sp00ki

I'm looking to purchase a singlespeed commuter with rack mounts to convert into a fixed gear grocery bike.
I plan to use one of thse in front:
https://www.amazon.com/Wald-Standard-...3799235&sr=8-2

and two of these in back:
https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Rear-G...3799367&sr=8-1

To give you a short background (the full story is here), i was initially looking for a singlespeed frame with rackmounts to build up (fixed gear, front + rear brakes, moustachebars, fenders).
then someone introduced me to the 2007 raleigh one way.
i immediately realized it was the bike for the job, and contacted my friend at an lbs.
turns out he could get it at a great price.
a few days later, though, we realized it wouldn't be my size.
So instead, i'm looking at $650 for the ride. Still pretty inexpensive, but now i'm willing to look a bit more before i decide.
So, here's what i'm hoping for:

- rack mounts
- singlespeed
- 165mm cranks (gonna replace them if not, so i'm shooting for it stock)
- 32 - 35 mm wheels, 700.
-fenders

i don't want to convert a geared bike, so only singlespeed is going to work for this project. there are completes out there, so i'm trying to stick to that. At the moment, it seems to be between the one way and (possibly, but i can't see any reason why atm) the bianchi san jose.
i ride a 52-53, if that matters.

thanks for your insight/suggestions!

sp00ki

anyone know anything about the trek soho s? here's some highlights:

- front and rear rack mounts
- 450mm chainstays
- front/rear brake
- $550 msrp (which means much less in real world prices)

it's not quite the "look" i was expecting (i'm hoping moustache bars and baskets will mask the ugly), but quite frankly it seems to fit the bill nicely and at a good price.
i'm curious about 1) fender clearance (there has to be, right?), 2) the width of tire it'll take (i'm hoping for 32+), and 3) how an aluminum frame will work with a load of groceries (i'm sure it'll be ok, but i don't know from touring).

TehK

Check out the Pompino by On-One.

Jeffbeerman2

One note on the wald baskets

I have the rear rack ones. They are awesome. Perfect fit for my reusable canvas bags or regular bags. The one drawback is gonna hit you when the UPS man hands them to you: they are pretty heavy. I was and still am kind of shocked by how mch heavier they make the bike feel dragging it up the stairs in the morning.

I'm a little slow and fat, and we don't have many hills in my town, so they don't slow me down much. I just wanted to warn ya

sp00ki

i heard that, but have been unable to find any other folding grocery basket sized pannier baskets.
gonna have to make do, unless i can find a lighter replacement.

by the way, what rack did you use to put them on your bike?

unacceptably short chainstay length. these aren't built with panniers in mind.

richardmasoner

Similar bikes would be the Swobo Del Norte, Redline 925, Van Dessel Country Bob, Masi Speciale Commuter, SE Lager, Sun/Cayne Uno .......

sp00ki

that's a good list, thanks.
looks like i'm going to be able to get a trek soho s at or near cost, but this is a good list to have, thanks again.

Jeffbeerman2

It was a really cheap Bor Yueh from nashbar (~$20, I'm a cheapskate). I lust for a Tubus Logo but I can't part with $110 for a rack. Sturdy enough to carry my groceries and even has a light mount bracket. They seem not to stock them any longer. I have a cross check with shortish stays so I mounted the baskets a little further back than they were designed for to avoid heel strike.

JeffS

I'd just stick with the one way. Most everything else is more expensive, including my personal preference, the Salsa Casseroll

Crack Monkey

I have a San Jose and am very happy with it. A bit more relaxed/upright then my Cannondale R800, which makes it great for quick errands and riding around the 'hood.


I also considered the Kona Paddywagon and One-Way. The I was between sizes on the One-Way. Ended up with the San Jose because I wanted the option to run fatter tires than the Paddywagon allows.

drvrswntd

Edit - also asking in SSFG forum

Sorry to a) ask a question that has been likely beaten to death already, and b) post ***** another man's thread, but I'm just getting into ssfg, and I wanted an experienced opinion.

I am shopping the 2008 Kona Paddywagon (can get for $650, will need some uprades) the 2008 Redline 925 (can get for $530, but have to special order, cant test ride although I get 30 day return on it) or the Raleigh 1-way (2007, can get for $525).

I rode the Paddywagon yesterday, and had a blast. Great frame, very forgiving on bumpy terrain. I am riding the 1-way tomorrow, and my question is this - is it worth dropping the $530 sight unseen for a redline 925, even with a refund possibility, just to test ride it? And if I enjoy the ride on the 1-way, at the same price point for better components, does it even make sense to try the 925?

Thanks all for any input.