Hey, I am thinking about getting a fixed gear bike, the Redline 925, but am not quite sure yet. I want a bike for commuting to work..an urban five mile ride, and for occasional weekend spins of 25 or so miles (relatively flat), what would you guys suggest?
Do people take these bikes on long rides?
I have only tried a fixed gear bike once at the bike shop, but I really liked it, it seemed more fun and I like how the mechanics of it is so basic.
Thanks!

iro mark v, surly steamroller...look for a more relaxed geometry

You should totally get a fixed gear bike.
Some riders go quite long distances - centuries and what not.

What would be a good gear for that kind of riding?

between 70 and 75 "gear inches." look up the gear calculator on www.sheldonbrown.com for more info on that. it's a numerical representation of how hard it is to pedal, and what sort of forward gain one pedal revolution gets you.

The redline seems like a perfect bike for what you describe- some people love the mustache bars, some people hate them, but if you end up in the latter group, i'm sure that there's someone on the board who will trade with you for the bar type of your choice.

Gearing is pretty personal- however, for commuting, urban rides, and a few solo long rides, i'd start with a reasonably low gearing- something like 42/16 or 44/17. The redline comes with wide tires, which are great on potholes and whatnot, but take a bit more oomph to spin up.

My LBS carries the Redline 925(none in the store, but he can order them) and the Bianchi San Jose, recommends the San Jose. Heat-treated cromoly frame and fork, flip-flop hub, 42-17fixed, 18free cog.

I take my San Jose on 20, 30, even 40 mile rides. While I've not used the freewheel side, I'm glad it's there just in case I get too far from home and need to rest a bit on the downhills.

The road bars are more comfortable on longer rides, it's got front and rear brakes, you can put fenders and racks on it, it'll take wider tires if needed.

There's another San Jose rider in town that sometimes rides it up Monte Sano, a 3 mile climb that averages 5.8% grade but in one section is over 8%. The stock gear inches is 70.

The perfect "starter" gear ratio is high 60's up to 70. Pedal that combination for about a month and you'll know exactly where you want to be for the sort of rides you do. Just remember, a higher cadence saves knees and makes pedal braking easier, although going down steep hills means you'll be burning through front brake pads unless you have both front/rear brakes.

What do you guys think about the Specialized Langster?
I like the bikes with the freewheel and fixed gear options.

yeah the langster is great but a lot of people on here think steel frames are more comfortable, especially for long distances.

i think you'd be very happy with the langster, but if you can get to a bike shop to try out a steel frame and an aluminum frame, you should go for some test rides to see which you like.

i think being able to ride a bike before you buy it is very valuable.

and you can always get a cushy-comfy seat if the aluminum is too quick for you.

but yeah, i love the langster.

I like the idea of having a rear and a front break.
Any suggestions of a more relaxed geometry bike than the redline?

A fixed gear or singlespeed will be perfect for you. I commute on my 69" geared fg and do some hillclimbing (11 km, 7%) and 160 km+ endurance riding too, and never really take my geared bike out anymore. Unless you're racing there's not a lot of riding that gears are really necessary for. **** some guys do 1600 km brevets and even RAAM fixed.

Geometry isn't really a huge deal as far as I'm concerned. Neither is steel vs aluminum---they're both fine. What you want for commuting and the occasional distance ride IMO is clearance for fenders and larger size tires, fender eyelets, and bottle cage mounts, preferably 2 sets. The San Jose is a rocking bike if this is what you're after, but the Redline is great too. Basically anything that satisfies those three constraints should make a great all around bike for you---there's no need to agonize over a decision.

here are is one at random:



bianchi roger

alu frame

disc brakes

fenders and a rack more difficult


for others see this thread: linky

I was in your position 3 months ago and after looking at all the fixed gear bikes in my $700 price range I went with the Redline 925 because it was steel, had great fenders and had eyelets for a rear rack. I love this bike for my 10 mile round trip commute to work and weekend rides from 25 to 45 miles. BUT after just 35 miles I ditched the moustache bars for some flat bars I cut down to 48 cm, brooks honey special edition seat, ritchet clipless pedals. The freewheel side did make a strange noise so after 2 weeks I went fixed and have no intention of going back

I have both a Langster and San Jose. The Bianchi is quite a bit more comfortable (steel, more relaxed geometry, bigger tires) and if I had to pick just one for most of the riding I do, I'd pick the San Jose. The Langster is a blast to ride too, but the San Jose probably fits your bill better.

Thanks

What do you guys think of the Motobecane Messenger?

Raleigh One-way: Has all the things discussed - plenty of room for big tires, mounts for fenders & racks, steel, etc.

Bought mine without fenders & tires, added: one-on mungo bars, Brooks B17, MKS track pedals & metal toe clips, little Nitto M12 front rack, armadillo 700x23. Love it - ride it everywhere - like cutting through butter. I got the raleigh because of the lugged fork & black paint - but mostly because I have a bunch of 40 year old Raleigh 3speeds.

Am thinking about adding another chainwheel in place of the chainguard and a white industries double freewheel sprocket for a fire trail off-road set-up - quickbeam clone! Then it'd be a 3 speed!

You should check it out. Really, really nice bike for all seasons.

Hmmm good price here I guess https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../messenger.htm Don't recognize the parts list...never really hear much about the motobecane bikes.....I wouldn't get it. Plenty of othe more respected bikes in the $500 range.

Okay, so it looks like I have narrowed it down to the Raleigh One-Way, the Bianchi San Jose and the Redline 925 (unless I find a super deal on the langster or the iro mark v)

So you have to add the fixed hub to the San Jose?

I'm bumping this because reading "for commuting and the track" makes me laugh on the inside.

Spooki, you're an asset to bikeforums.




















Oops, I meant assclown.

Try some other bikes before you kick down for a 925.
KHS Flite 100, Surly Steamroller--whatever else you can ride--
the 925 is a cool bike but not my favorite complete out there.
Get a brake to start--

I just built a San Jose at the shop this weekend. Great Bike!
They come with the freewheel and the fixed gear and lockring. The fixed gear and lockring need to be installed on the hub when the bike is assembled. I have heard that some shops leave these off unless the customer requests them to be installed.