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SS/Fixed under $600 suggestions, no BD possible

Old 05-14-09, 12:34 PM
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SS/Fixed under $600 suggestions, no BD possible

Hi again everyone,

I was here about a month ago asking for opinions on the Surly Cross-Check and the Steamroller, but my plans have now unfortunately changed. The 2008 Steamroller I had on hold was sold from under my nose, and the 2009 is too far out of my price range to justify.

I live in Canada, so Bikes Direct isn't an option for me. Just for point of reference, I had the 2008 Steamroller held at $585+taxes, so I would like to keep it under that price point. Bikes I have looked at in stores around me are the 09 Fuji Track ($550+taxes, could probably get a free brake or other goodies in that) and the 09 Giant Bowery ($600, but didn't much like the look of it). Any opinions on the Fuji Track, or anything else in this price range?

Thanks!
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Old 05-14-09, 02:09 PM
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Man I found a $ fuji for $500 but they wont throw in a free break. I walked out of the store. The other steamroller thread has info on how to get one $612 shipped (in the US) if that works for you.
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Old 05-14-09, 02:25 PM
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Redline 925?
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Old 05-14-09, 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by akkando
Man I found a $ fuji for $500 but they wont throw in a free break. I walked out of the store. The other steamroller thread has info on how to get one $612 shipped (in the US) if that works for you.
With the increased freight and the conversion rate, that puts the Steamroller even further out of my price range than the local 2009.

The Redline 925 might be an option, but I have, literally, called more than 30 bike shops and not found one that stocks Redline bikes.
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Old 05-14-09, 03:53 PM
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Not sure where in Canada you are, but a few weeks ago, Europe Bound had some 2008 KHS Flite 100's for around 650. You might be able to get them to do a better deal. The Giant Mash Up was the only other bike I saw in that price range.
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Old 05-14-09, 03:57 PM
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I have a Fuji Track. It rules.
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Old 05-14-09, 04:00 PM
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the fuji is a nice enough bike. get that
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Old 05-14-09, 04:12 PM
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I've not been impressed with the Giant Bowery. Go with the Fuji and add a brake.
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Old 05-14-09, 04:24 PM
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Universal can get you one for $570 out the door shipped in the States. (VIP15 coupon code) Not sure what they would charge for Canada, ey.
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Old 05-14-09, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by xB_Nutt
Universal can get you one for $570 out the door shipped in the States. (VIP15 coupon code) Not sure what they would charge for Canada, ey.
It's not $570 shipped. If you go through the whole checkout process, you will see it comes out to around $612 with shipping.
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Old 05-14-09, 05:08 PM
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Most American border towns have a package pick-up/drop-off depot that deals with Canadians and Americans cross border shopping. BD/BI will ship to these places for Canadians, you just need to cross the American border to pick it up.
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Old 05-15-09, 08:32 AM
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I am, unfortunately, not able to visit any of the border towns that may be copasetic to these kinds of shipping depots; I am limited to only my local bike shops, it seems. I'm getting pretty good feelings about the Fuji Track, I'll probably go and take a test ride on it soon. Another option may have presented itself, however: one of my local bike shops claims to stock IRO products, is there anything from their line that is in relatively the same price range?

One last question: is there anything (other than the atrocious saddle) that would need replacing immediatly on the Fuji? The stem and bars look a little bit funky to me, and I would prefer risers anyway. I haven't heard much about the rims or the cranks, however, are they any good?
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Old 05-15-09, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Soturi
Hi again everyone,

I was here about a month ago asking for opinions on the Surly Cross-Check and the Steamroller, but my plans have now unfortunately changed. The 2008 Steamroller I had on hold was sold from under my nose, and the 2009 is too far out of my price range to justify.

I live in Canada, so Bikes Direct isn't an option for me. Just for point of reference, I had the 2008 Steamroller held at $585+taxes, so I would like to keep it under that price point. Bikes I have looked at in stores around me are the 09 Fuji Track ($550+taxes, could probably get a free brake or other goodies in that) and the 09 Giant Bowery ($600, but didn't much like the look of it). Any opinions on the Fuji Track, or anything else in this price range?

Thanks!
Did you have a downpayment on the bike? I'm Canadian (living in NYC now) and i believe (im not a lawyer) that they broke their contract with you by selling it if you had a down payment. You may be able to play this card and get a deal on an 09.
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Old 05-15-09, 12:37 PM
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Iro.
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Old 05-15-09, 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by palu
It's not $570 shipped. If you go through the whole checkout process, you will see it comes out to around $612 with shipping.
Oh, I thought shipping was free on this too? I get it now, they give you a shipping credit, but still charge shipping later on. Makes sense. Still a good deal at $612.
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Old 05-15-09, 04:19 PM
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the Fuji track is supposed to be really good, also try craigslist, you might find a good deal on something
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Old 05-16-09, 10:00 AM
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I did not have a downpayment on the bike, it turns out it was a mistake that the bike was sold. A newbie to the store removed the 'saved for x' tag when he was cleaning it up and forgot to put it back on, no one else but the manager knew it was saved for me, and it went out the door a few hours later. The manager did offer me a decent deal on the 09 as compensation once I talked to him and we got the whole situation straightened out (the guy that was new to the store bought me some beers, too, really nice guy if a bit forgetful), but it's still about $250ish more than the 08 I had saved.

I think the Fuji is about the best bike I can get in my price range, especially considering I can grab some upgrades and still be a few hundred under the cost of the stock Steamroller. Is there anything other than the seat that would need immediate changes on the Fuji?

Thanks for the help, everyone!
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Old 05-18-09, 02:26 AM
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bianchi pista. about 600 shipped.
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Old 05-18-09, 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by K2theAblaM
bianchi pista. about 600 shipped.
Where abouts can I find this deal? I would love to hear about a Canadian site that would sell to me at those prices.
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Old 05-18-09, 09:12 PM
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Schwinn Madison?
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Old 05-23-09, 11:41 AM
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So I took a test ride on a 52cm Fuji track the other day, it was quite an interesting experience. I get the feeling that it might be a little bit too track-ish for me. I had trouble reaching the drops comfortably, but I would like to think that this is because of my odd porportions: I have a long torso, but short arms and legs. Everything else seemed to fit quite well, however.

Considering I have checked most of the other stores in the city and found nothing in the same price range, I believe my best bet now will be to search for a used bike on Craigslist. Another option would be to grab the Fuji track and, as much as I fear saying this in public, throw risers on it with nice comfy grips and get a bit more of an upright position (don't worry, no barspinz will be harmed in the making of this bike). Would the simple substition of risers and lowering the seat offset the 'trackishness', or would it be better to find a more relaxed road frame?
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Old 05-23-09, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Soturi
So I took a test ride on a 52cm Fuji track the other day, it was quite an interesting experience. I get the feeling that it might be a little bit too track-ish for me. I had trouble reaching the drops comfortably, but I would like to think that this is because of my odd porportions: I have a long torso, but short arms and legs. Everything else seemed to fit quite well, however.

Considering I have checked most of the other stores in the city and found nothing in the same price range, I believe my best bet now will be to search for a used bike on Craigslist. Another option would be to grab the Fuji track and, as much as I fear saying this in public, throw risers on it with nice comfy grips and get a bit more of an upright position (don't worry, no barspinz will be harmed in the making of this bike). Would the simple substition of risers and lowering the seat offset the 'trackishness', or would it be better to find a more relaxed road frame?
track geometry is not about handlebars and seat height.
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Old 05-23-09, 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by bikeybikebike
track geometry is not about handlebars and seat height.
Thank you for the advice, but I am now starting to feel like I didn't make myself clear. By 'trackishness' I meant the hunched over aero position and the handling (which I thought was rather nice, to be honest). What I am trying to avoid is that streched out aero position.

So, rephrased, would there be any point in getting a Fuji Track, putting risers on and dropping the seat, or should I look for a different bike?
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Old 05-23-09, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Soturi
Thank you for the advice, but I am now starting to feel like I didn't make myself clear. By 'trackishness' I meant the hunched over aero position and the handling (which I thought was rather nice, to be honest). What I am trying to avoid is that streched out aero position.

So, rephrased, would there be any point in getting a Fuji Track, putting risers on and dropping the seat, or should I look for a different bike?
seat height shouldnt change to change posture.
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Old 05-24-09, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by adriano
seat height shouldnt change to change posture.
I guess I'm showing just how unfamiliar I am with this information. I'm assuming risers, as opposed to drops, would put me in a more upright position, that seems like a given to me. But on the contrary, I'm kind of defeating the point of a track bike by doing that - in your opinion, should I look for a bike with a shorter top tube that will stretch me out less and still allow me to use drops, or should I look in to making the Fuji Track more upright?
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