Pushbike advice-Fixies?
Morning folks
Any of you pedallers out there used either of the following Fixies:
Specialized Langster or Giant Bowery???
Thinking of investing in one of either (or a low-ish price otp Singlespeed).
Any advice/reviews/opinions; good, bad or otherwise would be much appreciated.
Taa
Have a look at www.londonfgss.com loads of info there.Originally Posted by Eric Cantona
Moderator david and Brett the adminisator on here, are both fixie fans and will no doubt be able to help you too
Poacher turned game-keeper
Eric,
I used the Langster for a winter. Cheap entry level fixie that did the job but equipment was very low spec and probably took the shine off my fixed experience somewhat. There is a link to a very blinged up fixed on another recent thread and at a very good price. Chain tension adjustment was a ball ache and I would certainly get some adjusters as opposed to loosening the bolts whilst pulling the back wheel and re-tightening. The tension is very important - too loose and the chain may come off and jam and this is not goo when going at speed downhill (I know).
On-One Pompino or Surly Steamroller would be my suggestions.
And then sold it to Brett if I remember correctly.
There is always going to be a compromise somewhere with bikes at that price, even ones without gears. The only really adverse comments I have heard about the Langster concern the wheels which were definitely iffy on the early ones (2006-2007 models) but they may have improved them by now. I don't know much about the Bowery.
Ady is right about chain tension. The chain needs to be tight enough so it can't jump off the sprockets but not so tight that it's binding. I use chain tugs on my On-One Pompino and they make fine tuning the chain tension very easy.
Quick comment on the Pompino - it's a bit heavier than a Langster and I would think (having not ridden a Langster) that the ride is a bit more sedate but I like it a lot and it rolls along really nicely. I've heard some comments that the original cantilever brakes aren't much good but if you set them up properly and aren't too heavy (I'm a little over 10 stone) they are ok although I'm tempted to replace them with some Tektro CR520s. The Pompino is a very versatile bike as it has enough clearance to take tyres up to 32mm (possibly even 35mm), is strong enough for offroading/cyclocross and has eyelets for mudguards and carriers for touring.
Also take a look at:-
http://www.chargebikes.com/products/...t.php?type=700
Have a look at the Plug Racer.
I fitted Tektro CR520's to my 'cross bike....absolutely brilliant! Bought them from www.zepnat.com along with an upgrade to dual compound Koolstop Mudclaws blocks.....nice firm to deal with.
Last edited by wheezing donkey; 09-03-2009 at 02:50 PM.
Another Pompino here, and nicely happy with it. As David says, nimble enough on road, bulletproof off. The new Bowerys and Langsters have both gone a bit hipstery for me, call me an old fart.
I'd possibly look at a Genesis Flyer or Pearson Touche/Hanzo if I was looking again, although I know the price is creeping up. Or a Spesh Singlecross for something more ruffty-tuffty. Or another Pompino
I don't know about the Plug Racer but I've looked at a couple of Charge bikes and they were very heavy.
There are two Pompinos on eBay at the moment.
Understandable, it's all plain gauge CroMo. There again, On-One's Il Pompino & Surly's Steamroller are both CroMo with only the 3 main triangle tubes butted.
Re: Pushbike advice-Fixies?
Cheers for all the advice.
Will get my investigating cap on!
Top advice about chain tensioning.
If there are any 2nd-handers floating about out there for sale (large frame), could be interested....
Pompino sounds a possibility, interesting name!!!
(Wonder if sales in Italy were affected in same way as Pajero was in Latin America!!!)
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