Seeking Singlespeed help

Avahi29 said:

I'm currently riding a specialized sirrus, but thinking of changing to singlespeed and currently evaluating the options.

Option 1- convert the sirrus with a kit and tensioner ---bit of mod work on the chainrings, rear wheel etc.

Option 2- buy a track bike, like the Fuji and add brakes, freewheel

Option 3- buy a second hand steelie with h. dropouts and either convert the wheel or have a SS one built with a new hub

Option 4 - buy a frame and build it up.

Like to go with the last on a surly steamroller, but most expensive option and would need most work....frame prep and headset installation concern me.

Not so fond of the first as I think this would be a compromise and the Sirrus has an alu frame....kinda jarring on the London potholes/speed bumps.

Looking at 2 and 3 and was wondering if there was a weight of feeling either way. I was also wondering if their is an opinion on the Fuji track and it's ride. I've read that "track" bikes have a more uncomfortable riding position and whether I should find an old steel road frame with a more forgiving geometry.

Cheers for whatever you can give me 🙂

A

Sounds like you need to decide what the priorities are: cost, convenience, niceness of bike, etc.. If you just want to try a singlespeed to see how you like it, going with option 1 or 3 would be the cheapest since you can get old steel bikes pretty cheap. You can overcome the alu frame feel with a little wider tire. If I were looking at a singlespeed for the road and were getting a new bike, I wouldn't go with option 2. Which brings you to option 4, which would be the most fun. I wouldn't be intimidated by the frame prep/headset issue. Almost anyone who sells you the frame can do that for you at a reasonable price (or if you mail order it, you can take it to a local shop and they will do it for a fee) and if you are going the new Surly route, you have already committed to spend some money, so what is a little more to have the headset professionally installed and the frame prepped.

Avahi29 said:

I was also wondering if their is an opinion on the Fuji track and it's ride. I've read that "track" bikes have a more uncomfortable riding position and whether I should find an old steel road frame with a more forgiving geometry

If your interested in getting a new single speed bike for the road, but are concerned about the geometry have a look at the Specialized Langster. It's more of a road geometry in a singlespeed package. Pretty good value as well.

www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06Langster

John M said:

Sounds like you need to decide what the priorities are: cost, convenience, niceness of bike, etc.. If you just want to try a singlespeed to see how you like it, going with option 1 or 3 would be the cheapest since you can get old steel bikes pretty cheap. You can overcome the alu frame feel with a little wider tire. If I were looking at a singlespeed for the road and were getting a new bike, I wouldn't go with option 2. Which brings you to option 4, which would be the most fun. I wouldn't be intimidated by the frame prep/headset issue. Almost anyone who sells you the frame can do that for you at a reasonable price (or if you mail order it, you can take it to a local shop and they will do it for a fee) and if you are going the new Surly route, you have already committed to spend some money, so what is a little more to have the headset professionally installed and the frame prepped.

Thanks that's really helpful.

John M....Can I ask why you wouldn't go with the Fuji? Is it personal taste or is there something else, like geometry/quality?

I've looked around at other frames, but there seems to be a bit of a lack of options and what there is seems pretty pricey. Any suggestions on makers/retailers. I'm in the uk, so some home based info would be especially helpful.

Additionally 2 other things -- any ideas about getting an SS rear wheel sourced and picking up crank arms, they don't seem all that easy to come by on the sites I've seen.

Avahi29 said:

Thanks that's really helpful.

John M....Can I ask why you wouldn't go with the Fuji? Is it personal taste or is there something else, like geometry/quality?

I've looked around at other frames, but there seems to be a bit of a lack of options and what there is seems pretty pricey. Any suggestions on makers/retailers. I'm in the uk, so some home based info would be especially helpful.

Additionally 2 other things -- any ideas about getting an SS rear wheel sourced and picking up crank arms, they don't seem all that easy to come by on the sites I've seen.

Nothing specific against the Fuji. It is just that some of the benefit of the lower initial cost is lost in adding in the price of brakes/freewheel, and I like the Surly frames are from a smaller manufacturer so some of it is personal taste.

I really don't know where a good source of SS stuff would be in the UK.

Maybe one of the links from the following website would be helpful:

http://www.singlespeed.net/main.mv