Pacific Northwest - Single Speeds

I am trying to compile a list of single speed bikes for under $300. I know the list will consist of what many consider crap, but I am cheap.

Any help would be appreciated.

If you are really cheap just buy a used bike, strip off the derailuer and rear cassette and buy a singlespeed conversion kit ($20). You'll probably need a chain tensioner as well as the bike will likely have vertical dropouts.

craigslist.


http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm will be the cheapest out the box fix you can get.

I am trying to compile a list of single speed bikes for under $300. I know the list will consist of what many consider crap, but I am cheap.

Any help would be appreciated.

Seriously, nothing you get for that price is going to last. I'm not talking about lasting a lifetime like investing in a Phil hub or an EAI freewheel. I mean it won't last a weekend of hard riding.

The components and workmanship on a complete bike of that price are garbage. There's a thread on the SS/FG forum where someone pointed out a sub-$300 bike.
It's got crimped/spot-welded fork ends. For realz; like a $30 kids bike from K-Mart.

Take your $250 and put $50 aside for a singlespeed conversion kit and new chain.
Take the remaining $200 and scour CL for a bike with a good frame and wheels.

I took the wife's Bianchi Nyala and converted it. After the chain broke on its maiden voyage and sent me skidding to a stop on my head, I was hoping to get something a little less homemade.

Oh well, it is true that everything under $300 is going to be turd...

Sounds like what you need is a new chain, not a new bike.

Choices for singlespeeding that are going to be:
A) Keep the current cassette and chainrings, just find the gear you like then strip off the front derailleur and shorten the chain while using the current rear der. as a tensioner
B) Do as above but buy a tensioner and replace the rd.
C) Get a singlespeed kit and go all out: Pull the cassette, put on a proper chain tensioner, pull the crank and remove the inner ring, replace the outer ring with a guard and use either of the middle or big rings on the middle position.

Heck, if you've got nearly $300 to go with you can get a decent singlespeed specific rear wheel built up and still have $$ left over for a good chain. I prefer SRAM chains because the PowerLink makes them easy to remove for cleaning.

i might be building the girl a new bike and may part with her cayne uno in the next couple of weeks for about that price if you want a true fix bike.

Agree with Clifton re: SRAM chains. Also, since you won't be shifting, you can go with as beefy a chain as you can find.

Since I have done one bike, then I suppose I should have a little more confidence in myself, in spite of the chain's catastrophic failure.

In that case, what is the best frame for a guy like me: 6 ft/265 lbs? Which size, style, etc?