My son is currently going to school in Chicago and would like to get a SS. You know the reasons: simple, easy to maintain, and who needs gears when you live in a flat level city. He is a good off-road cyclist but has never been much for road cycling.

My first impulse was to get him the Walmart bike. After all, no one would weep if it got ripped off. Frankly you probably wouldn't even have to lock the thing. But I've read enough reviews to realize that buying him that bike would be tantamount to child-abuse.

Today I test-rode a Lemond Fillmore. Lovely bike, SS with a flip-flop hub, and vintage steel. It runs around 600-700 USD. Now I would be crushed if someone stole the bike. I'm half-tempted to buy it for myself but my knees are aching even after a brief ride.

So I've looked at the SSs on BikesDirect. They cost around $300 and seemed to be decently made. In other words, good enough so I won't feel like I'm getting him crap, but not so good that I'd be crushed if it got ripped off.

Any thoughts?