Which Single Speed?

markos1963

My employer is introducing C2W in a few weeks time and even though I don't need a bike I want to take advantage of it. I already have a carbon racer and a retro steely for commuting so I was thinking of a single/fixed for training/commuting. The scheme is with Halfords unfortunatly but the shop can get me any bike available.

Coming to the point what single should I buy? I want one that has clearance for mudguards and is reasonably light. My budget is up to £600. I haven't ridden single before and whilst I'm reasonably fit I'm not a mountain goat so gearing suggestions would be welcome as well. I quite fancy either the Pearson Touche or the Boardman Comp Sc any others?

KiwiSS

I would suggest re-posting in the Commuting section. You'll get a lot of responses there.

MrChuck

I think there was an article on here a few weeks back about a Carerra SS that looked pretty good to me- £300 odd IIRC. I'm guessing now but maybe called a Subway Solo or something like that?

Edit: Subway Zero, here:
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/new-premium-models-from-halfords-21625

markos1963

MrChuck wrote:

I think there was an article on here a few weeks back about a Carerra SS that looked pretty good to me- £300 odd IIRC. I'm guessing now but maybe called a Subway Solo or something like that?

Edit: Subway Zero, here:
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/new-premium-models-from-halfords-21625

Thanks for that. More inclined towards a drop bar though.

MrChuck

markos1963 wrote:

MrChuck wrote:

I think there was an article on here a few weeks back about a Carerra SS that looked pretty good to me- £300 odd IIRC. I'm guessing now but maybe called a Subway Solo or something like that?

Edit: Subway Zero, here:
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/new-premium-models-from-halfords-21625

Thanks for that. More inclined towards a drop bar though.

Ah, in that case Spesh Singlecrosses seem quite popular on here, not sure on the gearing though.

Nick Harvey

The Halford's Letter of Collection is valid at a few other shops - Condor (Pista?), On Your Bike and, i think maybe Pearsons themselves.

markos1963

Nick Harvey wrote:

The Halford's Letter of Collection is valid at a few other shops - Condor (Pista?), On Your Bike and, i think maybe Pearsons themselves.

Yes, I saw that and thats why the Touche is on my list, might be worth the journey to get fitted up right.

mrc1

I would repost on the commuting forum as a few of us on there have a Touche and it is universally liked. Its also handy in that you can customise the bike to a fairly reasonable extent (eg stem length, bar width and gear ratio) which you can't really do with the big name brands.

markos1963

mrcartledge wrote:

I would repost on the commuting forum as a few of us on there have a Touche and it is universally liked. Its also handy in that you can customise the bike to a fairly reasonable extent (eg stem length, bar width and gear ratio) which you can't really do with the big name brands.

Cheers, I'll give a go

BMX Bear

Markos, get into Halfords in the city or Cycle Republic as it was, they've got a few decent bikes in. Kona Paddy Wagon, Boardman SS but they do stock some decent bikes.

hugo15

I got a Pearson Hanzo through the Halfords C2W scheme. Was all very straight forward. Rang Pearsons up and chatted through the spec with them and agreed the price (live 300 miles away so visiting the shop was not possible). Rang the Halfords C2W number and told them I wanted a Pearson Hanzo and I had agreed the spec with Pearsons. Halfords phoned Pearsons and placed the order, which I just had to confirm by e-mail. Pearsons then shipped the bike to my local Halfords when it was ready (they can ship direct to you too if you want to avoid Halfords).

I have done nearly 600 miles commuting to work since I got it. Took me a few weeks to get used to riding fixed but I really enjoy it now, though it's tough when there is a decent head wind. No problems at all with the bike and would recommend the Hanzo.

Gearing wise I run 48x19. I am no big gear masher, preferring to spin, and find this a good compromise.

There are also quite a few fixed riders over on http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=13.0 Might be worth a look over to get more advice.

salsarider79

The Genisis Flyer is a fantastic looker, one of them has rack/guard mounts, I think it's the white one.
Gearing wise I've used 42/16 which is fine, but I'm tempted around Norfolk (My Spiritual Home) to run a slightly harder gear, maybe 44/16 or even 46/16. 42/16 is a good starter gear, it equates to about 19/20mph comfortably...I run this round Bath (At mo...) and can get up some damm steep hills on it.

p.s. For good Singlespeed advice go to Streetlifecycles opposite the fat cat pub. A number of riders there run singlespeeds.
p.p.s. They also do C2W....

markos1963

BMX Bear wrote:

Markos, get into Halfords in the city or Cycle Republic as it was, they've got a few decent bikes in. Kona Paddy Wagon, Boardman SS but they do stock some decent bikes.

Went in there yesterday and the Boardman SS seems pretty good. The Kona looks flash but I think it wouldn't stand up to a british winter. The question is, is the Pearson £100 better than the Boardman?

BMX Bear

markos1963 wrote:

BMX Bear wrote:

Markos, get into Halfords in the city or Cycle Republic as it was, they've got a few decent bikes in. Kona Paddy Wagon, Boardman SS but they do stock some decent bikes.

Went in there yesterday and the Boardman SS seems pretty good. The Kona looks flash but I think it wouldn't stand up to a british winter. The question is, is the Pearson £100 better than the Boardman?

Will Pearsons take the Halfords voucher...

snig

pearsons will take the halfords voucher

markos1963

BMX Bear wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

BMX Bear wrote:

Markos, get into Halfords in the city or Cycle Republic as it was, they've got a few decent bikes in. Kona Paddy Wagon, Boardman SS but they do stock some decent bikes.

Went in there yesterday and the Boardman SS seems pretty good. The Kona looks flash but I think it wouldn't stand up to a british winter. The question is, is the Pearson £100 better than the Boardman?

Will Pearsons take the Halfords voucher...

Yes, I can either go to the shop itself or Halfords can order in for me.

Infamous

Pearson looks overpriced to me. It's more expensive than the usual lot (langster, bowery, bianchi pista, fuji track) and doesn't appear to be any better than any of them.

tbh I'd get the boardman, will save a lot of messing about.

hugo15

Infamous wrote:

tbh I'd get the boardman, will save a lot of messing about.

In my experience there was no messing about when ordering from Pearsons. I was worried that with two parties involved it would be a pain, especially give Halfords reputation, but I couldn't have been more wrong.

Jez mon

I quite like the giant bowery which I got last year, rides like a cheap road bike but with no gears, but that's what it is!!

Here's mine

markos1963

Been out today for a 50 miler and decided to use just one gear to see if I could manage. I used a 50/19 and it was fine, admitidly it wasn't too hilly or windy but I went round in one of my best times(2hrs 40 mins) so I reckon its the single life for me then.

edhornby

fwiw i run 48/16 and I have no problems in Manchester I'd say that 46/16 is great for starters...

markos1963

What I might do is get a couple of different freewheels with whatever I buy and experiment