Lots of things to consider.

But yeah according to the reviews I've been reading, it seems like there are people who are fine with the stock components.

I just don't want to buy a cheap bike and end up with brakes that don't work properly and end up killing myself in a blaze of anti-climactic glory.

If anyone could offer their opinion,

Overall, what is the better bicycle (not taking into account money and price per value) between the Novara Buzz One and the Nashbar Hounder?

I ask this, because I want to end up with the better overall bicycle that will give me less headache and things to worry about in the long run. I specifically set aside about $600 for this investment.

I've already ordered a Bell Helmet (found it new for cheap on eBay), already have an Onguard chain (with the bigass links) lock, and an additional wire lock from Kryptonite, and I'll be using a pair of Harbinger lifting gloves, not sure what else I could possibly need other than a travel air pump.

Also, I wonder if I could just replace the saddle on either the Novara Buzz One or the Nashbar Hounder with the saddle that I have on my old BMX bike right now that I do not ride anymore.

Neither of these bikes are high-end bikes. The advantage of getting the Hounder is the much lower price. According to the Amazon reviews that I've read, the components are of the lowest quality. However, you're saving well over $200, in terms of immediate expenses. These components are not going to suddenly, disintegrate within the year. OTOH, they're most probably not going to last for the next five years, either. Since you don't have the available support or service of a local bike shop (unless you pay for it), you're going to have to get into the mechanics of it all, right away. You're not stupid, you could handle that aspect, without a hitch.

On the other hand, the Buzz One from REI, will come with the support and services expected along with a newly purchased bicycle. Just like from a regular bicycle dealership, only better. Better due to their 100% satisfaction guarantee. The difference here is, REI is right here and you can readily communicate and exchange information, directly. Nashbar, is like a million miles away and only communicated with, via electronic technology. However, they are somewhat useful, in that you can send defective components back for exchanges. You may also return the entire bicycle, if need be.

Will the Buzz One fall apart, once to take delivery? ...I don't know. However, if it does, you can take it directly back to REI and let them worry about it. However, that service opportunity will cost you an additional $250, upfront including tax.

Alternatively, I could ask the same question about the Hounder. Will it self-destruct upon delivery? ...I don't know. Nothing is promised in life except for certain troubles...

It really doesn't matter. The Hounder is a bicycle, just like the Buzz One, is a bicycle. Bicycle mechanics are not trained at MIT. Most learned their trade by just fooling around and experimenting with bikes as kids and they got pretty good at it. They just woke up one day and said, "Hey! After fixing my bike all summer, I now know a lot about bikes". Well, you can and must do the same thing. It's not like rocket science. Just get in there and start wrenching. It's not like you're going to permanently destroy anything. You're just going to learn step by step, the ins and outs about bicycle mechanics. That's it! At the end of the day, you'll know your own bicycle better, and your next door neighbor's bicycle too!

If your brakes fail in six months from now, Nashbar will not see your brakes. You'll have to either fix them yourself, or pay someone to fix them, if you get the Hounder. If you get the Buzz One and your brakes fail, you can just take the bike back to REI and let them worry about it. However, there again, you're going to have to pay for that service, from paying upfront with a greater intial purchase price from the local sportings goods store, REI, which is a LBS equivalent.

The fact remains, that as long as you're a cyclist, you're going to continue to need bicycle mechanical assistance and be charged for that service. The sooner that you learn bicycle mechanics, the more money you'll save in the long run. The smart thing to do, would be to start you savings now.

- Slim

PS.

Get to the co-op! Mix, learn, and ride!

Of course, you don't have to get the Buzz One or the Hounder. There's always the Trek Earl, the Raleigh Back Alley, the Schwinn Madison, and the Felt Brougham, too!

However, you'd be paying upfront!

The only things that separate one chromoly steel-framed single-speed from another one, are the components. Other than that, they're all equivalent, and most likely made by the same bicycle manufacturer.

- Slim

PS.

Purchasing a "new" helmet online could prove to be a disappointment. Most people have to try a helmet on, like they have to try a hat on. Sometimes, some people just can't get used to certain helmets and they never really feel comfortable wearing them. Also, some helmets are advertised as "new" online. However, in point of fact, they're really closer to being, "like new", or "slightly used". I would make certain that I wiped the inside of that helmet really good with rubbing alcohol, before trying it on. I would most probably give it a dilute soap wash and rinse, prior to the alcohol wipe.

* Also, your BMX saddle should be able to fit one of the other bikes, as long as it's not a pivotal saddle.

The bikes are pretty close in terms of quality. The hounder with 200 dollars worth of upgrades is going to be better than the other one stock. If you haven't heard it yet, people say that your first bike is for knowing what you want in your second bike. The hounder is more aesthetically pleasing for sure. Why not ask the fixie chick which bike she likes better? Women love when you feign interest in their opinions

Touche

Regarding the Bell Helmet that I bought off eBay:

I tried on the helmet at various stores for sizing. It's the Bell Faction helmet.

I suppose you are absolutely correct, Slim, in that I could very well be getting a not so brand new helmet. It is advertised as new with tags etc. etc. And I have a fair bit of experience buying things off eBay, and I feel fairly confident that I am buying from a decent seller. If it turns out to be crap and smelling like ass, I will probably return it.

Regarding the BMX saddle:

I'm not completely sure if it's a pivotal saddle. But I am guessing it probably is. It's a saddle made by a brand called Poverty, which is (as I'm researching and finding out) is Dan's Comp's (a mail order business for BMX bicycles) house brand. The seat doesn't seem to be easily adjustable in any particular way.


In terms of stock parts which bicycle is better?

I assume I will have to be replacing things and upgrading things in the future on either bicycle. But I also assume that I will probably ride either bicycle (that is with the Novara Buzz One with the parts that I already know upfront that I want to replace: handlebar, possibly grips, and thinner Serfas Seca road tires) as is for a significant time being, until I actually learn any sort of bicycle mechanics (in all honesty, I'm not even sure how much time and effort I will be able to spend learning things, it may take a while).

I was fairly set on getting the Novara Buzz One. The Nashbar Hounder kind of throws me off course. But you guys are making it seem like it is a good deal and good investment in the long run. Indeed, it is a very cool looking bicycle. I find it a bit strange that it gets good ratings and pretty good reviews despite everyone complaining about stock parts. So I am going to assume that people like the frame. I also wonder about the geometry.

I liked the Buzz One because I felt I could sit a bit more upright than the ss/fg's that I tried out (the Phat Cycles Phixie and the Felt Brougham) which seemed to have a more horizontal top tube and more of a road cycle type frame (felt a bit more like I was leaning forward). Actually, I remember my hands, wrists, and forearms getting tired and sore fairly quickly on the Phat Cycles Phixie, but I assumed it was because I hadn't ridden anything in about 3 years.

This is a quote from one of the Amazon reviews for the Nashbar Hounder:

"Brakes are alloy, but old-style single pivot calipers with SURFACE mount. You will not be able to find modern double-pivot brake with a surface mount, and the frame (brake bridge and fork) drilled for surface brake mount will not accept modern recessed mount."

I have no idea what the hell any of that means. All I can translate from that is that I will have to do more research and endless threads like this to find out about parts and what's good what isn't etc.

It seems like most people are unhappy or felt the need, either right off the bat or certainly in the near future, to replace/upgrade the saddle and brakes on the Nashbar Hounder. I also read of people feeling the need to replace the grips, stem, and crank on the Hounder. The thing that makes me the most nervous is how many people have talked about being unhappy or feeling unsafe with the stock brakes on the Hounder.

I'm not sure how much this might factor into everything or anything. But I'm also a very light human. Bantamweight... walk around at about 140lbs.

I do kind of just want to get a bicycle already. But I am honestly now unsure of what to get.

Regarding Fixie Chick...

Yeah, I'll probably just not even go back to EMS. I feel like I really have no interest in a geared bicycle and they most likely will try to sell me on the idea of getting the Jamis Coda.

It's NYC, there's a crapload of people who walk in and out of EMS, and Fixie Chick probably doesn't remember me (at best she will probably remember me as the awkward short guy who was worried about crushing his balls on the top tube) and will also try to sell me one of their bicycles (it's her job after all). I highly doubt she would help me out choosing between two bicycles that they do not carry and therefore cannot sell to me and make commission off of.

I'm seriously 50/50 on the fence now between either bicycle.

Which would you guys rather steal between the Novara Buzz One and the Nashbar Hounder?

Haven't read through the entire thread, so don't know if this has been suggested, but you should consider buying a used bike if you are in NYC. Plenty of bikes available.

Probably can't be sure the person selling is the actual owner of the bike, but you'll get a lot more bang for the buck going used. If and when it gets stolen, you'll know more about bikes for your next purchase.

Tohtruck, you need to get a bike before the thread reaches 10 pages. Then you have to start over with a new thread.

I thought the 10 page thing meant a mandatory doubling of the budget.

Times Up!, the bicycle co-op, sells recycled bikes. I really don't know what that means (in terms of quality)....But....there you go!

- Slim

You might be right. I was away from the forums for some time so I may wrong indeed

Yeah, the part about the brakes caused me to pause, too! However, they are still brakes that work. There is also a vintage remedy, for that longer stopping distance. Besides, if you're a bantam weight, you won't need that much stopping power anyway. Mass times velocity is equal to momentum! Smaller masses yield smaller momentum values, thereby requiring less stopping force. That translates into shorter stopping distances. You know, some fixie people don't have, need , or even want brakes!

If you have serious time constraints, just go with REI, because going to the co-op and learning about the mechanics of your bicycle, is going to be time-consuming. It will call for a dedicated commitment on your part to both volunteer and go to classes, in addition to working on your bike during open hours. Perhaps, REI can really do it for you, afterall! Also, I do remember about how the Buzz One seemed to feel better to you, due to its geometry.

Therefore, if the frame feels like a fit, you must commit! Just get the Buzz One this weekend and forget all about the Hounder.

The Buzz One has really wide tires compared to the Hounder. You might want to get those switched out too!

- Slim

PS.

Perhaps go from 40's to 32's....

The first thing that came up on CL when I just checked is a Jamis Coda for $200. Probably a lot better than the new bikes you are looking at, and at a fraction of the price.

https://newyork.craigslist.org/que/bik/2869008666.html

That's a decent bike. Although a bit large size, how tall is the OP?

I think 5'5", but I really don't feel like digging through the thread to find it.

And if I had the cash in hand, I'd be trying to find a BF member to put eyes on that Coda, paypal the $ and let them ship it to me...

5'5" I'm a lil' ****.

I'm just going to stick to my gunz: Buying new, from a reputable business that can back me up if/when **** hitz the fan with whatever bicycle I decide to buy.

I might just start a new thread: Novara Buzz One vs. Nashbar Hounder.

I still plan on learning some bike mechanics and spending time at the bicycle co-op. But it is comforting to know that I can also turn to REI if I am unable to do something myself or if I screw something up while working on it.

Sorry to everyone that this has been taking so long and this thread has been going non-stop

I'd say this is a sound approach.
Sadly, I can't access Nashbar from work (seriously, like WTF??) so I can't compare the two at the moment. I saw others mentioning fixed gear, which I tend to advise against if you're new to cycling - especially for commuting. If both are "single speeds" then cool. Pick the one that you feel is a more solid value long term If the Nashbar is a fixie, I'd go with the Novarra.

Have you checked with other bike shops in your area, to get a wider array of options?

Hey there TohTruck!

We don't mind your posting or asking questions. I guess that's the kind of stuff we like. Besides, you're a member and we enjoy helping other BF members. It's just that we're all waiting with bated breath for you the pull the trigger.

It's like all of the people of Boonesborough are starving to death and you Daniel, the highly acclaimed smoothbore sharpshooter, with a possible bead on one of three huge bucks below, can't decide which buck is the largest. You therefore, hesitate to pull the trigger! Meanwhile, we're all starving to death, just waiting!

Pull it dammit! Pull it!

- Slim

PS.

All jokes aside. There's really no need to rush anything. Just take your time. Use good judgement and select the bicycle that you feel suits you best!

Dude. I was just kidding Don't be sorry or anything! We like this kinds of threads but some of us like to kid around too, that's all. Seriously though, I think by now you are overloaded with information and opinions and it will be just getting harder to make a decision. You've got to realize that if you're new to this, you will most likely buy the wrong bike at first anyway (for this reason I'd advise against spending money on a new bike). Like someone said before: you buy your first bike to learn what you want from your second bike Seriously. Get something from CL that fits you, and ride. It must be the right size and in good shape, everything else is pretty much optional. Bikes can be sold, swapped, traded, upgraded or stripped and rebuilt. You're not getting married, and even that is not forever, LOL

Hey there TohTruck!

If you look at both of these bikes, one has a geometry that's definitely in your favor, due to your height:


The Buzz One

The Buzz One has a top tube, that quite obviously has a greater angle downwards away from the horizontal than the Hounder does!


The Hounder

The top tube of the Hounder does not make an angle with respect to the horizontal.

Therefore, the Buzz One will be more forgiving on the family jewels than the Hounder. Maybe that's why they call it the "Hounder", in the first place. I wonder how many guys just abandoned their bikes on the spot, right after a jewel mishap!

- Slim

Oh yeah, that Hounder bike is totally too aggressive for a beginner cyclist.

^^^ Is it really? What makes it aggressive?

The Nashbar Hounder is a free wheel/fixed cog.

Yeah, I think I'm going to go with the Buzz One.

Additionally, I actually went to REI today. Was planning on buying it today. But it's raining like a MoFo outside.

I asked one of the sales people about grips and which one he suggested between the Lizard Skins Northshore Dual Compound Grips vs. the Titec Hell-Bent Lock-On Grips. He said to get the Titec Hell-Bent Grips because of the somewhat ergonomic design.

Then I looked at the grips on the Buzz One and realized that the stock cork grips on the Buzz One have an even more pronounced and larger palm surface area. So I'm starting to think that I might just stick with the stock grips.

But I am also curious as to how cork grips differ at all from rubber grips (like the Titec Hell-Bent grips). They both seem fairly grippy.

Yeah a buddy of mine suggested I get used. But again, I'm not comfortable doing that.

I will admit the Hounder (minus the weird looking stickers) looks nicer and simpler than the Buzz One. I'm assuming the Buzz One would attract more attention from bike bandits. But I also see that fixed gear road frame bikes seem to be very popular with the hipsters and cool kids.

Tohtruck says:

Yep! It's versatile!

It would be the most convenient way to go, since you're going to have time constraints.

Just hope that you never get caught riding in the rain, when it's raining like that and you don't even have any fenders.

I've got a feeling that your stock cork grips, just might work!

Hey! I'm kinda curious too! Don't forget to report back to let us know how everything goes, overall. That includes the grips!

To me, used grips aren't as bad as a other things, purchased used. I mean, that's more like using a used baseball bat, or something.

New York's reputation concerning bike theft is incredibly dismal. I wouldn't mind riding a Walmart bike in New York city. I mean, who could blame anyone for riding the cheapest bike known to man in New YorK?

Well, I guess you're well on your way to Hipsterville now...

You should have plenty of company there at the co-op.

Good Luck, TohTruck!

- Slim

PS.

I'm really kinda curious about how that Buzz One is going to feel, after the handlebar exchange.

The best bike is the one you feel most comfortable riding. If one doesn't do it, you can sell it and get the other one that fits better.