JimboJames1972
Active Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Hi all,
As the title says, I'm thinking of getting myself a single speed.
I currently have a Genesis Tour deF that is fully mud-guarded and racked for panniers and it is great for when I do my longer rides, go camping and chase Duke of Edingburgh groups across the countryside. However, it is a bit of a lump for when I need to dash into town, hook up with mates or if I feel like something a little less serious. For this I am thinking of a single speed. Budget is between £350 and £400 absolute max.
Ideally I'd like a retro look, steel frame, freewheel (46 or 48 gear to 16t freewheel) bull bars with TT style brake levers and caliper brakes and be able to get tyres up to 30 or better 32mm on. Some deep-ish rims and a funky paint job would be the icing on the cake. I've done a bit of digging and come up with a few options:
1. One of my local bike shops has a Claude Butler Lombard St in stock, and in the right size too. At £400 it is right at the top end of my budget, has a few nice anodised alloy bits, the right type of handlebars and brakes, but it's paint is not exactly inspiring and I am very dubious if I can go much fatter that 27 or 28mm tyres.
2. A rival bike shop has the Charge Plug range, but not in my size at the moment, new stock not due for several weeks either. Again, style and bars look good and there is plenty of clearance for wider than usual tyres, but brake levers are not to my taste and nor is the silver colour scheme. I'm also not very aware of this brand or its reputation, but £330 is going to leave me a bit left to buy other bits.
3. States Bicycle Co. I've seen a few of these on eBay. Some of the colour options look great but, again, it is not a brand I am familiar with so am a little dubious.
4. Restore an old frame. I've seen a couple of Genesis Flyers and One Days on various sites and in various states of repair. Prices with this option may well spiral out of control as I recon buying all the bits to complete a bike will probably go over my budget, but at lest I get the options I want as well as the fun of the build. I am also aware though of how there might be problems of getting hold of very old parts if they are no longer produced.
Advice please. Anyone had experience of the States, Claude Butler or Plug bikes? Are there any other, similar models anyone can point me in the direction of? Any advice on a frame build?
Thanks,
J
As the title says, I'm thinking of getting myself a single speed.
I currently have a Genesis Tour deF that is fully mud-guarded and racked for panniers and it is great for when I do my longer rides, go camping and chase Duke of Edingburgh groups across the countryside. However, it is a bit of a lump for when I need to dash into town, hook up with mates or if I feel like something a little less serious. For this I am thinking of a single speed. Budget is between £350 and £400 absolute max.
Ideally I'd like a retro look, steel frame, freewheel (46 or 48 gear to 16t freewheel) bull bars with TT style brake levers and caliper brakes and be able to get tyres up to 30 or better 32mm on. Some deep-ish rims and a funky paint job would be the icing on the cake. I've done a bit of digging and come up with a few options:
1. One of my local bike shops has a Claude Butler Lombard St in stock, and in the right size too. At £400 it is right at the top end of my budget, has a few nice anodised alloy bits, the right type of handlebars and brakes, but it's paint is not exactly inspiring and I am very dubious if I can go much fatter that 27 or 28mm tyres.
2. A rival bike shop has the Charge Plug range, but not in my size at the moment, new stock not due for several weeks either. Again, style and bars look good and there is plenty of clearance for wider than usual tyres, but brake levers are not to my taste and nor is the silver colour scheme. I'm also not very aware of this brand or its reputation, but £330 is going to leave me a bit left to buy other bits.
3. States Bicycle Co. I've seen a few of these on eBay. Some of the colour options look great but, again, it is not a brand I am familiar with so am a little dubious.
4. Restore an old frame. I've seen a couple of Genesis Flyers and One Days on various sites and in various states of repair. Prices with this option may well spiral out of control as I recon buying all the bits to complete a bike will probably go over my budget, but at lest I get the options I want as well as the fun of the build. I am also aware though of how there might be problems of getting hold of very old parts if they are no longer produced.
Advice please. Anyone had experience of the States, Claude Butler or Plug bikes? Are there any other, similar models anyone can point me in the direction of? Any advice on a frame build?
Thanks,
J
