Looking at getting back into a bit of road riding to break the monotony of the spin bike, especially now it's getting nice outside again! I had a CAAD8 for years which was great but I think I want to go singlespeed this time - I live in flat Northamptonshire and I always find singlespeed a better workout, with gears there's too much temptation to sit and spin on our short and sharp "climbs". I also wouldn't mind something I can take off road now and then - even a hardtail is too much for our bridleways/country park paths.
Budget is cheap as possible, I'm not going to be riding hard every day but I want something that isn't going to fall apart after a few rides. Under £300 if possible, will most likely go used. Been looking at the following:
- B-Twin 500 (maybe with some drops or bullhorn bars)
- Genesis Day One (used)
- Mango (used)
- Ribble (used)
- Something On-One?
Any suggestions or advice? I'm well out of the loop with bike stuff these days so not sure if there's anything I'm missing or forgetting!
I'm picking up a new bike tomorrow, and will have a Genesis DayOne to sell. It's fitted out with hub gears and flat handlebars at the moment, but I've still got the single speed wheel and drops to convert it back.
Where about are you @_tom_ ? It'll be less that £300 but might need some new drivetrain bits and tyres.
edit - sorry Northampton. Could get a box and ship probably, but obviously that'll add a bit to the cost.
I picked up a Specialized Tricross Singlecross a few months back for a couple of hundred pounds. It’s bloody ace!
Fits knobbly 38’s or I just managed some 42mm slicks.
There’s a few pop up every now and again on FB Marketplace or LFGSS.
It would really stretch your budget, but Cadburys Creme Egg framesets are £400 this weekend, with SPRING15 you could also get a set of Fulcrum 650 wheels for ~£110. The biggest other single item costs would be at least one hydraulic brifter and a chainset.
Cadburys Creme Egg framesets
A what now 🤔
Under £300 and someone suggests a £400 frame...
@tthew thanks for the offer, will send you a message!
@crossed that Tricross sounds ideal, I might keep an eye out for one of those. I've had a couple of Specialized road bikes and liked them.
Also looking at a new Genesis Flyer and chucking it on finance, looks like a decent bike for the money.
Charge?
A Tricross is great in SS. Thought about getting a disc fork for it as I ran mine fixed around the gravel so no rear brake needed. I was getting through a front rim a year!
Charge?
Forgot about Charge, there are some Plugs on eBay for pretty cheap at the minute! I always wanted to try one of them. Had a few different Blender frames over the years too, great bikes.
I picked up a new Genesis Flyer a few weeks ago and love it. I’m SE Leeds based and use it to commute on road and off and find the gearing spot on for my needs. Also very pleasantly surprised by the Promax disc brakes.
If you can get a deal new or second hand I would recommend (in the time old tradition of recommending what you have).
Recommend what you have... I love my Roadrat. A cheap build might scrape in around budget, my nice build (carbon forks, hydraulic discs, DA chainset) came in around £700 with second hand parts but could definitely be done cheaper with less fancy stuff.
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Also ridden and liked a Kona Paddywagon, but a bit less CX-suitable. Probably in budget though.
Pinnacle Dolomite SS or a EBB framed Arkose.
Had both.
Great value for the money and being a Sports Direct bike they can be cheap SH.