GeraldF

I'm sick of two things:

1) Blinky lights - taking them off and putting them back on, to avoid theft, is a hassle
2) pant ankle straps - no, rolling my pants up doesn't appeal to me either

Perhaps I'm anal *shrugs*. I want a carefree experience where I don't have to think about my pants or my lights; I just want to ride. Also, a full chain case means I'll hardly ever have to clean or lube the chain.

I figure a single speed bike is lightweight, even with fenders and chain case, which would make it easy to carry it up stairs.

Anyways, I've narrowed it down to a customized single speed OR a Breezer Uptown (see below). Any advice?

Jandro 

Those are perfectly reasonable things to do to any bike, especially a single speed. I'd go with a custom setup, though. That Breezer is going to be heavy as ****.

rex615

This one cost less but is only coaster brake and lacks the dyno. I have one with the 8 speeds IGH and like it a lot.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...sex_deluxe.htm

GeraldF

What is the model name of your 8 speed IGH? Thanks.

rex615

It is a Windsor Kensigton 8

GeraldF

I'm very intrigued by the Windsor Kensington 8. Any idea how much it weighs including the racks? Thanks.

IthaDan 

If you have to ask, it's not the right type of bike for you.

Sixty Fiver

These are two very different bicycles... the Breezer is an awesome city bike that only needs you to get on and ride as everything is there. You could liken it to your grandparents Buick while the single speed with fenders and a chaincase should be a much lighter whip and perhaps more Chevy like.

GeraldF

I'm curious about the weight because I live in a third story apartment. I don't mind a heavy bike, but I have my limits. I could probably deal with 35 pounds, but if it gets above 40 pounds, that could make or break it for me. I believe the Breezer is right around where I draw the line in terms of weight; perhaps the Breezer is too heavy. I'm hoping the Windsor Kensington 8 would be a good compromise. It's not as light as a single-speed, but perhaps lighter than a Breezer. Thanks.

Sixty Fiver

The Breezer curbs out close to 40 pounds stock... my wife has owned one since 2007 and it has been a great uber reliable bicycle.

She also has a Peugeot Townie which is significantly lighter although we do not have to deal with stairs... getting the bike on and off the wall rack is the limit of lifting we have to deal with.

IthaDan 

Fair enough.

Have you thought about a belt drive instead of a full chain case?

what's your budget? Are you looking for a complete bike?

rex615

I just got back home and saw this. I went out and weighed it using a cheap luggage scale, and it says 33lbs. That scale is not very accurate but it is probably plus or minus two pounds based on my experience re-weighing my luggage when I get to the airport on the airline's scales (of course I don't know how accurate those are either.)

At any rate not a light weight by any means, but it rides very nicely and climbs surprisingly well. For a fat girl, she can really dance!

iTripped

skinny jeans and cheapo lights that you can leave on the bike. Both problems solved.

rex615

I think this pretty much sums it up. This is a comfortable and convenient bike, but it has a lot of heavy add ons like steel fenders, racks and a heavy Nexus IGH.

You can go a lot lighter by putting plastic fenders and chainguard on a simple SS.

As for lights , I run mine on my helmet, not to keep the bike light, but to make it simple to change from one bike to and other,

stryper

I don't understand peoples ability to ride in skinny jeans. I have one pair of tightish jeans, and riding in them is a huge hassle. It feels like they are compressing my thighs at the top of my stroke and I am working more to stretch out the fabric than push the pedals.

Also cheapo lights = bad lights and I still wouldn't want to loose $10 because some a*s stole it

iTripped

I guess that 'skinny jeans' was shorthand for me saying to get something that tapers in at the ankle as opposed to a boot cut or straight leg. In terms of lights, I ride in the city so realistically a cheapo light does the job of making me visible to traffic. OP's concern was regarding 'blinky lights' which I took for 'inexpensive.

Huffandstuff

Skinny jeans aren't bad at all for biking, just depends on if they are like pure denim or more polyester/twill, I've had a pair of levis that I couldn't bike in because they were too tight in the thighs, I mostly wear skate pants and they have so much flex they are almost like tights.

tombc

what are skate pants

Huffandstuff

Just skate company brands like RVCA, Emerica and Matix are the three brands I normally wear.

GeraldF

Thanks for taking the time to weigh the bike.

Info from all commenters has been helpful. Thanks.