Xgecko

better frame, better components

Go the cheap route upgrade parts as you need to (or want to) and once you decide its time buy a better frame....the only thing remaining from my initial bike is the front hub, which I have built around a new rim, and the Frame/fork, which I will be replacing once I finish school and move to DC to be with my wife

get whatever cog will give you a low to mid 70" gear use a tire with a flat guard Semi tour/commute tires 28C for a smooth ride Rando's, Michelin Pilot City etc

YellowWolf

I have an IRO and it's a great bike for the value. I have a 59 frame (6'3, 190) and it's great for my needs. Casual rides, under 10 mile commute. The bike is stiff enough for my needs, although I can't really compare since I've only had two bikes. 69 GI and 700x28 tires make it comfortable enough for commuting.

Just to throw this out there, you'll probably want a frame that supports fenders since I see you're in DC. I have the Mark V Pro and had to get the clip on fenders, which is OK, but not the best option during the winter. Also, in calculating your budget, you'll need to consider the cost of a helmet, lights, locks, etc.

gigantor

IRO frames... really sweet.

sharmaji

so wait, is Iro's site back online?

warningfs

Try one out before riding. Visit a shop near you and just say ive never ridden one and want to see how they feel. Dont be pressured to buy anything. Most people fall in love, some dont.

That's the idea!

The Raleigh IthaDan suggested is sweet. You've paying more for really nice components, killer looks, upgradability (word?), and disc brakes. Throw some fenders/racks on that bad boy and you are set! May be better to buy this one if you decide to sell the kilo tt as it is a big chunk of change but it is really really nice.

Regarding tire size, bigger = cushy ride and a little bit of slower. 25 or 28 would be perfect for street. My current city/polo build will be using thickslick 25c.

Regarding cog size... Is it hilly or flat on your journey? The raleigh has 39/18 which means you'll crush hills. I have a langster that is 49/16 and it sucks going up hills. So we need to know your areas hills.

jasonnc80

If you're of standard proportions even the largest Furley will likely not fit you. I'm similar in size "6'4" myself but even the XL furley was quite small for me. It's an awesome bike and my LBS sells them for a nice amount below MSRP and I was disappointed that I could not fit one. You may be built differently than me but something of note

My suggestion would be to go to an LBS and get sized up and maybe test ride a few. You're options with your size are going to be more limited than others. To me a 55 kilo will be too small for you. Other than that get a friend and go thru the fit calculator posted above. That will give you a rough idea to look for. A Kilo would be a good option as they come in a lots of sizes including bigger ones but I would make sure of what would fit me before ordering anything online.

adriano 

definitely furley!

spierce7

So after doing some research I really like the furley. It only comes in a max size of 59, so it might be too small for me as jasonnc80 said. I did some measurements, for an online test, and it recommended I have a bike of size 61. Is 2 cm really a big deal?

JesusBananas

Yes.

However, nothing is as reliable as actually trying the bike out in person, so if you have the option to, I'd definitely go test it out. It might be that the 59 fits you perfectly. But you can't know for sure unless you try it.

spierce7

How do I know if it fits me though :-P Especially when it's that close.

You gotta realize, when I rode a bike prior to being in college, if a bike didn't fit, I just made the seat higher.

gigantor

How's your reach? Maybe you have short arms and a short torso.

spierce7

When I measured my inseam from that link you guys gave me I believe I measured as a 35 inch. Arms are pretty long. Don't remember their measurement.

bfloyd6969

Hello, spierce7. Alot of great recommendations already. I would like to recommend going with a bike that has a single speed option. The difference between a single speed and fixed gear is that when going fixed gear, the pedals are always turning. A single speed has a freewheel that will let you coast, not always be pedaling. This type of bike will have a flip flop rear hub in where you can have a freewheel on one side and a fixed cog on the other. You just flip the wheel around to suit. You also mentioned brakes were important to you and single speeds will come with both front and rear brakes. Some fixed gear bikes will have a front brake, or come with a front brake that can be added on, but you will have to install it yourself. Some fixed gears will come with brakes installed so keep a look out when choosing. The good thing about single speeds and fixed gears is that you will still be on one gear.

Regarding size - top tube length is actually more important than seat tube length, and when companies size bikes they are referring to the seat tube length. Now, longer seat tube lengths will naturally have longer top tube lengths so they kind of go hand in hand. However, keep in mind that too short of a seat tube length will mean alot of seatpost sticking out which can result in either a seatpost that is just too short, or one that will flex too much. Being 6'4", I would say that you would be in the 60cm-ish / XL frame sizes. Are your arms and torso long or average with your height?

Regarding cog size - is your commute a hilly one or relatively flat? If it is hilly, I would recommend something in the mid 60's gear inches. If it is flat, somewhere in the low 70's should be fine. Plus, this all comes down to your strength and endurance as well. Pushing a low 70's gear inch into a head wind can feel like you're pulling a ton of bricks behind you

Good luck in your search and welcome to the single speed / fixed gear world!

adriano 

great choice!

gigantor

Seems your inseam isn't too long as mine is 34" on a 5'11" frame. You must have a crazy long reach and torso. I wouldn't get a smaller frame!

Jaytron

FITMENT QUESTION?



>>>FITMENT CALCULATOR<<<

spierce7

OK, so I went and checked out some bikes today at a few local bike shops. I would get the Raleigh Furley if it came in an XL, but as it is, it only comes in a L (max), and so it's too small for me. I really like that I could swap it to a geared bike if I needed. As it is though, it is too small. I also like that since it has the same frame as the Roper, I could swap gears onto it if I for some reason REALLY wanted too. I also liked disc brakes.

With that knowledge, is their something similar that you would recommend?

Edit: Heck, I might be willing to build one from scratch if you think that'd be a good idea,

IthaDan 

I think origin 8 sells a frame very similar to the Furley. I don't know anything about it or even if you can buy a complete bike, but that might be an angle worth taking a look at.

bfloyd6969

I just tool ownership of my Schwinn Madison and would recommend it as a commuter - front and rear brakes, both freewheel and fixed cog, and a moderate easy gearing @ 46x18 (both fixed and free). It does come in an XL, but even the XL only has a 570mm top tube length and that might be too short for you. What did your fit come out to be?

I got mine on sale at Nashbar for $275. I had to get the purple/white color scheme as it was the only color available in Large, but the XLarge is available there in the red finish - and is shown to be still on sale:

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...08_-1___202614

I'd say if the top tube is long enough for you, this is a pretty good deal.

silent_chief

The furley comes with bb5 iirc. (these are the brakes) Which get really bad reviews. Discs are probably over kill too. If I had your budget I'd get a complete (and geared) Surly Crosscheck. If you find after a while you don't like the gears, you can convert your existing bike. I think you will probably want to keep them. Downtown DC is in a bowl. Unless you live in the city proper, you are going to be coming up a hill on your way home.

adriano 

data points, 6'4" on 58cm frames and a 130 or 140mm stem

https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/articl...x-emx-7-29059/
https://www.eddymerckx.be/emx-7

https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/articl...mac-sl3-29810/
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=52906

and both of those frames are 0.5cm shorter than the large furley.

(cos(72.4 degrees) * 58) - (cos(73 degrees) * 58) = 0.57989479

gigantor

+1 Surly x-check complete. You can also build up an IRO with great parts with what you'd spend on the furley. I keep mentioning IRO... I believe that frame can support bigger tires as well.

Disc brakes are definitely overkill.

gigantor

+1 Surly x-check complete. You can also build up an IRO with great parts with what you'd spend on the furley. I keep mentioning IRO... I believe that frame can support bigger tires as well.

Disc brakes are definitely overkill.

gigantor

+1 Surly x-check complete. You can also build up an IRO with great parts with what you'd spend on the furley. I keep mentioning IRO... I believe that frame can support bigger tires as well.

Disc brakes are definitely overkill.

gigantor

+1 Surly x-check complete. You can also build up an IRO with great parts with what you'd spend on the furley. I keep mentioning IRO... I believe that frame can support bigger tires as well.

Disc brakes are definitely overkill.