mlaps

I'm looking to get a single speed bike, preferably from a local store. I've got a shop in the neighborhood that only sells single speed and fixies. They only carry a couple of brands, State (which I've read on here is crap), some other bikes they have branded themselves that have a hi-ten frame, and then they have a couple of bikes there that the guy who was there didn't know who made them, but they had a "2F" on the head tube. They were set up as a single speed, but I think they are meant to be a FGFS type bike. They had some BMX components on them and the frames seemed a bit sturdier than your standard bike. I really liked the feel of the bike, but it was way too big for me, and the guy there didn't know if they made a smaller frame.

edit: Nevermind - seems to be ZF, which I guess stands for Zycle Fixed Gear. Everything I looked at was a hi-ten frame, looks like one of those companies where the focus is on color combinations more than the ride. Unfortunately that seems to be a theme with my area. The other shop close by is more of a clothing store, with bikes as an accessory.

europa

Bummer. But you've done the right thing and sussed out the locals first.

We laugh at and deride State bikes, is there anyone on here who'd like to offer some real life experience (and I don't mean from someone who hasn't owned anything else)? I just googled State cycles and got a lot of hits that weren't from the company, including some videos. Might pay you to check them out for yourself. I wouldn't waste my time with a frame that wasn't chro-mo though, you're better going KiloTT, Wabi or similar.

mlaps

It actually looks like the State bikes they carry are the Premium line, which seem to use better components and have 4130 frames...but the shop said that the price was around $800. I'd like to keep the price to $500 or less, since I'm afraid any more and I'll just be too worried about getting it stolen.

I've been watching BD for the KiloTT, but they haven't had one in my size for the couple of months I've been looking. I'm considering getting either the Dawes Streetfighter or the Motobecane Fixie Cafe from BD, both are available in my size and have riser bars which I prefer.

SquidPuppet

Even State's cheapest bikes ($429.00) are ChroMo. I don't know if they are butted tubes though.

Philasteve

I never heard of them sorry I can't help. But state bikes get hate on here because they're ugly, other than that they would probably make a decent bike. This pure fix premium has been getting some love here recently, sharp looking bike for a good price. Whatever you get, make sure it's the right size. For $450 it's nice as hell comes with thickslick tires too. Limited sizes is it's only problem but it's also 4130. Pure Fix Premium Series Specs | Pure Fix Cycles

mlaps

Thanks, hadn't actually checked, and think I must have read (or at least imagined reading) an older thread that said the frames were hi-tensile.

Thanks. Will check out. I had thought Pure Fix also had a pretty poor reputation, but maybe they are also improving? Just out of curiosity though, what's ugly with the State bikes compared to the Pure Fix? To my untrained eye they look pretty similar. I do like the fact that I can order a State bike with risers out of the box, instead of having to buy them myself.

Philasteve

They used to have a bad reputation for the same reasons state does. But they really upped their game with that model. All steel fixed gear bikes pretty much look the same, the premium is just prettier. Components look a lot nicer and classier too.

TejanoTrackie 

The problem I have with the Pure Fix Premium is that it is only available in 3 sizes, and there is only a 1" (2.5cm) variation in the top tube length between the smallest and largest size. Also, some of the specs seem suspect, such the 150mm stem.

mlaps

I'll admit, that I've got a little bias against Pure Fix just because of the name. I'd feel kind of stupid riding a bike that says Pure Fix with a freewheel. Not stupid enough that I wouldn't buy it if it was otherwise the best bike for me though.

Right now I'm leaning towards either getting the Streetfighter from Bikesdirect or seeing if the local shop would order me the basic State bike (or if they have another suggestion for a ChroMo bike with flats or risers for under $500). The State bike would probably be at least $200 more than the Streetfighter, depending on how much the shop marks them up. Anything on the State that justifies paying that much more?

Any reason to get the Dawes SSL over the Streetfighter if I'd want to replace the dropbars with flat/riser bars? It looks like the SSL might have better rims? Alex R500 or Weinmann ZAC1800 (no choice), 32H, Double Wall w/ CNC Sidewalls compared to non-branded Black Anodized Aluminum Aloy, 32H, Double Wall w/ CNC Sidewalls on the Streetfighter.

mlaps

The LBS got a Fyxation Eastside in since my last visit. I'd read some decent things about it here, and took it for a spin and it felt pretty nice, so I decided to go for it even though it was a bit more than I wanted to spend. We've got some nice weather today, so hoping to take it for a nice ride tonight.

Philasteve

The Eastside is a nice bike, if it fits get it.

mlaps

Thanks. The frame should be the right size for me, but I'll need to make some adjustments I think to get it to feel better. Right now I'm feeling a bit too forward and scrunched up on the handlebars, especially when standing.