£350 to spend on a single speed - what to get?

[park1]

Looking to replace my road bike (57cm Lemond Alp D'Huez if anyone is interested £350) with a single speed as I only use the bike to commute to and from work abotu 3 miles. Most is pretty flat, but there is small steepish hill (about 50m long) at the end.

What do you experts think?

 

[jim55]

specialized langster for that money

 

[CopperCyclist]

There was one for exactly that price on eBay a couple of days ago too, a new one.

 

[jim55]

heres a few
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=specialized+langster&_sacat=382&_odkw=specialized&_osacat=382

 

[park1]

Thanks guys, none for sale near me unfortunately, and i'm not keen on buying blind. Any other suggestions.

I quite like the drop handle bars, but would be just as happy with a flat bar.

 

[HLaB]

The revolution track is £350 if you are near an Ed Co Op.

 

[jim55]

brand new or second hand ?

 

[Dan B]

3 miles? Personally I'd walk

 

[park1]

brand new or second hand ?

Kind of depends on whether I can get something decent for that price. I'd rather get new, but something uprgradable would be nice.

3 miles? Personally I'd walk

Didn't realise i was on walkchat.net Seriously though I shattered both my heel bones about five years ago. A 3 mile walk on pavements causes aches and pains. Plus, spending money on shoes is no where near as fun as spending money on a bike!

 

[jim55]

well tbh everything is upgradeable!!!lol ,id say get a bike with a good frame and forks as a starting point cos in reality youl prob want to change all the rest .
there is loadsa choice but personally id b looking at something second hand or even buy an older style road bike and convert it if u like tinkering (and they look really good) ,if ur going pre built then most bigger names have a ss offering in their range ,its just finding one at the right money ,no reccs as in "buy this,,,
"what i would say is dont limit yourself ,you may have to travel to get a bargain ,,as opposed to buying blind i think ul b very lucky to find exactly what u want and try before you buy ,unless you spend a good bit more and buy brand new from evans or such ,,,take ur pic"

 

[park1]

Cheers Jim, yep I think the search wil be half the fun. Luckily I have a good mate who is a proper cycle head and likes his single speeds so i can get some advice from him. He's bit of a purist though and is all about self building - i'm not so mechanically gifted, and finding the time with a 3yr old daughter, and indulging my other passion which is kitesurfing, leaves little time for the necessary work.
If I can find a frame and some forks, there are some decent bike builders around that can help.

 

[jim55]

there will prob b a fixed gear forum in yr area try london fixed gear and single speed (lfgss forum-theres prob a local "scene "thing for loadsa cheap parts if u go down the self build route

 

[djb1971]

The Edinburgh revolution track is a decent bike but a little heavy. On the lower end of the scale there's the Viking racemaster, it looks lovely with a retro paint scheme but again it'll weigh a ton. The genesis flyer is a lovely bike but it seems to be getting more and more expensive! Wish I still had mine and the day one cross!

The langsters ok but they are a responsive but harsh ride, you should look for a nice steel frame. There's plenty out there reduced at the moment. I've just purchased a jamis Sputnik. It's one of the cheapest bikes I've had and it's great. It'll take guards and a rack and rides lovely. They do one with a flat bar called the beatnik which is on sale at Evans at the moment, it's got lower end stuff than the Sputnik but a bargain.

Just have a look around and ask on here for opinions if you're unsure, most now have discounts on them to start making way for new stock.

 

[Alex11]

Looking to replace my road bike (57cm Lemond Alp D'Huez if anyone is interested £350) with a single speed as I only use the bike to commute to and from work abotu 3 miles. Most is pretty flat, but there is small steepish hill (about 50m long) at the end.

What do you experts think?

I love the Giant Bowery personally, I think it's a beautiful bicycle, very stylish and modern.
There is one basically brand new (less than 10 miles ridden) with Brookes bar tape on it in Bristol for £275. http://www.trade-it.co.uk/for-sale-...ot-18054334.html?impression=normal_impression

Short train ride from you in Plymouth and a beautiful bike.

What d'you think?

 

[Rob3rt]

Fuji Track is another option, had one, was a good bike.