Giant Bowery: A fine entry level track/fixed gear
Picked up the vanilla '09 Bowery as an alternative to using my training/racing bike for errands and commuting.
The Bowery has a BMX-ish vibe to it with a compact frame geometry similar to the TCR series. The sloping, tapered top tube coupled with an integrated headset, straight fork and proprietary ALUXX aluminum frame might earn a few sneers from hipster fixie snobs but screw 'em: it hits a sweet spot where it's neither tank-like nor way too stiff, and climbs fairly well. The Cro-moly steel fork does an adequate job sucking up road buzz.
My only gripe with the regular Bowery, and this can be said with any entry level bike, even with it's price (approx $500) is that the majority of its stock parts aren't that great. Do yourself a favor and chuck the saddle immediately. It was replaced with a Brooks Swift saddle. The stock pedals are so-so Wellgo quills which I quickly switched out with MKS Sylvan track pedals. I also swapped the stock Kalloy seat post and stem with a Thomson Elite and X2, respectively. I need a 110 stem and the stock stem is 90mm. The oddly-curved 3lb custom drops do not have flats along the top so I replaced them with a Nitto B127 (I prefer anatomic drops) at half the weight and finished it off with Brooks leather bar tape over a layer of cork. While the stock FSA cranks aren't bad and 44/17 set up can get you to a nice speed I swapped them out for a Sugino Messenger 46t chainring to accommodate a 16T lockring. The stock brakes are ok. I think they're Tektros but I'm not 100% sure. Finally I removed the two sets of bottle cage bolts (personal preference) and replaced the 700 x 25cc Kendas with 700 x 23 Continental Gatorskins to give my fenders a little more breathing room.
After all of this upgrading one may wonder why I simply didn't go for Giant's higher end Bowery '74 or FMX-friendly Mashup (or even some a be vintage such and such steel lugged frame) but I enjoy the understated look of the simple black frame with orange highlights on the straight fork, seat, and chain stays. The chunky welds add to its charm, as well.
One final note: there's no eyelets on the chain stay for a rear rack, but there are on the fork. An odd design feature. If you're looking for a fender/mudguard SKS Race Blades are the only thing I've found to work due to the low clearance.
Pros : Responsive, Handles Well, Unique Geometry
Cons : Poor Components, Uncomfortable Seat, no eyelets for rear rack
Best Uses : Exercising, Casual Riding, Commuting
Describe Yourself : Avid Cyclist
Posts
