Spandex_Spartan

I'm looking at upgrading my fixed gear, but before I go any further in this post I would like to clarify my relationship with cycling to justify what I say after this. I spent 3 years racing in the high ranks of the junior road peloton, even racing on the national level. I only recently made the move away from racing into just riding for fun, and bought a single speed for my rides around the city (I still ride my road bike often). Being that it is an entry level, it weighs 2x as much as my road bike and is 5x harder to get going fast on. I want a bike that lets me go as fast as I know I can, so I'm looking at a pretty big price jump.
The question is, how big is big enough? I chatted with a State bikes rep, and he suggested I go for their Black Label (one of their most expensive lines). It's always hard to tell if they mean that though... I linked three bikes below, each a step up in price. Which is the most justifiable for someone like me, who has been riding a pretty long time and has a lot of experience going fast? Thanks so much for the help guys!

Unknown Singularity: SINGULARITY ? Unknown Bike Co.

Tribe Mess.: MESS 002 / LA - Tribe Bicycle Co. ®

State Undefeated: Undefeated 2015 Bicycle : Undefeated 2015 Bicycle : Fixies & Fixed Gear Bikes | State Bicycle Co.

Any other suggestions are totally appreciated.

Leukybear 

Out of those 3 you have listed I'd go with the state undefeated.

In contrary to the entry levelness of the majority of the bikes they sell, the undefeated is actually an underrated frame with very favorable geometry in my opinion.

thedapperest

Are you planning on going to the Velodrome at all or just around the city? Will you be doing any long rides on it? Since I'm going to assume you're no stranger at dropping cash on bikes, if you were gonna get a State I'd say go with the Undefeated. I'd also recommend a Dolan Pre Cursa, especially if you're planning on building up. Since you've been into bikes for a while I'm sure you're aware that stock components on bikes aren't all that wonderful. Of what you listed the State certainly has the best stock components.

corrado33

$1000 seems like a hell of a lot of money for a single speed... even with a belt drive...

SquidPuppet

Something fishy here

applesoggy

Motorcycles go fast.

Spandex_Spartan

What would that be? Seriously, you're implying some malevolence or something and all I'm doing is asking for advice on a large purchase. There's always someone on these forums that has to go assuming everyone is trying to troll or deceive, when it may very well be that I'm simply a teenager who has no idea how much is fair to spend on a bike.

Spandex_Spartan

Thedapoerest: I don't currently have plans to race track, but I could easily see that changing if I got the urge to get competitive again. It would be nice to have that option. Would the State still require a large amount of upgrading to be a sufficient track bike?

applesoggy

Speed has nothing to do with $$. I have three fixed bikes, the cheapest I have about 400 bucks into and with a good Tailwind and a slight decline can go over 30. Gearing is 46/15 with 25mm tires. My Bianchi I have about 1500 bucks into it, and have hit 29 a few times, 48/16 gearing with 23mm tires. . Ride smooth as butter though, and when I ride 50 miles or more I average between 18 and 19 mph. Spin two win is what they say, I think.

Wspsux

The question was likely with reference to geometry. If you want to ride on the velodrome you'd be limited to track bikes. If you don't want to ride a velodrome that opens you up to some other great options such as the offerings from Wabi. Many people on here regard them as the best option for a road going ss/fg.


Are you anchored to the idea of an aluminum frame?

I BELIEVE the Black Label has track legal geometry.

Huffandstuff

You could race easily up to cat3 on a stock kilott, with that said, I'd go with the state bike out of your 3 options with the Dolan pre cursa being my real choice.

thedapperest

I don't believe so. It's marketed as a track bike so I'm pretty sure it's track ready. Can't say for certain, though

pwebb

you my friend sound like a Wabi candidate. get the lightning and you can get good re-sale value on it when you go back to gears in a few years.

hardboiled718

curious, what kind of single speed bike do you currently ride? If the frame is holding up and it's the right size it might not be a bad idea to just look at upgrading wheels and a smoother drive train. For someone with "a lot of experience going fast" you should also already know that gear ratio and the engine are the most important thing. dropping big bucks on a new bike won't magically make you go faster, just throwing that out there

SquidPuppet

Hello,

I've been playing seriously competitive baseball for many years. I've even played at the national level. I am interested in a new bat that will help me hit better. My problem is, I don't know much about bats. I don't know what brands are good. I don't know how much they cost. I'm not sure how much lighter of a bat I need to improve my hitting. Instead of asking all the coaches, highly experienced players, and professionals that I am surrounded by, I thought I would ask a bunch of random strangers on the internet.

So, what brand and weight bat should I buy, and how much should it cost?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry, but anyone who has participated in national level competitive sports has already developed STRONG preferences for the tools of their trade. not only do they know exactly what they want, they are particular about it.

TROLL

Spandex_Spartan

I said I raced road, not track or Redhook crits. I know very little about the world of single speed, which is much different than road. My road bike I ride now (2015 Fuji Altamira 2.5) cost me $2000, and is still considered entry level when it comes to road racing. I can't really apply the knowledge that went into selecting that bike to an aluminum single speed that costs half that much. The better analogy is like saying, I've competed in football at the national level but now I want to try rugby, got any tips? The sports are entirely different. The only reason I brought up that I used to race is to help justify that my engine could actually match the machine if I got a more expensive bike.
Lastly, here's a picture of me crossing the finish line at the Waterloo, Wisconsin 2014 road national championships. Can we close this as a matter of debate now? I didn't expect this forum to be such a haven for harassment, I was just hoping someone would give me an excuse to buy a cool looking bike that I can't afford.

Scrodzilla

Five minutes spent reading would have altered your expectations, noob.

SquidPuppet

Bandera

So you spent years road racing, but didn't do Criterium racing which is about all that is available to most in USAC competition, raced at National level but don't know what bicycles cost?

Did you ask your dad what he paid for your road bike? If not do so now.
A fixed gear is less complicated than a road racing bike, one of similar quality can cost 20-50% less.
Poorly designed sloppily manufactured junk can cost even less.

Look at your road racing bike, it will have the manufacturers name boldly displayed, many of us choose to ride fixed gear bikes from the same mfg as our road racing machines, or not.

Many of the elite junior riders that I knew were experienced track as well as road racers, ask one of your cohort for a recommendation of a suitable machine. It's good to maintain contact with teammates, coaches and competitors and to know how many $,$$$ were spent by your dad on your racing efforts.

-Bandera

gl98115

Redhook crits are fixie races and are not USAC.

Bandera

Thank you!
Did not know that, must be "exciting".

-Bandera

Kindaslow

Have you thought about aluminum? They sound kind of cool when you get a good hit!

And, I had no idea you were playing pro ball. Maybe one of your friends could help you choose a new bat?

SquidPuppet

Truth be told, my favorite "ball" game is ping pong. But there are a lot of rude players, so it makes me sad sometimes.

Kindaslow

Crybaby!!!

Or, is that politically incorrect???

Younger than you look person who cries easily....

himespau 

That seatpost clamp area is...interesting. OP, if that's your thing, go for it. I suppose it's aero.