Charge Pluge vs Surly Steamroller

Bottom bracket height, cranks length and feet size. determiners whether / how much you can touch the ground while seated.

Bottom bracket height determiners whether / how much you can touch the ground while seated.

should that then be a consideration in buying a bike? or would the inch or so clearance between ballsack and top tube be the best barometer correct sizing in terms of height?

I'm not an expert in sizing but I would say in general no, sizing is more to do with your comfort and efficiency when riding the bike rather than when your stood stopped. It is a highly debated subject so there is no one answer. These threads on sizing may be of some help http://www.londonfgss.com/thread6127.html http://www.londonfgss.com/thread4985.html

Hey thanks to everyone that's helped me out. I ended up getting the 49 steamroller from Brixton cycles. I've had it for a week now and its fucking brilliant. Just getting used to riding fixed, slowly getting better. My legs feel like they're about to fall off every night.

Cheers folks, looking forward to joining some rides once im up to par!

Nice work dude.

as a jump back to saddle height question.
it was part of the recommendations made by the cycling proficancy lessons given to kids in the 80's as an introduction to safe riding on the road. it was meant to stop kids falling off when they stopped. it became the norm and was banded about for long enough that it became one of those things you know even if it's wrong.

as a jump back to saddle height question.
it was part of the recommendations made by the cycling proficancy lessons given to kids in the 80's as an introduction to safe riding on the road. it was meant to stop kids falling off when they stopped. it became the norm and was banded about for long enough that it became one of those things you know even if it's wrong.

all this goes out the window if you're riding a track frame with high BB. i'm no-where touching the ground sitting on the saddle and am sized perfectly. rarely touch the ground as i track-stand at the lights.

racist

Hey everyone,

i'm new here, been lurking for a while now, trying to decide between a charge plug or surly steamroller for my first fixie. At first I really liked the plug but I think ive been put off by reading how heavy it is! is it much heavier that the steamroller then?

i'm 6'1, and thinking of getting a size 58. I will prob be getting it from brixton as its local and ive heard good things about them.

just go and ride them and buy which you like the best!

The steamroller is more expensive, but due to generally better parts (if bought otp). The plug is weighty, but frankly that doesn't really come into it. Hillbilly rides a plug and he's the fastest man on the forum.

just go and ride them and buy which you like the best!

+1
And ask the guys in Brixton for advice.

get a Fuji, while you decide what proper bike you wanna get.

its my plan.. saving up for a Vivalo.. i met the guy that makes them today, he will make me a new one for 70,000yen.. winner!

good newbie. way to use the search function.

As has been said, the charge bikes are sized big, so the best advice I received was to to try them both out.

I was OP of this thread and I ended up going for the steamroller, from Brixton (Great shop. Defo recommend them.) I havent looked back since, aside from when I leave people at the lights, then I let out a little snicker.

The only things I'd change on the steamroller is the saddle and the tires. Aside from that, It's the perfect first fixed.

Enjoy dude. Trying out the different bikes is part of the fun.

edit nevermind.

talking of cheap bikes, saw an advert on pearson for a giant bowery for £225, any one looking for a cheap first fixed or even a polo bike this seems outrageously good value for money!

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/3277/GIANT_BOWERY_SINGLE_SPEED_CLEARANCE_RRP_350_SAVE_125_NOW_22500

cheers, yeah I was considering the giant bowery from pearsons. well cheap, but I dont like the sloping top tube at all.

The only things I'd change on the steamroller is the saddle and the tires. Aside from that, It's the perfect first fixed.

Easily done...

I don't know about Charge Plugs, but I've got a Steamroller (loveloveloveit!) and I think it's a bit heavier than it could be. But it's still bloody fast, and such a smooth ride. (I've noticed this even more now I've got a Condor to compare it with.) (I may be mistaken but) I think it's more about how the bike rides than how much it weighs.

I would've thought the answer is obvious, if you can afford a Surly, go for the Surly really.

Charge Plug still feel very light if you came off from a MTB/cheap bike background, so weight is moot at that point, actually if it easy to go about town in a heavy bike (providing it's well designed), weight isn't much of an issue.

I'm 6'1, thus 57 is idea, (58 fine either way).

The steamroller is more expensive, but due to generally better parts (if bought otp). The plug is weighty, but frankly that doesn't really come into it. Hillbilly rides a plug and he's the fastest man on the forum.

You just made me blush.

I think ive made up my mind on a steamroller :)
by the way, do any of you steamroller riders comute down jamaica road in the mornings at about 8.45? cos I see some dude steamroll past at about 70 mph on one every morning.

and how do you know hillbilly is fastest? did you race then, if so over what disatance?

mikec and hillbilly are officially the fastest riders on the forum... They were at the LFGSS track day anyway... I wasn't riding that day tho'... ;)

Neither was I.. and fasteddie is faster than me. So was winston in the Brit Cyclesportive but I've since trained and he's since had a kid.

over what distance?

1 angstrom to 1 light year