Getting into SS for cheap?
 

I've just bought my first serious bike (a Marin Kentfield) about 3 months ago and it got me back into biking/commuting. I commute 4mi a day on suburban roads.

My interest in SS was first sparked by a test-ride on a Mongoose Sabrosa 1x1. At the time, I couldn't afford the Sabrosa with the situation I was in. I'm now considering saving up up to $650 for my next bike.

I'm thinking I've got several choices: Kona Paddywagon, Bianchi San Jose, Specialized Langster/Gangster OR I could go with a lower end bike such as one of those bikesdirect bikes just in case I don't like commuting on an SS and decide it's only good for occasional light use instead of daily commuting.

Suggestions?

Get the Paddywagon. I've looked at them, they seem to have pretty nice parts. You can also put fenders and a rack on it, unlike most SSFG bikes.

I've also see, however, that Bianchi has started putting flip flop hubs on the San Jose.

Yeah my LBS has a paddywagon, never tested it though. How much should I be able to get one for? Oh and how hard is it to switch out gears?

http://www.irofixedgear.com/ is also a good place to look.
also, fwiw, the bikes you named are really no better than the "low end" stuff on bikesdirect.com

In that case...in terms of bikes that get shipped, are they hard to put together? I mean I'm not a complete moron when it comes to putting things together but I've never put a bike together.

Ah I stopped by the LBS this morning before work. Took down a paddywagon for a test ride...absolutely loved. It's a 46/16 on freewheel mode and it felt perfect. The only thing that felt odd was the strapped pedals that went over my steel-toe work shoes and the drop bars are a first in my history of riding. Nonetheless, love it.

The guy said he'd let me have it for 650 but we'd talk more when I got the cash. Any bargaining tactics? What should I reasonably expect to pay?

Note - MSRP is 650


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Edit

I've done some searching around on the boards and this is what it comes down to...

The Kona Paddy Wagon (test rode and loved it)
The Redline 925 (more affordable) or
The Bianchi San Jose (Heard lots of good things but the name "bianchi" will attract a lot of "undesirables" in my neighborhood)