the French fit, myself, and enjoy having a more loose riding position than a tight competitive fit where you're trying to force the seatpost and stem to expand real estate that doesn't really exist.

I got help. I remeasured and I'm actually closer to 34 inseam.



Did you measure yourself or have someone help you?

But you're too late though....

I let the Jamis go. I deferred to the judgement of people who know more than I do. It went for $276.

So, a 59 cm State Matte Black 2.0. Good bike or look elsewhere? Size seems right, less expensive than the Jamis but is the quality okay? From other threads I've concluded that the jury is still out.



But you're too late though....

Has state gotten around to using something other then high tensile steel?

High tension steel.

Has state gotten around to using something other then high tensile steel?

State frames and forks are 4130 cro-mo.

Dabbling Runner - where are you finding a State bike for less than $276? The lowest-priced bike I can find on their site is $429.

State frames and forks are 4130 cro-mo.

Huh, must have them misplaced with some other company then...

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/3455250047.html

probrem solved.