new bike time - which singlespeed?

TRADESIZE

Can some of you assist. Its time for me to get a new bike, I've been trying to keep in one gear on my currnet bike and can cope with that on my 20 mile round trip, so I'm looking for a single speed, ideally with a flip flop hub.

I like the charge plug, but i dont like the handlebar tape, but thats not to say I wouldn't buy one.

my criteria is:

single speed

flip flop hub

retro-ish looking.

not drop handlebars

under £750.

I can get one on the bike to work scheme but it will need to be orderd next month as my work only does it in december!!

Any suggestions apart from the plug? I do like the plug freestyler also

ta

jeff

richardvaltos

Genesis day one? Not retro though.

symo

pearson touche

Cantdosleepy

I've had the plug freestyler for a week now - ridden it into work four times and back four times. I'm really enjoying it - the geometry is great for me, and it seems a good balance of speed and toughness. I've not ridden a huge number of bikes, but I'm dead happy with this one.

Thumbs up.

JGS

TRADESIZE wrote:

I like the charge plug, but i dont like the handlebar tape, but thats not to say I wouldn't buy one.

Handlebar tape is about £5-20 and you could get the bikeshop to change it over for you as they build the bike. That would probably be your best bet if the tape is the only thing putting you off.

donnie murdo

How about this?

http://www.swobo.com/catalog/product_in ... h=201_1355

Available from Stif in Leeds.

daver1

That Swobo looks like it has drop bars. The Cotic Roadrat is an obvious alternative to the Charge Plug but maybe not quite so retro looking.

daniel_b

Not sure you'll do much better than the last two you mentioned:




Enjoy your shopping

Dan

patchy

not retro in the slightest, but one of my workmates just bought a fuji track - it's a truly beautiful thing. he had to put a brake on it (obv) but was under £300 all in so bargain.

pst88

Don't like the bar tape? If that's your only reason for not liking the bike, change it to something you do like.

wgwarburton

Hi,
Out of interest, why not drop bars? Is this a long standing dislike, a preference for bullhorns or unfamiliarity?
FWIW, there are various styles of drops, maybe there's one that would suit?

Cheers,
W.

spacey99

Pearson Touche

il_principe

Oh God, get the Pearson Touche. They'll put whatever handlebars you likem what ever colour tape/saddle/gearing you want, fit mudguards and pannier racks if you want. I've had one for while now and I love it, cannot recommend it or Pearson highly enough.

Also it won't make you look like a hipster - sorry charge, but lime green wheels?

lost_in_thought

TRADESIZE wrote:

my criteria is:

retro-ish looking.

not drop handlebars

Fakenger much??

Don't let bar tape be a deciding factor... there are more important things when buying a bike.

Get the size right, but remember it's a bike with one gear - doesn't get more straightforward than that so don't spend a fortune. £750 may well be a bit high.

Never ridden a touche, and have a predilection for bargain bikes so got a bowery, but can second the above recommendations for Pearson's - they are great - couldn't ask for better service.

Oh and for the drops... you could always hacksaw the bendy bits off if you decide you don't like them... fakenger styleeeeeee...

TRADESIZE

thanks for the comments peeps. I went to evans today, and looked at the charge range. The handle bars on the freestyler are about 5 inch across (OK a bit more than that) but too narrow for me, plus the freestyler is just too hipster for me too, its the green wheels that spoil it. OK bar tape, well I do try to take care of my stuff perticulary my bikes but when bar tape gets damaged it just looks crap. Drop bars never liked em, just toooooooo traditiionalist for I (sorry all you drop bar fans).

All your other recommnedations do sound good but there just not retroish enough.
I assume there arn't anymore retroish off the shelf single speeds out there coz I cant find any.
Oh what I will say of the charge it aint as heavy as I was anticipating.

Fakenger? at the risk of sounding dumb ass whats one of those?

ah ha just found definition 'a person who imitates the fashion of, or uses equipment similar to, a bike messenger' me?

il_principe

Sounds you don't really want an OTP bike. Try these guys:

http://www.kiwicycles.com/wheels.htm

lost_in_thought

Tradesize, check out ebay. There are a lot of american imports on there at the minute, as well as a fair few retro conversions.

richardvaltos

A bit more expensive at £1055, but how about Fixie inc. Peace Maker? SOOOOOOOOOOO lovely. I'd probably only ride it on the very driest days of the year. i.e about three times in June in Glasgow!