Originally Posted by Santaria
Raleigh has a solid background, but appears to have become yet another large scale, mass production pit that I'd prefer not hand my money to.
Sadly, budget does affect how we do things, but think like this:
For $599+shipping I can get a better grade bike (better quality frame, min.) and all I have to do is buy the flip flop hub and switch it over (okay, i have to buy a lockring too, but let's not get pickie). For $100 more I upgrade the headset and I'm in a good position.
But I digress, the issue I have with most of the bottom grade fixed gear bikes is this, your not paying for a lot of extra, expensive dura ace components (or whatever your prefered manufacture is) and therefore you can save a lot already, cutting corners on a fixed gear is like buying a custom IF frame or a Dean and throwing on Sora components and WTB tires on Alex 2000 rims.
If your going to go, put quality above all; Your paying for a frame, bb, one brake and a wheelset (give or take) I say cough up the funds to make it worth your while and last, not be something you regret having to dump funds in later to upgrade/upkeep and have a ride.
/shrug, my 2cents, which aren't worth much. YMMV.
from everything i have been able to read, a low end bike is a low end bike. some have specific pros and cons which i have been looking for, but nothing i have seen puts an iro above this raleigh. i do completely understand that you would feel better giving your money to a smaller establishment, but for me that priority is not high on my list.
a) a local bike shop will fit me and take care of any problems (which griffen_ has had his fair share of with his raleigh). it would be difficult to deal with problems with an iro and would likely cost me.
b) price. i might have gone with an iro if it was cheaper than the raleigh, but its more expensive.
i am just guessing here, but i bet the hubs are the same as the iro hubs. from what i have read, Formula makes a good deal of the fixed/singlespeed hubs for IRO and other major manufacturers. the ones on the rush hour even look like the iro hubs (high flange with cutouts). therefore, the difference would have to be in the frame. both are chromoly. the only thing iro has listed is "heat treated".
so right now, an iro would be more expensive, have no support, and i don't care for the paint job. i have seen nothing to convince me the iro is a better bike, so i'm going with the raleigh.