Commuting SS - Off the peg options?

DevUK

I'm looking at getting an SS, to see what all this hooplar is all about My plan (which changes on a daily basis) is to continue streamlining my MTB into my regular commute, ditch my trek 7.5 FX and get something new on the C2W scheme.

I was looking at getting a cannondale bad boy but I just can't help looking at some of the SS bikes that are out there. I really like the look of both the SE Lager and the Charge Plug. The SE Lager scores a little higher for me at the moment, but the Charge Plug I can get locally and test ride it before I buy (and my LBS said he'd do me a good deal).

There's one thing about the charge I can't find out, and that's the weight. I've read it's a bit of a lump, but can't compare it to the SE Lager which I know to be 21.5lbs (56cm frame).

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on these two bikes, or any other suggestions for similar priced (£400 - £500) similar style (retro with bull horns/flats - no drops) bikes?

SE Lager - http://www.sebikes.com/Singlespeed/Lager.aspx
Charge Plug - http://www.chargebikes.com/products/bik ... .php?id=11

el_presidente

Langster
Touche
Bowery
Pistas (Bianchi, Wilier, Condor )

DevUK

Ah sorry, I should have stated I'm not looking for a bike with drops Thanks for the suggestions though. I've edited my OP.

_Brun_

Just get drops and hacksaw the drops off. Perfect.

moonio

This one LOOKS nice, I have no idea about ss's though

wgwarburton

DevUK wrote:

Ah sorry, I should have stated I'm not looking for a bike with drops

Well, you should be. Stop being silly. :-)

Googling for the weight of a Plug suggests 22.5lbs or 9.8Kg (which is nearer 21.5).

You should probably start with the London FG/SS OTP lists:

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread9085.html

Pearson Hanzo looks nice to me- steel, double butted and available with courier bars as an option...

Cheers,
W.

biondino

Could you really ride a bike called a "Lager", though? I quite like the blue one you linked to, but it screams "fakenger" tbh.

Charge Plug rider = guaranteed SCR scalping, just bear that in mind.

Drops - you know you don't actually have to use the drop part (though it's very useful in a headwind)? Unless you like wide MTB-style handlebars I wouldn't say drops are a bad choice (unless you dislike the aesthetic, in which case fair enough).

DevUK

biondino wrote:

Could you really ride a bike called a "Lager", though? I quite like the blue one you linked to, but it screams "fakenger" tbh.

I was also looking at the Mongoose Maurice, but not so keen on the black/orange colour scheme... You're right though, they are all a little "fakenger".

Charge Plug rider = guaranteed SCR scalping, just bear that in mind.

Drops - you know you don't actually have to use the drop part (though it's very useful in a headwind)? Unless you like wide MTB-style handlebars I wouldn't say drops are a bad choice (unless you dislike the aesthetic, in which case fair enough).

I quite like the look/geometry of the Lager and the Plug. Most bikes with drops tend to have a more road orientated geometry. Nothing wrong with that but it's not really what I'm looking for. That being said, I like the idea of an SS/fixie being good for fitness and lord knows I need a bit of that... Maybe a langster or equiv would be better?

My daily commute will be increasing to 8 miles each way (from 2.5) in January and is a little hilly in places but not too bad (Leamington Spa - Coventry).

wgwarburton

DevUK wrote:

...My daily commute will be increasing to 8 miles each way (from 2.5) in January and is a little hilly in places but not too bad (Leamington Spa - Coventry).

IMHO, the first time you find yourself commuting into a stiff headwind you'll be wishing you'd gone with drops...

Cheers,
W.

equaliser

Intrigued to know what route you'd be doing; I'd be impressed to see anyone do the hill next to Stoneleigh after the bridge on an SS/fixed. (I do Cov - Warwick, btw)

patchy

some of the 2009 langster variants have flat bars - worth taking a look at them? They all tend to be fairly blingy though, so could be a teef magnet.

_Brun_

equaliser wrote:

Intrigued to know what route you'd be doing; I'd be impressed to see anyone do the hill next to Stoneleigh after the bridge on an SS/fixed. (I do Cov - Warwick, btw)

I don't know the area at all, but have just checked out bikehike and the bit that seems to concern you doesn't appear to go over about 6%. North London has more challenging hills than that. HTFU!

equaliser

(snaps to attention) I will do my best to harden the fuck up.

biondino

I used to do that commute! Albeit in a car, but I don't remember any absolute killer hills. Are you at the university? OLD ROOTES 4 EVA

Fixedweasel

Not too sure how up to date this listing is, but here it is anyway
Source: LondonFGSS

BELOW £500.OO

Archie Wilkinson Speedway £199 / £460 (NB: these are Speedway bikes, so there is toe-overlap; get a raked fork for normal use)
http://archie-wilkinson.co.uk/index....roducts_id=195
Boardman Comp SC £500
http://www.bikehut.com/ (in London, at the St.Pauls branch)
Byers Cycles Single Gear Road Bike £495
http://www.byercycles.co.uk/bikepric...8/18R1008.html
Charge Plug £499
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productD...roductID=14037
Charge Plug Freestyler £409.95 (2008 model nearly unchanged to 2009)
http://s233299868.e-shop.info/shop/arti ... -gift.html
Charge Plug Racer £469.95 (2008 model nearly unchanged to 2009)
http://s233299868.e-shop.info/shop/arti ... acer-(2008)-free-gift.html
Elmy Cycles Quick Fix £499
http://www.elmycycles.co.uk/Road_bikes.htm
Fuji Track £399.99
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...mpaign=froogle
Gary Fisher Triton £499.99
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gar ... e-ec017199
Genesis Day One £452.99
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products...=m18b0s18p2292
Giant Bowery 2009 £450
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productD...7275&catID=428
Giant Bowery MashUp £450
http://www.dalescycles.com/2009_Gian...tbowmashup.htm
Iron Horse Transit 0 Fixed 2009 £386.60 [incorrect photo on website] (Edwardes Cycles have one at less than £350)
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/115001.html
KiwiCycles Own-Brand £500
http://www.kiwicycles.com/bikesforsale.htm
Kona Africa Bike 2.0 £215
http://www.cyclesuk.com/1011/115-474025
Montana Trk al 1 £269.50
http://www.all-about-the-home.co.uk/...very-923-p.asp
Pearson Hanzo £449.99 (hi-tensile steel, instead of alloy)
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... SPEED_2009
Pinnacle Bachelor No.1 £349.99
http://www.pinnacle-bikes.co.uk/2009...contentId=1272
Revolution Track '09 £349.99 (Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op) (no smaller sizes listed)
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwP...c012372c012370
Schwinn Cutter £299
http://www.pedalscyclecentre.co.uk/p...=m1b0s336p1208
Schwinn Madison £499
http://www.pedalscyclecentre.co.uk/p...336p1207&rs=gb
SE Racing Bikes Lager £420 White, £450 Black
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/112594.html
SE Racing Bikes Draft Lite £288.72
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/115007.html
SE Racing Bikes Draft £264.26
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/112593.html
Specialized Langster £439.99
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...mpaign=froogle
Specialized Langster Monaco £440
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/1027523/Spe ... rce=google &utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid1027523
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/speci...tem128400.html
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productD...roductID=17867
Specialized Tri-Cross £489.35
http://www.noahsark.co.uk/specialized-t ... -2769.html
Swobo Sanchez £410
http://bricklanebikes.co.uk/article/...-swobo-sanchez

DevUK

equaliser wrote:

Intrigued to know what route you'd be doing; I'd be impressed to see anyone do the hill next to Stoneleigh after the bridge on an SS/fixed. (I do Cov - Warwick, btw)

Yeah, Stoneleigh hill is a killer for me! I'd be riding outskirts of Leamington to Warwick Uni (where I work) on the outskirts of Coventry. I currently live in Coventry.

I've never managed stoneleigh hill on a geared bike so it'd be interesting! I may go via Kenilworth, as the hilly parts aren't as bad!

So, drops are comming into the equation. One of my friends has just got a Kinesis Decade Convert 2 Fixed/SS. Looks really nice and he's liking it (except for a clunking noise the shop are looking into!)

http://www.kinesisdecade.co.uk/product.php?id=7

attica

_Brun_ wrote:

equaliser wrote:

Intrigued to know what route you'd be doing; I'd be impressed to see anyone do the hill next to Stoneleigh after the bridge on an SS/fixed. (I do Cov - Warwick, btw)

I don't know the area at all, but have just checked out bikehike and the bit that seems to concern you doesn't appear to go over about 6%. North London has more challenging hills than that. HTFU!

It might be 6% but if I remember correctly it's only very short, the rest of the route is practically flat, perfect for some SS action.

Oh and as to the original question, I have a Paddywagon, it's not the best bike I've ever bought by a long stretch and I'm gradually replacing most of the components, the saddle was practically an armchair and gave up the ghost very quickly, tyres were rubbish, BB too long and spider double sided to incorporate a daft chainguard, both of which are going soon. The frame, wheels and brakes are all good though. Get a Pearson would be my advice, one with drops!

DevUK

Attica wrote:

_Brun_ wrote:

equaliser wrote:

Intrigued to know what route you'd be doing; I'd be impressed to see anyone do the hill next to Stoneleigh after the bridge on an SS/fixed. (I do Cov - Warwick, btw)

I don't know the area at all, but have just checked out bikehike and the bit that seems to concern you doesn't appear to go over about 6%. North London has more challenging hills than that. HTFU!

It might be 6% but if I remember correctly it's only very short, the rest of the route is practically flat, perfect for some SS action.

I just found this about Stoneleigh Hill - Average gradient 1 in 10; length 300 yds. I think it's a sucky hill personally

Attica wrote:

Oh and as to the original question, I have a Paddywagon, it's not the best bike I've ever bought by a long stretch and I'm gradually replacing most of the components, the saddle was practically an armchair and gave up the ghost very quickly, tyres were rubbish, BB too long and spider double sided to incorporate a daft chainguard, both of which are going soon. The frame, wheels and brakes are all good though. Get a Pearson would be my advice, one with drops!

Thanks for that. I guess that strikes the paddywagon off of the list! The Plug Racer looks really retro. Might be an option

I'm still sort of limited by what my LBS can get hold of. He's just started doing Charge, and does mongoose etc. He's mostly into MTB's being a comp MTB rider himself.

attica

Is Broadribbs still there in Leam?
Opposite the now long gone Bedford, those were the days

avoidingmyphd

have you thought about an edinburgh bikes own brand revolution courier s1ngle?

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... =-1&f_bct=

crazy link, sorry

DevUK

Looks like a good cheap bike, but says it's only available in 20/22" ? Not sure on the size of bike I'd need (I'd really want to test ride something first) but I ride a 17" mtb and have short inside leg (28/29")

secretsam

Have you thought about a bike with gears? They're all the rage, you know, and great for hills, both up and down, and starting off and stuff.

DevUK

SecretSam wrote:

Have you thought about a bike with gears? They're all the rage, you know, and great for hills, both up and down, and starting off and stuff.

Yes, I have two as I pointed out in my original post, and I intend to keep at least one of them:

DevUK wrote:

I'm looking at getting an SS, to see what all this hooplar is all about My plan (which changes on a daily basis) is to continue streamlining my MTB into my regular commute...

Here's a link, in case you missed it: http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... 5#15663055

the_hundredth_idiot

biondino wrote:

I used to do that commute! Albeit in a car, but I don't remember any absolute killer hills. Are you at the university? OLD ROOTES 4 EVA

JM2 1st year, Leam 2nd year (and we used to take the route throught Stoneleigh in the morning - there was a bit of a hill, didn't seem too bad in a car), JM4 3rd year. And that was back when JM was new - probably looking a bit shabby by now.

b0n3

I brought a Charge Plug racer back in May as I couldn't be bothered with a self build, plus it can be cheaper. I was concerned about the weight but once you ride it you don't even notice, it fly's along.

Reasons for buying it

* Charge are designed in Britain (and local (to me anyway)). * Good solid steel bike which will last, non of this alu rubbish. * Geometry is similar to my old Reynolds frame * It has a flip-flop hub so I could get used to riding fixed gradually (its pretty hilly round here and my first experience of downhill on a fixed was interesting). * It looks cool (i don't care if im a fakenger etc, besides I live in the countryside).

The only thing I will say is there sizing is a bit odd, I would checkout the sizes on the Charge website first, or test ride one if you can.

My plug:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthmound/3562744394/

rolf_f

b0n3 wrote:

My plug:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthmound/3562744394/

There's got to be something a bit wrong in the function vs form department when a bikes brake grip area is the only part of the handlebars not covered by bar tape!

Still, at least those handlebars are much prettier than the hideous standard ones. They almost put me off the entire company!

b0n3

Rolf F wrote:

There's got to be something a bit wrong in the function vs form department when a bikes brake grip area is the only part of the handlebars not covered by bar tape!

Yes, i took those silly waffle grips straight off and put some bar tape on, I also moved the brake levers down as found i generally ride mostly in the drop position.

DevUK

The plug racer really does have some retro appeal! Looks sexy IMO. I think that if my LBS has one in I'll test ride it

Thanks for the info

il_principe

I'd steer clear of Charge - they're overpriced and heavy. Any LBS worth their salt will fit the bike you want with the bars you want. Although for an 8 mile commute I'd suggest that a road orientated bike with drops is exactly what you should be looking at. My bro is in the same boat as you ATM, this is the list I suggested to him:

Pearson Touche
Pearson Hanzo
Kinesis Decade
On One Pompino
Surly Steamroller
Specialized Langster
Genesis Flyer
Kona Paddy Wagon

il_principe

EDIT - Double post

il_principe

EDIT - Triple post, doh.