TwoTones

So I just moved out west (Portland or Seattle, haven't decided yet) and have been shopping for a bike. Last bike I had was an old school 18 speed Raleigh that sucked. I think it's time for a new, nice bike. Now, I've always been a fan of my gears but I've come to the realization that I can't afford to drop $1k on anything. I went into a bike shop here in Seattle and found the SE Lager on sale for $435 (with tax, i think). This bike will be my main form of transport, getting me around town for groceries, work, and drinks. Any thoughts on why I shouldn't buy the bike? Any better bikes for that price?


Specs:
Frame: 100% Cr-Mo, Euro Bottom Bracket, Water Bottle Mount
Fork: Triple Butted 100% Cr-Mo w/ Fender Mounts
Headset: Ritchey 1-1/8″ Threadless
Handlebars: Alloy Bullhorn
Stem: SE 3D Forged Alloy, 7 Degree Sweep
Grips: Velo Cushion Wrap Foam
Brake Lever: Tektro RX4.1, Alloy, F&R
Brake(s): Tektro 510A Dual Pivot Caliper F&R
Seat: SE Super Light w/ Custom Cover
Seat Post: SE Micro Adjust Alloy 27.2
Seat Clamp: SE Alloy
Crankset: FSA Vero3-pc Alloy, 170mm, Euro Sealed Bearing, 46T Alloy
Chain: KMC Z410 Silver
Pedal: Wellgo Alloy w/ Cage & Toe Clips
Rim: Alex R500, 32H, Double Wall w/ CNC Sidewalls, w/ Stainless 14Ga. Spokes
Front Hub: Formula High Flange Alloy, 32H, Sealed Bearing, Nutted
Rear Hub: Formula High Flange Alloy, 32H, Sealed Bearing Nutted, 16T Freewheel/Fixed Flip Flop
Tires: Kenda K176, 700 X 28c
Extras: Front & Rear Fender Mounts
Colors: Brown
Weight: 21.5 lbs.

cc700

spend a little more on a madison.

bikerdfresh

IMO i would either get an IRO or a Mercier Kilo TT. The Kio is only $350, but if you are in seattle it may rain on you, so you may want to consider an aluminum framed bike just so it doesnt rust, just my .02.

peabodypride

^ I love when people think Seattle gets *so* much more rain than every other city in the country.

bikerdfresh

haha i just hear it does

cc700

it gets a good share but it has weather, it's not like it's raining all the time. plenty of days when it's clear out.

nothing like socal where it's freakish if there's a single cloud in the sky.

TwoTones

a madison?

an IRO?

You guys have to understand that I am a complete newb.

cc700

a schwinn madison
https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=923

iro mark v
https://shop.irocycle.com/shop/pages....=prestonisjon1
(click the links to build your own)

kilo tt
https://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm

also langsters and the like

TwoTones

I was looking at that Schwinn Madison when I was checking out the Lager, is it really much better? I couldn't see any significant advancements.

evoke0ne

Don't get a Lager. Get a Kilo, Hour ect...Anything but the lager. I broke mine in under a year...but that was my fault...I just think for the same price you can get soo much more

legstwelve

Is there any real difference between the lager and the madison, both have cheap wheels and equally as rubbish bar/stem/seatpost. The Madison definitely looks nicer but is there much difference between the build quality of the frames?

K_phomma

Is your LBS selling any Fuji Tracks/The hours?

evoke0ne

I saw a fuji track in my lbs the other day. It was built up funny with reflectors and mtb plat pedals. but it was in an amazing matte gray colour. It came with track drops and a cane creek front break...it was pretty sweet...get that...I cant remember the price though.

reedreeder

the fuji track seems like the best bet for how cheap it is. it's still cheap stuff, but decent, and pretty nice looking. thebikebiz has them for 435, i think, but they're out of stock except for 61 cm.

pirate golf

Since you all are mentioning the Fuji Track, don't forget the Windsor Hour. Isn't it basically the same bike and $150 cheaper?

TwoTones

thanks for the input so far. can you tell me specifically why the Fuji Track is better than the Lager? You have to understand that I've never ridden fixed/single speeds before, I'm only buying it because I can't afford a geared bike. I'll probably start out riding it as a single speed so I'll be needing both brakes.

cc700

yeah but the components aren't exactly the same and the paint is dumber. the 08 fuji can be had for 400 or less on sale and looks sweet. the bars alone are probably worth the extra.

WhiteSSP

I bought a Windsor "the Hour" last week and have been riding it around every day (not commuting, just pleasure riding before/after work) and I love it. Its my first fixed gear bike, and my first road bike, and hell...my first bike period in 10 years or so.

The only thing it needs is to have some locktight put on the rear sprocket (I'm a clyde though...6'2 290lbs for now) as when I tried to slow it down QUICK, i felt it slip loose and when I pushed down hard on the pedals, it tightened back up.

It was reccomended to me by a friend of mine to get an SE Lager before I bought my Hour, but I'm happy with my purchase.

dervish

i will put in +1 for the fuji track
and -1 for the lager

eXCeSS

get a new cog and lockring

you shouldnt need to loctite something w/ a lr

TwoTones

so what makes the Fuji Track that much better? it would run me $120 more and is setup as a track bike when i'm looking more for a single speed.

cc700

if you just want singlespeed get this:
https://bikesdirect.com/products/moto.../messenger.htm

same frame as the fuji track and comes ready for singlespeed already.

the reason we don't like the lager is because SE makes the draft and the draft is downright ****ing terrible. the lager is better but i haven't ridden one so i can't say how much better and i'd rather not have any 700c SE bike at all.

besides, if you're going to get a bargain bike(which the lager is) get one from bikes direct and save a hundred+ for hookers and booze, instead of getting the bike that just looks like a hooker and is named like a booze.

powerband

Also consider the Raleigh Rush Hour for around $500 (sometimes less). It has tighter geometry than some of the aforementioned bike. For commuting purpose, a bike with tighter geometry will allow easier maneuverability through traffic and around obstacles. The Raleigh Rush Hour comes with both freewheel and fixed cogs; this gives you options.

YoKev

How are you planning to carry groceries back to your place if you buy the lager...or most any of the above mentioned bikes for that matter? It looks like the "Windsor - The Hour" and the Mercier are the only ones with rack mounts.

peabodypride

Well played.