I got a Lager as my first single-speed not knowing much about it really. It was really cheap at a sale, a bit of an impulse buy after I'd been looking at 2nd hand bikes and frames for ages, and just after my tax return dropped nicely into my bank account. As I learnt more about bikes and started to understand what I liked and didn't like about it I slowly replaced (part by part) the freewheel sprocket (replaced with a 16t and a 13t on the flip-flop), handlebars, front brake, saddle, stem, chain, tires, pedals/clips/straps, and after I'd peeled all the stickers and logos it actually looks really nice and I just love the way it feels. I've ridden an expensive elitist bike or two, albeit briefly, and there's not much obvious difference. I might be ignorant, but if I can't tell the difference, what's the point of spending more dollars? The only thing I don't have is fancy lugging on the frame, which can be a bit of a wank anyway. I guess a fancy bike will last longer whilst my SE bearings will wear out. I even crashed the bike once and got the front wheel a bit wonky, but it was nothing a bike mechanic couldn't restore in 3 minutes after I replaced a spoke. It's still running smoothly even though I crashed it. All up I've spent around US$550.

Here's my darling "jackass build up" (before I got the clips and straps):