Single speed/fixie. Help me choose for winter bike.

ct8282

Right, I love my TCR Advanced an awful lot. I will not ride it in bad weather, it is purely a fair weather bike and will remain as such. So, I need a winter trainer and after much consideration I have decided to go for a fixie/single speed. I am really getting into spin classes so the fixie approach will give me a spin type workout on the roads, and this appeals to me a lot.

So, I've been looking at my options. My budget is up to £1000 max, but I don't have to spend this much just because that's my budget so I will consider much cheaper options if they're worth considering. So far I have seen a few that I really like but the Quella One is in pole position.

http://quellabicycle.com/bicycles/quella-one-61.html

Anyhow, what do you guys think. It's early doors so I will consider all options if you think they're worth looking at. So, what do you guys think?

passout

Check out Merlin Cyles's new S/S.

bondurant

I don't recall ever coming across a bike with quite so many components that I have never heard of. Maybe it's my unfamiliarity with fixies.

The Real Radioactiveman

single speed in winter is no fun in howling gales when you can barely turn the cranks.

Buy an ugly ribble winterbike then you can do proper winter rides in wind and uphills ewtc. Then you can have spare cash for a new garmin or whatever suits you.

PS Dave do some work and get off bikeradar,even better get out up the lakes with mew

majormantra

FG/SS is good for blasting around town but not so great for structured training. You'll get a much better 'spin type workout' by pracitising high cadence on a geared bike.

ct8282

The Real Radioactiveman wrote:

single speed in winter is no fun in howling gales when you can barely turn the cranks.

Buy an ugly ribble winterbike then you can do proper winter rides in wind and uphills ewtc. Then you can have spare cash for a new garmin or whatever suits you.

PS Dave do some work and get off bikeradar,even better get out up the lakes with mew

Thanks. Which single speed bike do you use? Any thoughts on it to share?

ct8282

MajorMantra wrote:

FG/SS is good for blasting around town but not so great for structured training. You'll get a much better 'spin type workout' by pracitising high cadence on a geared bike.

Which ss/fg do you have and what are your thoughts on the bike please mate?

marcusjb

On One Pompino is a good value fixed wheel bike that makes a good winter bike (can take proper mudguards etc.)

Not the lightest, but very good value really.

I have been commuting on mine for best part of 3 years. Do the odd longer ride on it, and laps of Richmond park in winter.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPKOJ ... urban_bike

iPete

I used a FG last winter and came out stronger than ever. I find FG turns really nicely into headwinds, the way it carries momentum helps you cut through a nasty wind. Geared correctly its also helped my legs get used to working at 90RPM. Yes you can do that on a geared bike but I also love the way it rides, the simplicity, the maintenance and the fact that my 20mile commute, is always 20miles of riding.

Now for 1k & for a winter steed I'd look for something that has mudguard eyelets. There are not many.

Without a doubt my first choice would be a Condor Tempo in Orange:
http://www.condorcycles.com/2011-Range/ ... e.tpl.html

I'm sure you could spec up the rest with £400, especially second hand.

There is also the Pearson Once more...
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/pr ... Frame-580/

Then if you like the old standard of parts, 1" forks etc. have a look at the Tokyo Fixed Dream Machine..
http://www.kinokocycles.com/bicycles/to ... -2012.html

Unfortunately I can't afford a winter fixed at the moment and will be sticking with the setup in my sig #firstworldproblems

marcusjb

Yep, if the OP wanted to spend all of their £1K - condor tempo would be top of the list.

If I had more room, I would have one to match my orange fratello, and to make a nice audax fixed.

iPete

& looking at the Quella, if you want to spend a lot less, as marcus suggested, look at an On-One frameset.

ct8282

Cracking advise chaps, thanks. Will look at those options.

My theory is that the fixie will indeed boost my strength during the winter so I come back stronger and quicker in summer when I get my Giant out again.

edhornby

a good FG can be sorted for less than a grand - get the dolan precursa frameset for 200 quid (bargain! I have one and it's great), get cheap bars, stem saddle off interweb anywhere, a decent chainset, UN55 bb with 107mm axle, wheels whatever you can get your hands on, a front brake (velodromeshop do a set for not much) and jobs a good un

ct8282

Any thoughts on this.....

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Genesis-Flyer-2 ... 4AodGy8Ayw

Gets good reviews from Bikerader.

majormantra

ct8282 wrote:

MajorMantra wrote:

FG/SS is good for blasting around town but not so great for structured training. You'll get a much better 'spin type workout' by pracitising high cadence on a geared bike.

Which ss/fg do you have and what are your thoughts on the bike please mate?

Pompino. Mine's a proper hack with rust patches. I got it second hand a few years ago with some sketchy looking Lemond carbon road forks and it's been my town bike for most of that time.

I've liked riding fixed since I first tried it in 2008 although just lately I've been having some knee issues for which it is less than ideal.

passout

You can have my 52cm SE racing larger for 200 quid if you like. Takes full gurds & 28mm tyres, which not too many s/s bikes do. Am selling because my commute has changed. Only had a year - realtively little use, tyres aren't even worn in, nice bike.

For a winter trainer you will need guards - look at SE racing, On One, Merlin & Genesis. Never heard of the one you are looking at & I did some research on this a while back.

markos1963

I love my Boardman Comp SC. I don't know if you can still get one but it has been a great winter bike for me. Only £499 when I bought it( even less cos' I got it on C2W) 8kg out of the box and still going strong three winters on and with little maintanance other than new tyres and chains. It's able to take 28mm tyres and still have clearance for full proper mudguards. I ride it fixed when on my own but SS when out with the club. Certainly no problem riding in the wind with mine, did a 100km reliability ride with 4000ft of climbing last winter in a howling gale and was easily first home from my group who were all reduced to spinning aimlessly on their gears

passout

markos1963 wrote:

I love my Boardman Comp SC. I don't know if you can still get one but it has been a great winter bike for me. Only £499 when I bought it( even less cos' I got it on C2W) 8kg out of the box and still going strong three winters on and with little maintanance other than new tyres and chains. It's able to take 28mm tyres and still have clearance for full proper mudguards. I ride it fixed when on my own but SS when out with the club. Certainly no problem riding in the wind with mine, did a 100km reliability ride with 4000ft of climbing last winter in a howling gale and was easily first home from my group who were all reduced to spinning aimlessly on their gears

Nice but didn't they stop making it?

markos1963

passout wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

I love my Boardman Comp SC. I don't know if you can still get one but it has been a great winter bike for me. Only £499 when I bought it( even less cos' I got it on C2W) 8kg out of the box and still going strong three winters on and with little maintanance other than new tyres and chains. It's able to take 28mm tyres and still have clearance for full proper mudguards. I ride it fixed when on my own but SS when out with the club. Certainly no problem riding in the wind with mine, did a 100km reliability ride with 4000ft of climbing last winter in a howling gale and was easily first home from my group who were all reduced to spinning aimlessly on their gears

Nice but didn't they stop making it?

Unfortunately I think so. Might be a good s/h option for the OP though if he can find one. I won't be selling mine though!

jimmythecuckoo

I have this one... and very good it is too.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... road-bikes

ct8282

jimmythecuckoo wrote:

I have this one... and very good it is too.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... road-bikes

That looks very nice. Will add it to the list of potentials. Thank you.

animal72

I've got Dawes Mono for winter, picked up for £200 off eBay.

Steel frame, Mudguards and stable handling. What more do you need...

ct8282

Well my shortlist so far, in order of preference...

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... r-12-43390

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Lan ... _65810.htm

http://quellabicycle.com/bicycles/quella-one-62.html

I notice the Spesh Langsters get great reviews. Does anyone have one and care to share their thoughts?

markos1963

ct8282 wrote:

Well my shortlist so far, in order of preference...

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... r-12-43390

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Lan ... _65810.htm

http://quellabicycle.com/bicycles/quella-one-62.html

I notice the Spesh Langsters get great reviews. Does anyone have one and care to share their thoughts?

Langsters are great bikes but they have stupidly tight clearances so make it difficult(not impossible) to fit wide tyres and or mudguards. My riding buddy has one and we had a devil to fit Cruds even with 23mm tyres,

iPete

It's a go to with a solid brand backing it up. I've not ridden one mind but I'd go for the steel, I've an alu fixie and its a rough ride. Took a while for it to break my body in

Do prefer bull horns, as on the langster but its an easy swap on these bikes.

paul_mck

markos1963 wrote:

I love my Boardman Comp SC. I don't know if you can still get one but it has been a great winter bike for me. Only £499 when I bought it( even less cos' I got it on C2W) 8kg out of the box and still going strong three winters on and with little maintanance other than new tyres and chains. It's able to take 28mm tyres and still have clearance for full proper mudguards. I ride it fixed when on my own but SS when out with the club. Certainly no problem riding in the wind with mine, did a 100km reliability ride with 4000ft of climbing last winter in a howling gale and was easily first home from my group who were all reduced to spinning aimlessly on their gears

I have the same bike mate and LOVE it. Got it end of line for £250 which was a complete bargain. Changed the wheels (for aero ones), bars, saddle and brake calipers though for better items. Also put nukeproof pedals on it for extra grip in the wet as I dont want clipless pedals (just a pain in traffic/wind/snow etc). Run 25mm F and 28mm R tyres for a bit of comfort.

I use mine for commuting as it pushes me out of my comfort zone on the bike. Can manage a 10% climb on it with a 16T rear sprocket. Have crud racer mudguards on it and a tagalong mount for taking my son out lol.

About to give it some TLC and upgrade the headset and replace the bb etc.

PS - boardman sell this

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/track_comp.html (not in UK tho )

and this

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/track_TK20.html

Was out for a 20mile spin on it today, love it.

markos1963

paul_mck wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

I love my Boardman Comp SC. I don't know if you can still get one but it has been a great winter bike for me. Only £499 when I bought it( even less cos' I got it on C2W) 8kg out of the box and still going strong three winters on and with little maintanance other than new tyres and chains. It's able to take 28mm tyres and still have clearance for full proper mudguards. I ride it fixed when on my own but SS when out with the club. Certainly no problem riding in the wind with mine, did a 100km reliability ride with 4000ft of climbing last winter in a howling gale and was easily first home from my group who were all reduced to spinning aimlessly on their gears

I have the same bike mate and LOVE it. Got it end of line for £250 which was a complete bargain. Changed the wheels (for aero ones), bars, saddle and brake calipers though for better items. Also put nukeproof pedals on it for extra grip in the wet as I dont want clipless pedals (just a pain in traffic/wind/snow etc). Run 25mm F and 28mm R tyres for a bit of comfort.

I use mine for commuting as it pushes me out of my comfort zone on the bike. Can manage a 10% climb on it with a 16T rear sprocket. Have crud racer mudguards on it and a tagalong mount for taking my son out lol.

About to give it some TLC and upgrade the headset and replace the bb etc.

PS - boardman sell this

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/track_comp.html (not in UK tho )

and this

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/track_TK20.html

Was out for a 20mile spin on it today, love it.

I can't say I would want aero wheels for mine, the Formula Hubs with Open Sport rims suit my riding down to a tee. I agree about tyres I use 25mm front with a 28mm on the rear as well(Gatorskins).
£250 is a steal, glad you love it as much as I love mine.

paul_mck

I honestly couldnt part with it. Ive had about 3-4 "good bikes" in the time Ive had the SC.

gatorskins also, no punctures yet thank god as it will be a mission to take the wheel off (I have the little things to stop the rear axle sliding forward). The aero wheels were a whopping £88 and take all the abuse Ive given them.

Quick pic

markos1963

An old pic of mine, now with mudguards and big tyres

mroli

I've run my Boardman Comp SC 8 miles each way every day for about 2 1/2 - 3 years now. I've changed brake pads and gone fixed (having replaced the freewheel once), changed the chain wheel, changed the chain, changed the brake pads and tyres twice. I've fallen off twice (greasy manhole and ice) and I just needed to brush myself off - the bike was ready to go again. I leave it outside in the rain outside of train stations and when I'm too lazy to put it away at home - a squirt of WD40 and ready to roll again). Other than that it has been used (and abused) and has done me proud. I have a new SS frameset sat in the loft ready to build up when the Boardman dies, but it keeps going on.

Shame they don't make them any more - I think I got mine for £400 on the cycle to work scheme. It might be Al, but it has been the best commute bike I can imagine.

paul_mck

boardman sc appreciation society lol.

I was in halfords and noticed mine on sale, last one to clear. wasnt even in to buy a bike but at that price it was a no brainer.