Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New SS/FG for my son

My son is currently going to school in Chicago and would like to get a SS. You know the reasons: simple, easy to maintain, and who needs gears when you live in a flat level city. He is a good off-road cyclist but has never been much for road cycling.

My first impulse was to get him the Walmart bike. After all, no one would weep if it got ripped off. Frankly you probably wouldn't even have to lock the thing. But I've read enough reviews to realize that buying him that bike would be tantamount to child-abuse.

Today I test-rode a Lemond Fillmore. Lovely bike, SS with a flip-flop hub, and vintage steel. It runs around 600-700 USD. Now I would be crushed if someone stole the bike. I'm half-tempted to buy it for myself but my knees are aching even after a brief ride.

So I've looked at the SSs on BikesDirect. They cost around $300 and seemed to be decently made. In other words, good enough so I won't feel like I'm getting him crap, but not so good that I'd be crushed if it got ripped off.

Any thoughts?

Get him an old road bike and let him convert it. Then it will be his, rather than some box-o-crap that gets delivered.

If you have any idea about BFSSFG, you will know that we all worship bikesdirect.
Hell, the guy in charge of its distribution is a member here.

That said, they are very solid, dependable bikes with the most bang for your buck. It's $300 complete, just buy it.

Bike theft is rampant on school campuses, and if it were me I'd find a functional beater at a coop, C-list or used bike store. The only time I've had bikes stolen was when I was going to college, and it happened not once, but 3 times.

Actually I have an old Nishiki that hangs form the ceiling of my garage, an old 2X6 speed with I believe Suntour rear ders. I've heard it was sacrilege to convert them to a SS, and I suspect it's not such a great bike that you wouldn't be better off buying a modern one. Anyway, I might convert it anyway, but if I do I'll keep it for myself and use it for training and self-abuse.

Also, my son is 5' 11" with a 30" inseam. I'm 5'10" with a 32" inseam. I thought the Fillmore, which was 54 cm. fit me pretty well. I wonder how well that would translate to my son.

If fact, fit would be a bit of a concern for an internets order, as we have short legs and long trucks compared to the rest of the mutant population.

And remember, this is Chicago, where everyone form the drug-dealers to the mayor and alderman alumni are crooked as hell and would steal something even if it were bolted down, given enough time to pass a law or raise a VAT for SS.

But the more I think about that Lemond Fillmore, I like it. First modern steel frame I'd ever ridden, and it was real for shouw.

There is really nothing wrong with a Mercier or Windsor from Bikes Direct. They are inexpensive, decent and you don't have to spend a lot of time building them up yourself. Lots of people here in Brooklyn are riding them, including me. I suspect our bike theft problem (major) is as bad as yours. The thing is, they're cheap enough that you don't cry about scratches and dings, too, since you WILL be chaining it up.

If you have any idea about BFSSFG, you will know that we all worship bikesdirect.

Speak for yourself. The frames are nice enough and the overall price is tough to beat, but I wouldn't throw around the word 'worship'.

As for that Lemond- I'm sure its fine, but most of the big manufacturers have a 'track' bike at that price point. Most are aluminum, some are steel.

Have you considered taking him shopping with you?

2009 Scwhinn Cutter. Comfortable, Bomb Proof, Cheap, Fast (for what it is).

Have you considered taking him shopping with you?

If we order online we can do it virtually. I photograph bikes I see locally and text it up to him. He'll have the final say. But he's too busy studying and he's happy for me to research the forums on the interwebs.

2009 Scwhinn Cutter. Comfortable, Bomb Proof, Cheap, Fast (for what it is).

http://67.18.219.83/image_hosting/web_pages/godofwine77/Co-Signs/Shaking_head.gif
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http://67.18.219.83/image_hosting/web_pages/godofwine77/Co-Signs/Shaking_head.gif
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I don't see why not. Depending on his age, and use for the bike, its more than enough. Is he 11 years old? Or a 20 year old pro mountain biker? Its a huge step up from a department store bike. I suppose we need to know more info on the OP's son.

No harm meant (and I'm really not trying to start an internet bickering match here) - I'm just saying that as someone who was unable to buy the correct bike for yourself, you probably shouldn't be advising others of what bike to purchase.

No harm meant (and I'm really not trying to start an internet bickering match here) - I'm just saying that as someone who was unable to buy the correct bike for yourself, you probably shouldn't be advising others of what bike to purchase.

Quick! Someone call the burn victim's unit.

Jerk. :)

Jerk. :)

http://www.thecinemasource.com/moviesdb/images/Whose_Line_is_it_Anyway%20-%20DVD_Poster.jpg

*Crawls Back Into Cave*

*Crawls Back Into Cave*

It could be worse.

Speak for yourself. The frames are nice enough and the overall price is tough to beat, but I wouldn't throw around the word 'worship'.

Agreed.

In this case it might be what the doctor ordered. You at least know everything is new and should function as stated.

I would vote for a conversion, but then there are always issues to shake out. Although if it gets stolen no big deal. This route does give you a chance to make it your own though and also not worry so much when it gets beat up.
No matter what way you guys go, I hope your son appreciates what his dad does for him. :thumb:

*Crawls Back Into Cave*

Sorry. I was pre-coffee.

Sorry. I was pre-coffee.

I hope your apology gets acknowledged.

If your son knew he almost had a lemond but was talked into a BD bike he would cry.

Bike theft is rampant on school campuses, and if it were me I'd find a functional beater at a coop, C-list or used bike store. The only time I've had bikes stolen was when I was going to college, and it happened not once, but 3 times.
+1 this.

No harm meant (and I'm really not trying to start an internet bickering match here) - I'm just saying that as someone who was unable to buy the correct bike for yourself, you probably shouldn't be advising others of what bike to purchase.

Lol... ouch.

To OP. Buy him a BD bike, and some GOOD locks. Teach him to lock both wheels, and the saddle. Problem solved!

Lol... ouch.

I know, I know!

http://masbury.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/embarrassed-chimpanzee_tim-davis.jpg

BikesDirect? Never heard of it.

Vanilla, Davidson, or Sachs.

go with a bikesdirect bike. that way you can have it shipped directly to him for free. if you get a conversion on craigslist, you'll have to find a way to get it to him which could be a pain. bikesdirect bikes are common enough that it isn't going to be any more prone to theft than a conversion. the lemond seems like overkill for a college campus bike.

Well, if your son is in the city of Chicago, there are any number of good options on helping him find a bike, and keep it going. Where is he going to school? Does he know how to deal with small, everyday bike issues (fixing flats, brake adjustments, putting on goofy anodized toy parts, etc.), and if not, does he want to learn or does he want a dependable LBS to take care of his ride?

There are bike co-ops now in Rogers Park (close to Loyola and Northwestern), Hyde Park (right by University of Chicago, not too far from IIT, Chicago State), and Humboldt Park (close to what feels like every tight pants and stupid glasses art student in the entire midwest).Those are all places where he could potentially buy a used or rebuilt bike and also have a source for cheap used parts and (at West Town Bikes and the Recyclery at least) access to open shops and advice from the in-house wrenches.

If you want to get him a new bike, we've got great locally owned bike shops across the city too, from Beverly on the far South Side, up through Bridgeport and Pilsen, to Wicker Park and Logan Square and Uptown and even on the Northwest Side, and it never hurts to buy a bike from a local shop that is around the corner when you need some quick help, new parts, or whatever.

Then there's always the go spend 60 bucks on a bike dug out of a big pile of rusty Schwinns at Working Bikes, which, honestly, is not a bad way to go.

So, where is he, and what does he need, not just in a bike, but what will keep him riding once he's got one?

When my son's bike got stolen from high school's lockup, I got a him a 20" folder from Downtube. I don't think he even replaced his bike lock.

full NJS

Well, if your son is in the city of Chicago, there are any number of good options on helping him find a bike, and keep it going. Where is he going to school? Does he know how to deal with small, everyday bike issues (fixing flats, brake adjustments, putting on goofy anodized toy parts, etc.), and if not, does he want to learn or does he want a dependable LBS to take care of his ride?

There are bike co-ops now in Rogers Park (close to Loyola and Northwestern), Hyde Park (right by University of Chicago, not too far from IIT, Chicago State), and Humboldt Park (close to what feels like every tight pants and stupid glasses art student in the entire midwest).Those are all places where he could potentially buy a used or rebuilt bike and also have a source for cheap used parts and (at West Town Bikes and the Recyclery at least) access to open shops and advice from the in-house wrenches.

If you want to get him a new bike, we've got great locally owned bike shops across the city too, from Beverly on the far South Side, up through Bridgeport and Pilsen, to Wicker Park and Logan Square and Uptown and even on the Northwest Side, and it never hurts to buy a bike from a local shop that is around the corner when you need some quick help, new parts, or whatever.

Then there's always the go spend 60 bucks on a bike dug out of a big pile of rusty Schwinns at Working Bikes, which, honestly, is not a bad way to go.

So, where is he, and what does he need, not just in a bike, but what will keep him riding once he's got one?

He's at Moody Bible Institute, which is adjacent to Walter Payton High. He's not into anodized parts. He knows how to do basic stuff mechanically. He's a good MTBer but has little road experience.

I believe it's not a bad idea to start on a SS and as you develop a feel for what you like and a budget to obtain it, accumulate geared bikes. He has the legs and knees to get away with it for awhile, unlike his dad. Does that sound about right?