single speed fixed gear road bike

[tigoat]

Looking for a single speed/fixed gear road bike and wondering if anyone has any suggestion. Ideally, I would like to have one custom built but that is still quite a way from becoming a reality so I am looking for something off the shelf for now. Does anyone have any experience with the Pinarello Catena? Are there others I should consider? My budget is open so I am looking for something with a decent build off the box. I am also open to getting just a frame/set to build it up myself. Thanks!

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/frame/2013-Pinarello-catena--11281.html

[AngryScientist]

i wouldnt buy that.

the problem is that the single speed/fixed gear craze, which is largely over now put a ton of junk on the market. lots of companies threw stuff out there to sell at a price point. this pinarello is put together with mostly "house brand" parts, bars, stem, cranks. likely all rebranded cheapo crap. i cant find anywhere what that bike is made of either. i know it has "pinarello" on the downtube, but trust me, it's probably a porky gas pipe made pig.

a great bike to look at, if the geometry works for you is the gunnar street dog, really solid bike made by a reputable company. put it together with modest, but brand name parts, and you'll have something way more serviceable over the long run than the above mentioned pina.

it's also worth mentioning that if you're looking for road geometry anyway, buying any steel road bike of your choice and using a WI ENO hub in the rear offers the best of most worlds. great road geometry and opens up the frame selection 100 fold.

[ahsere]

I second what he says. For the last few years I´ve always commuted on a single speed, and it´s been a lot fun to build them from the ground up with my choice components. First it was a Gunnar Roadie with a WI-Eno wheelset, but I liked the frame too much and I decided to put gears in it... then I bought some ubercheap Benotto frame off craigslist, built it with the same components, it was softer than the Gunnar, very comfortable for commuting, but it didn´t fit me as well, so I got a Schwinn Tempo for a song on CL and since it had horizontal dropouts I finally put to good use a vintage Phil wheelset that I got laying around. In the process I learned a lot about my preferences, didn´t spend too much money, and I was able to hand pick the components... and the wheels!

[veloduffer]

I concur with Angry. I've owned three fixies-- Specialized Langster, All City Nature Boy Cx and a converted Falcon steel from the 70s or 80s. I really liked the Falcon the best due to the true road geometry. It had long Campy dropouts and was really stable & comfy.

If you can find a cheap old steel frameset with horizontal dropouts, it's a cool project.

[Joel]

...if it is not something that you're racing, and you're just using it for training, there are a ton of used fixed gears out there for far less $$$.

I've put a gazillion training miles on a cheap P.O.S. Bianchi Pista. Comfortable road geometry, heavy stiffer than crud steel frame (chrome of course :)) and a mutt like collection of parts from the bin. It's kept my legs good enough to ride mountains in Vietnam and France while training in Florida.

No fretting over the equipment, it's my mindless go-to-training bike. Just replace the chain and cog once a year no matter what and the rest is easy.

[vav]

Wabi Cycles: http://www.wabicycles.com/classic_bike_spec_11.html

http://www.wabicycles.com/images/CLS-teal-side-2013-650crop.png

[pakora]

I only use it as a city bike (though when it was my only bike rode it for my road rides too), but my nothing-special gaspipe all-the-same bike (Steamroller) really makes me appreciate my "nice" 853 bike after I ride the one-speed a longer distance or after a long road ride.

[cp43]

My single speed / fixed bike is an IRO, I got it 5 or 6 years ago, and I've been very happy with it. I went the buy a frame a build it up route, but they have complete bikes too. They aren't flashy, or really recognizable, but it's a good basic bike.

http://www.irocycle.com/

Worth a look, IMHO.

Chris

[XJBaylor]

If you are looking for a somewhat temporary bike with horizontal dropouts CL is your friend. Save the money you would spend on a new bike and realize the dream of a custom bike sooner.

[znfdl]

I have had my Spectrum fixed gear single speed road bike since 1987. Invest in a good one and you will keep it.

[jvp]

I've had a fixed gear bike in my small fleet since ~2000. It is my go-to commute bike, so it gets ridden more often than my road bikes. I like mine to be somewhat unique/nice but not flashy or high end. My favorite was my '76 fuji feather track bike, I had many commutes on it until I crashed it last Feb. (on my commute home). A local (Raleigh NC) framebuilder salvaged the shimano rear dropouts from it and built me a frame based on the fuji's dimensions, I had it painted molteni orange, haha. Both were fun to outfit and work on.
http://cdn.velospace.org/files/fuji_track2.jpg

http://cdn.velospace.org/files/MBrooks1.jpg

[roydyates]

I concur with Angry. I've owned three fixies-- Specialized Langster, All City Nature Boy Cx and a converted Falcon steel from the 70s or 80s. I really liked the Falcon the best due to the true road geometry. It had long Campy dropouts and was really stable & comfy.

If you can find a cheap old steel frameset with horizontal dropouts, it's a cool project.
Apologies for going OT, but it occurred to me the other day that you seemed to be missing here lately. I thought maybe you gave up the velo and went back to being 100% duffer. It's nice to see you back.

BTW I agree that an old converted road bike makes a very nice fixie.

[sparky33]

How about a why spend less Cielo Sportif Classic? OK, maybe 4x the cost of what you need to spend but it looks really nice.

[sparky33]

Had a Gunnar Street Dog once...awesome but for the wimpy paint.

The Milwaukee Orange One is a more budget-minded budget offering, also from Waterford.

[johnniecakes]

I have a lynskey fixed gear built with Alpha Q GS 10 fork , CK, Phil hubs w/Open Pro rims. Can't imagine it can get much better. Truly wonderful bike. Now the IRO frame hangs along side a Milwaukee Orange One (painted red) waiting for me to decide what to do with them.

[john903]

If this is your first fixed/single speed gear then as others have mentioned find an old road frame with horizontal drop outs and put together a parts bin bike for know; see if you even like only having one gear, experiment with postion and fit and just ride it and have fun. Then if you decide you want a dedicated fixed gear/single speed I would suggest custom to fit you and your riding style. After two fixed gear bikes I went the custom route with Curtlo here in Washington for $1100.00 OX Plat frame and fork. I call it my convertable it is fixed gear/single speed with derailur hanger for 1x9 set up with cantilever brakes and fenders. It is my do it all bike. Anyway others great sources people have mentioned are Gunnar, Surly, Millwauke orange one.
Have a great day.

[sparky33]

centerpulls and lots of nice details - this might be my pick. Good guys, those Steelwool dudes.

http://www.talltreecycles.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/RoverFrame2.jpg
http://www.talltreecycles.ca/frames/rover

Sorry, this single speeding is distracting me today.

[spiderman]

I have had my Spectrum fixed gear single speed road bike since 1987. Invest in a good one and you will keep it.

I've had a few ... CIII, don walker, serotta big dig, lemond filmore
And the llewellyn...the only bike I really need and will keep long term is llew...
Although I miss the dw...it went to a good home

[regularguy412]

It appears that Soma Fabrications is no longer making the Delancey model. However if you can find a used one in your size, you'll probably like it. I got mine new from Soma during the fixie craze. I liked it particularly because it is lugged steel Tange double butted tubing and the geometry was very similar to my CSI. It still feels a little weird to ride it, due to the short BB drop compared to the CSI. But is is a nice departure and it's very stable (read: not twitchy and very predictable).

Soma's Rush model may be a bit too track-like in geometry and fit ... so , beware if you think about trying that one. It appears that you'll need a very flexible back and hamstrings.

Mike in AR:beer:

[RFC]

OMG, this is my thread. I love SS riding and do at least one third of my yearly mileage single speed (2000 to 3000 SS) . Really, virtually any frame will work. Rear dropouts and horizontal dropouts are easiest. Vertical dropouts will work, if you need, with a BMX half link. Really, no complex mechanics required. These are just bikes.

Here are some of the single speed bikes I have built up and experimented with over the last 6 years. Some are now gone. Some converted back to gears. Two are on probably permanent loan to friends who have become SS enthusiasts. But the two Schwinn Madisons, the Surly Cross, and the Haro Extreme remain SS.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/LotusElan003a.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/LotusElan003a.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/SchwinnMadison5.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/SchwinnMadison5.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0002r-1.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0002r-1.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0012a-1.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0012a-1.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/Trek6602r.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/Trek6602r.jpg.html)


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0007r-3.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0007r-3.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_00082r.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_00082r.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0098r-2.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0098r-2.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_00822r.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_00822r.jpg.html)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0432r_zpsed6b734a.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0432r_zpsed6b734a.jpg.html)

[tigoat]

Awesome! Appreciate all the replies, suggestions and pictures. As mentioned (not clearly), I already have a full custom single speed stainless road frame in the queue that will have all of my desired features so I am looking something interim without putting too much effort into it. Obviously, the Pinarello Catena has no love here which I see why, as single speed bike options are almost endless. I might just get a frame and build it up even as an interim bike. I might also look into getting a single speed 29er since I already have a SS road bike in the plan. Does anyone know if those “road” Sugino cranks work with a 29er? Chain stay clearance will be an issue using a road cranks on a MTB but will it work if a longer square taper BB is used? Thanks!

[sparky33]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/Trek6602r.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/Trek6602r.jpg.html)

Old Trek is where it is at. They did it right back then.

[bluesea]

What I really want are track ends, and fork rack mounts. That and room for 35mm tires and fenders.

[sparky33]

What I really want are track ends, and fork rack mounts. That and room for 35mm tires and fenders.

maybe a Traitor Crusade....

[Louis]

Old Trek is where it is at. They did it right back then.

Not always.

I didn't know it at the time, but my Trek 400 was a wet noodle. When it finally died and I rode something else I immediately realized how bad the Trek was.

[oldpotatoe]

Looking for a single speed/fixed gear road bike and wondering if anyone has any suggestion. Ideally, I would like to have one custom built but that is still quite a way from becoming a reality so I am looking for something off the shelf for now. Does anyone have any experience with the Pinarello Catena? Are there others I should consider? My budget is open so I am looking for something with a decent build off the box. I am also open to getting just a frame/set to build it up myself. Thanks!

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/frame/2013-Pinarello-catena--11281.html

Don't know where you are but I'd rec. getting something that can be converted to a geared bike. Had Moots make me a Vamoots fixie..rear facing, horizontal dropouts, no rear brake hole(front brake only), no der hanger..a fixie. Rode it for a while and recognized I was very limited as to where I could ride. So....back to Moots for a der hanger, lower rear brake bridge, hole it, RD cable stop, down tube shifter bosses. NOW, I have a Phil hubset, $20 RD, friction shifters. Still pretty simple but I can ride it more places, still in crappy weather.

[witcombusa]

Don't know where you are but I'd rec. getting something that can be converted to a geared bike. Had Moots make me a Vamoots fixie..rear facing, horizontal dropouts, no rear brake hole(front brake only), no der hanger..a fixie. Rode it for a while and recognized I was very limited as to where I could ride. So....back to Moots for a der hanger, lower rear brake bridge, hole it, RD cable stop, down tube shifter bosses. NOW, I have a Phil hubset, $20 RD, friction shifters. Still pretty simple but I can ride it more places, still in crappy weather.

So long as you NEVER head west you should be OK ;)

Were you using something between 65 and 70 inches on the drivetrain?

[witcombusa]

Looking for a single speed/fixed gear road bike and wondering if anyone has any suggestion. Ideally, I would like to have one custom built but that is still quite a way from becoming a reality so I am looking for something off the shelf for now. Does anyone have any experience with the Pinarello Catena? Are there others I should consider? My budget is open so I am looking for something with a decent build off the box. I am also open to getting just a frame/set to build it up myself. Thanks!

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/frame/2013-Pinarello-catena--11281.html

Do you want to ride a single speed or are you looking for the fixie experience?
These are two completly different animals! Personally I don't get the SS appeal. Fixed gear riding is a long standing cycling icon, but it's not for everyone.

There are a lot of used bargins out there so I'd look there first. Then if you like the platform you can go custom.

here's my '87 Alpine Path Racer

[oldpotatoe]

So long as you NEVER head west you should be OK ;)

Were you using something between 65 and 70 inches on the drivetrain?

42-16, whatever that is..fixie.

[jmoore]

http://www.statebicycle.com/ is a good option for inexpensive. My friend has a shop literally next door to them and has two of them. He likes them a bunch. They are a little hipster in their branding but certainly worth checking. You can spec out a nice bike from them.