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Final Review: SE Lager
March 26th, 2008 by Tim Grahl 
After several months of riding the SE Lager for my daily commute, I’ll now give my final wrapup of my thoughts and impressions of it’s performance as a commuter bike. If you haven’t already, check out my first two posts I did as part of this review (Part one and part two). Also be sure to read the comments on those posts as several readers left their impressions of the SE Lager as well.
Comfort and simplicity are the greatest features of the Lager. The steel frame sucks up vibrations and seems to flow the road better than an aluminum equivalent. The geometry of the bike is spot on and I’ve never felt the least bit of discomfort or lower back pain (that tends to plague me) while riding.
The Lager is built from the ground up to be a simple and reliable bike. The steel frame, 1-speed (free or fixed flip-flop hub) drivetrain and overall streamlined features makes it a great choice for someone looking for a no-nonsense bike. I’ve riden this bike for over four months and have not done a single bit of maintenance other than changing the occasional flat.
I do have a few issues with the Lager that I would like to see changed on future models.
The bolt on skewers need to be swapped for quick release. A wrench is not a tool I should be forced to carry on every ride, however if I get a flat halfway home my multi-tool won’t get me very far.
I’d also like to see two sets of brake levers. The current set hangs off the end of the bullhorn handlebars, but I’d like to see a second set added to the middle. It would offer more options for hand position and not force the rider to constantly stretch out over the bars.
The last nit I’ll pick is the bottom bracket. It’s doesn’t conform to the normal standard. Here’s an excerpt from a comment Ed left on a previous post:
My biggest problem was upgrading the crank. The bottom bracket is old school bmx size, so i had to get my hands on a conversion kit which proved to be quite difficult as most people had no idea they even existed.
Even with these few issues, it’s hard to say to much bad about this bike. At a retail price of $540 (and available most places for much less) you get a great bike that is basically maintenance free. If you’re looking to get the most bike for the least amount of money, I would look hard at the SE Lager as the answer to your problems.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I was under the (possibly incorrect) assumption that quick release skewers can be dangerous for fixed gear, as they don’t apply as much pressure on the drop-outs. I’d imagine this only relates to stopping ability on a fixed gear.
I can’t say I’ve ever seen a flip-flop or single speed wheel ever designed for QR, though.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:59 am
IM with Noah ALL my fixie friendsswear by the bolt-on hubs
Felt (www.feltbicycles.com) has or shortly will have a wrench made for fixies, for sale that bolts to a water bottle mount.
The BMX BB- Do you expect something else from SE? But I do see your point.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Bolt on is not on the standard for a fixed gear, but is a great idea for a theft-deterrent commuter bike. I replace my QR with either OnGuard or PitLock skewers. QR on a bike that may be locked up outside are just irresponsible.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I agree with justin, and don’t recommend a bolt on for the rear skewer if your frame has horizontal dropouts. Horizontal dropouts require very high clamping force, otherwise the wheel will slip forward in the right dropout. From what I can tell bolt locks are designed for vertical dropouts, which do not require high clamping force.
There sort of like the old style aluminum QR skewers, which can’t be used with older bikes having horizontal dropouts.
But, bolt on skewers for the front wheel is fine.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Tim, the Lager has a normal cartridge bottom bracket and 3 piece cranks; the bike design came from SE’s parent company, Fuji. Ed and others are complaining about the BMX bottom bracket on the much cheaper SE Draft bike, which has cheap Ashtabula cranks.
As others mentioned, you don’t want QR on a bike with horizontal dropouts, and if you need to carry a wrench for the rear wheel you might as well use track nuts on the front wheel for the extra security.
Surly already makes a 15mm wrench specifically for the fixed market. That’s $25. Or you can run down to Sears or K-Mart and buy a 4.5″ long 15mm wrench for a third that price, which is what I carry. Here’s another stubby 15mm.
March 26th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I carry a wrench and it weighs less than most multi-tools.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Fritz hit everything on the nail. Bull horns (the type of handlebar on the SE) are going out of style with the fixie crowd. Now its track drop bars or flat bars cut short. I have used bull horns but not nearly as long as those. The ones I used were designed to go with aero bars and are made by profile (among other brands.)
March 27th, 2008 at 9:15 am
if you don’t want to carry a big wrench with you on your commute. Or a socket and ratchet wrench as I have been known to carry. You could carry one of these.
http://www.surlybikes.com/stuff/pop_jethro.html
If that link does not work, try this.
http://www.surlybikes.com/stuff/pop_jethro.html
I am sure that most people who frequent this board have heard of the jethro tule. I do not own one myself, but I have held one in my hand while hanging out at my LBS and it seems to be pretty light. It is expensive though IMHO. I think they sell for like 40.00 or something. Pretty expensive when you consider you could probably pick up a cheap wrench at your local hardware store for less then 10.00.
Peace out
March 27th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I don’t see where the QR is a problem on a fixie if you use the brakes like you’re supposed to…
March 27th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Marrock, I don’t think I’ve heard of wheels shifting while braking. The chain itself will ensure the wheel doesn’t get pulled backwards. It’s applying pressure while pedaling that can yank the wheel forward. I’ve had it happen to me on the road (the wheel popped completely out, yeah it was pretty exciting), and it happens on the track on occasion.
Sheldron Brown (RIP) believed that QR should be sufficient to hold a fixed wheel in place.
CJ, thanks for that tip!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Perhaps having a design with an Allen head bolt for a wheel retention system would allay Tim’s problems with the wrench. Paul Components does this sort of thing on their single speed hubs ( http://www.paulcomp.com/frmhubs.html ) It uses a six millimeter allen wrench to tighten the bolt. A common size on most micro tool kits.
Anyway, I just carry a Park version of a “peanutbutter wrench” and that works fantastic. I just have to remember it is all!
April 11th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Did you like where the brakes are located on the handlebars? I’m looking to buy this specific bike and I think if the brakes were on the horizontal, it would be more comfortable. If anyone agrees, what type of brakes would you recommend because I know you’d have to switch them out entirely.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I just had a set of interrupter brake levers installed horizontally while keeping the original ones.
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I’ve had my SE Lager for 8 months, and I love love love it! I did swap out the stock tires for something with a bit more flat resistance, but other than that, the bike is wonderful, and I hardly ride my expensive carbon road bike after I got my SE Lager.
I love the bullhorns, they feel great. I would appreciate having an additional set of brake levers mounted mounted on the bars though.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
No offense to the late SR, but I don’t know that I agree about using a QR skewer on a fixed-gear wheel… there’s no reason that the QR should hold the wheel better than a properly tightened bolt…
As for “using the brakes like you’re supposed to”… why bother riding a fixed-gear if you’re going to rely on the rear brake?
Anyway, glad to hear people enjoy their bikes…
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
whoops, clearly that should’ve read “late SB”
April 29th, 2008 at 11:29 am
The other problem with QR skewer if your commuting or ever leaving the bike locked up outside is the ease at which someone can steal your wheel(s).
April 29th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Just wanted to say thanks for the review Tim. I saw the first two installments and based my decision partly upon your comments. Took a test ride too of course, but ultimately agreed that, for the money, it’s a great bike. Been using it as a commuter for a couple months now, but really fell in love on a longer ride outside the city…the simplicity, the geometry, the gearing, the bullhorns (they’ve really grown on me!), it’s all good. I was afraid I’d miss my clunky old road bike, but I couldn’t be happier. Regarding the brakes, I like them where they are, but I can see how either way would work.
Full disclosure: I did replace the tires right away- slapped my armadillos on there and sold the kendas with my old bike!
May 9th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Here’s the solution to bolt-on hubs, that fits in a seat bag…
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947923000P?vName=Tools
GearWrench 15mm Full Polish Stubby Ratcheting Combination Wrench
May 9th, 2008 at 10:53 am
For a small, seat-bag-sized solution to the bolt on hubs…
Google: GearWrench 15mm Stubby Ratcheting Combination Wrench
May 11th, 2008 at 9:56 am
I applaud SE for making a quality chro-mo frame with the large bottom bracket. Ashtabula cranks have a certain indestructible charm. Kinda like cockroaches and flat fender Jeeps with “Go Devil” motors; the survivability factor is huge. An adjustable wrench and a big flat blade makes repacking and replacement a snap. Judging by the number of creaking 3-piece cranksets I hear as I ride around town, if we ever get to a post-industrial, peak-oil, Mad Max type of world, Astabula’s blacksmith technology will rule.
In the meantime, another positive feature is the stealth factor. A quality frame that thieves will think is a gas-pipe special - nice. Sure it costs you a pound or two, but who among us does not a have pound or two to jettison? Is it any heavier than the anchor chain needed to protect a “nice” bike?
This frame appears to be too tight for my purposes. Are 35 mm tires and fenders a possibility? Kickstand?
If I ever pull the trigger on that custom frame I think I deserve, it will have a 2.02″ BB. Anyway kudos to SE, this bike looks fun.
May 26th, 2008 at 9:00 am
hi, nice review.
check out my lager.
chrome polish color is available in japan.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27002969@N03/2523669333/sizes/l/
May 26th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
May 26th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
sorry for the miss post
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27002969@N03/2523669333/sizes/l/
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Got Mine today!!, as much as I know about it, I never saw one come with a chain gaurd, strangest thing is that with the stock gearing it doesn’t fit! just like every other one I’ve ridden, Love the ride!
June 26th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
What spacing is the rear hub? I found a line on a cheap SS set but they’re offered in three sizes.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I like your review, but there are a few things I’d add:
I’ve been riding this bike for 6-months, as a commuter, with an average distance of 15-20 miles a day.
I’ve made quite a few changes, some as personal preference, and a few do to what I feel is necessity..
First the plastic clips on the pedals suck, and should be switched to something more ridged.. I went with Shamano clip-less myself with a Sidi shoe.
Second you should absolutely make sure you set the pursuit bars at a comfortable angle so your wrist sit straight with your hands, initially they are set almost parallel to the ground.. which looks better than it feels. Eventually I actually switched out for a narrower set of pursuit bars, and given the fact I have a pretty broad set of shoulders, the stock bars that come with the Lager are way too wide and forced my shoulders to support my weight at an angle greater than 90-degrees.. which is bad for any length of time. However for hill-climbing I absolutely recommend pursuit bars.
Third and most important, the rims suck ass. If you want to ride single speed the weave of the rear spokes are set with rear spoke running under front spoke.. which simply means that my heavy 230lbs frame was breaking a spoke every week-and-a-half. Additionally the Alex rims wouldn’t hold the Armadillo tires, and instead would cause them to peel off as they heated up.. catastrophic blow-outs suck, especially 4-times in a row at speed. So instead I use Continentals now, and they suit me fine. I had Cycle Analyst in Denver build me a custom wheel.. Mavics with a Surly hub and DT spokes.. and I highly recommend the switch.
And fourth.. get a new saddle.
As for QR.. I like the bolt-on hubs, wrenches are cheaper than wheels the last I checked, and the minute longer doesn’t much bother me.
But I’ve rambled quite enough..
Rubber side down gi’s and bo’s.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I’ve been commuting on the Lager for a couple months now, and I love it. I added some lights and fenders, and, once the fall rains come (gets wet here in the seacoast region of NH), I’ll get some new tires (probably good Continentals). I don’t mind where the brakes are at all, and haven’t found the need to add a second set of levers. I’ve gotten lots of good comments from other riders (and non-riders), too. I’m sure there are better SS commuters out there, but this one’s solid for the value.