Comments on: SE Racing Stout 29″er: First Ride Impressions

By: Kyle Graehl

Kyle Graehl — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:26:14 +0000

I picked up mine this afternoon from a beach cruiser shop for $250. Somebody had swapped out the seat, but other than that it seems to be totally new. So far I love it! I can still go up all the little jumps and hills and shortcuts on my normal route to school. I can’t go as fast on flats, but that’s ok, because I’m having so much fun jumping twice as high (my old bike must’ve been like 35-40lbs, this one feels so light at 25lbs). I can feel safe about jumping up curbs when I’m running full speed head into them. I definitely did not do that on my old bike! I was thinking about getting a rear derailer but I think I’ll stick with the single gear for now because it’s really a lot of fun! The grips are great and very grippy. The handlebars are very far apart, more than I’m used to, but I think it gives me a little more control so I think I won’t hacksaw them off, but rather just get used to it. I don’t like how the handlebars are so low. It makes holding the handlebars a bit uncomfortable when riding on roads. But that’s ok, because I rarely hold them anyway on easy parts (fun to practice balancing and turning with no hands). This bike is great! I love it!

By: Desert9r

Desert9r — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 06:13:00 +0000

My LBS just got the ’08s in, every time look at it I kick myself, especially because I changed on my XXIX woulda been 10x easier, and Hella cheaper.

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:51:41 +0000

I have posted on this one previously. I had a Reba and an Avid mechanical disc put on. This made this an even better ride, especially for long rides and racing. I have done one race with it, and it is like butter compared to before the upgrades. I have spent $400 on the bike, $350 on the Reba and $65 on the brake. I am still less out of pocket than with the Fisher Rig I was considering. Granted the wheels and cranks aren’t as snazzy, but they are not much heavier. I still plan on upgrading later on either way. You know, as stuff breaks. Have a great holiday everyone.

By: greygoose

greygoose — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:10:36 +0000

I’ve had a Stout for about 8 mos. It is really versitale for commuting and off road. Like any bike without a fork, the ride is a little rough but I doubt that if fork was alum instead of steel it would make a difference. Have ridden Redline monocog (all chromemoly) and ride is about the same. IMO what it comes down to is geometry. The frame really fits my body better than the Redline, Raleigh or KHS and was much lighter. I really like the gear ratio. Redline seemed to be so low you were spinning your wheels on the road. If you pedal hard you can make it up most hills w/ the Stout and can get further on flat land than alot of other SS. For the money (I paid $450) it was a great deal. Kudos to Captzen for his $330 steal. I showed post to my LBS and they couldn’t believe it.

By: Captzen

Captzen — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:42:53 +0000

I saw this review and immediately knew I had to check this bike out, after all, it is made by a BMX company that has been producing quality for years. Flashes of bmx in a primer grey 29er…I found it at a LBS and priced at $330.00 of which I thought was a mistake. The owner of the shop assured me not. There is no way to pass it up!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:30:06 +0000

Who knew that a sub 500 dollar bike would stir up more debate than a 500 dollar plus fork? Crazy stuff. I love this little bike. Bought it for my wife. Would have bought myself one but they’re out of 19’s until December. Merry Christmas to me. In any case, a friend of mine is building up a Salsa El Mariachi, and by Golly, that frame sure soaks up the bumps better than my Stout. So what? Again, 900 dollar FRAME going to be ridden every day. 450 dollar BIKE, going to be ridden on weekends. Let this bike occupy its niche. Besides, the inspiration for all the SE single-speeds is based on some old farts in the company grabbing beer at a tavern next to a campus and noticing how many old bikes there were out front…with no gears! This bike is what it claims to be. Its skinny little sisters have names like Lager, Draft and Premium Brew, get it? Worst case scenario, I have a nuke-proof commuter, as some have said. Brrrrilliant!

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:13:19 +0000

bergjm: Yes, that is a wireless computer on there that I’m using to track the overall mileage on the Stout. I have not ever mountain biked at night with a set up as you describe, so I can not comment on that one.

By: bergjm

bergjm — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:43:24 +0000

Guitar Ted - Is that a wireless computer sensor I see on the fork? If it is, have you tried riding at night with a HID light and the computer? The reason I ask is I tried one of the Cateye wireless computers and it would work until I turned on my Niterider HID light, then it would stop registering.

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:13:29 +0000

I am not replying to the mindless debate going on about the materials of the bike. I have owned an ‘07 Stout since this April, and i have been very happy. The shop I have bought all my mountain bikes form has recommended this one. It was actually hiding in the back of the showroom floor, and I have loved it since. It rides stiff because it is unsuspended and the tubing is massive and has multiple gussets. Most importantly, we are all pampered with suspension these days. I am not some Felix Unger because I have ordered a fork for this bike myself. I plan to race it, so I will change out the wheels. Yes it would have been cheaper to have bought a Fisher Rig or something, but I did not have that kind of money at the time. I pln to add a disc brake to the front. No rear disc mounts on the frame, but oh well. I recommend this bike to anyone looking for an inexpensive singlespeed…and has some bmx tools and knowledge (wheels). You can easily upgrade it as you go along. Bontrager wheels are light strong and inexpensive. If you have the $1200 or so to buy the Fisher Rig up front then do it…otherwise the Stout is where it is at…plus it looks really cool with a couple of Guinness stickers right in front of the stout sticker on the top tube. Love that brewery in Dublin.

By: Dirt McGirt

Dirt McGirt — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:00:12 +0000

Cry and pee yer dang pants, that’s whut you’d doo! Tell you what!