Originally Posted by sgray (Post 5021649)

If you actually plan on commuting aboard a Steamroller, think twice. The frame has no provision to mount fenders or a rack -- so prepare yourself for getting extra dirty and for carrying a courier's bag. What's more, if you use a reasonable tire (700c x 28 for example), there is unlikely to be room to mount a clip-on front fender. To me, these issues remain disappointing after having owned a Steamroller for several years. Unfortunately, the shop that built up the frame for me never mentioned this aspect beforehand and simply handed me the fenders from the old bike.

A surprising number of manufacturers now offer complete fixed gear models. For commuting, it might pay to start your search with the Redline 9-2-5, which has a steel frame and fenders. Specialized has a number of fixed-gear models that can accept fenders, but the frame is aluminum and will ride more harshly.

Finally, remember that commuting aboard a fixed gear bike makes the possibility of a flat tire even more odious than just using the bike for training or fun riding. You'll need a pair of box wrenches as a minimum for the rear wheel and something to center the wheel when reinstalling. The chain might need to be broken as well. You want the most "flat-proof" tires you can find. (I settled on Continental Contacts with good results so far.)

Originally Posted by sgray (Post 5021649)

If you actually plan on commuting aboard a Steamroller, think twice. The frame has no provision to mount fenders or a rack -- so prepare yourself for getting extra dirty and for carrying a courier's bag. What's more, if you use a reasonable tire (700c x 28 for example), there is unlikely to be room to mount a clip-on front fender. To me, these issues remain disappointing after having owned a Steamroller for several years. Unfortunately, the shop that built up the frame for me never mentioned this aspect beforehand and simply handed me the fenders from the old bike.

A surprising number of manufacturers now offer complete fixed gear models. For commuting, it might pay to start your search with the Redline 9-2-5, which has a steel frame and fenders. Specialized has a number of fixed-gear models that can accept fenders, but the frame is aluminum and will ride more harshly.

Finally, remember that commuting aboard a fixed gear bike makes the possibility of a flat tire even more odious than just using the bike for training or fun riding. You'll need a pair of box wrenches as a minimum for the rear wheel and something to center the wheel when reinstalling. The chain might need to be broken as well. You want the most "flat-proof" tires you can find. (I settled on Continental Contacts with good results so far.)

Originally Posted by sgray (Post 5021649)

Finally, remember that commuting aboard a fixed gear bike makes the possibility of a flat tire even more odious than just using the bike for training or fun riding. You'll need a pair of box wrenches as a minimum for the rear wheel and something to center the wheel when reinstalling. The chain might need to be broken as well. You want the most "flat-proof" tires you can find. (I settled on Continental Contacts with good results so far.)

Originally Posted by roadfix (Post 5021895)

You're making this sound far more complicated than it actually is. You only need one wrench and you center the wheel by eyeballing.

Originally Posted by sgray (Post 5021649)

If you actually plan on commuting aboard a Steamroller, think twice. The frame has no provision to mount fenders or a rack -- so prepare yourself for getting extra dirty and for carrying a courier's bag. What's more, if you use a reasonable tire (700c x 28 for example), there is unlikely to be room to mount a clip-on front fender.