Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Opinions wanted, Itching for a new Bike

Hi all,

I am looking to get a single speed/fixed gear bike. I have been looking around and none of my local bike shops have any in stock, other than the Fezzari shop (not a bad looking bike, but, bad name). I really like the look of the Specialized Langster. The problem is I am worried about ordering a bike from my LBS without at least being able to see/try the bike in person.

I would like your opinions on a bike to get, and no that will not be my deciding factor, just looking for advice from like minded internet friends.

Should I go with the Fezzari for $599,(+in stock, locally owned. - Don't know the brand,)
Also is it a good deal for what it is?
http://www.fezzari.com/fixed-gear/fxe/

Or should I go with the Specialized Langster for $720 (+looks great,Great brand. -I have to buy without trying)

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/langster/langster

Or Something else?
The bike would be for commuting/fun around town, Budget up to $800ish

Why on earth is this even a question?

The langster ffs.

bigshot

Why on earth is this even a question?

The langster ffs.

the possibility exists that anyone who posts here may not know the Gospel and thus be swayed by flashy websites. "is this even a question" [i know, i'm just sayin] without a little bit more info is not gonna sway a rookie.

My take is go ride the fezzari and see if you actually LIKE fixed gear first, THEN go buy a well recommended bike from here (langster, kilo, leader, whatnot). i bought a POS Republic Aristotle that was NOT ok to ride fixed (major chainline issues, rear triangle bent) and it got me into the idea of riding fixed. after it spit the chain while i was climbing a hill and i ate dirt, i decided to get a legit bike that was recommended here.

I know it sounds counterintuitive in the face of flash websites, but seriously, the conventional wisdom here is good, it's just dispensed with a lot of salt.

If you can afford a langster, get it. Or another well-recommended bike at its price point.

...i decided to get a legit bike that was recommended here...

Let me guess... KiloTT?

OP - I would not pay $599 for that Fuzzari. But I would not pay $720 for the Langster.

But if you have $800 and need to spend it, get the Langster. Just make sure that the shop puts you on a fit kit.

But if you have $800 and need to spend it, get a 2012 Big Block (which any bike shop near you can order at closeout pricing because the 2013 model just came out).

Fixed.

Langster are f*****g ugly, and Specialized is a D-bag company.

All City

Fair enough. If you can get a Big Block for that $ go for it.

If you need a 55cm Big Block you can get a 2012 on closeout.

Let me guess... KiloTT?


yes. but tell me how that makes my advice invalid, or maybe you're just saying the kilo is an ok bike? i had 400 to spend and it ticked all the boxes. didn't help i was 250 underwater on the Republic :P [craigslist impulse buys=bad idea].

Here's my advice: don't jump into something too quickly because you want a bike fast.

I had a langster (2008 model) and loved it, but ended up getting a size too big. Still rode it everywhere and toured a little bit with it, credit card stuff. The langster is a very capable bike.

If you commute at all and want something practical, I'd go with a simple steel bike. The Fuji track works great (brother has one) and the steamroller (surly) would be great if you had the money for a langster.

Everybody here will be opinion based, but here's what got me to sell my bike (from my personal perspective):
-a stiffer frame (like the aluminum one I had with the langster) is hell for riding around a city with potholes.
-Weight isn't as much of an issue as people say it is unless you carry it up and down stairs multiple times a day.
-Fixed is useless for anything but fitness riding and the track. Fixed gear bikes are terribly annoying down long descents.
-You need brakes regardless
-You CAN tell a huge difference in efficiency on a single speed and hills will be much easier to climb.
-Screw looks, you rarely look at the bike when you're riding, enjoy the scenery. Sometimes visually unappealing features are nice to have, like a sloping top tube for instance, rack mounts, fender mounts, etc. A functional bike is a beautiful bike.
-The bike you will ride the most is the most comfortable and useful. The one you ride the most is usually the one you enjoy the most.

In the end I now ride a 35 lb long haul trucker with a full XT set and downtube shifters because I don't tend to need to shift much anymore, and I fell in love with simplicity, but I need the gears for touring needs. I found out quickly after I bought the single speed that this was what I truly needed/wanted, but it took 4 years after buying the langster for this to come to pass.

This is a good starting place to ask questions, but don't let people on a forum tell you what's what. Go look at the bikes yourself, or get some opinions from a good bike shop.

get whatever the **** you want

My advice would be on an All City Nature Boy, it would be the coolest commuter ever, good frame, great looks, good tire clearance and hidden mudguard/rack holes

I would recommend:
That you not buy it 'til you try it.
Look for a steel frame, much more comfortable.
Make sure you can run a chain tensioner and get one.
Buy a bike that can run at least 28 mm tires front and rear. You'll be glad you did when you hit the first pothole.


Hi all,

I am looking to get a single speed/fixed gear bike. I have been looking around and none of my local bike shops have any in stock, other than the Fezzari shop (not a bad looking bike, but, bad name). I really like the look of the Specialized Langster. The problem is I am worried about ordering a bike from my LBS without at least being able to see/try the bike in person.

I would like your opinions on a bike to get, and no that will not be my deciding factor, just looking for advice from like minded internet friends.

Should I go with the Fezzari for $599,(+in stock, locally owned. - Don't know the brand,)
Also is it a good deal for what it is?
http://www.fezzari.com/fixed-gear/fxe/

Or should I go with the Specialized Langster for $720 (+looks great,Great brand. -I have to buy without trying)

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/langster/langster

Or Something else?
The bike would be for commuting/fun around town, Budget up to $800ish[/QUOTE]

#quotefail

Nature Boy is AWESOME!!!

I've got a chub for the Zona LTD frame.