I am new to the fixie scene and I am looking for a fixie to commute around town, for fun and fitness. I am after a complete bike for reduced cost and easy of getting a complete package (also I don’t have an old road frame that I can convert, I ride MTB and part of my branching to a fixie is that I am running out of hours in a day to get on the dirt).
I have seen the Bianchi Pista and hear mixed opinions about it. I hear great things about the Surly Steamroller. But one bike that I have not heard much about is the Charge Plug.
Apparently Charge bikes will be available in Australia from about October. They have been making MTB’s for a while and this is their first try at a 700c wheeled bike.
I am just wondering if anyone knows anything further about them or has any opinions.
Thank you and I hope to be out riding on the streets really soon.
I am one of those who plugs (:evil:) the Surly as the “off-the-shelf” option for a fixed frame; but probably a bit exxy for a starter.
This certainly looks sweet, looks like the rear brake cable is clipped so you can lose it neatly. Need to understand the frame geometry - odd ST length, and if they are after the street market a sealed bearing hubset would be a way better option.
There are plenty of entry options, all let down by component quality.
My recommendation is to hunt down an old steel road frame, start out with a “suicide” conversion of the road hub, then build a quality wheelset that will suit a decent frame when you have a feel for it.
any entry level bike is going to have pretty big compromises in terms of components. I’ve heard good things about the surlys. if you’re serious about it, you’ll probably replace most of the bits within a year or so anyway. Think of it as a buying an awesome bike by installments.
Thanks for the replies everyone and the good advice.
I am not afraid of spending a bit on a first bike (my budget is about $1500) because as with anything I like a quality product that will last for ages and I am pretty commited to everything I start.
At this stage I am looking at either the Bianchi or the Charge. I know that I’ll be changing parts over as I go because of personal preferences ( I like the feel of flat bars from riding MTBs) and to upgrade, after all thats all part of owning a bike I think.
I am just worried about the geometry of the Bianchi being too track like and not suited for street riding. Also the Charge seems to be pretty heavy from all the reviews I have read plus they won’t be available until October and I am really keen to get a bike asap.
Seconded.
The Bianchi Pista is one of the most overrated bicycles around. Go into Cecil Walker or something and have a look at it up close- I agree you’ll be disappointed with the quality of the components.
Yes … until you find a cracked dropout developing six months later Buying used can get you a much better bike for less money but there are no guarantees that the bike will last.
If I were in your position, I would buy the Salsa. Good overall package.
But still, my CX bike cost about $1500 to build, with used wheels but new frame and new pretty much everything else. I guess experience and some parts in the cupboard go a long way towards successful secondhand builds.
Yup. Having lots of spares really makes buying second hand easier.
It also really depends on what breaks. Say I buy a complete used bike for $1500. If the seatpost breaks, no problem … it only costs $60 for a new decent one. But if my frame breaks, I could be looking at $600 to replace it. My $1500 investment suddenly becomes $2100. If I had started out with $2100 in the first place, I could have bought a nice new bike of similar quality to the used one (and with warrantee from the manufacturer too).
There’s nothing wrong with buying used but there are risks involved.
what size frame are you after?
I know of a cecil’s (paconi) 853 frame with horizontal dropouts (not track ends) that is up for sale soon. It will probably come with full carbon forks as well. I think it’s a 56cm square but I’m not 100%
If your budget is $1500, then I’d also suggest going new.
Considering you can get both Surly geared bikes complete for $1500 (Cross check/Long haul trucker), you can certainly get a Steamroller complete, Casseroll SS, or a Steamroller/Casseroll/Cross Check frame (~$750) & parts for less than that and avoid a lot of hassles.
If you’re in Melbourne, you can see the Salsa at My Mountain (Brunswick) or St. Kilda Cycles. Aside from the fork (you’ll love it or hate it, I’m not keen), it’s a sweet bit of kit.
I definately want to go for a new bike, I dunno why, I just like a brand new bike.
I’ll have a better look at the Salsa Casseroll and I’ll also see how much it will be to build up a bike.
I just can’t believe that the Bianchi Pista is that bad. I know that the spec may not be the best, and that can always be upgraded over time, but that frame looks really good to me and it builds up to a really light complete bike. But I am no expert, thats why I have come here!
Thanks agin and hopefully I can make up my mind quickly.
The Bianchi as a complete bike is very similar in quality/spec to a Fuji. Both retail for about the same price in the US. In Australia however, the you can buy the Fuji for ~$600-700. The Bianchi goes for ~$1100-1200. Why? Who knows. The bottom line is you’re paying alot more than you should. If you’ve ever seen a Bianchi, you’ll realise that the chrome isn’t fantastic either. It’s just a basic factory made frame from Taiwan. Not that that is bad … but you can do alot better with that sort of money.
New to the fixed wheel thing in fact still a virgin but been fascinated for years. did a bit of digging and was going to get a KHS Flite 100 but could not find a dealer in Brisbane. So the Fuji track became the second choice then found none available in a 54cm frame either too large or big. Upshot was the shop came down on price for the Fuji Track Pro $1100 ( http://www.fujibikes.com.au/bikes.asp?id=417 )
In the research heaps on new fixed bikes apparantly available; Cannondale Capo $1200rrp, Giant Bowery $695rrp, Kona Paddywagon $999rrp, Hillbrick Pista $900rrp, Avanti Pista $899rrp, Surly Steamroller $1095rrp, Fuji Track $599rrp, Fuji Track Pro $$1599rrp, Casseroll Salsa $1399rrp, Schwin Madison $799rrp, Specialized Langster London $1099rrp, etc
Buying used can get you a much better bike for less money but there are no guarantees that the bike will last.