Alright bikecalgary people, I'm going to be buying a new bike (or maybe used). I want to use the collective cognitive ability of bikecalgary to figure this out. It will be a daily commuter / errand bike that will be fixed gear.
-Flip/Flop hub would be nice, but not necessary
-Steel is preferred, but not necessary
-Front and rear brakes
-tire clearance for 28mm tires +fenders.
-56-58cm frame
-Braze-ons for fenders
-NO silly coloured rims / frames.
-Indifferent towards handlebar type
-most importantly inexpensive <$700
So have you've seen anything in our local bike shops recently (in stock), or know of anyone selling something like this?
Thanks in advanced.
Lifesport has Masi's and
Submitted by xcrider on
Lifesport has Masi's and Marin's. Matt is a pro at setting up fixes and helping with recommendations. Fenders with that size of tire may be a tight fit with modern brake reach.
Simple and inconspicuous
Submitted by olivier on
I've been beating up a Trek Soho 'S' for my last year of commuting:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/soho/sohos/
It is holding up very well to long daily commutes in whatever weather. It is an aluminum frame with steel fork, has a flip-flop hub, 28c tires, front and rear brakes and sleek inconspicuous colours (black letters on black frame). I've also added full fenders (not the rat-tail type) front and back with no issues. The chain guard also works well for when I need to get around downtown in my dress pants.
Being a south dweller, I go to Pure Cycle whenever I can (the guys there are awesome). Many of the guys there also ride this bike, so I would say it has been well tested. If you live more north, I'm sure other Trek dealers likely have these bikes as well. I think the price is right around the $700 mark.
Trek Soho S
Submitted by gyrospanner on
Somebody where I work has one of these and every day I see it in the cage, I want it! Well at least to take it for a spin around the block.....
brodie remus
Submitted by critninja on
This bike could be what you are looking for.
One problem though, the size you are after might be tough to find as Brodie is sold out on a few sizes.
www.bikebike.ca
Masi Soulville
Submitted by BowCycle on
We have a Masi Soulville on sale for $699.99
Bob G.
“Bicycling is a big part of the future. It has to be. There’s something wrong with a society that drives a car to workout in a gym.” – Bill Nye, the Science Guy
bikes@bowcycle.com
www.bowcycle.com
Look in the buy 'n' sell forum
Submitted by ride on
Sheik, have a look in the buy 'n' sell forum. There's a Jamis Beatnik there that exactly matches your list of criteria, is almost brand new, and is well within your budget number. I have personally seen the bike and can vouch for its condition.
Cheers
S
'ride' at 'bikecalgary.org'.
Bicycles aren't obstructing traffic, they're part of traffic
28+fenders
Submitted by vonbergm on
Will not fit on the beatnik if i remember correctly.
Bianchi San Jose
Submitted by vonbergm on
fits your description except for the price. A similar style bike (single speed cyclocross steel) for a much better price can be found here http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm, not sure if they ship to Canada though. Some friends of mine got this and quite like it, it holds up pretty well.
Bikes Direct vs Canada
Submitted by RichieRich on
hard to beat BikesDirect pricing. A couple years ago I tried to order from them but they ONLY shipped via UPS. not sure if that's changed. UPS' shipping costs were astronomical and killed that idea. Mail order is great (if you know what you want) but only if it ships via USPS from 'Stateside. Despite wanting to support my LBS it's hard to beat some of the deals.
oh here's BikesDirect online blurb: http://www.bikesdirect.com/canada.htm
Here's a shipping forwarder or shipment holder for you in case you want to drive down to Fernie to do the pickup:
http://www.montanashipping.com/montana_shipping_003.htm
If anyone out there has any experience w/ getting a bike to Canada from BikesDirect PLEASE give us details... the good, bad, and ugly. thanks.
Sweetgrass delivery
Submitted by Cword on
A lot of guys in the car community have parts shipped to Sweetgrass Montana, it's just a matter of planning any state side trips to coincide with pick-up
http://www.farrow.com/directory.php#smallparcel
good life bike co-op
Submitted by matt on
depending on how much elbow grease you're willing to put into it, you can get what you are looking for basically for free. I took a '70's 10 speed that I found, bought a fixed gear cog, a chain, fenders and some new tires and was rolling on what you are looking for for under $100. there are lots of old 27" wheel bikes kicking around that make great conversions to fixed gear or single speed.
I would check the bike Co-op at Eau Clair for an old 10 speed. You could also hit up some garage sales. If you don't want to go the ghetto fixed hub route, I bet you could buy a fixed gear rear wheel for under $200
If you have never riden a fixed gear bike, a conversion is a good way to start. Fixed gears aren't for everyone and with a conversion it's easy to go single speed or back to gears
--------------------------------------------------
http://emzed.wordpress.com/
+1
Submitted by denimjeff on
i went this route and found a frame for $20 (british touring frame from the 70's with space for up to 32's), purchased a fixed wheelset from bicyclewheels.com (arrived in around 10 days from florida with minimal shipping costs) and cobbled together the rest (new crank, bottom bracket, bars, seat post, saddle etc.) from ebay, LBS's and Goodlife. i was lucky to find a decent frame made out of 531, so all together it weighs around 22 lbs. the trouble is finding a good frame. i check kijiji, used calgary and craigslist every day. all in all i think i spent around $300. the other great thing about an old bike is that its a little more inconspicuous to thieves if you are locking up outside...
Thanks
Submitted by sheik yerbouti on
So I went ahead and bought the Jamis for sale in the 'buy and sell' forum. It met most of my criteria and fit perfectly.