Any better for my money (single speed)

[Stef 1]

Hiya -

I bet there's a lot of first posts similar to mine... but I've found nothing with a quick search so hoping you can help.

I'm looking to buy a single speed bike for my 6 mile daily commute on country roads.

Reasons for single speed are:
– I'm trying to get fit (currently I keep my knackered only MTB in 21st gear for my commute even for the hills although they're not steep),
– like the challenge of something new and different (might try riding 'fixie' at some point),
– figure it'll be cheaper without all the extra gears, derailleur etc.
– low maintenance. This has to get me to work reliably, and with family etc time is usually all taken up.

Obviously I'd like a bike that looks good, but not overly bothered about any cool factor - no one sees me on my way to work anyways

Apologies if this should be in the single speed forum but as it's a question about buying bikes, hope it's okay here.

After initially looking at Mango bikes and all their bright colours, which all looks great and decent for the price, I've been researching, researching, researching and decided that a better frame (Cro-mo instead of hi-ten steel) slightly wider tyres (for country roads) and less bling factor would be better. As much as I like them, I've decided that perhaps Mangos are a little style over substance.

SO for approx the same price (okay maybe £20 more) I looked at State bikes, but in the past couple of days seem to have fixed my sights on a Charge Plug 1.

Wiggle have the 2014 model for a good price (20% off RRP)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-1-2014/
It has a Cro-mo frame, 700x32c tyres / wheels (wider than the 25c I was originally looking at)

At around £360 is there anything better, or anything I should really be looking at instead?
Can't really afford more.

Read about Surly Steamroller frames... people seem to love those, but just the frame eats all my budget before Ive bought the rest of the bike.

I've heard the the plug 1 has slightly weird frame geometry... I'm 5'11" with 81cm inner leg. According to Charge's charts, I'd need a medium frame for my height, but a large frame for my leg. Which should I go for?
I'd be really grateful for any thoughts and advice?

Thanks
Stef

 

[Apollonius]

No ideas about the bike, but I will say that hammering high gears will be more likely to get you injured than fit. You knees will feel the pain first. Good cycling is about keeping your cadence (pedalling rate) up and turning the pedals not pushing them.

 

[Beebo]

Why not post this in the fixed / single speed forum page too. They will be more than happy to help you.
By the way the Charge Plug is regarded as the benchmark of single speed bikes. You cant go wrong with one of them.
Loads of guys in the single speed forum own or have owned Charge Plugs.

 

[Stef 1]

Thanks guys...

Apollonius:
Good point... defo worth thinking about, I don't want any exploding knee caps!
I wouldn't exactly describe my cycling has hammering it... I go at a fair lick, but comfortably (have to do a data work at the other end) and my commute is reasonably flat-ish. Hopefully I'll be okay! For some reason I like the idea of a single speed. I'm definitely not a cool bod, too old and have missed the 'trend' boat years ago. However I like things to look good. If there's anything as decent for £360 quid with a few gears where I don't have to worry about adjusting detailers etc then I'm all eyes / ears.

My current bike I've had for about 15 years, bought 2nd hand for £50. It weights a ton. The bearings are knackered, chain and cranks worn, both wheels a little buckled and it makes a hell of a racket. I must've done a good few thousand miles on it over the years, half of those spent with no working gear change as something was either broken or catching or loose.

Beebo:
Will do thanks. Posting over there now. From what I've seen so far it seems a solid, simple and fairly understudied bike and I think perhaps a little more for the cash (at wiggles price) than a few places.

However I like options so if there's anything comparable, I'd love to know.

Thanks!

 

[biggs682]

@Stef 1 what about this if its still for sale http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/wilier-pontevecchio-single-speed.158215/

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Medium frame. Top tube length is more important than seat tube length.
The data implies you have a short torso / long legs for your height,
therefore you certainly don't want the large frame.

However 81cm leg is the top end of medium, 81cm+ is
large, so perhaps your proportions are not that usual.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Stef 1]

Cheers guys...

Bigs682: looks good, like the price too but a 'lil too small for me. Thanks for the link though.

Sreten; i never thought I was that abnormal, but now you mention it...! Always seem to be on the cusp or between sizes... Clothes, shoes, hats, bikes... Why does nothing fit right!!! Medium it is then. Thanks. Guess the prudent thing to do would be find one in stock somewhere and give it a test.

 

[Stef 1]

Oh, forgot to mention... Without currently any other options I know of I'm still considering a new plug. BUT as much as I like shiny new things was wondering if an eBay specialized langster would be a better buy than the charge plug?

 

[biggs682]

Oh, forgot to mention... Without currently any other options I know of I'm still considering a new plug. BUT as much as I like shiny new things was wondering if an eBay specialized langster would be a better buy than the charge plug?

@Tel do you still have that Langster ?