So i just moved to nyc and i would like to find a decent single speed bike which would allow me to commute to work with ease. I currently own a Giant road bike (cf frame) and i dont think i want to park it outside and leave it there. Its just too much of a risk. I am looking for a bike around 200 bucks that will get me from point a to point b. I would like something simple like this (https://images01.olx.com/ui/3/99/60/58419960_1.jpg) (random pic off google).

Simple frame
single speed
flat bar

any suggestions?

Troll Craigslist for one. Mod it to your liking. Ride.

My son bought one of these for use at college:
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202339
I had it for a couple of weeks before he took it so I checked, cleaned, adjusted and lubed everything. There were a few metal shavings near the hubs that could have caused problems later. I changed out the BB with a Shimano just because I didn't like the feel of the stock one and also changed the tire to some kevlar-belted ones from Perfomrnace. It is a decent bike and rode well once it I was done with it. A bit heavy (pretty much everything is steel on this bike) but he got it on sale for $175 so it was right at $200 delivered.

It's steel. It's cheap. It's low maintenance. It's dependable.

WALMART'S NEW THRUSTER:



Just $100

Gotta admit , slim has a good plan, I'd still Lock it ,
so You don't just have to go back on public transit to get back home.
but if damaged or stolen no big deal.
It is NYC after all and that 'crack' is not given out for free..

For that little, agree on Craigslist. Just beware...look at SlimRider's Walmart fixie up there, for $100, and then look at this...same bike with different handlebars, a kickstand, a u-lock, and a cheap looking helmet. Only $200!

Flat bars suck. Give me either north road bars or drops raised a sensible height any time. North road bars place your hands in a very comfortable position, and you can also lean forward onto the curves or straight middle section to cheat the wind a little. Drops give you four positions- the tops are the same as a flat bar, but you also have the rear curves, hoods or drops. Flat bars force you to put your hands in one not very comfortable position the whole time.

I'd look for an old British roadster. These came with a comfortable riding position and either single speed or a bombproof 3-speed IGH, and if cared for will last forever. Alternatively, most old '10-speed' road bikes can be converted to single speed fairly simply.

1) This is true.

2) This is not. Unless one is prepped to either spend a goodly amount on new components or can do one's own mechanical work. Not the least of which entails redishing the rear wheel if using the original comps. SlimRider and erg79 have the right idea.

At least two of those things are probably true. The other two....I wouldn't bet on it. It's also one of the ugliest bikes I've ever seen.

For $100 I'd much rather have an old rigid MTB. A lot of them had horizontal drop-outs so you could make 'em singlespeeds if you really want to. And then I'd spend another $60 or so on good tires.

Oooh, it's a "hand crafted frame" with "flip flop hub".

My wife actually spotted one of these in our local store. I think that she was going to surprise me at X-Mas, but I told her I didn't think that it was all that great- even for the price. After reading the first review, it seems my gut was right.

My nephew has one. He rides that thing everywhere, all the time. Practically everything on it is stamped!

- Slim

Yeah, you're right!...It's cheap alright, but it fits the OP's prescription!

Hand-crafted frame!!!!

Including the spokes?

Hey, hey...I'm sure someone with hands turned the machine on and then put the frame in a box. Ergo, hand crafted.

Mongoose Detain.

fixie != single speed. I think the CL is a good idea. Buy a sound bike that doesn't look good and perhaps it won't get stolen. At least not too quickly. The "shiny" on the Walmart bike might attract attention from some idiot who doesn't know Steel from Aluminum :-)

I meant it's fairly simple compared to converting a more modern bike to single speed, since the older bike will have a screw-on freewheel, horizontal dropouts and separate brakes and shifters, all of which make conversion simpler, and which a modern bike most likely won't have. It does imply a degree of mechanical knowledge though.

I bought one of those a less than a month ago,reassembled it correctly...and promptly returned it for refund. In the bike's defense,some internals had been damaged by poor initial assembly. The brakes were complete crap and useless (they'd flex badly just sitting in the bikeroom and squeezing the poorly adjusted things),though if ran fixed that wouldn't matter....I was wanting a city SS for the days I didn't wanna ride my geared CX. For a hunderd bux,it wasn't a bad buy,if they'd had another one in stock,I would have exchanged it insteada refunded it (I also would pulled those butt-ugly-IMHO-tires for a set of WTB Allterrain 37mm's I have on hand,LOL!).

Another option (a bit pricier),SE Bikes (sorry,no links,but seem em both on Amazon cheap) a chromoly framed Lauger,and a less expensive (like,$200) Draft Lite made of hi-ten steel. Both look decent for the $ and definately able to commute

If you don't mind gears take a look at this https://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/2807925218.html otherwise just keep browsing craigslist. Also check out recycle a bicycle, never been there but they might have what you need.

Nashbar Hounder. I think it was $200, but it went up to $225 after the New Year. I think it would be better quality than a Wal-mart bike.