CJBianco

Here is the situation:

I really want to start a "car free" or "almost car free" lifestyle soon. And I want a bicycle.

I will use the bicycle as an all purpose vehicle -- commuting, shopping, etc.

I will use the bicycle in the city on a daily basis.

I prefer the simple life. I wear Doc Martens shoes. The DMs are simple, attractive, and last forever. I would like a bicycle that reflects the same ideas.

I am attracted to the Fixed Gear/SS bicycles.

I don't know if bicycling is for me, but I want to try it out.

Here is the question:

Which is the lesser evil -- to spend $700 on a good quality bicycle that I may or may not decide to use, or to spend $350 on a cheap bicycle only to wish six months later that I had spent more money?

(I know absolutely nothing about bicycles, but the IRO Mark V and the Surly Steamroller look nice to me. Who knows?)

Any ideas, suggestions, or opinions are always welcome.

Thanks.

Chris

morbot

You'd probably be better off buying the more expensive bike, since in both cases if you only ride it a little and decide you don't like it, you can sell it on craigslist/ebay for nearly retail. If, on the other hand, you like it and want to keep it, you'd have spent your money more wisely on the better bike (probably), rather than buying a junker that you're going to want to upgrade everything on in a couple months.

I recommend the IRO

eddiebrannan

IRO's kinda DM-ish, and costs a bit less than your budget. i say go for it.

shishi

Low end=Cheap conversion $100
High end=Iro or other cheap track bike you can get your hands on $400-$600.

Also, if this is going to be your only transport, better invest in a decent bag if you haven't already. Test ride one first.

sikanna

if i were you:
1. get a total beater for commuter/bar hopper. by that, i mean bike should be functional and reliable but not so blinging. (this way, you can get to places reliably, and park your bike with less paranoia about getting it stolen, and your heart hurts less when you get this scratch or that scratch on your frame, etc.)
2. if you enjoy your new lifestyle later on, build a bling bike (or if you like beater frames like me, build another beater). by then you'd have more knowledge about bikes and you will know what you want. in other words, you'll be building a bike that's you.

marqueemoon

Yep, and throw some fenders on that beater.

chicagoamdream

Try out someone's fixie, if you haven't already, before you buy anything. Although everyone here loves 'em, plenty of people don't, and they've figured that out within a day or so. Should make your decision easier.

If you think a nicer bike would encourage you to ride more and you can afford it, I can't see a downside. IROs are dope.

popluhv

+1

jeff williams

If it's a bike you intend to ride often, get a good one.
I would not be a cyclist of the commitment level I'm at without my 'good' bike.

My good bike frame is 15 yrs old. To get the same ride from a frame new -over 700$.
The frame and fit are everything as to the ride.
A good fitting, riding cycle and you might just find yourself making excuses to go riding.
I refuse rides to parties etc, to get a few rev's in.

In 2 yrs of commuting for a music gig once a week, I saved enough $ that my $700 ++ retrofit was paid for.
Even the monthly maintenance on a constantly run bike is paid for -minus the usual city transport fees.

It's not always easy, sometimes I ride in storms.
You need to figure what type of cycle you need.
I live at sea level on a mountainous island, so I need gears and a mtb frame.
I run a very simple bike, no front derailer or suspension. Bikes need not be complicated.

But get what you need, gears are not bad -disc brakes are not evil.
If I weighed 300 lbs and rode SanFran hills ......I'd use disc brakes.

Kudo's on the car free thing.
I've lots of friends who'll drive me if I need.

popluhv

Get a big one too, unless you live next door to the grocery store.

mattface 

If you think Doc Martens last forever, then a cheap bike should be fine.

noriel

I just got finished putting together my beater conversion by swapping my stock/surplus parts from my fuji track. You could always move parts from your conversion/beater to your bling bike. If you're gonna be car free, then I'd recommend at least two bikes. I've got four in my rotation that can be used at a moment's notice. I was going to build my beater first, but saw how much it would cost me as opposed to getting a new bike (wheels, drivetrain) and I'm glad I got the new bike first. I had a bike that was already set up, without having to worry about endless kludging. I vote for getting the new bike and then working on the beater when you get the chance. By that time, you should be pretty competent at bike maintenance/repair that you can build up your beater. A low end/ cheap conversion is as cheap as a proper rear wheel. Sometimes you even get lucky with the chainline. If you're gonna go car free, though, you should have enough money to afford a better bike pretty quickly, since you're not feeding the gas monster.

treechunk

you will always, and I mean always, end up putting more money into a beater eventually than you would have spent on a decent bike in the first place. Don't be a cheapass on things that matter. An IRO would be a fine choice, and the price is great.

CJBianco

Doc martens last forever...they really do. =)

Maybe I should clarify the price thing. I'm not really debating about bicycle prices. I only figured that the prices may reflect quality -- the $350 bicycle may be poor quality and the $700 bicycle may be high quality.

And I'm not really too worried about the aesthetics.

If the $200 Frankenstein beater is high quality, then the $200 Frankenstein beater is the best option. (And I could always paint it a pretty color.)

Does that make sense?

Thanks.


Chris

CJBianco

If this is true, then the IRO may be the best option -- not the Frankenstein beater.

Hmm...



Chris

onetwentyeight 

It's not true at all. I converted a bike for under 100 dollars. Just the cost of a new rear wheel and cog. It was pretty ghetto, but it rolled

humancongereel

dm-ish? all that's coming to mind is "death metal".

CJBianco

The DM is Doc Martens [from the original post].

I'm not really into death metal, but nothing beats a good Dead Milkmen or the ocassional Mindless Self Indulgence CD. =)


Chris

Moximitre

mm, grumbling lyrics, smashing shredded guitars and double bass action.

CJBianco

On a side note: I walked to the dentist appointment today.

I decided to give the "car free" lifestyle a little sampling. Gosh! How easy it is to walk! It took eighteen minutes to walk from my apartment to the dentist office. That's all. Why on Earth did I ever drive the distance? I was wasting gasoline the whole time!

And I know it sounds strange, but walking almost feels...natural. Go figure!

I can't wait to go "car free" again!


Chris =)

-=(8)=-

I wear PayLess Faux-Doc M's.
I bought an E-Bay cheepo.
I still wear the Faux Doc's.
Im shopping for an un-Faux Fix.

CJBianco

This sounds so haiku.


Chris

onetwentyeight 

ps. gripfasts are better than doc martens.

nitropowered

I second the idea of buying high quality first. If you do end up riding forever, its money well spent. If it sits in a garage and you decide to sell it, a higher quality bike will retain its value better than a low quality one.

you could always hit up bike shops and see what type of used bikes they have fit for a conversion

CJBianco

What about both at the same time -- buy a high quality frame (Surly Steamroller) and add the cheaper beater accessories?

If I enjoy the ride, then I could always upgrade the seat, handlebar, and wheels (etc) in the future. If I do not enjoy the ride, I'm only out of pocket for the frame [and not the complete bike].

Does this sound good?


Chris