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Inexpensive Bike Using 1x Drivetrain and Disc Brakes

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Inexpensive Bike Using 1x Drivetrain and Disc Brakes

Old 10-21-17, 04:26 PM
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Inexpensive Bike Using 1x Drivetrain and Disc Brakes

I am looking for a winter commuter to use in bad weather conditions. It seems that the relative simplicity of a 1x drivetrain would be useful on such a bike. I'd also like disc brakes. But, I don't want to spend a lot of money on this (as close to $500 as reasonably possible).

I haven't found anything that fits the bill. The closest that I found was the Raleigh Cadent 4. (I can't post a link yet because of too few posts, but it's on Raleigh's website.)

Are there other bikes that you can point out to me? And, does Raleigh sell through bike shops? I'm nervous about buying a bike online without test riding it.

Thanks!
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Old 10-21-17, 05:46 PM
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Bikesdirect?
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Old 10-21-17, 06:08 PM
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The problem is there aren't any low end 1x systems yet and they've only recently trickled down into the mid-range prices, so not a lot used bikes with them yet.

Here's a 3x7 with disc brakes for $499:

Save Up to 60% Off Disc Brake Road Bikes - Motobecane Turino Disc
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Old 10-21-17, 07:55 PM
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Sunrace now makes an 8x11-40 cassette but I'm not sure what RD is rated to address it.
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Old 10-21-17, 10:45 PM
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The KiloTT at Bikesdirect is the one everyone on the Single speed forum recommends. $500. But it doesn't have disk brakes. It looks like there's one with disk brakes but good luck finding reviews: Save up to 60% off FREE SHIP 48 STATES* Sale 2018 Gravity Vanquish Single Speed All Road / Cross / Gravel Powerful Disc Brake ALU Road Bikes Fits Wide Tires bikes The Windsor Hour Plus might also be worth a look. This is also worth a read: https://www.******.com/r/FixedGearBi...n_200_and_600/

I think the consensus is that any bikes on Amazon aren't worth the price.
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Old 10-22-17, 09:30 AM
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If you are shopping Raleigh / Diamondback, be sure to look up the open secret of discount codes and "corporate" accounts and Active Junky or Ebates. They also have a deal through IMBA membership
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Old 10-22-17, 10:54 AM
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Tribe Urban Cross.

https://tribebicycles.com/collection...x-black-silver
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Old 10-22-17, 11:09 AM
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bike from goodwill stores


Raleigh USA sells through my LBS they're a Pac Rim made brand, these days .

New British made Bikes are now rare and have to be higher end to make their costs.




...

Last edited by fietsbob; 10-22-17 at 11:12 AM.
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Old 10-22-17, 02:20 PM
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My Diamondback Haanjo Metro fits the requirement. Don't know who is selling them right now, other than DB themselves. See above for corporate and other special deals, which can be substantial.
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Old 10-22-17, 05:47 PM
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Almost any wide tired coaster brake bike would make a good winter single speed. I learned this more than 50 years ago, when I found that my bike could easily climb hills that my fathers car could not, unless he had chains. Add studs for even more capability.
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Old 10-22-17, 06:29 PM
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1x does not mean single speed. It means one chainring.
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Old 10-22-17, 08:45 PM
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If you haven't already, examine what gearing you need on your commute. Just relatively slow city riding with not too steep climbs may allow 1x9 or even less. If you have hills and fast parts, you need more range. Typically this requires a 2x or 1x11.

As others have pointed out, there is not much new in the budget you have. Maybe a used bike that is a former 3x9 might work (i.e. if the FD broke and previous owner didn't replace it). Or just get a cheap 2x or 3x and don't use the FD.

I'd be careful using 11-40 (this is almost 11-speed range!) cassettes on an 8-speed. First, the RD may not be able to use it. Second, the steps between gears will be large, making it awkward when accelerating and having large cadence jumps (or drops)
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Old 10-23-17, 08:10 AM
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Lots of great feedback here. Much appreciated everyone!
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Old 10-23-17, 08:33 AM
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It's not 1X, but it shouldn't be bothered by weather.
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Old 10-23-17, 09:53 AM
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Yeah, but unless the commute is relatively short I wouldn't want to commute 20 km on them fat tires.
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Old 10-23-17, 10:02 AM
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I have this same crankset on 2 different bikes, one with a triple, the other is 1x. The bike with the 1x has horizontal dropouts and I swap out a freehub wheel and a ss/fg wheel depending on conditions (with a downtube shifter that I just remove along with the derailer if I am going to ss/fg).

Gear range is not a function of number of gears, it's a function of the largest cog and the smallest. 1x7 is great for my commutes but I have recently switched to 1x10 to make it easier to ride with other people.
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Old 12-13-17, 10:21 AM
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Yeah, but unless the commute is relatively short I wouldn't want to commute 20 km on them fat tires.
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Old 12-13-17, 11:07 AM
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You can always achieve the mechanical simplicity of a 1x by removing the front derailleur and shifter, manually putting the chain on the desired chainring, and just leaving it there. Other chainrings can be left in place or removed. A superfluous large chainring can be easily and cheaply swapped with a bashguard (or left on as a bashguard). If additional chain retention is needed (after removing the FD), narrow-wide chainrings can be had cheap off of eBay.
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Old 12-13-17, 11:09 AM
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Breezer Downtown EX? MSRP=$479
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Old 12-13-17, 08:13 PM
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'Normal' bikes are not bothered by weather.
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Old 12-17-17, 07:22 PM
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Suggest getting a pre owned mountain bike, take off the FD and a couple chain rings - add winter tires and fenders.
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Old 12-17-17, 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by martianone
suggest getting a pre owned mountain bike, take off the fd and a couple chain rings - add winter tires and fenders.
+1.
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Old 12-18-17, 04:25 PM
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I just picked up a Priority 8 - belt drive with an 8 speed internal geared hub, hydraulic disc brakes off CL for $275, including some water proof saddle bags and a rack. I think the bike had less than 100 miles on it. Great deals are out there.
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Old 12-18-17, 04:32 PM
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nice! if I saw that on my cl I'd definitely try to snap it up!
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