Single speed bikes, £400-£500 ish

secretsam
secretsam Posts: 5,120
edited May 2008 in Commuting chat
Am thinking of getting a cheapish single speedy to replace the 531 beast for London commute

Would preferably be able to take guards / rack if needed

I know Cycling Plus did a review - issue 188 - if anyone could send me a copy that would be ace

(have thought about converting the old 531, but can't seem to find cheap wheels or transmission bits around)
It's just a hill. Get over it.

Comments

  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    I love my Paddywagon, thoughts on it here:-

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/paddy-wagon-06-8998

    I believe Mikey is very happy with his Spesh Langster too.
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    I actually found a cheaper one online, I don't know if it's amazing quality, came without brakes but had some fitted by very helpful man in Fulham's Evans Cycles.

    Link is here:

    http://www.all-about-the-home.co.uk/mon ... -923-p.asp
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    I actually found a cheaper one online, I don't know if it's amazing quality, came without brakes but had some fitted by very helpful man in Fulham's Evans Cycles.

    Link is here:

    http://www.all-about-the-home.co.uk/mon ... -923-p.asp

    So it can take brakes, what about guards?

    Like the look of the Kona, but am obsessing about a) weight and b) money - it's £100 more than a Langster
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • graham_g
    graham_g Posts: 652
    Surely you can use most of what's on your existing bike? If not going fixed, you could quite easily just do a single speed conversion with spacers on the freehub - remove outer ring on the front and you're done!

    Perhaps it's an idea to post up what is fitted to your current frame and then the cheapskates/thrifters amongst us can make a few suggestions?
  • Belv
    Belv Posts: 866
    http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86864

    or sks raceblades will fit without frame mounting holes

    I like the look of the Charge Plug for £399 too but not sure about mounting points.
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Graham G wrote:
    Surely you can use most of what's on your existing bike? If not going fixed, you could quite easily just do a single speed conversion with spacers on the freehub - remove outer ring on the front and you're done!

    Perhaps it's an idea to post up what is fitted to your current frame and then the cheapskates/thrifters amongst us can make a few suggestions?

    LOL - "Freehub": bike frame c 1990, bits c. earlier-ish

    Frame/forks: Unknown but decent Reynolds 531c, 21" in old money
    Wheels: Atom hubs F/R (QR front) 36H laced to Rigida (wait for it) 27 x 1.25" rims
    Tyres: Front: who knows; Rear: Schwalbe Marathon
    Gears: Shimano 600 rear (non index) with 105 front and (braze on) down tube levers
    Chainset: Stronglight 99 48/36 on sealed BB
    Pedals: the rustiest Lyotard platforms on earth, with TC&straps
    Brakes: Weinmann CP with CLB levers, Aztec blocks
    Chain: no idea
    Freewheel: (not Cassette!) no idea
    Bars/stem: SR???
    Seat post: no idea
    Saddle: Selle Royal, with designer tears
    Guards: rapidly disintegrating bluemels, held together with wire & tape (I kid you not)

    It's total class, as you can see, mebbe I'll take a photo and post it on the relevant thread so you can all have a laugh

    So: suggestions!?!?!?!?!?!
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • graham_g
    graham_g Posts: 652
    Gotcha!

    Seeing as a wheel/brake upgrade is probably required (although you could quite easily make do with what you have - we all know you don't want to...) and possibly chainset too, go for a spangly new bike :D

    However, don't forget to strip the 531 frame of all it's parts and put it on ebay for for anyone willing to do the self-build. If you're in London, you probably will get 50% more than any other location and not even have to bother posting it :wink:
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    Graham G wrote:
    Gotcha!

    Seeing as a wheel/brake upgrade is probably required (although you could quite easily make do with what you have - we all know you don't want to...) and possibly chainset too, go for a spangly new bike :D

    However, don't forget to strip the 531 frame of all it's parts and put it on ebay for for anyone willing to do the self-build. If you're in London, you probably will get 50% more than any other location and not even have to bother posting it :wink:

    Errr...yes but the 531's a little...frayed round the edges, would need respray, respacing plus (if it were me getting it done) some new braze ons)
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • karl j
    karl j Posts: 517
    C+ 188 sitting here ... see your PM (in a minute)
    Morning route (when i don't get the train)

    Evening route ,
  • donnie murdo
    donnie murdo Posts: 986
    How about??

    Swobo
    http://www.stif.co.uk/shop/mb_bikes_pro ... urer=Swobo

    On-One
    http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Road_bikes.html

    Dolan
    http://www.bikes-dolan.uk.com/index.htm ... lang=en-us
  • secretsam
    secretsam Posts: 5,120
    karl j wrote:
    C+ 188 sitting here ... see your PM (in a minute)

    Thanks - have PM'd you
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Pearson Touche - had mine for awhile now and love it.
  • Madcyclepath
    Madcyclepath Posts: 49
    Take a look at the Genesis singlespeed/fixed machines

    I got my Skyline a few months back and love it!

    It comes complete with full mudguards and also has rack fitting. It's set up for single speed (48x18) but the hub is a flip-flop so you can convert to fixed if (like me!) you are that way inclined

    Genesis Skyline (£499.99):

    http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/index.php ... _bike=TRUE



    It's stablemate the Flyer also seems to have been getting rave reviews over the last year. It's more of a stripped down street machine though. I don't think it will take a rack of mudguards.

    http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/index.php ... _bike=TRUE

    skyline2.jpg
  • graham_g
    graham_g Posts: 652
    I have to agree with the more 'sensible' options (that you can fit guards to and maybe even a rack), the genesis one looks great, as do pearsons, the pompino is starting to look a little agricultural in comparison!
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Sorry for slow reply - been busy!

    I don' t know if it can take mudguards, but I have fitted a pannier rack to the rear of it with p-clips and no real difficulty.

    I really like it, and the 2 fixed wheel bike shop geeks I know have been telling me that the chain is some ultra-high-tension thing.

    I'd certainly reccommend it, especially at the price it is!
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • meanwhile
    meanwhile Posts: 392
    SecretSam wrote:
    Am thinking of getting a cheapish single speedy to replace the 531 beast for London commute

    Main thing is, try to use the Bike To Work Scheme - you'll get half your money back. I think there are different ways of running the scheme, one is lease based and needs to have your employer involved, the other one doesn't.

    The Cotic Roadrat, Langster, Paddy Wagon are obvious and well thought of choices and there are reviews for all of them on Radar. The Rat is the most versatile (eg it can take disc brakes for bad weather) and Cotic seem very helpful with the Scheme - see their site. A Rat would scrape £500 with basic components (frame's £300) and then you should get £250 back.
    (have thought about converting the old 531, but can't seem to find cheap wheels or transmission bits around)

    You've tried ebay? You might not even need any new extra bits - eg you could use the derailer as a tensioner. Google for Keith Bontrager's article.

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