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Single speed bicycle for commuting

NorCalAthlete

NorCalAthlete

O_o
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Location
Peninsula
Moto(s)
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Looking for something cheap but durable, tired of trying to keep my frankenbike working (been through I don't know how many tubes, tires, mix and match brakes, pedals, etc). Cheap Wal-Mart bike.

I want front and rear brakes.

I want something under $300. Cheaper the better as long as it's durable. I'd prefer something road going rather than offroad style, but not super skinny racing tires either.

I'm 5'11" with about a 32 inseam for reference.
 
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Dammit. I ride a 61 cm frame. Probably too large for you.

Anyways, I bought mine from BikesDirect. It's a Mercier Kilo TT stripper.

http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_stripper.htm

Comes with two brakes and a flip flop hub, though you'd need to buy a freewheel as it comes with a fixed cog only. It's a decent quality steel frame.

I bought mine for $325 shipped off of bikeisland.

http://bikeisland.com/

Bikeisland sells bikesdirect bikes that were returned due to shipping damage. Mine just had a couple of scratches on the frame, but I didn't care since it was a commuter beater anyways.
 
Yeah at your height 56/58 will work.
I would go with something more upright.
Hopefully fixie craze has subsided.
Also something you can attach a rack and panniers to.
Chugging shit on your back gets old fast.

I have older version of this:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/5450639829.html
To mount rack rear brake had to be removed.

Check this bike out:
http://www.velocebikeco.com/products/passport?variant=1095058941
I would get a different stem thought that raises the bars.
Looks like rear brake is separate for 15 bucks.
Too bad doesn't look like you can mount a rack.
 
I bought an Aluminum framed Cannondale Sumpthin, Sumpthin. 29". Single speed. Disc brakes. Bad ass bike. Probably has about 5 miles on it. Bought my wife a 29 in single speed Chinese bike with the super skinny street tires, hers is much, much faster than mine with the mountain bike tires. And only cost about 1/3 what that Cannondale cost me.

The Cannondale is holding up some air hoses out in the garage, works really well for that.
 
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I had a beach cruiser that I put good wheels and tires on. Sixty mile rides through the mountains was no problem. It was heavy but durable. Hard work on the hills, a little slow on the flats but all in all a good ride.
 
Amazon up a Vilano single speed 58 cm bike.

That's within your price range and might be something you'd even be willing to leave locked up in a city.

Alternatively, BikesDirect, but that will take a week, how much of a hurry are you in?
 
i rode a mercier for 3 years commuting in davis and sometimes to sacramento during my college years. But the langster looks good and looks like prices for fixies dropped a little.
 
Peter, I have a hybrid style bike from Giant that is in your price range. I'll be selling it, as I am purchasing an e-bike. Hit me up and you can borrow it for a bit to see if it suits your needs. I would probably sell it for $400 or so on CL, but would sell it to you much cheaper. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.
 
Riding any bicycle is a laudable thing.

The point of riding a fixie though has always eluded me.
 
GAJ said:
Riding any bicycle is a laudable thing.

The point of riding a fixie though has always eluded me.
Click to expand...

Don't need to maintain drive components. With fixie/single speed the chain is thicker, there is no front/rear derailures. So no need to adjust cables, oil and keep up a chain as much.

For flat terrain it's way better for commuting, because it's just less hassle.

For on road suspension is kind of a waste. It adds extra crap that can break, and unless it's lockable just wastes pedaling energy.
 
UDRider said:
Don't need to maintain drive components. With fixie/single speed the chain is thicker, there is no front/rear derailures. So no need to adjust cables, oil and keep up a chain as much.

For flat terrain it's way better for commuting, because it's just less hassle.

For on road suspension is kind of a waste. It adds extra crap that can break, and unless it's lockable just wastes pedaling energy.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my friend who bicycle commutes has a fixie in his stable which makes sense.

I guess I'm referring to the not so flat terrain around most of the Bay Area.
 
GAJ said:
Yeah, my friend who bicycle commutes has a fixie in his stable which makes sense.

I guess I'm referring to the not so flat terrain around most of the Bay Area.
Click to expand...

I spent 4 years in Santa Cruz on a single speed bike. That bike (plus running) got me in amazing shape and I didn't spend any money maintaining it until after I graduated (I wore the rear tire down to the cords).
 
GAJ said:
Yeah, my friend who bicycle commutes has a fixie in his stable which makes sense.

I guess I'm referring to the not so flat terrain around most of the Bay Area.
Click to expand...

Unless you go in to the hills it's pretty flat (except SF). At least in South Bay/Peninsula.
 
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