Ken Wind

I don't want a conversion. Unless I found a nice frame for cheap, but I'm not really looking.

I've listed what I want from the bike in order of importance (most important at the top):

less than $600 (the cheaper the better)
fender eyelets
wide tire clearance
decent or good components
no braze-ons (water bottle mounts are okay)
120 mm rear spacing
classic styling (no sloping top tube or funky graphics)


I don't think there is a complete bike, or even a comparable frameset, that fills all my criteria available right now. If it is, then I can't think of it. The closest ones I've found are the Raleigh One Way, Redling 9-2-5, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi San Jose, and the IRO Jamie Roy. Right now the One Way is my favorite. I don't like the cable guides or rear canti bosses. The 9-2-5 is tempting because it is definitely the cheapest of all the choices, and it fits a lot of my criteria. The San Jose is without a flip-flop (unless they changed it for 07), so that's not an option. I IRO bikes are alright. I think they both have ugly paint jobs.

A couple questions now. Are there any I missed? The first two criteria are essential, so don't suggest something that doesn't have both of them. I must have fenders on this bike. I'll probably get some full coverage steel ones and put on a mud flap, so it doesn't matter if it comes with them or not. Does anyone know what hubs come on the One Way?

srcurran

KHS Flite 100/ebay variation (Windsor?). The ebay version is cheap cheap cheap. Supports full fenders (though it may involve some modification). Doesn't have super wide tire clearance, but should take 25's with the fenders on. It is also more agressive than the other bikes mentioned with a tighter geometry.

Jamie Roy is sans fender eyelets.

Aeroplane

No it's not.

baxtefer

Yes it is.
you're thinking Rob Roy

Ken Wind

No, it's not.

baxtefer

well color me ********. has it always come with that fork?


i think we're looking for the same frame. well i don't care if it's a sloping TT. actually I'd prefer it.

Anyway, i think we'd both like a Kogswell Model G. but they don't exist anymore.

also, don't discount the steamroller. It fits all your criteria except for the fender mounts. but that's what P-clips or SpeedEz are for.

Ken Wind

I like what Surly has to offer, but built up it would probably exceed the $600 limit. I would get a cross-check before I got a Steamroller though. Yeah the Model G was nice.

mattface 

I see 2 holes drilled in each track fork. don't you see them?

Ken Wind

I think our little ))<>(( confused you. No, it's not without fender eyelets is what I'm saying.

Yoshi

*cough*
No it's not sans eyelets.

jyossarian

There's a sticky on budget fixies at the top, but my vote is for the Rob Roy for obvious reasons. Fender and rack eyelets, accomodates wide tires, but the rear spacing is 132.5, not 120. The rear brake cable guides are on the top tube if that matters.

srcurran

Well, I learned something today.

dirtyphotons

indeed, more specifically the top of the top tube, making both cyclocross races and flights of steps up to one's apartment easier on the shoulder.

jyossarian

LOL Yeah, that's what I meant. Good catch.

Shiznaz

BUT WHAT ABOUT RACK BOSSES?s

dirtyphotons

rob roy's got em

Ken Cox

First, how wide a tire?

Secondly, why a rear brake?

I've never had a rear brake on a fixed bike, partly because I have my legs to do the amount of braking one can expect from a rear brake, and, more importantly, it seems (I don't know 'cause I've never done it) like an unnecessary complication to adjust the rear brake for a different cog or chainwheel.

Thirdly, why a flip-flop hub?
I had a flip-flop hub on my Pista when I got it, and found it more trouble to flip it just for a gear change than the situation warranted.
As for a flip-flop hub giving one a backup in case of stripped threads, I use only one brand of cog (EAI only) and I think that gives me considerable protection from stripped threads.
The flip-flop thing doesn't matter, though, because I think all of the budget bikes (San Jose?) come with a flip-flop hub.

For most of the year I ride with an SKS race blade fender in back; nothing in front.
When it gets really icy and rutted, I switch to my geared ice bike with mega-studded tires and big steel fenders on both ends.

Ken Cox

I visited the Bianchi USA site and that San Jose looks good, except for the freewheel.
Could a person replace the freewheel with a fixed cog?

Ken Wind

At least enough room for fenders and a 32 mm tire, which should be enough room for 35 mm studded tires sans fenders.

I don't want a rear brake. Ideally there would be nothing back there, but nobody sells a frame/bike in the price range with fender eyelets that doesn't have cable routing. If only the Steamroller had eyelets.

I didn't say anything about a flip-flop hub. If I had my way it would be fixed/fixed, but that's just unrealistic.

I hadn't thought of that, but I'm not sure. As long as I could thread a lockring on there I'd be happy. Any San Jose owners want to comment?

baxtefer

the 2006 san joses were freewheel only
i'm assuming the same thing for the 2007s

p-clips!

Serendipper 

Last visit to the lbs, the hunter green '07 San Joses had flip-flop hubs, but no cog.

!Ole!

jyossarian

Well, some commuters want full fenders, a rack, brakes, etc. so the Rob Roy comes w/ eyelets for fenders front and back and a rear rack. Canti bosses front and back too if you run it SS. Wide enough for 35s.

Surferbruce

i have a San Jose coming in tomorrow or friday for exactly the purpose you describe. according to others the recent ones have come with a flip flop hub meaning you only need a cog and lockring to run it fixed. i'll let you know.
its for my wife and seems like a great deal on a versatile commuter.

8oh4

is it strange to anyone else that the jamie roy can take up to 38mm tires and the rob roy only 35?

spidercyclist

Go with the 925, It a great bike for the price.
Have a good nite .