A Fixie Rollo or a Decked-out Surley Cross-Check?
 

I decided to go fixed, for at least the winter, here in Little Siberia. I just put a deposit down for a Rollo, with a newly built back wheel, rack on the back, and Nokia studs in front. I want to have an enjoyable 6.5 mi ride to work each day, cutting across local lakes, if time and weather allow. This year I could afford to scrap the above deal, and spend twice as much on a Surley with just about anything I want on it. Next year who knows? Next year, my wife would flip out if she found out that I bought another fixed gear bike. So given what I want it for, does anybody have any thoughts or opinions? I'll have to talk to the good people at the bike shop, pretty quick, if I want to do something different.

I have ridden my g-friend's Bianchi Milano, which is the same frame as the Rollo. I don't like the frame's slow handling. It has sluggish steering because of it's leisurely geometry. The Surly is a better handling bike IMO and that's what I would personally go for. But that clown artwork on the Rollo is fun though ;)

If you like riding on ice and lakes, get studs on the rear too. You will love the traction,as opposed to say.......falling. :)

Yep, go studs all around. I'd get the cross-check, it's got rack and fender mounts making it an all-around work horse and flexible machine.

I've got a Cross-Check with a fixed/free hub on which I commute year round. I can't speak comparitively in reference to the Rollo, but I do really like the Cross-Check. Although I don't use studs, I put on 38 c tires this winter and impressed that the frame can easily handle those along with full fenders. I've got a rear rack and hub powered front light; this to me is an ideal all weather commuting bike (that is also fast and fun to ride!).

Go for the Cross-Check. It's steel and durable. Overall, the frame is more versitile.
Building a bike to your specs is the way to go. The extra time and money invested always makes the bike feel more fun, more personal.
The Bianchi Rollo is nice, my neighbor has one. I think its ok for a bike that he rides on nice weekends. If you're commuting daily, you'd probably want to upgrade some parts that come stock on it...

The Surly frame is more versitile.

If you like the crazy Rollo clown, you can peel off the Cross Check stickers because they aren't clear coated over and just buy the Rollo stickers from bianchiusa.com and add some clown craziness.

Headbadge: $18
http://store.bianchiusa.com/store/im...tems/H4018.jpg

Decal: $4
http://store.bianchiusa.com/store/im...tems/H4020.jpg

Go with the bike that you think would also give you a good ride in the summer time. Something you could ride agresive like in the rain when you don't want to take out the good one. If that isn't the new cross check. I kind of think Steamroller.

clowns are scary

John Wayne Gacey painted clowns and i think he was one too

Thanks to everyone who called out to this wilderness. I have never seen an instance in these forums where everybody agreed on anything, until now. If I asked," Is mass-murder good?" there would be someone who would say, "Jane, you ignorant ****." to somebody else. I was sort of thinking that I should get the better bike, anyway, but you guys made the decision easier.

I'm planning to scrape off the decals from the beefy tired 1x1, with mustchioed handlebars, that I picked out, so that I can script my own message to the world in it's place. I'm not adverse to plagiarism, hence my next thread.