mikdes

The Raleigh One-Way fits almost all your requirements.
https://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=349

Ken Wind

Do people even bother to read the threads they post in? I already mentioned the One Way, but thank you anyways.

It's pretty much between the San Jose, One Way, and Rob Roy right now. I'm still waiting for confirmation on whether or not the 07 San Jose has a flip-flop hub. My LBS of choice is both a Raleigh and Bianchi dealer, so he should be able to get either. I think I prefer the looks and the geometry of the San Jose though. The One Way's cable routing is also on the bottom of the top tube. If I have to get a bike with cable routing I would prefer it on the top of the top tube (thanks for pointing that out guys).

If I had more money I might be all about the new Pompino Pro. I would actually love to have the regular Pompino too, but they are too expensive complete, and I can't seem to find any used ones.

EuroJosh

The One-Way has the same hubs as the Rush-Hour (SB, flip/flop) but nicer rims.

mikdes

Sorry. I was at work and didn't have a lot of time to read the whole thread. My bad!

Surferbruce

again nothing today on my wifes san jose. whats started as "we should have it in 3-5 days" has turned into a 2 weeks and still waiting situation. last time i spoke they said today or tomorrow, so i'm hoping i can let you know. i know others who've gotten them lately have had them come with the flip flop.

Ken Wind

No worries man. I called my LBS about it too, and they haven't gotten back yet. I'm patient.

Retem

no it is a mercier first off the windsor=fuji - the mercier will run 23 with fenders on at best dunno abou the fuji/windsor... but please do the smart thing and by something from your lbs they are generally easier to deal with if something goes wrong.. get it

and you should be able to find the kona paddy wagon just about anywhere for around 650 ish or get an iro mark v or angus you can get rack and fender adapters to make thing work and I think they will go up to a 32 or something

ducati

I bought a San Jose a week ago. 140 commuting miles on it now and I'm getting its groove down. I used to commute on a Giant Bowery (fixed) but got tired of ghetto fenders. I wanted full front & rears for the winter. I have a LeMond Poprad, and I appreciate the versatility of a 'cross bike, so the San Jose is a natural. I also wanted (required) a steel frame this time 'round.

less than $600 (the cheaper the better) yep, street price
fender eyelets yep, Freddy fenders fit right on w/no zipties. That felt good.
wide tire clearance yep, not sure how wide, but easily 38s. 32's w/fenders leave tons of room.
decent or good components they seem so, although my cog slipped at first so we'll see about the new for '07 hub
no braze-ons (water bottle mounts are okay) bottle mounts
120 mm rear spacing haven't measured
classic styling (no sloping top tube or funky graphics) the San Jose does have a slight slope to the top tube. Still looks classic, though. Love the flat spot for resting on my shoulder as I carry it up the steps at work.

My '07 San Jose came with the new Pista Alex Solo wheelset, and actually had a fixed cog installed on the flipflop. No freewheel. Apparently, this was a mistake (in my favor) at Bianchi. I am told the '07s will all come with the Pista Alex Solo wheelset, which means they will have a flipflop installed already for you. Bonus. I'm going to shove on a bigger freewheel and use this thing offroad, too.

It's a nice little commuter. Negatives? 42x17 is low, IMO, I might go with 42x16 to regain some speed. And we'll see about the hub: both my Pista and my San Jose have had cog slipping issues (the Pista more, the San Jose once and not again), so even though Bianchi "upgraded" the wheelset for '07, the hubs might not be wonderful. I'll see as I pile the miles on. IMO the ride isn't as nice as my Pista. It's softer, yet less lively. Still way better than alu. The brakes are powerful as heck, but the Kool Stop silver's aren't stellar in the rain. I'll wear 'em out and go with Salmon's.

The rest has been quite positive. I have had some serious fun so far, although I've been fiddling like crazy with positioning on the bike, it's been a hoot. Bombing across broken pavement/dirt on a knobby 32c fixed is quite addictive, it seems.

HTH

Ken Wind

Thanks for the mini-review ducati. What lock ring are you using for the bike? I had some slippage issues on a Sputnik with the stock one, but after I put on a Dura-Ace lock ring no more problems. I've been riding it brakeless too.

ducati

You're welcome. I'll post some more thoughts as time wears on, certainly regularly in my blog.

I'm using the stock Bianchi lockring. Good idea on the Dura Ace one. I'll grab one if I keep having problems. The cog slipped once on the San Jose, the LBS cranked it down and loctited the lockring after that, and I haven't had that happen in the last 80 miles or so. They did the same to my Pista, we'll see if that fixes the issue there, too.