My old commuting bike's on its last legs so am looking to replace it. I fancy a fixie, but realistically know I may well hate it, so a flip-flop hub is essential. It also has to have clearance for mudguards.
Any thoughts please?
I ridden the hell out of my Cotic Roadrat - had it fixed, ss and even 1x9 (urghh!).
Budget?
At the cheaper end, something like a langster or a Paddy wagon (had both and prefer the Kona)
Or a Pearson Touché given £650 to spend.
Also flat or drops? This could be fun if you are after something cheap [url] http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67795 [/url]
Clink beat me to it!!! I've ordered one, its currently dispatched, just awating delivery 🙂
Forgot the Genesis Flyer or the Day One. They make great frames. I currently have a Croix De Fer and it's lovely.
Budget has to be under £1,000 (Cycle To Work scheme). Ideally though cheaper than that. A friend has a Paddy Wagon and loves it. I like the look (literally the look) of the Charge Plug but have heard it's quite heavy.
Shorter Rochford do a funky fixie (SSable)
Kona Pady wagon. Takes mudguards, can add a rack with an adaptor from M-part, sealed hubs, great geometry. Not the lightest bike in the worlkd as it's steel. Bought mine used for £230 and added rack guards and better tyres.
Specialized Langster is nice. Lighter but less clearance and no eyelets. More racebike like geometry.
Dawes Uno is steel, comes with guards already and will handle like the Kona.
There is a big choice now, but cool hipsters don't ride in the rain, so funding a proper commuter is not as easy.
Like my singlecross . Paid 200 for it used , fitted rack guards lights reflective tape and a brooks .
Has all the eyelets required - even front racks can take a fattish tire andcomfy
Done alot o miles On it
Singlecross looks nice, but I already have a Tricross so they'd be too similar. Like the sound of the Paddy Wagon.
Pompino.
Pompino or day-one. Both heavy but reassuringly robust. You can ride either bike through anything.
Specialised Langster or Tricross (if they still do the SS version)
Kenny as much as I love the Paddywagon it comes up a bit short component wise. The Bandwagon is a better all round bike, I think CRC are doing the 2011 relatively cheap. But then again the Paddywagon is a far better looking bike, cooler colour scheme.
I also like the looks of a Cotic roadrat, I think TBC might do them? The Genesis SS model looks very nice as well however I thought it was a lot of money.
For info my Paddywagon cost me £350 new in 2010, good deal on EBay at the time.
Gary
Cheers Gary, though to be honest I'm not overly botheered about components. Just looking for something cheap that looks quite cool.
Love my day one which has done many thousands of miles. A lot of half centuries too.
The components fitted are pretty much perfect for its intended use though there are a few exceptions, the wheel bearings are made of cheese, the saddle is not very comfy, the white bar tape was not a good idea and the tyres are poo.
But it is so comfy and feels bomb proof and is enjoyable off road.
And those cheap screw on freehubs I do not trust especially in freezing weather.
What size are you after Kenny? I've got a 54cm Genesis Day One for sale if thats any good. Email me if you're interested.
DayOne, +1. [img] 
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I built up a Surly Cross check for under a grand.
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The full build (with gears) is about 950, the sepc isn't amazing so if you can build custom under the cycle to work scheme I'd suggest doing that