I've been doing a ton of research over the last couple months on getting a single speed/fixed gear bike. I've seriously considered everything from a Fuji Track for $350 to a Bareknuckle, and have narrowed it down to a brand new Jamis Sputnik or a used Steamroller.

And here's the deal:
The Sputnik won't be back in stock until mid-November, but I can get it for $750.
The Steamroller comes built as follows:
"It's got Dura ace cranks, sun ringle ME14A rims 32 spoke laced 3x to surly hubs (bombproof). King headset in red white and blue. Cane creek levers. Carbon giant stem. Thomson seatpost." (Quote from email) It appears I can get this for $700-800.
After writing this, I'm leaning towards the Surly, but what do you think? Give me advice!

the Jamis will be uber lighter...I don't know what size you're looking at but keep in mind a 55-62 sputnik has 175mm cranks according to this catalog I'm looking at...I've also heard the bb height is kinda low on the Surly...they say the Sputnik is 16.5 lbs out of the box(don't know what size they base that on). If the Surly has real dura ace track cranks I might consider it. Surly's are way heavy...but hey my friend loves hers..thing is too small for me to get any feel for. Most people I've read about their steamers love them .

I'm a lug junky so I'm still using various cobbeled up conversions 'till I can get what I want. I think you'd be happy with either.

What color is the Surly? What kind of bars does it have? Saddle? Pedals? Such is the problem with a used bike, unless you know everything, you know nothing.

I forgot to mention that the Sputnik definitely has the weight factor in its favor, but how well will it hold up to hopping curbs and the like? The Surly was built up as a single speed cyclocross, so it's built for the abuse.
But I'd love lighter.

my friend had a steamroller, and then sold it to another friend of mine. Personally, I loved the bike and didn't find it to be excessively heavy. But, the Jamis comes with good components on it, and it's brand new.. can't go wrong there.

tentatively,

I would say the sputnik. it's made of nicer steel, it's light, and it comes with one of the best componentry setups for an off the rack complete. ride the **** out of it and then upgrade when you have a better idea of what you need. also helps you appreciate better parts.

That said, a picture of this Surly and a full run down of the parts would be helpful.

Carbon forks and me have never gotten along. If you're going the urban bomber route then the Surly is probably your best bet...if you use your head you could easily pretty much build what you want with a Knuckle, Milwaukee, Soma,or IRO....yeah you may not have a bling/king headset or Dura Ace but it can be done.

There's a pretty good selection of Track frames and complete bikes on ebay....what size you looking for?

My surly crosscheck come in at 18.5 lbs, with a 9 speed in the rear (front is a single). It's built with XT, DurAce, and Ultegra with a carbon post. In cross, weight is very much a factor. Try running up a steep with a hella heavy bike. Weight that matters most on a bike is weight that moves...Cranks and wheels. A 20 pound bike with lighter rotating mass will feel ALOT lighter (when ridden) than a lighter bike with heaver wheels and cranks. It's just a fact of physics.

Buy the Surly and join the cult.

The other problem is that I'll have to travel 2-3 hours to get the sputnik, as no one closer appears to deal Jamis. And still wait until November.

i'd get the sputnik

that said, what size is the steamroller, i might be interested......

I ride a steamroller as my commuter and I love it. True it doesn't have track geometery and the bottom bracket is lower, but it's a really solid ride and handles pretty quick. I'd go for the steamroller in a second. Mine has a 1" threadless headtube which kind of sucks, but the new ones are 1&1/8" which is great. Do it and be happy.

If you're waiting until November, then it'll be the '07 Sputnik.

But i just picked up an '06 and it's one of the funnest bikes i've ever ridden. I was looking at a steamroller, but it has stupid back brake issues. so i went with the Sputnik. Don't regret my choice at all.

is there any word on the specs for the '07 Sputnik?

sputnik!

you cant buy the sputnik as a complete bike from jamis anymore. heads up on that, they only sell the frame.

pics.

This doesn't exactly help, but my grocery getter, pannier-outfitted geared bike is a Jamis and I think for the money you pay, they come off the rack with the best component spec and the nicest steel of anything in their category. The build quality of the frame is also ****ing solid. A friend has a Sputnik as well and adores it. (Granted, he's swapped out a few parts) Like the dude with the friend with a Steamer, it's too small for me to get any feel, but it seems like an awesome bike.

I heard the Steamroller's ride just like the name and not just from one person. On rumor alone I'd have to go with the Sputnik.

i have a had time believing that you built up a geared crosscheck that weighs 18.5lbs. impossible.

The Sputnik is one of my favorites...

The '06 Sputnik seems pretty well sorted out parts-wise. I'd wait til Nov. and get a new one. In the meantime you can save up for better locks, blinkies, etc.

there's a 57 and 55 sputnik on ebay today

I need the 62. Just got info on the '07 Sputnik. It'll have the following "upgrades" (not familiar enough with these things yet to judge right off if they're truly upgrades or not):
RPM forged crank with PowerDrive BB
Ritchey Road Comp cockpit
Vittoria Zafiro 23c tires
Selle San Marco Ponza Lux saddle

It is my guess that I'll never fit fenders on this for adverse conditions, correct? Based on feedback, I'm probably going to reserve an '07 Sputnik, but I just realized I want something that I can ride in snow and rain, although we don't get a whole lot of the nasty here in Raleigh.

Okay, so that contradicts the earlier "it's only a frameset this year comment" ... any word on if both would be available?

huh? am I missing something? the sputnik doesn't come with one component I wouldn't want to upgrade. sure the frame is nice but it comes with a carbon fork. in my opinion a steel track frame should come with a steel fork. everything else, the saddle is the highlight.

the surly is a nice all round frame and fork. it's not too expensive and provided you don't crash it, will retain a lot of it's value if you decide to sell it in the future. would I pay $700-800 for a used built up one? probably not. if the one you're considering is in real nice condition and they are dura ace track cranks then it's worth it.