SteveJ

https://www.sebikes.com/Singlespeed/700cPremiumAle.aspx

Is this a decent bike for the money off the shelf?

adriano 

you can get better for cheaper. if you like the frame, bikeisland has it, and you can build it up exactly how you like for less.

SteveJ

Yeah i like the look of the whole package the way it is, i can get it for $1000 aussie $$ over here. might keep looking around.

any other opinions?

Understanding

i'm actually a bit curious on how much they go for retail, since the msrp is rather high on that bike.

SteveJ

Here in Aust the retail is 1199 AUD.

beerfilter

That MSRP seems really high. I think that is so that shops can sell it for $800 bucks and say "30% OFF!"

The frameset (quite decent in my opinion) can be found on BikeIsland for $250.


bf

devilshaircut

I agree this bike isn't bad, it's just overpriced (And this is coming from someone who isn't an SE fan.). I've ridden this bike before, and it's quite nice. I just don't see why it costs so much.

SteveJ

i appreciate the feedback guys, cheers

Understanding

i'd like to find the updated frameset without the cable stops.

B:H Pusher

that price is outrageous

SteveJ

Yes ijust checked the USA SE site and they want 1199 usd??? admittedly the AUS site says $1399AUD but i can get it for $1000 AUD which is just under $800 USD, which i think is a good price for the bike.
seriously considering it, just have to sell one of my toys (1980 Mongoose BMX )

devilshaircut

For $800 you could get an '08 FTP on eBay.

Just saying ...

SteveJ

Excuse the ignorance, what's an FTP? I'm not adverse to looking at 2nd hand bikes, in AUS though, i dont' have the choice of 2nd hand bikes you do unfortunatley.

devilshaircut

Fuji Track Pro.

Might ask sellers on eBay. Some will ship abroad. I saw someone ship a bike to Australia for $280. Not *terrible*.

EDIT: And it might be my imagination but I seem to recall some Aussies having FTPs ... so I am guessing they are widely available there. Could be totally wrong on that though.

SteveJ

Yeah pretty sure i can buy it NEW here, just had a quick look and nothing used on ebay currently.

devilshaircut

Go for the '08 rather than the '09. They changed the body style so the '08 model is extremely cheap now, I've noticed. Several of my LBS are liquidating them. Although I will say I much prefer the '09 FTP ... it is HOT. But anyhow the '08 is wayyy nicer than a Premium Draft, and, considering the MSRPs stated, a lot cheaper.

jhill44

I expected this to be about some bike related beer

clink83

The FTP and the Premium brew are two totally diffrent bikes. Why would you recomend a stiff AL track bike when the guy wants a lugged steel road frame? ********.

SteveJ

Well i guess that's true (although i appreciate any and all feedback), having a full AL bike as my commuter/training bike and a early 90's Colnago Master Olympic for my weekend/event ride bike i can certainly say the Colnago is way more comfortable to ride being full steel. And i'm in no way comparing the quality of the SE ride to my Colnago

griplimited

The price is overrated, but the frame is obviously a SE Premium Brew aka Fuji Obey as noted. Is there any other affordable frames out there that is lugged steel purchasing new? I'm heartfelt with the lugged frames since my current bike is a 80s Benotto. I'd definitely like to build a new one with lugged without paying that much.

BTW these are Maxway frames from Taiwan, also previously noted.

clink83

I don't see how that bike is overpriced. By the time most of us buy and upgrade an off the shelf FG/SS you can be in over a grand easy, and that bike has pretty much all the common "upgrades". Sugino crank/chainring, deep section rims, tark drops, nice chrome stem...hell it even has double strap clips. The only thing I would change is to put on some campy brakes and a seat, and it would be as nice as most of the bikes on here for about the same price.

presta0684

the stout looks pretty bad ass and burly as ****. i think it is only 700 or 800 bucks.it l

crushkilldstroy

Because he isn't very intelligent.

griplimited

Agreed, however the only thing that you'd actually buy off the shelf is the crankset. Those deep section wheelset is the standard that comes on their premium brew that can be had for less than half the price. A Langster even has the same crankset and wheels, track drops, chrome stem for around 600 but gets no play due to frame design.

Given this is a really nice bike ready to ride off the shelf, I still couldn't justify paying over 700 new for the Fuji Obey version which comes with a Brooks Swift easily $200 alone... so I'd rather just wait til its at half its price.

devilshaircut

Actually, what I said was:

Which, imo, is a way better value. It was meant to illustrate that the MSRP of $1199 is pretty damn outrageous for the SE Premium Ale. Conservatively, you'd be saving $400 bucks which you could put into a nice wheelset. It was like 3 days ago I saw an FTP on eBay go for ~$560 plus like $100 S+H. I realize they are totally different bikes, but at $800 the FTP just a noticeably superior bike. I've ridden the SE Premium Ale and it is a good ride (not denying it is a nice bike at all), but it is really nothing special. The FTP is a definite upgrade though ... faster, lighter, and ... not that anyone cares ... more aero. Totally different bike ... but that's beside the point. Just saying that side by side, the Fuji makes the Premium Ale look like a ripoff.

If he want's a steel frame bike around that price point, then I will, like the above poster, recommend the Obey, which you can also get around $800. The frames are similar (aside from finish) ... both lugged steel. Not much difference there. But the stock Miche cranks on the Obey are nice and stiff and as the above poster mentioned it comes with a Swift. I like Messenger cranks ... in fact, I have a pair myself, but they are no better than the ones on the Obey. Not to mention it is a gorgeous bike (matte black plus nicely designed decals) whereas SE's bikes are tacky across the board.