I have a cayne uno that I got 4 years ago. It is ok, and i have been running it as ss (it came with a wheel I could flip flop), but it is heavy and kinda ugly. The quality is ok, but I am looking for something more aesthetically pleasing, higher quality, and lighter. I don't care about the the gearing. I would like to be able to run it ss also, but not necessary. I want to be able to put at least one brake on it. Anyone have one that you love? Any suggestions? The husband suggested the fuji feather, so that is a consideration.
There are hundreds of options out there. Trek makes a cool bike that is single speed and belt drive. I can't remember the name right now. The surly cross check frame is nice because you can fit big tires and fenders.
What about buying a frame and swapping your parts over?
The Fuji Feather isn't any better than the bike you have in my opinion. Its pretty much the same, just a run of the mill affordable singlespeed. Also, all the ones I've seen come with only a rear brake. That just seems stupid to me.
You seem to get around just fine on the one that you have. Think of it this way, heavier bike = better workout = healthier you.
Not to hijack stef's thread, but I'm interested in such things myself...looking for something fixed/SS that'll take fenders and fat tires (at least 32mm), that I can build into a nice club racer kind of thing.
Cross Check and Casseroll both appeal...what are some other decent options out there? I'm more likely to go with a frame and build it up than buy a complete bike...
[edited to add:] Stylistically, I'm looking at something like the A.N.T. light roadster:
.
I'd likely go with a different parts list, but this gives the idea...
The Casseroll is awesome. Much more "cafe racer" than the CrossCheck, since it uses standard calipers.
If you live with 28mm tires and p-clamps, the Steamroller will work, too, and take fenders.
I'm too lazy to look at their site right now, but I think Raleigh makes a One Way that is "classically styled."
Swobo Crosby. Light, versatile, maybe not so classic.
Frame and fork is $500.
Look for a good deal on something like this and build it up. Mmmmmmmm. Aesthetically pleaesing.
http://cgi.ebay.com/COLNAGO-SUPER-FRAMESET-COLOMBUS-TUBING-/320693126125?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aaaccc3ed
Take a look at the Specialized Langster. Aluminum Frame and Carbon Fork, decent out of the box components and enough used ones around to see them popping up on Craigslist. In 2008, I bought a green 2005 model off of ebay for $550 total.
Anyone have experience with the Linus brand?
A friend of mine rode his single speed Linus on the 5 boros ride. It was Pretty and Light. I've only seen them in a shop in Columbus, OH & know nothing about the reputation.
His had one hand brake. http://www.linusbike.com/
@stefb it is heavy and kinda ugly
That is true of so many things in life!
pseudacris - Was the shop in Columbus "Paradise Garage", by any chance? That place looks ridiculuously cool. Especially for Ohio.
I think so. It was closed, alas, so I could only window show. Columbus is a neat town.
I agree with Edmond, find an old italian or japanese roadster and whip your parts onto it.
My vote is for the Raleigh One Way
Linus bikes are pretty but probably not very light, since they're high-tensile, and they'd need a new rear wheel to be fixed.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm
Bikesdirect stuff is cheap and usually a good bike for the money, so long as you're OK doing final assembly and maintenance. They've come out with a couple classy ones lately:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_special_chrome.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_chrome_paint.htm
3-speed fixed, even:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_s3x.htm
The Raleighs definitely have classy down pat.
Thanks guys. I saw a pretty sweet SE lager at thick tonight. I liked the blue and black, which is last year's colors. Still looking though. An emergency vet trip has set me back on getting a bike as soon as I wanted.
why not build something up (from possibly an older 80's steel frame of desirable vintage/origin) and have a totally unique and "custom" to your specs?
between those on this site and Kraynick's you would have lots of help.
I just did a mid-80's Merckx fixie and am having a load of fun on it and getting complements from other riders.
Here are some thoughts on fixed/ss bikes that I own/owned/have ridden. T
KHS Flight 100:
Very light and stiff frame. More of a racing geometry than some other options, but I really liked this bike until I bent the frame in an accident. The toeverlap is pretty significant and the handling is responsive, bordering on twitchy, like you would expect from a track racing bike. You need to be extra vigilant riding this around the burgh because even relatively small bumps and potholes can be jaring.
IRO Mark V Pro:
Definitely heavier than the flight 100. Less toeverlap and a more relaxed geometry. This is what I'm riding right now and I'm pretty happy with it, but I really bought it because I got a great deal on a lightly used frame on ebay. The flight 100 is more fun imo if you want something sporty, but this is a nice reliable commuter and absorbs the shocks of less than perfect roads more favorably.
Surly Steamroller:
Very similar to the IRO Mark V, IMO. About the same weight and similar frame geometry. I've never owned one, but know a couple people who do and have ridden the bike a few times. Solid all-around choice for commuting.
Bianchi Pista
The classic. Sightly more expensive. Not quite as tight geometry as the flight 100 and likewise slightly less toeverlap. Much more of a track racing bike than the Mark V or Steamroller though. Thicker gauge steel than the flight 100 and its a touch heavier, but lighter than the Mark V or Steamroller. Thank god they stopped making the chome version of this frame; hideously flashy. You look like your riding around on a frame made out of hotel railings.
Origin 8 Uno
Another decent commuter along the lines of the Mark V or the steamroller. Even more relaxed geometry and even less toeverlap. Cheaper, but it not clear to me that this is really because its a lower quality bike as much as its just a less well known brand. I haven't ridden one long enough to say for sure.
I think there is a 53 cm Bianchi pista on CL Pittsburgh right now.
There is a "~52cm" teal Schwinn World Sport on CL right now for $40. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bik/2388587894.html
I've a larger WS and it's an appropriate frame, with as one poster put it: "...tire clearance on it was Surly Crazy. It's like owning a Surly without forking over $390 for the frameset. Both have 4130. (world sport is just main tubes)" (Note: post is from '06) http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/164056-Schwinn-World-Sport-with-modern-components
I will note the top tube is shorter then I prefer, but it has 43cm chainstay and a reasonable wheelbase.
It's no "prize", but the price is right, and it's a fine frame from which to begin a build. You might be able to defray your expenses in conversion by parting it out?
That Torelli is a nice looking bike...mmmm.
It has a well-executed aesthetic but the craftsmanship isn't anything special for the price.
stefb, find anything nice for a fixie yet? Saw this, mm;
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bik/2469194912.html
ooh, yeah.
Hey Bill, if you had come to ANY of the events in the last month or two you might have seen this sooner. (he shamelessly said to the MIA cyclist) 
Yeah. 
It's been a wacky busy summer. Though I do need to post up some pics of our trip to Ottawa - bikey stuff.
Vaguely related...a buddy of mine in DC is unloading his 58 cm Kogswell fixed/SS rig...see DC Craigslist for advert and link to pix.
Sorry for the spam-ish post, but I figured readers of this thread might be interested...
If it were a 56, I'd probably go for it. Ed takes good care of his toys.
Walmart sells a fixie for ~$350.00
@sloaps: I'm envisioning a mashup of thefixfixfix and People of Walmart.
I'm looking for a frame to create a new fixie. My last frame is pretty well rusted and old so I'm looking for something that would be able to use a more modern BB and not a one piece crank. If anyone sees anything or has something PM me. Thanks.
What size?
Cycle Force Tour de France Stage One by Walmart
@reddan - it doesn't come with sweetened tea, cheese curls, nor modeled by brooding women that track stand ironically.
the specifications say it's "imported" - I'm assuming France since it's named for Le Tour, right?
"made in ??" Looks French to me! :p
@Nick D Probably something around a 54cm. I'm 5'-8".
I like the question " where is the brake handle of this bike?"
At least there are two responses.
Also, for those of you who look at peopleofwalmart.com, you may also wonder "people who shop at Walmart engage in physical activity?" 
The good folks from Bentonville have us st*pid 'Mer-kens all figured out.
That "fixie" is sweet! And, c'mon, it's "vintage!" Vintage is cool, right? All the hip kids are doing vintage these days. Aren't they?
And besides, it tips the scales at a svelte 41 lbs. That's feather-like!
(Insert satire disclaimer here.)
That fixie is pretty funny. I hope to heck that 41 lbs is the box, packing and everything.
It led me to this, however, which in reality looks pretty cool: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hollandia-Opa-Citi-28-Cruiser-Bike/16539713?findingMethod=rr&ssm=0&sspt=1
It has to be a "Flying Pigeon" or something like one, and some people want 3 times that much for an iron Chinese utility bike. Almost tempted to get one.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I kinda want that Walmart Dutchy.
@Scott a well played silent auction at BikeFest, and it could be yours.
hm. Maybe I don't know enough about this stuff, but the following spec seem a bit odd:
-- Brakes: front caliper brake, rear coaster brake
If you have a coaster brake, why do you want a front brake? If you have a front brake, why not a back brake? Mixing the two seems confusing. Maybe this really is a Flying Pigeon (or some relative thereof).
That did seem odd to me, too, but i guess you skid if you just have a back brake when you stop quickly. A front brake will help control the stop I suppose.
My very first bike was a (used) one-speed coaster. I don't remember ever getting into trouble due to braking: if you needed to stop real fast you just stood up and jammed on the (back) pedal. Maybe you skidded but it was always controllable.
per trying out the bike with coaster brakes at Try-a-Bike, I would definitely want the front hand brake too. The coaster brake seemed like more of a suggestion to slow down as opposed to come to a quick stop.
Try stopping on a loaded down coaster brake cargo bike on a steep hill in the rain. Front brake is good.
