Hey all. I'm looking for advice on my next bike purchase. I've taken the format for this post from NoSole, who got a lot of good feedback both on what bike to get and on the quality of his post.

Like he said, first off, let me say I've read these forums a lot over the past few weeks, looked at outside resources (mainly other forums, Sheldon Brown, and bike review sites), and visited a half-dozen LBS in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Still, it's tough to get a gauge on what bikes are a good value and the arguments are endless. Here's my situation and hopefully I can get some great advice.

History - I've been riding a mid-90's Raleigh Technium for the past 4 years that I bought on craigslist. On the scale it weights 23.5 #s. I'm giving that one away to my brother who just moved to the city and going to pick up a new bike for myself. I want a single speed because the gears on my old bike just turned into added weight anyway after I barely touched them for the past year or so.

I ride anywhere between 10 - 50 miles/week and am probably a 56cm or 57cm on most bikes.

Now, the criteria I'm considering when making this purchase:

* Price - Trying to stay under $800. If something is a little bit over, that's okay, but it starts to get really easy to say "Well, If you're paying $850, you might as well pay $900" and so on.
* Hub - I like the option of a flip flop rear wheel so I can play with both SS and FG setups.
* Handle Bars - I like drops, but could go with something new, too.
* Frame/Fork - I'm thinking I'd like lower weight over smoother ride, so I'm leaning a lot more towards aluminum. I definitely don't want anything heavier than my last bike (23.5 #s).
* Components - Unless the assembled components are absolute crap and won't last a month, I'm less concerned about the components. I figure I'll learn as I go and get better stuff if/when it fails.

My current favorites:

* Bianchi Fremont - Test rode this at a LBS and loved it. Super light. But they were selling the thing for too much ($800 OTR) and trying to tell me that the 55cm was my size when I knew it was too small (I'm no avid cyclist, but I know that I should be a 57cm on that bike). Unfortunately, Bianchi does't make this bike anymore, so it's tough to find.

* Felt Dispatch - Test rode this and liked it a lot. Again, really light weight. Price at LBS is $720, but I can easily spin out the gear it comes standard with OTR. So with the added $ to change the gear, I'm wondering if there's something better.

* Specialized Langster - I'm not crazy about the style of the Langsters and at $830+ it's more than I'd like to spend. But, if this is really that much better than other options, I could be convinced. Seems to get pretty good reviews on these boards.

* Schwinn Madison - This is the only steel I've been really into. I really like the style, seems well-priced, and seems to have gotten solid reviews on these boards.

Other's I've considered and ruled out due to price, style, poor reviews, etc. I've tried to take into consideration each of one's strengths and weaknesses. So unless you have an earth-shattering argument in favor of one of the bikes below, I'd prefer that discussion focus on the options I've listed above and focus more towards the aluminum. Thanks!

* SE Lager Matte Black, Felt Curbside, Swobo Del Norte, Surly Steamroller, Jamis Sputnik, Bianchi Pista, Kona Paddy Wagon, and a bunch of others whose names I currently forget.

Thanks for bearing with me!

How about a Cannondale Capo? I think they run for about $800, are light, and aluminum. People seem to have good things to say about them right??

https://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/la...6_5676crx.aspx

I've been checking out the Capos, too. Are those recommended over the Dispatch? Also, is there any bike currently in production that's close to the Fremont?

ive only heard good things about the ride of capos, and i think they look sharp. get this model year because they will be the last made in america, right?

Don't get anything with that stupidly laxed geometry. You'll hate it.

If anything, go for the Madison.

or...

KiloTT?

Please tell me how you can possibly know if someone would hate a bike with slacker geometry.

I love my madison, but I also got it for sub $400 Its a great bike, but not much better than say a Kilo-tt (very similar frame, slightly better stock components.)

Who wants to work harder to go fast?

People want more slack geometry because it is more comfortable for long rides, less twitchy handling. When being ridden on the road, road geometry makes more sense for some people than track geometry.

Geometry makes no difference on how fast you go; that the job of the rider. Shorter wheelbase just allows for closer pacelines and slightly stiffer frame. If you're sprinting hard you might notice a difference but not in regular riding. More upright angles make for more responsive handling but transmit more road shock to the rider.

Wow you think less fork rake and steeper angles are going to make you faster?


OP don't listen to this. This is bogus misinformation. The Geometry just affects the handling. There are plenty of track bikes with more "relaxed" geometry. The Geometry of the bike is a matter of prefference.

You better be riding on a time trial bike by that logic.

There is no suck thing as a true "Track" geometry. It all depends on what track your riding on; condition of pavement/wood, how steep the banks are, how long the track is, what kind of race, etc.

OP--I agree about Capo. great aluminum bike. Also, you could consider a trek t1 if you can find it used. Also check out the Dolan track bike at probikekit.com It ships for free w/ a grand total of like 650 bucks....good frame, decent components, very light, and very fast...

Since you've ruled out the Jamis Sputnik, have you taken a look at the Jamis Beatnik? I assume the Sputnik is out because of price?

I'll take a closer look at the Capo. Trek T1 and Dolan's look sweet, but I need breaks, at least to start (tore my MCL about 12 months ago and still gets a little sore).

Yeah, ruled the Sputnik out because of price (if I move up to $900 range that unleashes a whole new set of bike options) and the Beatnik I wasn't that interest in because from what I read, the Madison or the Raleigh Rush Hour seem to get better reviews.

Have you thought about building? I hate to be that guy, but if you pick up an old road frame for about a hundred bucks or so, you could get some custom wheels and still have a pretty good hunk of change for components. It's sort of an opportunistic thing though, since it depends on you actively looking for and jumping on deals as they come up. It may not be the most blinged out thing on the road, but it will definitely be unique and I guarantee you'll love it, as well as have an amazing amount of fun putting it together, plus you get to learn to work on your very own single speed.

This.

I have ridden this bike 35 km in 59 minutes after already riding for a more leisurely 65 kilometres.

The fellow who had it before me bought it in 1955 and rode and raced it for nearly 50 years.



It is among the smoothest and most efficient bikes I own and excels for long rides where rider comfort also becomes a factor.

The bars come down when I feel the need for speed.

My Pug has a far more aggressive geometry than the Lenton ^^^ and being lighter it does have some advantages on climbs but on the flats they are nearly even (same top gear) and over longer distances I prefer the old Raleigh as when I am really comfortable, I go faster.

I can come off this bike after 100 miles and still feel great.

What gear inch are you running to avg. 35.5 km/h in 59 minutes? That is some serious speed! Was it all flat? Great job.