Originally Posted by wowoah

My old bike got jacked a couple months ago so I've been taking the train to work, but I'm itching to get a new bike to commute again. My semi-hipster friend (cause you can only be so hipster as a corporate lawyer) is trying to convince me to get a single-speed bike to replace it, saying they're lighter, faster, and much more fun to ride. On that note, I've got a couple questions:

- Is it a good idea to buy a single-speed in a city as hilly as San Francisco? (My commute path is pretty flat, but I hope to ride around the city generally.)
- Can anyone recommend a good single-speed bike for <$500? I've heard great things about the Redline 925, but there are so many bike brands out there, it's hard to choose!

Much thanks in advance!