Single Speed Bike - Build or Buy?

se99paj
se99paj Posts: 22
edited May 2019 in Road buying advice
I'm about to change jobs and will now be commuting to my nearest train station - Its only a 20 minute walk but would prefer to ride there to save time. I already have a road bike but was thinking a single speed bike would be a good alternative. I'm debating if I should build or buy

I could buy from new for £300-£350, I've been looking at Mango or Quella.

Or alternatively I could build a bike from scratch - I have an old mountain bike that could be repurposed, but I'd need a new frame and probably a few other bits.

At the moment I really like the idea of building one as I like to get my hands dirty - But I can't help thinking that buying the parts, materials and tools would be £200+ and at that point I'm thinking should I have just bought from new

Would be interested to hear what others think

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,325
    The best option is a Brompton, obviously
    left the forum March 2023
  • w00dster
    w00dster Posts: 880
    Being the lazy type, I'd buy.
    The non lazy type will say build.
    Might be worth doing the shopping list and seeing what the price difference is, and then buying a new one....
  • joe_totale-2
    joe_totale-2 Posts: 1,333
    Second Hand?
    Given that they're such simple machines there's less issues to look out for and you'd get a nice bike well within your budget.
    If you're in the London area then the LFGSS classifieds would be a good place to look.
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,965
    If you'll be locking up and leaving a bike at a railway station I'd get a cheap 2nd hand beater that you won't shed a tear over when it gets nicked/vandalised/goes rusty etc. Then buy another and so on.


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    pick up a second hand one for 100 notes.

    job jobbed.

    #thrifty
    #spinny
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,965
    Joe Totale wrote:

    ........ LFGSS classifieds .......

    Won't that be Rainbow coloured? :lol:


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • se99paj
    se99paj Posts: 22
    Thanks for the responses everyone, will take a look at second hand, think it might be a better option there seems to be more bikes than frames available. Just need to find one that's suitable
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    just grab a second hand Charge Plug and you're sorted - simple, bombproof, tested in the ghetto.

    #plug
    #thrifty
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.

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