phooey

I do mostly street riding with a couple of different bikes...and I live in Arizona. I really don't like rocky fully bumpity desert trails, maybe I just never had the right bike for it, but don't really want to go out and drop a couple of grand and start upgrading again. As I said, I like riding on the street most of the time. But here is the deal, my city is opening up a really nice little bmx style mountain bike park. It looks like fun and won't really require a full suspension. I also would love to have a beater bike that I can toss in my car when I got on business trips, something that is very simple.

So, I have decided after riding a couple that a 29er single speed simple bike is what I want. I really like the looks of the new old style Electra moto Here isa pick of it

fits perfectly, at around $600...

or.. I could take my old Specialized Crosstrail.. I already have a Surly Karate Monkey fork and make it into a single speed bike, only I won't have the disc brakes.

Please don't tell me to go get a Specialized Crave for a little over $1,000 if I buy a bike, I want simple but not too expensive... something I can beat up and really, just throw in the back of an suv and take on trips with me without fear of someone busting a window to steal it.

Again... should I sell my crosstrail for whatever I can get for it? (the bike is in decent shape, frame is perfect) and get the Moto?

or, should I get a 29er wheelset and tires(they will fit), change out the crank and go simple.. pop on my karate monkey fork and do the same thing with the bike I have?

... you may be saying why single speed.. well.. I want to have no problems tossing it in the back of a pick up.. no worries about derailers etc... just grab and go. I have other bikes that I can go faster on or ride longer on..

mconlonx

Cheaper way to go would be to convert your existing bike, but the new Moto is so stylish I will be getting one the Moto 3 version when they come out. Oh, also, if you want to do this in the next few months, you have no choice but convert -- new Moto won't be in shops until Dec/Jan.

phooey

Thanks! I may be able to wait until December, the new park doesn't open until late November, it's just that I don't want one more bike so I'll have to find a home for my Crosstrail. I think I am going to take it in to the LBS and have them do a run through on what the cost would be if I converted it and how much I could get for it.

Chris

FarHorizon

If you get the Moto, please give it a review here. I'm considering one, but my Electra "dealer" doesn't stock it - it's special order only. So before I jump in blind, I'd love to have your feedback. Thanks.

Wilfred Laurier

That Electra looks damn sweet!

Edit: Is this from the same Electra that makes the townie bikes? I can't find that bike on their web page.

Edit ii: Never mind, I found it.

cs1

I didn't test ride it but saw one in person yesterday. The build looks very nice. It really looks like a 29er BMX bike. The tires look huge if you're coming from a road bike background.

BevHillsTrainer

Hey I posted on the single gear forum, I just got the Moto 1 today.