|
MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - Singlespeed
|
|
bianchi or surly, steel or alum? (10 posts)
|  bianchi or surly, steel or alum? | crock
Sep 22, 2003 6:27 PM | | I hate my recently purchased road bike. Want to sell it and try SS instead, for fun and better conditioning for mtn. biking. Any consensus on the Bianchi SISS vs. DISS? Or Surly? Need to stay in the $800 range.
I rode a DISS today and liked it...can't see the harm in aluminum at this point, and I can get this one for $750 w/ Thomson post added. The 17.5 rode a little "long" for me, but it had a setback seatpost that will be exchanged. My normal ride is a 22.5" toptube Titus Locomoto.
If my steel options are the SISS or Surly, ie: not high end boutique, which way should I go? |
| I like the DISS alum | Ziggy Stardust
Sep 23, 2003 4:35 AM | | I ride an 02 DISS and really like it. The frame is relatively light (compared to steel) and its geometry is suited for single speed. Although I tried riding it rigid (rigid post and fork) and didn't care for it...a rockshox suspension seat post and a RS Duke shock really makes things MUCH nicer. The lower weight is nice because instead of spending alot of $$ on high end components to try and drop a pound or two, you start out with a frame that is already a pound or two lighter. Which allows you to use cheaper (heavier) components that still work well (like the Avid mechs) and your net weight is still comparable to a steel boutique frame with primo high $$ componentry.
But I do have a few gripes about the DISS (no bike is perfect). For one, I wish the wheelbase was a little shorter. Sometimes its a bit difficult to wheelie (over logs and stuff) the front end when you want because of the long wheelbase. On the other hand, this was done deliberately so that the bike was a more stable climber (which is important for a SS), so its always a tradeoff. And I also wish the bottom bracket was 1/2" - 1" higher than it is. My 32 tooth chain ring is the same height off the ground as my big Shimano chainring (44 tooth?) on my Zaskar GT geared bike. This makes getting over log piles not as easy as it should be with a SS. Everytime I approach a log crossing I have to worry about chainring scrapage and possible snags...this would be helped by a higher BB.
But overall, I like the frame and recommend it...plus it has a lifetime warranty, which is nice. |
| I like my DISS | Texas
Sep 23, 2003 7:07 AM | | I had an original BOSS which I finally cracked. It was warrentied with the DISS which rides smoother thant the first one. I too added a rochshox seatpost and a marzocchi fork with 2.4 tires. I am also pushing 40 so comfort has become more of an issue. It is still the best climbing mountain bike I have owned and I have owned several steel single speeds as well. For the money you can't beat it and disc brakes are definetely the way to go. I live in the Tahoe area so logs crossing are numerous. I found the geometry to be perfect for my area. It is considered standard NORBA west coast racing geometry. Bianchi aluminum frames only come with a 5 year warranty, not a lifetime warranty. The steel ones are lifetime. |
| If going rigid...steel. | Fritz
Sep 23, 2003 8:15 AM | | Also, I like the SISS geometry a little more. I ride the 15.5 frame which is low to the ground and easier to wrestle around, but also has a long top tube so you don't feel cramped. The 15.5 Surly 1x1 felt a bit short for me. Of course, your own body will determine what geometry is right for you. IMHO they're both good bikes. |
| Bianchi and steel | SWISS
Sep 23, 2003 8:35 AM | | For $800, you can't get a better entry-level SS than the SISS. I've been riding mine since early spring, first with a suspension fork, and then full rigid for the last 3 months. I'd stay away from aluminum, unless you're a weight weenie. I have a mid-level aluminum hardtail which I ride on occasion and it's so much less comfy than the SISS. I've never ridden a Surly, but I do hear it's a nice bike, albeit heavy. I'm not sure if you can buy a full Surly bike, so you'd have to build one up from scratch, which will cost you more than the SISS. |
| I love my SISS too....so I agree with SWISS | nydave
Sep 25, 2003 9:55 AM | | Don't think you could build a 1x1 as cheap neither with the same specs. Steel is the best way to go too imho. |
| Heavy??? | pp
Sep 23, 2003 10:01 AM | | The Surly rides beautifully and it is NOT HEAVY!
If i would have to pick only one of my bikes,it would be the 1x1. |
| Steel is real... | mtnpat
Sep 23, 2003 10:22 AM | | ...heavy.
Sorry 'bout that.
With that said, you can have my SISS when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
PS: 24 lbs 11.2oz for a 21.5 (large) stock SISS....gotta agree with SWISS...best deal out there - rides like a dream for me, haven't ridden my FSR in almost a year. |
| thanks | crock
Sep 23, 2003 12:57 PM | | thanks for all the input. I am leaning toward the SISS, checking local availability. Looks like I need the 15.5" to match top tube lengths with my other ride....the 16" Surly is considerably shorter (wheelbase)and would cost more. |
| SURLY! | TACSTS
Sep 23, 2003 1:28 PM | | I recently built a 1x1 for about $450 or so, (had a few odds and ends in the parts bin) and I LOVE IT! It's an XL (22in.) and it weighs ~24#. Therefore, Surly's aren't THAT heavy, you're looking at pretty much the same weight for any steel frame. And I highly suggest you go with steel, especially if you're also going rigid. |
| |
|
|
