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Howdy! I just wanted to let you know how happy I have been with the
Jamie Roy. I completed the build ~ 2 weeks ago, and already have several hundred base miles on it. It is built as a road fixed
gear with a low-end carbon road fork, standard drop bars and a fixed 39x16. The build was quite painless, including chain
alignment, which is something I can't say about my other bike builds.
Anyway, I use the Jamie Roy for early morning training rides (20mi @4:30am),
and weekend group rides. With the carbon fork, it feels great, even on the longer group rides (55 mi is the longest to
date).
This past weekend, I almost stole 2 flat-land sprints from other seasoned
racers on a very large training ride, turning over 34 mph at ~180rpm. I must complement you on the stability of the bike
at that time. It felt much more controlled as I brought the speed back down after the sprint, which is something I had a serious
problem with on the ancient steel fixed gear I have used for the past 5 winters. I assume that is due to the stiffer
bottom bracket area on this bike. Sure, it does handle quicker than my Colnago road bike, but it is not quite as twitchy as
my custom Merckx track machine- I must tell you that it is perfect for what I needed.
Next season, I plan to change the fork and use it as a single speed cross
bike. Before that, however, I forsee several thousand enjoyable miles. As nice as it handles, I will be tempted to put a freewheel
14 & rear brakes on it and use it in the summer crit series down here (flat course). Thanks again for the fine frame!
John M. Wright
Wolf Pack Cycling,
Clearlake, TX
The Jamie Roy is smooth. Real smooth. With the aluminum fork & high pressure tires. I
can ride it to work without worrying about my dental work rattling out. Plus, fenders fit (SKS 35s). It rides like a road
bike, good handling for the street (not surprising, given its geometry.) What is surprising is how smooth it is. Once I switched
to my favorite saddle, I felt like I could ride it all day, plus some. I thought I might have to switch out the fork for a
steel one, or (god forbid) one made of plastic, but I forgot about all that once I rode it.
If your looking for a
reasonably priced street fixed/singlespeed, IRO's complete bikes are a great deal. [Priced about the same as the entry level
Bianchi Pista, but built for the street.] The package fits together just right. Any problems I've had, Tony has fixed right
away. My only advice: If you buy a complete bike, skip the basic & go for the deluxe. [The price of the deluxe is still
less than I spent converting that old Trek].
The frames are a good deal too. If you are looking for a fixed gear frame
with road geometry, that will take full fenders, I can heartily recommend the Jamie Roy.
My only "complaint": Too
many compliments. People like the bike. Random people (not just bike types) keep telling me they like it, stopping me on the
street & asking all about it. All fixies look good if you ask me, but the Jamie Roy looks real nice. Your friends *will*
want to ride it. You should have seen my boss after he took it for a spin around the office the other day (Big tall 6'8" guy
riding a little 53, pushing egg-beaters in dress shoes, taking 90 degree turns real slow, running over chairs...) He was grinning
and telling people "You should ride this bike! You can slow down with your feet, its great!"
--JP Lacy
WinstonSalem NC
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