advice - cheap, fast around-town Single Speed?
 

Hello,

I had a langster for 8 years which I loved both for its speed and for its agressive geometry. Sadly, it was stolen. Now that I ride a lot more I am planning to do the following:
1) Get a VERY affordable single speed for around NYC -- still want it to be fast and aggressive, but not pricey
2) Eventually get a second road bike for longer rides outside the city that I won't lock up outside

I have tried many with price point being key. I found the Jamis a bit passive for me. Didn't retry the langster as I don't want to spend above $550. I have found the following two at bike stores and would like advice:

1) Globe Roll 1 -- for $450. Not a huge fan of the more upright geometry but the price is right and it feels like a solid ride for my purposes
2) Fuji Classic Track for $500. More my type of geometry but have read some nasty reviews online.

I MUST ride the bike at a LBS and so will not buy a Mercier Kilo as I can't assemble myself (I only do minor repairs and fix flats) and would rather support local.

I would welcome other suggestions that you think might be worth checking out!

Thank you ,
K

Update: went back to two lbs today. The roll ($450) feels much smoother on the road though pedal and breaks feel cheap. But sadly not the road geometry I like. Still, Fuji track classic ($510) also has some cheap components and feels a bit rougher on bumps even if aesthetically preferred. Thoughts? Are both of these dogs?

Surly steamroller is a third option but more expensive than the others.

Thanks!

They seem like a wash. If you like the Fuji better get the fuji

I have the steamroller.

What I can say is that while it is a tough frame, you'll likely be more towards the upright positioning, which for the situation I got put in last year has done me a world of good. However, since you're looking for a more aggressive stance, you likely wouldn't be content with it, though you may be surprised.

Gi with which ever one feels best to you.

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I guess my big question is whether either of these two bikes is so bad that it is a waste to spend $450-500 on them? I can make both work for me, but when scouring the forum haven't seen any reviews on either bikes in urban settings. Perhaps no news is good news?

I should also add: Anyone else tried the Fuji Classic Track? I was surprised by how rough the ride was for a steel bike -- globe felt like butter by comparison. But then again, may have just been the potholes in the vicinity...

If budget is a main concern, Kilo WT would be good. $400 and it is basically a steam roller clone. Reynolds frame, better wheels then the other two and 700x32 tires so it will be comfortable. Yes there is some assembly but it is simple and takes normal tools or you can pay your lbs to do it and still spend less than the other bikes

You know you already love the ride of the langster so why not get another. This place has 2014 for $640 and $50 off which brings to $590 and in your price range! I believe its free ship as well.

Got both the langster and the street model

City Grounds | Specialized Langster Street Fixed Gear 2014

Will call only means they won't ship. Specialized and most lbs brands won't allow direct shipping of their bikes. They want to force you to buy at an lbs

May also look at Fyxation Eastside

Eastside Fixed Gear Bicycle tagged "Eastside" | Fyxation

I bought the frameset myself and built it up and very happy with the quality and the ride for my urban commuter. They sell completes and sell them through some shops in NYC

Fyxation Local Bike Shops and Online Bike Shops | Fyxation

Thanks again for your thoughts.

I could actually consider a Mercier Kilo TT Pro but would then have to pay a LBS to put it together correctly, putting it at around $500. Worth it? (I also really worry about pissing off my super lovely bike store people where I have test rode bikes and then suddenly asking them to put together one I got online. I would buy a helmet and lock again -- lock was stolen and helmet needs replacement -- but still.)

But from what I hear, you are all saying that Kilo TT Pro is still worth the hassle and slight annoyance to local bike store over a CHEAPER globe roll 1 or fuji track classic?

Not getting the new langster as it's a different build and looks flashy and steal-worthy and at $200 more than the other options I figure I should go for a steel...

(I should probably just make a decision so I can get to riding, but not being very decisive right now.)

Thanks,
K

IMHO, you've got two other great options:

1) Go to REI and checkout the MiiR single speed

2) Order a Charge Plug online @ www.performancebike.com and pick the bike up at a Performance bike shop. If you don't like it after a test ride, you can refuse delivery, get a refund, and start your search again.

Hey,

You've got bike co-ops in NYC. You can do your assembly at a co-op, where they have all the tools and bicycle guru mechanics and stuff. The Kilo TT is an outstanding bike and is quite popular. For that very reason, I might hesitate to lock it up in NYC, the bike theft capital of the world! :D

If you need assembly guidance, here it is:

www.bikesdirect.com/instructionhelp.htm

* The bike comes 90% assembled already! Assembly is a piece of cake! :D

I don't work at an lbs so I don't know margins but I'm pretty sure they make more profit on the labor to assemble the Bikesdirect bike you bring them then they do on selling a new bike. Plus like you said accessories which I believe are a higher margin than a bike which is why every lbs tries to upset all that stuff so hard. In the end you have to ride it so get what you want. The rei and performance option are worth checking out if there are stores near you.

You will have to spend more money on the Kilo TT, due to some subpar components like saddle and pedals, and too tall gearing. Also, you will be severely limited in tire size due to tight clearances. Finally, there may be quality issues that you won't be able to resolve with your lbs, since you bought it online.

TejanoTrackie: I hear what you're saying. In fact, all three bikes will probably cost the same in the end due to upgrades. But the potential quality issues are real and I couldn't expect my LBS to service those problems. Given that, would you still go with the better (in this forum's opinion) quality Kilo TT Pro or one of the others I am considering? (I will only use narrower tire so that doesn't pose a problem for me.)

Oh and thanks, I will also check out REI. ON quick check, they are out of stock and my NY store doesn't offer free assembly, but I'll look more closely.

Thanks all,
Kate

I went to REI site and searched in many different ways for "MiiR" -- but no results. Am I missing something? When searching across all single speed bikes I see the Charge Plug and the Fuji Track -- but I cannot order to the NYC store because they will not assemble bikes there. Going to Jersey seems to be a bit of a drag. Otherwise, would have been a great idea.

Hey there, Kate! :)

It's called, the "Miir Wave". It's listed as a "hybrid". Of course, you could type "single speeds" into the REI search box too. That's what I did! :)

REI always assembles the bike that you order from them without an assembly charge...

Ok -- it appears that the REI nyc store cannot sell fuji or the others recommended. I could order them online to an out-of-state store, but they are not available in NYC. So that is out.

Mercier Kilo TT Pro is sold out. So should I just go for one of the two initially mentioned? OR wait for a Mercier and buy all supplements through my bike store? (I could assemble, but certainly couldn't true tires, etc.) Just unsure how long it will take them to restock.

Thanks,
Kate

Actually Kate,

I wasn't that familiar with the Globe Roll 1. After perusing the Globe website, it would appear that the Roll 1 is a pretty nice single speed for certain. I say, if the wheels are true and the ride is Kosher, then grab it at $450.

That's quite an awesome deal. :thumb:

It lists for seven hundred bucks! :eek:

Same tires? Same pressure? Same saddle? Same geo?

If not, comparisons will be misleading.

good point. Sorry about that.

GLOBE ROLL 1 (will get new seat and better brake levers with less flex)
FRAME: Cr-Mo singlespeed, track dropouts, brake drilling, fender braze-ons
FORK: Globe Cr-Mo, unicrown, w/ integrated cast dropouts, Globe accessory mounting eyelets
HEADSET: 1" threaded, sealed, loose ball
Freewheel 17t/Fixed 17t
CHAIN: KMC Z510HX, singlespeed
CHAINRINGS: 42T, forged alloy
RIMS: Deep V-profile, 30mm depth, CNC machined sidewalls, 32h
TIRES: Specialized Espoir Sport, 60TPI, wire bead, Flak Jacket protection, 700x25c
Specialized Bicycle Components
MORE RELAXED GEOMETRY THOUGH MAY LOOK AT GETTING DROPS PUT ON INSTEAD OF WIDER UPRIGHT BAR

FUJI CLASSIC TRACK (may get new seat)
FRAME: Elios 2, custom-butted Cr-Mo
CRANKSET: Fuji alloy track, 46T
CASSETTE: 16T fixed cog w/ lockring
CHAIN: KMC Z-510, single-speed
WHEELSET: Formula alloy hubs w/ 32H double-wall high-profile alloy rims
TIRES: Vera Helios, 60 tpi, 700c x 25mm, wire bead,
Brake Set: Alloy dual pivot
Fuji Bikes | ROAD | TRACK SERIES | TRACK CLASSIC
Prefer the more aggressive geometry but doesn't take bumps as well.

Again, I can spend a bit more and would consider waiting for Mercier Kilo if I knew when they were restocking (they have not responded to my email). Is it really worth the wait? Am I an idiot for going for one of these?

Thank YOU. K

You can cycle either fixed or single speed with the Globe. The Fuji is just fixed...

Though the Kilo TT is a great bike, I fear it's more fad than bike! :D

Besides, you can't test ride the Kilo! :cry:

* Both the Globe and the Fuji will come from a LBS, where you can better develop a good rapport with the staff and have access to better service.

Actually -- they set up the FUJI as free wheel as well. So in that way they are comparable.

I wouldn't wait for a bike I couldn't test ride. Chances are, you might be waiting for a crappy ride. OTOH, it may ride like a dream. You just simply don't know.

Both the Roll and the Classic are great bikes. Surely you can select one from the test ride alone...

Doesn't one appeal to you more than the other?

You're right. If no one is saying I'm an idiot for looking at these two bikes, I may just go for one. Did, however, find out that they are restocking the Mercier Kilo TT Pro in June -- in case useful for anyone out there. Will either buy one of these two this week or consider waiting to order the Mercier.

thanks, k