2010 Kona Paddy Wagon

Pity the non-track riding, fixed-gear buyer who ponies up his pennies without doing research, for he may come home with a bike with a crap wheel set, straight gauge tubes or no-name specs. Unless he buys a 2010 Kona Paddy Wagon.

(Go here — http://gearjunkie.com/single-speed-bike-trend-kona-paddy-wagon-column — for the Gear Junkie Review of this bike.)

With a double-butted cromoly frame, a WTB seat, Conti tires (in 28c no less — the perfect width for an entry-level fixed) and rounded out with some Kona parts (which are surprisingly good) it’s a solid bike and one of the best values in its category. And that’s to say nothing of its road geometry, which is fender friendly.

Like the upcoming releases from Bianchi and Pista, this bike has a retro look that’s easy to love. The $649 rig will be available early next year. And for the kids looking for a deep dish wheelset, they’re available on its better spec’d and more aggressively geo’d big brother, the $940 Band Wagon. www.konaworld.com

—Stephen Krcmar