al g blenny

So I'm new here and new to fixed gears. I had a road bike that I used for the last couple of years and I loved it. After riding my friends Steamroller I got the itch. I need a fixed gear. I sold my road bike and now I have some money to spend on one. I would like to keep it under $1000 and I know that is possible. I also don't want crap. I was looking at three options. One is the Felt TK3
https://www.feltracing.com/09/product...,1609&pid=8934

Then the Cannondale Capo
https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-8PR1.html

Last is the Giant Bowery
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...le/2344/32159/

My buddy said that he didn't like Giants but the components on the Bowery aren't terrible. What would you guys go with? Should I be looking in a different direction? Thanks.

jakerock

I was gonna post something smartass, but then I realized that I was just jealous that your had $1000 to spend on a bike and no idea what you wanted! Must be nice! Enjoy.

P.S. buy a lock.

calbrner

how much are the capo and felt bikes?

al g blenny

The Felt is about $850. The Cannondale retails for $939 but a chain bike shop in Norther Cali has them on sale for $780. The only problem is they don't carry the black version so I would have to pay $20 for a special order. That makes is $800. I don't know how long the Felt has been out but it seems a little hard to find online.

al g blenny

Yeah I am actually kinda broke right now. I only have that to spend because I sold my other bike. Meanwhile I might not make rent at the beginning of the month.
I can't help it. I sold the bike and I need a new one.
I have a lock already.

PedallingATX

Another consideration w/ the Capo is that you will need a new crank. The one that is on there is absolute crap (4 chainring bolts instead of 5). the Felt is probably a better bike, but I like Cannondale as a company much more than Felt and I think the Capo is a great frame. So, I would probably go w/ the Capo + a new crank. Sounds like you have your heart set on aluminum?

All of those bikes are aluminum, is there a reason you don't want steel? I would recommend the Jamis Sputnik if you are open to steel.

renton20

I would second the recommendation for steel. The frame might be a little bit heavier but the comfort of the ride and the durability of the frame more than make up for it to me. A very popular choice around here is the IRO mark v. You could but that for around 600 and then still have another 400 for upgrades.

eric716

I like steel and if I had a bigger budget that I personally do I'd be looking at:
Charge Plug
or something custom like a geekhouse? though it'll come out more expensive complete...

al g blenny

What is it you don't like about the Felt company? I don't like supporting companies that aren't good to their customers.

I don't mind steel but I just really liked the looks of those three. I also wanted something a little different than all the surlys, IROs, etc...

al g blenny

Is there a good place to look at Charge bikes online? I went to their site and there were no prices. It sent me to a US distributers site without prices as well. I just did a search for Charge Plug and all that came up was reviews. Where the hell would I buy one and how much do they sell for?

tmh657

Bare Knuckle frames can be had for about $400 - $600 used. Then you have the rest of the cash for components. I just got a frame on CL that was halfway sanded for $320. I sanded it the rest of the way and painted it.
It has become a VERY nice $1000 bike.

ruswil

www.treefortbikes.com for Charge bikes. Just ordered a Charge grinder from them for a nice price.

maddyfish

Have you looked at a Trek T1? Very cool if you like modern type bikes. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/track/t1/

st3v13

sorry to thread jack, but what are some entry level fixed gear or single gear complete bikes?

dervish

use the search function please

jakerock

st3v13

Thank you for being rude
But let me clarify. I've read through the majority of the first few pages of the fixed gear/single gear threads. I've also searched through and found various bikes. However, as great you think the search ability is it doesn't help if you don't know what to search for.

Also the fixed gear start thread only let me figure out that i want a fixed gear not WHAT fixed gears are nice to start looking at.

The majority of bikes that i how found in these threads are much like the one al g blenny was looking and are very close to $1000. Some like the oneway, steam roller, and rush hour are $700.

But since i have no idea why one complete bikes costs more then another b/c of the COUNTLESS components involved. Like why are the price of the rush hour and oneway so close together but their visual apperance so different?

Alot of the bikes i first find interesting are later said to have bad this or bad that etc. etc. after furtehr investigation. for example Cannondale Capo(in THIS threaD), someone said you should replace parts right after you get it. Of course some find it untrue.


In addition, i'm planning on going to a local shop, but at the current moment i'm not able to check out Local bike shop and i'm assuming it would be a good idea to know what i want to buy before i buy it. I'm looking online(in their websites) and I find that alot of single gear/ fixed gear bikes are more expensive then some geared bikes.

So to rephrase my question.
I CAN spend a countless amount of money but for a beginner would it be worth it to be spending $700+ dollars on a bike?
If not what would be an "entry" level bike and would they be worth getting?

~or~
since no1 insulted him

i'll say i was looking at the following bikes:
Raleigh Rush Hour
Raleigh One WAy
Surly SteamRoller
Cannondale Capo
Triton Gary Fisher

which1 should i get and wy?
Or is there another 1 i should get?
Sorry if i'm out of line.

oldfixguy

st3v13,

I say go Steamroller. Everything about the Steamroller is solid - everything. Plus, as my pictures and others have shown in the Steamroller porn thread you can work on them and make them as Plain Jane (mine) or as gorgeous (pretty much everyone else's) as you want. Steel is good for fixed gear frames for a number of reasons but a few of the more practical ones are:

1. They provide a solid measure of compliancy. You see, on a fixed your butt is firmly weighted in the saddle. It's surprising how most people - even long term cyclists - gently unweight themselves in the saddle. This really can't be done on a fixed gear. Your body weight is on the saddle and there it will stay. A frame with a smidge of comfort is much preferred unless you only plan to ride the bike for 30 minutes or less at a shot.

2. If you treat a steel frame with that canned grease stuff (go to LBS if you don't know what I'm talking about and have them do it) the frame will last forever. 15 year old steel frames are in their prime.

Cannondale lost it's shine for me when they moved their welding overseas. I happily paid extra in the past for Cannondale for that little sticker that said "Handmade in the USA". No more sticker so no more sparkle for oldfixguy. All the others you mentioned are pretty much on the same level playing field. Purchase by stock components and aesthetics.