I know their bananas and apples to compare, but it's what I've been spending hours doing online. I'm new to fixed gear, but I think I'll love it. I commute 200-250 Km per week with my customized Trek 520, and pull the kid's trailer with it a lot. I would buy the Karate Monkey now if I had the cash. I spent a fortune building the trek and I'm reduced to saving my pocket money for the next bike. I've got just enough for a complete steamroller, $550 online: Instant gratification. I'd commute with from time to time and run a bit around town with it. I don't think I would pull the trailer with it? Maybe?

If not now, I'll get this bike at some point, but the monkey is a lot further down the price range, Should I save and finally have something for the trail (Though I have so little time for it?). Either bike would be good for winter commuting. The trek does o.k. off-road w/cyclocross on it, but not so fun. The off-road here are mountains, otherwise I would off-road with the steamroller (ne 1 doing it anyway?). I would probably buy the monkey frame/fork and scrounge for used parts or look for a used one, but they're all in the $1000 range.

can you guys offer me some solid advice? I don't mind biased opinions, but give me good reasons. Thanks guys,
Bike addict

The Trek 520 is way more adequate for trailer pulling duty than any singlespeed, athough you certainly can pull the trailer with a SS/FG, but considering you already have a good trailer-pulling bike, I probably wouldn't factor that into your decision. Otherwise, it all depends on how much offroading you want to do versus road riding.

If commuting is your primary need, I'd go wtih the steamroller between the two, but even that is not a very good choice, because its not going to take fenders or racks...at least not without a challenge.

If offroading is more important to you, why would you limit yourself to a Surly. If cost is an issue and you really want an offroad bike, get a Redline Monocog or something similar? They will do just as well as a Karate Monkey and cost less.

you can go offroad with the steamroller, but it wont be as at home as the KM will be...they really are totally different...but buy the bike based on what you will be riding more..

of course if you want disc brakes, go with the KM

I know how hard it is to help me here. They are simply two different beasts. The point is, I have everything I truly need in the trek, now it's time for toys. One for the woods, roll over everything or the softer town ride, and one to zoom to work or around town, light as a feather and fun. I would probably use the steamroller more, because I'd do the 30 mile round trip from time to time with it, but I have a commuter, so thats not the reason for the consideration. It a toy thing, do I buy the kite or save for the remote control truck? I know you've all been here.

Anyone have an Idea what it might cost me to build up the KM frame simple, with mostly used parts? The frame and fork is $420
Thanks for the help!

I'm a huge advocate of the steamroller. You can easily fit cross tires on it. But I agree that fenders are really tricky.

Maybe just build up a SSFG Crosscheck?

Why get just one?



Seriously, unless you want an all-out offroad wheeler, the Steamer'll do ya good. I've beaten mine, both on-road & off, for 3yrs (225#) & haven't had to replace anything -AlexD11 wheelset has thoroughly impressed me- except for saddle, bars & tires, which I did as soon as I opened the box.
I'm searching for the right (see cheap) trailer to come along, so I can hook it up to the Steamer & haul things in it instead of jammed in my bag.

mihlbach does bring up a good point about fenders. I've tried again & again, but still haven't found any to fit correctly, so when it's truly nasty out, the old 80s beater gets to do the dirty work.

So you have two, Nice! (or is the 2nd a KM?)
If I had the cash I'd definitely get a KM and a SR, and I'll probably have both in the coarse of the next couple years.
Like I said all the off-road here is up the mountain. who dares this? can it at al be fun if you have to walk it half the way and the make it a SS to get down?
Thanks for the help guys!

i've thought of that, but I have almost everything the CC has in the trek (except maybe tire clearance), and I would think the geometry in the SR would be a lot more fun (what I'm missing in the trek)

For a very versitile bike, get the KM. Frame set is around $360 shipped at Universal Cycles. You could build up a SS version for fairly cheap. Steamer is nice and all, but nothing beats a dedicated mountain bike for the trails. I love my Steamer, but would much rather have my Monocog in the mountains.

To me, you're looking at the wrong two bikes. The KM is a good offroad SS bike, but the steamroller is definitely not a light, fun, zip around town kind of bike.

If you want something light and fun to zip around town, try the IRO Angus. It will be 650 shipped, but it has MUCH better components than the steamroller and is lighter with more agressive geometry. Also, the KILO TT from bikesdirect is a CHEAP option for a street FG.

I have no idea where you live or what kind of riding you will do, but I would venture to guess that you will spend more time on the street than off road. In that case, you should get a street FG bike (IRO, TT, Steamroller, there are tons of bikes in this category)

I would probably get that first, and then get the KM when you have money for a third bike.

just my 2 cents.

Also, you could get a cheapo kilo and also a mountain bike for like 700.

First, I don't think he's on the wrong track at all. The KM is an excellent SS 29er, but also makes a good geared one, too. Why do you say it's only good as a SS??

My Steamroller is at 19lbs. I built it up from a frameset for ~$700. Not the best components, either. Looking at the IRO site, how can you say that the IRO comes with "MUCH better components?" I don't see it. I do like the 631 tubing, though. But I don't have any complaints with the 4130 on the Surly, and I DEFINITELY have fun zipping around town on it.

Also, if you want brake(s) and pedals, the IRO will be over $700 shipped.

I can't compare the weights of the two bikes built up, but the IRO is definitely lighter as a frameset. Also, it comes w/ Deep V rims w/ Formula hubs > Steamroller wheels. Andel cranks > Steamroller cranks.

And that's just one other bike. There are TONS of bikes in this general price range that, IMO, are better than steamroller. Main advantages to steamroller are the road geometry (which may not be "fun") and the wide tire clearance. Other than that, it seems like a pretty over priced, 4130 bike. I would definitely get an IRO over a steamroller, and they are similar price. I would probably get a KHS Flite 100 over a steamroller, too. I think the Kilo is comparable but very cheap and with worse components. All I'm saying is that there are tons of options out there if you want something light, zippy,, and in that price range.

I think a Steamroller could be a good ONLY bike, b/c it is versatile, but if you want a fun, zip around the city, fast track bike, the steamroller is not it.

As far as the KM, I didn't say it was ONLY good as a SS, I just said it was a good SS MTB. I love the KM, and i didn't say anything bad about it.

Well, I can't even see where they say "deep v rims with formula hubs", but even so, they're not going to be that much better. Both wheel sets are crap. Same with Andel cranks. And hope you know Steamrollers also come with Andels. Also, the frame is .6 lb heavier for the Steamer. Whooptie doo.

And overpriced? How so? Raleigh One Way is 4130 and about the same price. Same withthe Beatnik. IIRC, same with Pista. Same with Soma and the KHS. "Tons of other bikes"? Please.

And how is the Steamroller versitile? No cable guides, rack mounts, fender mounts, deraileur mount. It's only good as a fixed/SS.

The steamroller does not come w/ Andel cranks, they are Sugino cranks. Also, IRO hubs and rims are the exact same as formula and deep v, respectively. That is common knowledge. Just like the IRO cranks are the exact same as Andel cranks.

Also, I am just failing to see your point? That those other bikes are overpriced, too? All I'm saying is that the IRO is a better deal than the steamroller, IMO. Better tubing, more agressive and fun geometry, better rims/hubs, better crank. I was also under the impression that the Flite 100 is cheaper than the steamrolelr, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

Point is, if you are looking for a light, fun, agressive bike...the steamroller is not it. Maybe it's not that much heavier than the IRO, but it does have more relaxed geometry, cheaper frame material, and worse components. The 2 bikes are nearly the same price and you get more for your money w/ IRO.

The IRO seems to come with IRO parts, it's $669 (Steamroller $550 shipped), I don't care for the looks of the KHS. I read a lot of reviews for the cheaper bikes, like the kilo, and most had to bring them into the shop to true wheels, fix threads etc. sounds like I would be into the $550 pretty quick and have a cheaper quality bike. I have to say that I like the fact I could have a zippy and a comfort wheel set for the Surly. Somehow I'm liking what that company is doing. Many people have been praising the SR in reviews for its fun geometry and zippiness, what do the rest of you think?

where are you getting the steamroller for 550 shipped? Everywhere I have seen its 650 + shipping

Unfortunately the frame set is $465 there. I found it for $420 ($130 less than the complete steamroller) I was thinking I could use a wheelset I have and try to build the KM for $700, doable? Do you run the Monocog SS?

Straight from the Surly site.

https://www.surlybikes.com/steamroller_comp.html
Crankset
Andel
Forged arms. 47t ring. Black


My point was, you're saying there are TONS of bikes that are better than the Steamroller? Please post some! Raleigh is actually $100 more than the Steamroller. Others are the same price.

Your main argument that the IRO is a better bike is that it's a better tubing and has better wheelset. Better tubing, perhaps. Will it make a difference? No, not to me. I guarantee it's not going to shave off any time when you're riding around, either. Also, don't bring up the "fact" that it has more of a track geo--this is NOT valid here. When's the last time you saw a steel bike at the velodrome? I can count on my one hand. Track geo doesn't mean jack, IMO. The lower BB height, I've had NO problems with, even with a 172.5 crankset. Also, the wheelset. Both are heavy and cheap. Change that as soon as you can.

How much riding have you done on a Surly? Actually, what kind of a bike do you have? No offense, but you seem like a "magazine racer." I have not met a single person that has not enjoyed the Steamer. Granted, may not have been their favorite bike, but fun bike to ride. Aggressive? Are you talking racing? How does that apply here? Light? If that's the main purpose, you're looking at the wrong frames. Capo, Langster, etc. all have both the Steamroller/IRO/OneWay/etc. beat right off the bat.

Hey, yeah, sorry about that. It's $465 there, BUT use the coupon code VIP15 and you get 15% off, which makes it $395 shipped. You could definitely build up the KM for $700 if you already have a wheelset. Look on craigslist. I found and collected a bunch of parts that people parted out from their new bikes. Lot of fun piecing it together.

I am running the Monocog SS. I do not even want to venture into the whole fixed mtn riding. I'm a wuss, I guess. It's really fun. I'm geared 33x20 and love how the bike performs. I need to get a better wheelset this year, though.

Dolan Pre Cursa track bike---670 shipped from probikekit.com

Much lighter, more aggressive, and probably fun than the steamroller for the same price.

I have ridden a few steamroller...not that muchh, but I have test ridden them. I have seen steel bikes at the track. And I'm ONLY talking about track geo b/c I think it makes a bike a little bit more fun to ride. Specifically the handling.

And I disagree about the IRO wheelset. I think it is a great wheelset...i owuld not replace it. It's your basic deep v to formula job...nothing wrong w/ that.

And what's a magazine racer? Please don't make generalizations about me based on this argument.
I ride a '80s Bianchi FG conversion, btw.

I DO think the steamroller is a good bike, I do. I like Surly as a company and I like this bike. I just think there are a TON of production FG bikes out there, and some of them are probably better deals than the steamer. A lot of people buy the SR b/c it is easy to find, common, and they don't know abotu a lot of other bikes. I am just urging the OP to check out some more bikes before settling on the steamer

So I'm only taking the stack of reviews word for it, but I'm stuck on Surly for both bikes. I might be able to get a bit of a better deal, but not really, and it seems that everyone that has any of Surly's frames are in love with them. Not the really same with any other company. So I'm with Surly all the way here!

Go for the KM. It'll be heavy but at least it'll do it all and allows a lot of versatility. In the time you're saving you could look for deals that may pop up.

550 is a really good deal. Take it. For 700, I question the steamroller, but for 550 it's a GOOD deal.

And you would go for the instant gratification and wait till winter sometime to start building up the KM?