A lot of my friends that are new to commuting keep asking me, “What bike should I get?” For the most part, I tell them to get what they like best, but I often steer prospective city cyclists in the direction of a singlespeed road bike. I thought it might be good to list a few of them here, along with their price and a link to their respective website.
Keep in mind, the best way to choose a bike is by test riding them yourself. This post is just meant to be informative, not a recommendation or a review—there are plenty of other bikes out there.
Windsor The Hour - $300
SE Draft - $310
Schwinn Cutter - $330
Republic Aristotle - $344
Torker U-District - $349
Nashbar The Bike Fixie 1 - $399
Oso Bike - $419
Sun Uno - $420
Redline 925 - $500
Felt Brougham - $529
IRO Mark V - $569
Raleigh Rush Hour - $600
Trek Soho S - $600
Jamis Beatnik - $600
Giant Bowery - $650
Kona Paddywagon - $679
KHS Urban Uno- $699
Charge Plug - $710
Surly Steamroller - $720
Swobo Sanchez - $739
GT Gutterball - $770
Fisher Triton - $770
Masi Speciale Commuter - $795
Motobecane Messenger - $795
Volume Creedence - $800
Bianchi Pista Flatbar - $819
Specialized Langster - $830
Salsa Casseroll Single - $845
Cannondale Capo - $859
Cinelli Mystic Rats - $940
Traitor Luggernaut - $988
Condor Potenza - $996
Van Dessel Country Road Bob - $999
Marin Ignacio - $1110
RT Bikes Icarus - $1149
A.N.T. Light Roadster - $3,235
Got a suggestion? Post it in the comments below.
This is great! I know a lot of people in my university bike club are catching on to the whole single speed/fixed gear thing so this would be a great link for them.
There are some faboo bikes from denmark and the netherlands for commuters. They emphasize comfort, fenders, lights, integrated locks and totally enclosed transmissions to protect fashionable clothes.
We are so lucky to have so many options.
Is the Condor available in the U.S? Where?
Also, you might add the SWOBO Sanchez to the list, as it is also a singlespeed/fixie and the ‘09 comes with both front and rear brakes.
See: http://www.swobo.com/htatbl/archives/2009/01/shell_be_coming_round_the_moun_1.html
Finally, Fuji normally has one or two singlespeed models as well.
Personally I roll the Surly Cross Check built up 48/18 with fenders. My build was a bit more $$ than the ones you have listed but it is rock solid and super dependable.
I forgot to add two more singlespeeds in my post above:
1. On-One’s “Il Pompino” singlespeed (distributed in the U.S. by Velomix?).
2. Charge Bike’s Plug “Grinder”, arguably a more commuter-friendly singlespeed than the regular Plug on your list (to be distributed by BTI in the U.S?)
Of course, one can also add any number of masterly, unique singlespeeds made by custom builders (a la A.N.T.), but the pricing is normally off the charts (again a la A.N.T.) and your list seems primarily composed of production, off-the shelf bikes.
Readers may also note that, though singlespeeds can indeed be great for city commuters, there is great variation in design and intended use among singlspeeds. Some are more ‘track-like’, while others are more ‘road-like’, etc.
Also, if a reader lives in a city that has steep hills (e.g. San Francisco), the reader may consider leaning towards a singlespeed that has the ability to be geared up from singlespeed to multispeed if need be. For instance, a Surly Steamroller’s horizontal drop outs intend it to work strictly as a singlespeed/fixie, while a Salsa Casseroll Single has semi-horizontal drop outs that allow for future additional gearing.
Don’t forget the Giant Seek. It isn’t a singlespeed however it comes with 8-speed Shimano Alfine internal drivetrain and disk brakes.
rideafreewheel.com
Your monthly deliveries of cocaine just stopped.
A list of singlespeed bikes for novice commuters and not a single dutch commuter with chainguard? I think it’s pretty safe to say we have very different sets of friends
While a singlespeed skips the complexity of learning to shift, maintenance is simpler without a derailleur, and it’s fun it seems crazy to recommend especially considering I live in Pittsburgh. I’ve already got a bunch of friends with barely used bikes in their garages because Pittsburgh is “too hilly”. So I usually point new folks to something with a massive granny gear.
I’ll have to check out the multi-speed singlespeeds Jorge and Kyle mentioned though.
Urban Velo is based in Pittsburgh and neither Jeff nor I have trouble making our various singlespeeds go up and down the hills. Anyone that has ridden with us knows that we are not racer-boy fit either.
The Raleigh One Way is a much better commuter than the Rush Hour (IMHO). Fenders, full rack mounts, bottle cage braze-ons, flip-flop hub, etc and is more “single speed” in design than the “fixie-track” oriented Rush Hour.
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/road/one-way/
Breezer makes some great commuter bikes as well.
Len, you are correct about the Raleigh One Way and what a sharp looking bike!
Also forgot to mention the SWOBO Del Norte singlespeed. Stevil, time to stop some of the other incentive shipments as well!
There are many bikes out there that have anywhere from 3 to 9 speeds. Some internally geared, some not. They make great commuters. I didn’t mention them because this post is about singlespeeds, not multispeeds.
That said, there are singlespeeds that are more commuter-friendly and versatile than others, simply by virtue of their frame design or spec’d components. Len’s example of the Raleigh One-Way is a case in point. It comes with lots of commuter-friendly features right out of the box, whereas the trendier Raleigh One-Way not so much.
Functionally, some singlespeeds have braze-ons for fenders and/or racks, and for water bottles. Others don’t. Some singlepseeds have more of a tall-long ‘relaxed’ geometry, while others have more of a ‘race’ or ‘track’ geometry. Some singlespeeds have clearance for fat tires, while others don’t. All of these qualities may be important to the urban commuter.
Aesthetically, some singlespeeds try to be ‘low-key’ and ‘real’, while others aspire to be more ‘bling’ or ‘possenger’. Beauty is in the eye of the urban singlespeeder.
Each of the singlespeed bikes on this post is a nice bike. My point is: all of them can make a decent commuter bike, but not all of them make a great commuter bike.
PS — Possible additions to the list: Some Pake and SOMA production frames can be built into nice, versatile singlespeeds relatively inexpensively, though neither brand offers complete bikes, as fas as I know.
I have the Redline 925 - http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/925.html - and love it. I currently have it set up with drop bars, but just picked up a riser bar for it. Great bike!
my pake with a freewill is the shizz. fixies are fun. but freewillin’ is a blast. glad i got both…
Bianchi San Jose? ($500 range)
Got over 2 years on this bike. Its my road/cross/commuting tool of choice. Currently set up with 32c’s, fenders, lights, 44:17. Also roll a Surly Steamroller (fixed) about once a week for fun, but generally prefer the comfort of the Bianchi.
Just about any of the bikes posted are a bargain tho. Great list Jeff.
Just checked Bianchi’s site- they dropped the San Jose?
Oh well, I got mine.
I see Trek advertising their District on your sidebar - why doesn’t it appear in your lineup? I understand they aren’t shipping yet - but boy oh boy, I’d at least take a look at one just to see that belt drive.
The Felt Brougham looks cool. I commute on a Kona Africabike. I can fit a 12 pack in the basket.
Really useful and interesting list!
but don’t forget Cinelli Mystic Rats,(http://www.cinelli.it/scripts/prodotti.php?Id=3&lang=IT)
that has both single/ fixed gear.
It has a really good compromise quality-price (Columbus alu frame, in Italy sold about 940 USD)
Hey great list. lots of nice bikes there. There was a time when I thought I wanted to switch to a singlespeed for my commute, but have since changed my mind about that, due to the hills I need to climb, though I can definitely see the value of a quick, simple, cheap bike with only one gear.
Like many have said, the Raleigh One-Way seems a bit more appropriate as a commuter than the Rush Hour. Both nice bikes, though.
The Singlespeed market seems to be blowing up right now, which is a good thing, so it’s impossible to list every bike, but I notice the SE Draft on the list. SE also makes the Lager which is a step up from the Draft. I read a pretty favorable review of it a while back.
http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/26/final-review-se-lager/
Lastly, because I can never make a short comment when it comes to the subject of bikes, for me, compatibility of accessories is a big consideration. There was a time when I rode only for entertainment and I considered anything that didn’t make a bike go faster, stop shorter or handle better a waste. Since I’ve started riding to go places- places where I don’t really want a brown muddy stripe up my front and back or a sweat stain the size and shape of a backpack, I’ve started realizing the value of rack and fender mounts. They are nice to have, even if you’re just getting started and don’t initially think you’ll use them. While looking at that, look for fender clearance. It seems that some bikes have mounts for fenders, but lack clearance. Clearance for biggish tires is a nice thing to look for too if your roads look like our New Jersey roads in the springtime.
The Bianchi San Jose is not dead. Based on the above comment I sent an email off to Bianchi’s marketing guy and got the below response in just a few hours:
We make three models of the San Jose for 2009.
The Pro, the Drop bar and the Flat bar.
http://www.bianchiusa.com/09_d2_special.html
You might be able to get in on the last production run of the legendary Rivendell Quickbeam (http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bicycle_models#product=50-150). There’s not any pictures there but at the bottom of the READ there’s a link to the flickr pages.
how about some woman friendlier bikes? the standover heights for these are at my crotch! where are all the step-through singlespeeds?
Thanks Brad!
Somehow missed that. Price has gone up considerably, but where hasn’t it.
Whitewashasian, check out SOMA’s ‘Buena Vista’ mixte frame, which you can build into a singlespeed if you like (or, cooler still, maybe add a 3-speed Sturmey Archer internally geared hub). Otherwise, you may want to look at the smallest size of a Salsa Casseroll Single (its sloping top tube provides greater s.o. clearance than, say, a Surly Steamroller).
Another one for the list: the Van Dessel Country Road Bob:
http://vandesselsports.com/crb.html
It’s really catching. I am visting Singapore this weekend and late Saturday night flying down Orchard Rd was a gang of fixies. Looked great until one nearly got collected by a cross town bus. No helmets required here.
Riding in the city like Singapore is probably restricted to late at night when it’s cooler and the traffic has lessened.
Gus
even nashbar has a couple of entries, the fixie and the single speed (with flat bars), both around the $400 range
Whitewashasian, check out SOMA’s ‘Buena Vista’ mixte frame, which you can build into a singlespeed if you like (or, cooler still, maybe add a 3-speed Sturmey Archer internally geared hub). Otherwise, you may want to look at the smallest size of a Salsa Casseroll Single (its sloping top tube provides greater s.o. clearance than, say, a Surly Steamroller).
that’s it!? just those? not to be offensive, but i am appalled at the lack of singlespeeders for women.
Here in Canada we don’t have nearly the options you Americans do. Schwinn and (until recently) Raleigh are available only in their hideous box-store incarnations. I personally dig the Schwinn Madison. The Soma DeLancey is a sweet, reasonably affordable lugged steel SS frame. And, thanks to the forward-thinking folks at Cycle Cambridge, I’m picking up my ‘09 Raleigh USA One Way this week. Thanks and cheers!
Great post. Very helpful to have all this informational in one spot. I would add that an old 10-speed can make for a great an inexpensive conversion to single or fixed. I asked my LBS to convert a Nishiki I picked up for free at a curbside “junk day” and the whole thing cost me less than $100 inlcuding new bar tape and tires. I love it!
Great post, though I was surprised you mentioned none of the lineup from Bikes Direct (www.bikesdirect.com). They have many singlespeed/fixed options, and very competitive pricing.
Ditto Andre’s comments. The BD / Mercier Kilo TT ( http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm ) has darn-near cult status (especially when they included a free brake). The TT Pro ( http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_pro.htm ) comes with a brake and upgraded components.
Whitewashasian — There is no such thing as ’singlespeeders for women’. If you’re shorter than, say, 5″2′, then the options narrow for you with most brands. That has nothing to do with gender, but all to do with height. That said, there are some bike brands that do design bikes, including singlespeeds, specifically for women (e.g. Terry, Sweetpea, as well as some of the bigger names). The jury is still out on whether a female-specific design is necessary for women. My advice to you if you’re shorter than average: look for brands that offer frame sizes in the upper 40’s and/or frames that will take 26″ wheels.
Just FYI, your posting on the Sun Uno is completely off on the price. The starting price point for consumers is $600.00 unless you’re a dealer and can deal it down for around $525.00.
Does anyone know what’s up with the Felt Brougham?
I’m very curious as to when it will be available to buy.
Space for fenders is a major pain that I am having now. I did not think of that when I got the bike because I intended to simply avoid riding it if it was muddy. But now, I do it all the time. SE Draft from 2 years ago is one such bike that is a major problem.
Any suggestions on that would be a great addition to lists like this.
Where can I find the Sun Uno for only $420? The local dealers in Savannah have the price listed at $599 and I’m not willing to pay the difference. The official Sun Bicycles website says the bike can not be bought online. I need some more info?
Stevens Bikes 2009 | City Flyer Gent
Might want to check out the following:
http://www.missionbicycle.com/
and
http://www.somafab.com/index.html
and
http://www.torelli.com/tipouno.html
In addition to the Trek District belt drive someone mentioned, Spot Brand bikes makes the ‘Black,’ a belt drive single.
http://www.spotbikes.com/bikes/black
The Canadian who got the ‘Madison’ could have also gotten the Schwinn ‘Sprint,’ a Reynolds 853 steel single sadly not generally available in the US. Better steel than almost anything else.
http://www.schwinnbike.com/can/eng/Products/Road/Road-Specialty/Details/1304-S9SPT-Sprint
I am crazy about my Jamis Beatnik. My geared bikes are just sitting.
Nice list. You should add Fixie Inc. [cycles-for-heroes.com].
Whitewashasian:
The Trek Sojo S has a top bar that slants down slightly and they make some smaller frame sizes. My wife is 5′ 2″ and that’s what she rides and it fits her fine.
Andrew:
The Windsor, The hour, the first bike on the list, is sold by Bikes Direct.
Brad:
Maybe next month I can do a little advertising with you all. I think I have actually got a few sales off of this list, so thank you. You are doing a great job and keep up the good work. Pretty soon you might have to have to quit your day job.
Shane
there are options for people under 5′2″ - bianchi makes the san jose in a 44cm with 650’s, and the san jose can be bought either fixed or singlespeed with flip flop hubs
I just bought a Vilano SS from roadbikeoutlet.com for $269 with free shipping. They also have a Gavin Fisso for $359 with free shipping. Both look great in the pics. Cheapest I could find online. I’ll post a follow-up when I receive it.
steelwoolbicycles.ca
I ride a limited and love love love it. Available at a select few bike shops in Canada and I bet they would ship to the US if you asked.
Build your own, so easy, thats what i did and it looks amazing
This is quite a selection, covering quite a price range. Perhaps people could comment on which represent good value for money versus those which are perhaps overpriced?
My budget is not unlimited but I’m unsure whether to spend $300 or $800!
My preference is a simple bike but with high quality components.