cc700

actually since you said that you're getting this because you can't afford a road bike... i wouldn't do it at all. i'd get a used road bike that's not too old.

imoscardotcom

convert an old frame instead. cheaper, and fun!

yard sale season is here......

el-cid

I thought someone would suggest a Redline 925 by now (click for link). They're a few bucks more than the SE but seem better thought out, come with fenders, and look like a better town-transport type bike.

TwoTones

i actually like the way that the lager looks, although i also have a thing for cheap women.

TwoTones

now this, i like!

bikevic

I bought the lager for 400 AUS dollars. It's very cheap for a complete bike and I love it. The madison is 800 dollars in australia and bianchi pista is 1200.
For 400 this price, it's really a good bike.
I can't find any problems of it.
It's my first singlespeed bike. When I try the fixed gear, I never go back single speed. The freewheel option is useless.
Of course if you have money, buy a more expensive bike.

craigdurkee

Nearly picked up an se lager there on sale for 399 aus dollar which is a steal

got a kona paddywagon instead

freeimprov

Keep in mind you're going to want fenders, racks, and possibly bigger tires if this is going to be your primary transportation. I tried the Lager, along with a Redline 925 and a Cayne Uno at my LBS. I wound up buying the Cayne for subtle feel reasons that may not apply to anyone else, but for you, the Redline 925 probably makes more sense. Fenders and solid rack mounts are a big deal, and the prices are very close. The next quality step up pushes you well over $600 (Surly Steamroller, Kona Paddywagon, Biachi San Jose).

TwoTones

ya, this is a good point, fenders especially.

bikevic

i think the tyre on the lager is too thick for me. this is the only thing i dont like about it

boilerup67

I am currently looking at the lager at my lbs, and the tires didn't seem much thicker than most road bike tires. I should however say that I am new to looking at such details, but still didn't see much of a difference.

Dumpstergrub@gm

The lager has rack braze-ons and fender mounts so if you you're using it for commuting and such its not such a bad choice. A friend has one that he uses for those reasons and he's very happy with it. Everyone says the kilo's and such but there is something to be said for getting the bike you want as opposed to what others think you should get. Plus if your LBS has them in stock you can actually ride it and see if you like it and more importantly that it fits you properly. The Kilo's and windsors can't offer that.

Lodger

I've been in the same boat lately. I'm looking to get my first single speed (I have a Trek carbon road bike currently) to just cruise around the neighborhood. I've been looking at the Redline 925, Raleigh and of course the Bikesdirect specials. Is it worth the extra $200 to buy the Redline or such from the LBS?

latortilla

for one person's 3 part longitudinal review of the se lager, check out commutebybike.com (the following link is just the 3rd and final installment):
https://commutebybike.com/2008/03/26/...view-se-lager/

also, many other people's personal quick reviews of other commuting bikes available on that website. check it out!

personally, i bought a used raleigh technium a couple of years ago that fit me suprisingly well, then converted it to fixed with a friend's help (he works at an lbs, yet the conversion was pretty easy i think i could have done it myself). we ended up using a used fixed wheel, as i didn't have the time to learn how to redish my original rear wheel and my friend had this spare one anyway. it's been a great ride! all in all, if i were to estimate the cost of a new fixed rear wheel ~$150, i probably spent around $300 overall on improvements/converting the ride. i like that we re-used perfectly good old stuff rather than buying brand new, though.

NukNukGoose

I have a 2007 Lager that I got a deal on, and I have to say, the largest drawback is the level of components and the component setup. When I purchased mine, I ran out and got a track hub, like one does, and was really surprised to see that my chainline was now crooked once I flipped to the fixed side. The freewheel side lined up, but the track side didn't. I ended up sorting it out (I wanted to swap to a black 5-arm crank anyway and don't plan on flipping back to the freewheel) but all in all, I think you can find a better deal if you're spending over 400 bucks.

beerfilter

It seems that people who don't like the Lager either have not ridden it, hate the Draft, are against factory SS, or are just some other kind of snob.

It's a pretty good bike for the price (usually under $450). There are a couple of other bikes in its class/price-range like the Redline 925.

Try a few and buy the one you like but don't listen to the peanut gallery.

maxinquaye

yes try the lager at your lbs, and if you like it buy the Dawes SST from bikesdirect.com...same exact bike for $200 less, and the colors it comes in are much more attractive especially the matte black.

jpdesjar

i was looking at a lager too when i started shopping for a fixed bike, they have a matte black one too...i thought it would be neat to have a bike named after a beer style but i am happy with my steamroller