SlimRider

Since the summer of 2010, when I saw my first fixie rolling fast on Market street and then suddenly stopping with no real brakes, just short of running into a MUNI bus, I've been capitivated. I mean this guy had nothing other than this fixie his Fred Flinstone big foot to stop. I've been just absolutely astounded and obsessed ever since. Riding a fixie is not just a method of transportation, it's a sport. I've been scouring catalogues and bicycle websites featuring single speeds and fixies, whenever time permits.

I really do like the nice everday chromoly single speeds that most bicycle manufacturers of note produce. I'm also somewhat infatuated with the budgetary single speed generic models sold through Nashbar and Bikesdirect.

However, what really fascinates me are the really plush and avant garde models of single speeds. I mean the Cadillacs and Mercedes of Single Speeds. I call them the "Royal Single Speeds". I mean if these were steaks, they'd be the Filet Mignons of the Single Speed flip/flop world of bicycles.

I think that these are the Filet Mignons of Single Speeds.

1) The Masi Ultimate ~ $1050
www.masibikes.com/bikes/fixed/fixed-ultimate-2012

2) The Bianchi Pista Via Brera ~ $850
www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/fixed-gear/pista-via-brera/

3) The Jamis Sputnik ~ $700
www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/fixies/12_sputnik_gy.html

4) The Felt Brougham ~ $550
www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2012/Fixie/Fixie-Series/Brougham.aspx

So what do you guys think?...Is there something better? If so, I'd like to know...

Thanks in Advance!

prooftheory

I'm not following you, dude. You posted up three run-of-the-mill fixed gear bikes. Nothing extraordinary about any of them. Is there something you want to know about them?

Nagrom_

If you're even considering the Masi, that bike blows for 1050. My kilo sh*ts on that, and it didn't cost that much.

Don't get the masi.

The other two are meh. Kilo TT, then upgrade.

Nakedbabytoes

I agrees, snooze fest dude!
What about them specifically trips your light fantastic? Have you checked out the SS/FG pics sticky? Some great ideas in there.

SlimRider

Yes! I'd like to know how you rate them amongst what you think might be better. What makes these subpar?

SlimRider

I like the Kilo too! But what makes the Kilo better?

SlimRider

" Trips my light fantastic"....

PS.

Alright then!...I'll take a look see at the SS/FG pics sticky. Maybe I'll see something that will "trip my light fantastic"!

PS.

After Observation of Sticky pics:

Exploration Failed! I saw nothing that tripped my light fantastic!

3CDesign

I was thinking the same thing!

Nagrom_

I just don't see where the money is going on those bikes.

hairnet

Roadies have a sport too. There are very few production bikes that would qualify as avant garde and the ones you linked are no where near that.

I can appreciate your interest in the more average SSFG bikes out there, but they are just that, average.

One of these came into the shop on Wednesday. https://m.feltbicycles.com/productcatalog/product/1/20083
Pretty nice

c0urt

the older masi maybe, the new one, not so much.

I couldnt get myself to consider upgrading to it.

SlimRider

Ok! Then critique my single speed thinking...Tell me where I'm going wrong on this!

SlimRider

Why not?

What's the newer one missing that disqualifies it?

SlimRider

So you give me an example of what you think an avant garde single speed
might be...Something quite a bit above the run of the mil average stock.

markaitch

if you have managed to accumulate over 4600 posts in a little more than a year, yet managed to know so little about bikes that those 3 bikes are what you consider to be "the Filet Mignons of the Single Speed flip/flop world"...then it is likely beyond your comprehension

Nagrom_

You're gonna have to build if you want something top of the line. The only brands that bikes off the shelf have, are usually accredited to the frame, and everything on them is generic junk.

bfloyd6969

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If the OP likes these bikes, then more power to him and them. For me, it's the Wabi line of single speeds but moreso for bikes that just seem to be worthy of their price tag. If SlimRider likes his Masi, Jamis, and Felt then it's all good!

SlimRider

I can't see where the money is going on most single speeds, but I still love 'em!

I mean let's take the Jamis Sputnik, for example. If you want a nice entry level road bike from Jamis. You just might select their chromoly steel framed Satellite Sport model complete with derailleurs, shifters, triple crankset, and a PG-850, 12-26 T, 8 speed cassette. You can purchase the Satellite Sport for $700, one of the most inexpensive entry level road bikes on the planet. However, when it comes to the chromoly single speed Sputnik that has none of the aforementioned components, it also costs $700. So where did the money go?

bfloyd6969

True, but the frame is the heart of the bike - IMO of course.

Nagrom_

Thats fine, but none of those are 500 dollar plus frames. One's a 525 Reynolds, one's a 520 Reynolds, and the last is a 4130 cro mo.

Low end frames, plus low end junk components shouldn't equal thousand dollar price tags.

hairnet

Avant garde is the front line. Someone has to be making something that really pushes how we view our bikes. I don't think there are any production bikes currently that do this and I am not familiar with custom builders. But an example of something production could be the Trek Y foil except that it isn't SSFG.

Anyway I think this is a bad way to talk about bikes because it isn't how I view or use them. my everyday transportation/utility and exercise use doesnt demand anything special. Pro racers see that spectrum of bike design, just take a look at TT bikes and the Hour Record bikes, and that is so far from me.


Anyway, in my last post I linked to a bike that is a bit more expensive tht the ones you posted but IMO a lot better and more interesting.

Nagrom_

That's exactly my point. The money went to Masi, Felt, and Jamis. Those bikes don't have 500 dollars worth of anything, I literally can't figure out how they can charge that much, and how anyone would be OK with that.

Check my pedal room. That bike is cheaper than the Masi.

SlimRider

Ok then Nagrom, so what components on a single speed would upgrade it to the point of being Avant Garde or superior to all the others? I mean not just expensive, but something truly of noble quality, workmanship, and performance.

Nagrom_

check.... my.... pedal... room...

It's in my sig. Arguably, everything on that bike (except frameset and wheelset) is top of the line.

SlimRider

Ok! I'm beginning to see your point now...

PS.

So because an excellent frame contains solid non-moving components that will last the test of time, and has names on them other than Shimano, Dura Ace, or 105, they are viewed as subpar or inferior. I think I'll have to ponder this situation a little longer.