Terps

Hello all, im new to fixed gear/single speed riding and the forum. Ive just recently sold my car and just moved to the DC metropolitan area. Ive done a lot of research on which bikes are worth my hard earned scratch and which ones arent. At the moment Im sort of stuck with how much ( i should say how little) wool I can dole out. Ive got about $550 that I can comfortably spend. My original idea was to buy a used bike and get used to riding and give the whole thing a fair shake before I started to spend some big bucks and customize my own ride. Anyway heres where Im at right now. Im a beginner and Im at a standstill between the 1/8 Scrambler and Fuji Feather.

Im leaning towards the Scrambler because I can customize it with some fairly decent optional components; all-city crank, wheels, and cogs..etc and stay under $600

The Fuji Feather comes with basic components at around $550, but ive heard theyre fairly reliable bikes.

Just moved to DC, im looking for a reliable commuter bike that will get me back in forth comfortably, but im also looking for a ride I can mash around the city that can take some knocks.

Sorry for the huge dialouge. Im open to constructive advice. Annnnnnnnnd GO!

Thanks

Wspsux

I like the raw frame of the eight inch, however I hate the unicrown fork?

Which do you like better?

Jared.

If I were you I'd get something cheap and used. Since you are new to the city you may want to see how you end up utilizing the bike. You may want something different out of the bicycle than what you think you want now.

Try a bicycle co op. A quick Google search seemed to turn up only one in DC and it doesn't seem to sell used bikes, but check them out and chat them up.

seau grateau

They're fairly different animals. I'd probably go with the Scrambler as a knockaround city bike, personally.

Terps

Jared, thats what I originally thought I would do. aside from all the knockoff brands that I see on CL Im having a little difficulty finding a semi-decent bike. Seen a few TT's and some Dolans but most sellers want $400-500 for them used. So im figuring I might as well get something new for around the same price.

Leaning towards the scrambler. Anyone actually ever ridden one? I heard theyre a pretty versatile bike.

thanks

Terps

Heres a Dolan I found. Any thoughts? Im not entirely sure Im ready to start out with any breaks if I go the fixed route and it looks like the Alpine forks don't afford any room to fit a break to begin with.

Dolan Pre Cursa fixie 50 cm

jlafitte 

fwiw, I haven't ridden a scrambler but there is at least one full time messenger in this town who rides one. He seemed pretty stoked with it.

frankenmike 

I own a scrambler. Decent for the price but the welds are not craftsman like.... I would trade it for a Fuji in a heartbeat.

Leukybear 

I'd go with a scrambler out of the 2. The feather is just an overpriced kilo tt and you might as well get a kilo tt instead and upgrade it later on with the cash you saved.

Terps

jlafitte,im curious to know why you feel youd opt for the feather? is it simply the welds? Also is your scrambler customized or stock? thanks

just so we're clear i would choose a stock feather over a stock scrambler any day.

jlafitte 

You must be talking to the dude you quoted, or you misread what I wrote.

Terps

my bad, lol

Terps

im curious to know why you feel youd opt for the feather? is it simply the welds? Also is your scrambler customized or stock? thanks

Im looking to customize with all-city 612, and a studier fork right out the gate

frankenmike 

My scrambler is custom specd, so I can't comment on buying a complete. The welds, again, are sloppy which looks unattractive. Another thing I don't love is the dropouts- they are thin, and seem cheap. However, for a bike to beat around, the scrambler seems pretty tough. The fork is bomber, probably because it is on the heavy side. I bought the frame and fork because it was the most affordable I could find at the time, so for the price it's hard to complain too much. However, I am already saving for a better frame.

Terps

Thanks for the info. Ive all but made up my mind and Im pretty sure Im going with the scrambler. Im pretty much in the same position as far as money goes atm

Should be purchasing in a about a week. I'll make sure to throw up some pics when the build is complete.

Terps

Whelp I received my 1/8 scrambler over the weekend and had it assembled at the local bike shop (silver cycles) down the street. in hindsight this is something I probably could have easily done on my own, but im not too bummed about it. Heres a couple of pictures before and after the de-logoing.

After my first ride, Ive come to the realization that I may have overestimated my leg strength (16t all-city crank) because I thought i was nearly going to die trying slow down coming to the bottom of a hill. Since then I have mastered the skip stop, but because of leg strength having a difficult time getting a decent skid.

So to solve this issue only temporarily, Ive picked up an ACS 16t freewheel until I feel more comfortable with the bike itself. Of course im already thinking of tons of new upgrades for my bike and ive only ridden it a handfull of times but its safe to say im happy and riding is every bit as addicting as i hoped it would be.

truflip

That's a nice looking bike! Enjoy it! I have the feather myself but my options where I am are much more limited.

Regarding skidding, balls to stem. You probably have too much weigh towards the back. Technique is key with skidding. Glad to see you kept the front brake on!

cartesian

Looks nice. What size is that?

Terps

Thanks!
Its a 51cm.Its is rock solid and smooth!

Terps

Ahhh, that does make more sense when you put it that way. Yea, the front brake definitely gave me a sense of security.

cartesian

Nice. Mind if I ask how tall you are? I've been wondering how one of these might fit me.

Terps

yea no problem. Im 5'5, the top tube sits perfectly under the goods.

cartesian

Cool. I wonder if you could have gone to a 49 based on your stem and saddle height. It looks like maybe you could have gone either way, which is exactly my problem. -- But so long as you're comfortable, that's what counts!

GENESTARWIND

thats a solid looking bike there. dig it.

johnnytheboy

Ahhhh the scrambler! I got a first run in a group buy on a forum 7 years ago or
so. Memories!