I'll contribute something a little more meaningful than the snark i posted before:


IRO MarkV/Angus
This will undoubtedly be the most-recommended entry-level bike on here.
for $550ish you get:
- a solid DB steel frame with "track inspired" geometry (slightly steeper than "road"). for $100 more the Angus has a higher quality tubeset and no braze ons or holes.
- a good set of wheels BONUS: you can get fixed/fixed flipflop hubs for track/street gearing, or in case you ever do strip your threads.
- a decent drivetrain - no better or worse than any other stock entry level fix
- EXCELLENT customer service from Tony
- negatives? the MarkV has brake cable stops

Bianchi Pista
This will probably the second most recommended bike here
you get
- true "track" geometry
- a decent set of wheels, personally i think the IRO wheels have better rims.
- ho-hum drivetrain.
- fork drilled for a brake. rear is *not* drilled, making for a somewhat poor choice for a SS.
unfortunately everyone and their dog has a pista, and personally i think the chrome is fugly, not to mention the nasty unicrown fork that everyone swaps out.

Fuji Track/Windsor the Hour
These are the same bike. the Windsor is just the BikesDirect equivalent sold for $200 less. You decide if you're OK with that.
- Once again, you get a decent entry level frame with "track"-ish geometry
- however, the stock wheels are a step below the IRO/Pista level.
- same generic crank setup as every entry level fix.
- the hubs were recalled due to loose lockrings that stripped easily. Check this before you ride
- it has water bottle bosses
- the stock stem flops like a wet noodle

KHS Flite/Mercier KiloTT/Spicer generic Frame
I own a KHS Frame.
The KHS was a great value when it came with Sugino 75's. I think they stopped this ater the 2004 model year. if you can find an old one from back then, you can get a good deal.
- solid frame (reynolds cro-mo) with a couple interesting features - fender mounts and rack mounts. makes for a potential commuter frame. Drilled for brakes front and rear.
- crowned, round-blade fork. I'm not too crazy about the ride of this fork. I find it flexy, yet overly stiff, all at the same time.
- rounded out with a set of crappy components.
- the worst of the wheels i've listed so far. Quando/Sovos hubs on generic alloy rims.
- DA cog on an otherwise mediocre drivetrain
- same wet noodle stem as on the Fuji
- since you can get the complete bike on ebay for $350, shipped, it is an excellent base for upgrades. Replace the wheels *when* you destroy them with a set of IROs and you're still under the price of a stock Pista/Langster/IRO. (or sell the stock wheels and come out ahead)

My experience with the following bikes is limited to fondling them at the LBS

Redline 925
a very interesting commuter-style fix.
- steel frame with fender mounts and STOCK FENDERS!

Raleigh Rush Hour
i think this is getting discontinued and getting replaced with the One Way, which is similar to the 925.
- the decals are over the clearcoat, making them super-easy to remove
- drilled for brakes front and rear, but the brake cable stops are removable.

Surly Steamroller
solid Cro-Mo frame + crowned fork.
- clearance for super-wide tires (35mm i think) which is why i'm looking for one to replace my KHS

Specialized Langster
it's aluminum.
people here hate aluminum
and "compact" geometry
frankly i don't care
but either way IMHO it's overpriced for the component spec.