Considering a SS/Fixie, advice pls on these...

[mightyquin]

I'm looking to buy a new bike, for general running about/commuting and I also like doing cycle trails.

Started looking at hybrid's intead of replacing my knackered mountain bike, then I read about SS/Fixed bikes.....

I'm on a budget. I could get a Mongoose Maurice for £259 or for the same price a Vitus Vee 1. I know the mongoose uses 700 tyres and the Vee 1 26in (possibly better for avoiding punctures?), but what's the better of the two?

http://www.vitusbike...ain-bikes/vee-1

http://www.evanscycl...ampaign=froogle

I actually like the look of the Mongoose but will people laugh at me if I use it? I'm a bit worried about some comments I've read about the brakes not working on the painted rims - I will need to be able to stop without throwing myself to the ground or riding into a wall to avoid a car/bus/person.

Are either of these worth considering or should I find an old racing bike to have converted to SS? Also I know the difference between SS and fixed, but what's the benefit of fixed? Surely it's better to be able to just coast instead of constantly spinning?

I'm also thinking if I go for one of these I'd get the old mountain bike sorted out so I can use that for off roading.

Cheers

 

[colinr]

...for general running about/commuting and I also like doing cycle trails

What do you mean by trails? Lumpy and gravelly or flat and earthy? Are you going to want to ride the bike on trails every week, or is it just something that would be a nice option for that one nice weekend in the summer?


This is going to affect what sort of setup you want, I would choose what purpose your single speed bike will serve and go for something that meets it. Of the two, the Mongoose looks better for general running about but sounds like you'd want to sand the braking surface and get better brake blocks from the start.


As for fixed vs single speed, it's personal preference.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

what is it Nike say?

 

[mightyquin]

Or, what about this one ? http://www.evanscycles.com/products...-speed-road-bike-ec025745?query=jamis#answers

If you buy online from Evans you can try this out for 30 days and return it for a refund if you don't like it. Could be worth a try I'm thinking..........

 

[colinr]

Never heard of Jamis but people seem to like them. Doesn't look bad on paper either.
I'd listen to what Greg said about what Nike say.

 

[mightyquin]

I want to 'just do it' but don't want to end up with a crap bike either!

It's a jungle out there!

 

[Rob3rt]

Fuji Track Classic, with a brake fitted.

 

[colinr]

The Fuji is a bit pricier though and the off-the-peg gearing is pretty brutal.
This Charge is £330 - looks like a decent all-rounder: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-grinder-2010/
Wiggle let you have it for a 7 day trial period too.

 

[Rob3rt]

The Fuji is a bit pricier though and the off-the-peg gearing is pretty brutal.
This Charge is £330 - looks like a decent all-rounder: http://www.wiggle.co...g-grinder-2010/
Wiggle let you have it for a 7 day trial period too.

The new Fuji (2010 onwards) has nice gearing, 46:15. The charge is another option too, that comes with brakes.

 

[colinr]

46:15 is still around 80", not exactly beginner friendly! Unless you're a masochist.

 

[mightyquin]

Any advice on this one please - it's been modified a fair bit, I really don't know if it's good/bad!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kona-Paddy-Wa...0517417710?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item45f83be2ee

 

[colinr]

Bandwagons are fine, the chain is horrendously slack in that picture though! The upgrades are mostly cosmetic, I wouldn't spend extra on it for them.

Do you have a budget for your single speed?

Merlin are selling the 2010 Bandwagon for £450 right now - link.

 

[mightyquin]

Colin, sent you a pm, thanks.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The kona has a better, butted, frame than the Charge which is plain guage, and better/nicer/hipper wheels. Prefer the Plug's chainset though. I'd have to chuck the Plug's 'guards in a skip. in the flesh, in that colour they look awful imo. Charge paint is not the most robust on the planet either.

I own a plug btw so am not merely biased in favour of the Kona but it's a better/prettier bike, and prettier is important right....?

 

[Manonabike]

Well I'm also interested in a single speed but I had not even looked at what was in offer until I saw the bikes shown here - I'm surprised at how cheap some of these bikes are. I wanted to build myself a single speed one out of a Reynolds 531 frame - mainly because I wanted something with a bit more character and also wanted to experience the joy of finding the parts and putting it all together. It will cost me more than the £330 bike from Wiggle but that is OK cause the bike I'm building will have things like a brooks saddle to start with, will be painted with a colour of my choice, the gear ratio will be decided by me, etc,etc. The point I'm trying to make is that you can indeed build yourself a singles speed out an old bike, it will probably cost you a bit more that some of those bikes listed here but at the same time you are building it the way you want to. I know that if I bought any of those bikes listed here I would have to spend an extra 100+ in a saddle, handlebars, etc.