[Closed] Single speed road bikes. What should be on my list to look at ?

I think Charge make one.

And Specialized (langster maybe?)

Kona Paddy Wagon is nice (recently sold mine) and I've always fancied the surly steamroller.

Pearson Touche.

I've got an older Giant Bowery which I really like, and the new ones look very nice.

Pearson Touche looks the dogs too.

Paddy Wagon and V V cheap on Evans at the moment.

Pearson Touche.

yep nice riding bikes plus room for 28s and proper mudgaurds + rack if you need and options to have flat, drop, bullhorn bars, wheel colour etc when you order

I would have recommended the SE Lager but I've just had a look at the current incarnation on their website and it's truly horrible. I've got one that's badged as a Dawes and it's a great bike, very comfortable, I did my first century on it

Bum. Only 49 cm Paddy Wagons left at Evans now. Need a normal sized frame really. Good shout though, that's going on the list.

Pearson Touche, never considered that ! hmmm..

Not drop bars, but I quite like this

[img] [/img]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/ultraflight-01-2011-road-bike-ec025130

56cm Kona Band wagon at Merlin? (higher spec paddy wagon)

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Kona+Bikes/Kona+Bandwagon+-+2010_K-BANDWAGON.htm

Bargain!!

Those Pearsons are lovely in the flesh too

Got a Ridgeback solo world. Used it all summer, commute + club runs. It's my fav road bike. It's heavy. It goes. It's comfy. Set up fixed gear.

Gears are like condoms. They improve your performance, but it's not as nice.

Gears are like condoms. They improve your performance, but it's not as nice.

quote of the month and it is only the 1st of the month!

Gears are like condoms. They improve your performance, but it's not as nice.

😯 😳 😆

I'll let you know how that goes down with the missus thee neet.

Fuji Track

I love my Kona Major One, more a cross bike but so good to ride.

This is similar to the ridgeback but 350 quid
http://www.farnhamcycles.co.uk/Shop/p/745-merida-single-s-presso-2011-hybrid-bike/
STW reviewed it here in alfine form
http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/merida-spresso-i8-d/

Charlie bikemonger was doin a de,al on paddy wagons I believe

Langster, I had one from about 2006 and it was brilliant.

swobo del norte is lovely..

Bloody el, that Merida's cheap. Must be rubbish to be that cheap.

Surely. ❓

I'll check out CTBM.

i don't wanna open a can of worm, but try to get a steel frame. It make a big difference to comfort, and particularly if you are gonna ride fixed it'll make a massive difference to how much you enjoy the ride. To continue on my previous theme:

Steel frame are like big girls. More cushion for the pushin

I'm on fire today

PS: the ridgeback solo has a steel frame made by genesis

Thats a bit of unscientific reasoning right there.

My skinny steel fixie is a million times less comfy than my huge alu road bike.

it has a whole lot more to do with contact points than frame material.

Cannondale Capo (if they still do them).

thepodge - Member
Thats a bit of unscientific reasoning right there.

My skinny steel fixie is a million times less comfy than my huge alu road bike.

it has a whole lot more to do with contact points than frame material.

There is much truth in what you say, but for equivalent geometry and contact point the steel is comfier and more compliant surely making bumps and road buzz are less noticeable.

In my experience and humble opinion, on a fixed you spend a lot more time with you weight in the saddle.

TBH I don't have a massive experience with road bikes. Limited to an alu road, an alu/carbon time trial and steel fixed rd.

Pompino, steel, takes racks and guards, brilliant with 48x18 over lumpy roads, cheap.

i have a alloy carrera vitouso that has ben ssed and flat bared and got a magic ratio feel wise its nicer then the steel frames iv riden but looking to upgrade as chains and sprockets will slacken with wear so a adjustable rear end would be nice
the merida mentioned is a very comfy bike to ride am actualy goig to second look at one soon to see if it can be molded for fast commuting as its very hyrid/comfy bike setup otp

I cannot see how the Merida is suitable for single speed or fixed wheel use as it seems to have a vertical rear drop out and fixed centre bottom bracket; chain adjustment is an essential, particularly for fixed where backlash is a complete anathema.
Either steel or ally can be designed, through tube sizing and geometry, to be more or less flexible/comfortable though it has to be said that the sections and wall thickness of most ally frames makes them inherently stiffer. Equally important for comfort is the choice of tyre air chamber depth, handlebar material, saddle type etc.
The modern 'fashion' for general purpose road cycles to mirror the practices of racing cycle design is counter productive in terms of comfort and not necessarily beneficial to progress along the road.
From what I understand the Pearson Touche is one of very few 'off the peg' single speed bikes where the design includes much consideration of comfort in so much as it has a relaxed steering geometry, long wheel base and space for large section tyres - and the option for the buyer to specify other components that impact comfort.

surly steamroller everytime. Cant beat it. Lovely frame full of character and attitude.

also if a Pearson Touche is too expensive they do a steel frame version called the Hanzo - like the Touche it takes proper guards and a rack etc

Cotic Roadrat

Condor pista or tempo

anything that is not Track geometry or a new wave fixie and you'll be fine.

if its cheap but good and strong you want, either a Paddy Wagon due to the steel frame and guard eyes or a Langster as for that money, nothing is lighter.

if is cool points, then a steamroller everytime but once the frame is bought and fitted out, your nearly talking double the money on a Paddy?!

i've been through 5 ss/fixed road bikes and always needed something more than than current one gave me. first was too small plus a track bike, second was too Cross, third was uncool and had no guard eyes, fouth had guard eyes, was cool, rode well, but too small for me and the Surly Steamroller is the fifth and cock on 😀 (but i have to have raceblades :cry:)nothing is perfect.

Kona Bandwagon still available in 56cm at Merlin at a decent price;
> http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Mountain+Bikes/Kona+Bikes/Kona+Bandwagon+-+2010_K-BANDWAGON.htm
A further 10% off for VIP members also.

However, if your looking to build one up my fav. frame at the mo is the Evil Resident which Wiggle have on clearance.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/evil-bikes-resident-frame-and-fork-2010/

I'm with Charlie, Surly Steamroller all the way.....

[img] ?ver=13131720220001[/img]

That steamroller is lovely

Any singlespeed frames with road standard ends so I don't have to run track hubs?

konamajor 1 449at crc in a 54 flavour bargain

What about an old build?
[img] [/img]
Didn't realize I was sitting on a valuable chainset when I got this, the old Stronglight 49D

CRC's Major 1 is a right deal

Kona PW has toe overlap which is a little annoying on a fixed - at least my 2009 model did.

If I were buying another I'd get a Genesis Day or a Charge Plug. Mind you that Ridgeback looks ace...

you ain't ridden a Plug have you fella?!

Toe overlap?

plugs are sooo heavy - apparently for 'robustness'...

for me that is just a marketing mask for a crap overweight bike.. just my thoughts though.

traitor cycles luggernaut for road or crusade for some cross action both v. nice