SS recomendations

[Heuy]

My sister just called me from Tacoma, she is looking for a tool around town, commuter, do everything utilitarian bike $600 retail or less. I was leaning towards a monocog and am bored at work so I thought I'd run it past you guys.

I know theres a few monocog owners here, do they have rack mounts? also do you think I'm on the right track?

I'm thinking that if she's going to neglect the maintence a single speed is the way to go. Also she has no use for suspension.

I've never owned a SS and think it would be less to go wrong. Am I correct in this logic?

Would she be better with a track bike, 3-4 mile commute, relatively flat.

[noise_is_life]

How about one of these, I was just looking at them today.

Coming out in April, she could be the first kid on her block.

$499, They even have a coaster brake.

http://www.swobo.com/product_b.aspx?p=SBB08000&l=00040010000000000000&pn=0

http://www.swobo.com/cImages/Website_0/type_543/SBB08000_115818.jpg

[crux]

If we are talking Tacoma WA then she would be best suited in a single speed mountain bike. A track bike is doable and would be great in the summer, but for year round usage better stick with some fat tires.

Don't know much about the bikes on the entry level side of things, but you could always pick up a Karate Monkey for cheap then add parts. Still the budget way to go would be to buy an entire bike.

[pmschwei]

bianchi san jose

[ibismojo2001]

I second the San Jose. Great commuter for the price. I went to college in Tacoma and fat tires are not needed.

[gordanfreeman]

i'm not sure about other options, but a san jose does seem to match your needs almost perfectly.

[funky-funky-chicken]

You may also want to consider the Raleigh One-Way

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=349

Seems a little more suited to actual use in inclement weather and true commuting duty.

[wanderingrobots]

that swobo is so cool looking

[Shorty]

You may also want to consider the Raleigh One-Way

Seems a little more suited to actual use in inclement weather and true commuting duty.

That Raleigh One-Way is pretty cool.

I love all the inexpensive, utilitarian bikes that manufacturers are coming out with... I just hope the demand can support them all.

[distanced]

The Bianchi San Jose is the top contender for my new commuter right now. One problem for me: not exactly stealth. It just looks too nice to me. I might not be able to bring myself to strip it down (probably a bad idea with clear coated decals anyways) or cover it in gooey tape. Anyone have thoughts on this?

I second all of the bikes above and will add a couple I've considered:

Redline 9-2-5: around $500, flip-flip hub, comes with fenders, love em or hate em moustache bars, compact geometry

KHS Urban-X: around $300, an inexpensive geared option, comes with fenders and rack, 26" wheels, upright seating position, maybe a bit heavy but probably fine/fun for tooling around

[Shorty]

Even more options:

http://irocycle.com/iro/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1

[distanced]

I was just looking at the IRO Rob Roy today! Anyone have any experience with these?

[transplant]

Monocog. :banana:

[Shorty]

I was just looking at the IRO Rob Roy today! Anyone have any experience with these?

I knew a mechanic that rode one (also raced CX on it) and he really liked it.

Here's a review on Dirt Rag:
http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=807&category=stuff_reviews

[Konaboy]

I was just looking at the IRO Rob Roy today! Anyone have any experience with these?

My buddy bought a Mark V a year or so ago. Loves it, great price, and when he couldn't decide which size to buy the company (I think it's a one man show) spent the time to ask him what he wanted out of it and gave recommendations.

[turbo_kitty]

the specialized globes are preaty cool and so are the bikes that are stocked with shimano's new coasting group.

http://coasting.com/

i have taken apart a raleigh coasting and its a sweet next to no maintence ride.

[distanced]

I ended up with the 9-2-5. Lots of reasons - one of them was budget to be honest. With the San Jose I would have been in for the cost of fenders and a new cog (the San Jose 17t felt a bit wimpy for my beefy legs :eyeroll: ) plus a sticker price of $100 more.

That said I was still very very tempted by the overall fun factor of the San Jose. I guess that's why I have my off-road bike though. Reason won out, and I ended up with the Redline. It's a sensible bike, but I think it is fun enough that I'll still want to take it out on the weekends.

I took it out for the first spin tonight. So far I'm really liking it. Pretty quick in the flats, and more than manageable on the St. Clair Ave climb by W 7th in St. Paul. I think it'll be a great around town bike and will also be up for the job of my 11ish mile commute.

some not-so-professional pics (I'm tired and lazy):

[Heuy]

Yeah, the 9-2-5 was my top pick out of the recommendations, haven't heard of what she did yet, its one of thos deals where she has a friend in the industry, we'll see what she can actually get on the cheap.

[Shorty]

I ended up with the 9-2-5.

How do you like the bars?

[manual63]

For the money I think a Monocog is the best bet. You can go 26er or 29er for around $500. The bike is equipped quite nicely at that price.

[distanced]

How do you like the bars?

So far not too bad. I haven't done much road riding so I'm not really 'used to' drop bars.

I feel like the moustache bars let me throw the bike around a little more. Maybe it's just because I'm accustomed to flat bars.

I've yet to decide if the wide arm position required to keep a finger on the brake levers will make me more nervous in tight traffic. It's only a couple inches though, and I'm not sure I'll want to cut it that close on a daily basis anyways.