PaginaVilot

Long time reader here, but first time poster.

I'm new to everything, so please bare with me. I just got paid, and I want a bike asap. I'm looking to spend less than $800. Like always, if cheaper, that'd be better for me.

I'm not going to the track with this (at least I don't think so), I'd like to only use it for commuting around town.

I'm open to other choices, but these caught my eye of which I have found locally.

1. Bianchi Pista (new from store-factory complete) $650
2. Swobo Del Norte (new from store-factory complete) $600
3. Surly Steamroller (USED w/ mavic rims, formula hubs, sugino cranks, fizik seat) $625
4. Fuji Track (new - factory complete) $650ish
5. One of the IRO completes

I'm open to other choices as well.

Straws

3. seriously jump on that now.

gehrkead

yea option three no doubt. it will do anything all of the other choices can and then some if you decide you want to run fenders and what have you.

djeddiebear

I'd go #3, but I already have a #4. It was only $415....

PaginaVilot

Thanks. I was leaning #3 quite a bit.. just wasn't 100% sure yet.
I was curious how do the stock steamroller complete parts compare to the stuff I had listed?

bonechilling

Upgraded saddle and wheels. Sugino cranks are standard on stock Steamrollers.

Anyone who wants you to pay $650 for a Fuji Track is taking you for a ride. They sell for considerably less everywhere I've seen.

jdms mvp

tres

westokyo

Yup

wroomwroomoops

si

gearkraft

number 3, if that falls through Id probably go for the pista...

bbattle

Bianchi San Jose, special write-in candidate ftw

sp00ki

get the fuji track. the resulting posts alone will be worth a few hundos.

j0e_bik3

+100000000000000000000000000000 on #3

good deal, they are nearly indestructible (so they hold their value well)
they ride really nice too

notice I have one?

gearkraft

If he's considering the fuji track, he might as well consider the windsor... he could save a few bills and upgrade parts.

zelah

just get a mercier and some electrical tape so that (you'll think) no one knows you got a mercier

queerpunk

yeah, i'd go with the Steamroller, as well.

if i were smarter, i'd have started off with an all-around bike - one that could fit cyclocross tires for the winter, fenders, and racks. you can still remove all that stuff and put on slicks for a quicker little speedmuffin, but the ability to use it for everything is a big plus in my book.

mihlbach

Everyone seems to be going for #3, but how can you suggest that without knowing the condition its in? It could be beat to hell, or have out of true undertensioned wheels, or some other problem. Unless you really know what you are doing when it comes to used bikes, I'd go with something new.

Personally, I'd consider a Jamis Sputnik.....the Reynolds 631 frame and carbon fork are a nice platform for upgrades..much nicer than the generic chromo that these other frames are made of. Not that you would need to upgrade it, it looks like its put together pretty well with mostly name brand components. Factor in the additional cost for a front brake, and you should still come in under $800.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...8sputnik.html#

dijos

#3

the fuji isn't a Pro, is it?

edited; the raleigh one way is gorgeous, and about the same price range, and probably perfect for your needs.

jlin

i agree. i'm leaning on #3 as well, but what condition is it in? what kind of sugino cranks/mavic rims? depending on the parts, you may be able to talk the seller down a bit from 625.

Cyclist0383

Why are all of you suggesting the Steamroller when it's a USED bike being sold for damn close to the NEW retail price with the only upgrade being the rims, which you have no idea the condition of? The bearings in the hubs could be shot for all you know. Would you really buy a used bike just for possibly better rims? (Notice I said rims and not wheels. Formula hubs are good, but so are Surly hubs - which of course are made by Formula.)

EDIT: What tires does the Surly have on it and what condition are they in? Does it come with the front brake as well?

For someone new to biking I'd say go to your LBS and try a few out, buy the one that you like, and use the service that the LBS gives you with a new bike purchase until you figure things out a bit more for yourself.

joshuastar

i don't know, but i'm pretty sure i did see the word "speedmuffin" up there.


yep.

i sure did.

j0e_bik3

you OBVIOUSLY have never ridden one

Cyclist0383

You OBVIOUSLY didn't read what I wrote.

mihlbach

Why does everybody worship so hard at the Surly alter? The Steamroller is an overpriced generic chromo frame with basically road geometry...its a fine frame, but theres simply nothing special about it in comparison to other similarly priced options.


And another thing...Mavic Open Pro rims are way overrated on this subforum. I have Mavics on some of my bikes and sure they are fine, and so are lots of other rims. The Alex rims that come stock on many budget fixed gear bikes are basically just as good...the problems with cheap stock wheels usually relates to the crappy hubs, or poor quality of the build, not the rims. I wouldn't pay near retail for a used bike just because it had mavic rims. Your better off wheel-wise getting a new bike and bring the bike in after several hundred miles to get your wheels tensioned/trued.

ringdangdoo

brand new surly steamroller is only $5 more then the used one you have referenced.