brownlights

as a newcomer to the singlespeed world, i'm looking to get a modestly priced bike relatively soon.

I've found one promising bike on craigslist which seems it will fit my height of 6'4"
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/437507572.html

i would make some modifications like making it a freewheel and putting on brakes.

does anyone have an opinion about this bike or any other advice? anything would be really appreciated. all i want is a bike i can cover some good distance on with none of the hassles that my 10-speed is giving me.

thanks

Moose

Copied the ad and inserted the thoughts I had while reading:

61" SR FRAME (never heard of it) W/ TANGE UNICROWN FORK(new), SHIMANO DECOE (decoe?!?)THREADED HEAD SET(new), ITM DUAL BARS, RPM CRANKS, 48T CHAINRING, WELLGO TRACK PEDALS, ALEXRIMS RPD 15 W/ FORMULA SEALED HUB (rear=700c), 16T STEEL COG, STEEL LOCKRING, WEINMAN RIM W/ SUNTOUR HIGH FLANGE HUB (front=27"), FUJI BOTTOM BRACKET (not sure Fuji makes or made bottom brackets), RED KMC 1 1/8 CHAIN (lame...but that's my opinion).
$300 CASH (too much, go with bikesdirect)

bicycle

nice, moose

acoldspoon

bikesdirect.com comes right to mind. Decent new bikes in your price range and lots of people here have had good luck with them.

brownlights

thanks a lot. i just noticed that the ad was pulled from craigslist, so that must be a sign. i'll check out bikesdirect.

134k

why don't people visit their LBS' before buying something online?

CF4L

because there are very few shops that don't make you feel like an ass for asking newbie questions. its part of the problem with the biking industy on a whole IMO.

brownlights

i agree CF4L. many shops act as if knowing bike terminology and mechanics is all that matters. it doesnt matter how serious of a biker you are if you can't rattle off jargon to them.

i've checked out some stores here in LA and gotten the same reaction, its as if i was invisible.

bonechilling

Yep. I've said it a thousand times; I think that attitude, not price, are killing the LBS.

There are a thousand examples of small, locally-owned businesses that are thriving, despite selling their products for more money than their online or chain-store competitors. They do it by being friendly and offering service without judgment. The sooner more bike shops figure this out, the sooner they'll see their fortunes change.

jgarcia186

yes indeed. i just got a pinarello frame for trade on craigslist. took a trip up to seattle for parts and pretty much felt like Loozer after talking to the mechanics. now i have no self esteem.

c0urt

I rolled into a lbs riding my allez elite and wearing a "ride your bike to work day" shirt and one of the sales peoples asked me "is that your dads bike?" that rubbed me the wrong way

acoldspoon

If I had acted the way LBS employees act today, when I worked in shops in the 1980's, I'd have been fired on day one.

My closest shop is R&A, I only walk in there if I have no other choice. They are beyond toxic. Total d**c*bags. Hate the whole experience every time.

Then there is Dixon's. They are near by too. The head mechanic lied to me when trying to sell me a frameset. Told me Tony Iro was a personal friend of his and that Tony hand welds all of his own frames here in America.

I love Brooklyn Heights Bicycles, just wish they were closer to home. The mechanic is an old friend, so they get all my LBS-ish business. But, it is a hike.

Personally, I see no benefit to buying from an LBS unless it is to send a friend some business and hang out. Those kinds of shops are becoming far and few between.