I would say that before you buy anything you test ride every model on that list and see what you like best. My choice was the Trek however you might like the Phat bike the best, we can only suggest, we can't say what is best for you. Ride all of them and see what suits you best.

Thanks, yeah that makes the most sense of course. But I just wanted to know in terms of quality and reputation of the parts, components, and durability among the companies and models.

Like, I've heard of Trek as a bike brand before. But I've never heard of Phat Cycles, also was a little worried because it seems no one else on the forums or any of the other stores have heard of Phat Cycles. And, at some of the other employees from other stores have also at least heard of the Felt brand name.

Hey there TohTruck!

IMHO, if you're going to buy a single speed, I think your best bet is the Novara Buzz One from REI. As a matter of fact, I'd say you should try to make your purchase at REI anyway, because of the 100% satisfaction guarantee they offer. If you're a member, you get other perks and discounts, as well. There's no warranty on this planet like an REI warranty!

However, sometimes warranties don't mean that much to people who desire a specific design of product.

Novara is the generic house-brand for REI bicycles. They all have a great reputation for being reliable. Also, while your there at REI, I would suggest that you test-ride the Raleigh Detour 4.5. It's an eight-speed, but it's a really nice bike.

If you don't want to go with REI, then of course for single speeds, my first choice remains the same. The Felt Brougham is tops!

- Slim :)

PS.

The Raleigh Misceo has four models. All of them have suspended forks, except for the one at the bottom of the Totem Pole. That one is acera/altus equipped and has a rigid fork. All of the Trek DS models have suspended forks.

* Eventhough the Raleigh Misceo is on the bottom, it still has acera, which is really not that bad of a rear derailleur. Raleigh is a great bicycle manufacturing company.

I'll check out REI, I kinda don't like that the handlebars aren't flat. But I'll see if I can test drive it and see how I feel.

I imagine the Raleigh Misceo they were showing me was probably the bottom of the totem pole model.

So, if it came down to the Raleigh Misceo and the Felt Brougham (and I realize they are two very different bikes), what would you folks go for?

I got a Scott sub 50, sadly they stopped production but it's a cheap bike and lasts well. I leave it out in the rain when I'm at school because the bike racks don't have shelter =(. It's a single speed hybrid and it works like a charm for under 500 bucks, only the nuts rust but not any major frame components. I use it for long distance and the tyres are wider than a road bikes so it's more suited to pavement terrain, really adaptable bike.

If nyc is really super flat, ur really going to enjoy ur single speed. Riding a single speed isn't really all that hard core it's actually easy. Finding the right gear ratio is good too but don't worry about that now, you'll know when u've been riding it for awhile and the manufactures get the right gear ratio usually.

Really a bike for commuting, if you get it from a bike shop it should be pretty reliable and at your price range it should do fine for what you plan to do.

This is my ride ^^
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=236708

Hey there TohTruck!

For some reason, I just think there's a special place in your heart for that Brougham. That's alright! Having a single speed in New York, if nothing else, will both train and teach you, that more gears are needed. For true single-speedsters, they never get to this point. They're eternally satisfied with their single speed and that's it! You just might be one of those single-speedsters at heart.

So therefore, the Felt Brougham is at the top of my list, accompanied by the Schwinn Madison, and the Raleigh Back Alley.

In terms of single speeds, you can't go wrong with any of the above recommendations.

Sorry about the Buzz One handlebar. I truly missed that one. I thought it was flat. I'm with you there. I would only want a flat handlebar with a single speed for some reason.

- Slim :)

Handlebars can be swapped out easily enough. If the bar is the only thing about a bike you don't like, let the LBS know and I'm pretty sure they'd be more than willing to help you choose an alternate.

REI is awesome. The price might not be but service is. If I was more interested in Scott CR1 vs. Addict I got... I would have gotten it at REI (they don't carry Addict...)
Case in point. I got Gore bike wear jacket from REI about a year and half ago. I took spill on road and the jacket got damaged couple months later. I took it to REI so I can get some advice on repair/replacement part (removable arm portion is what got damaged). Cashier cheerily asked me if I would prefer cash or credit...
They beat even Costco in return/warranty policy AFAIK.
I think it is working for them as I've but many more stuff from them when the price differential of item I am getting is... "negligible".... around 15-20% difference from on line. (I have life time membership).

A lot to be said for a folding bike,
those don't have to be left heavily locked up on the NYC street,
then you bring it inside..

Yeah, I thought about a folding bike at one point.

Do they perform and last just as well and just as long as non-folding bikes? Or do the parts and components compensate in quality to make up for the fact that they are designed to fold up?

This also just might open up another can of worms for me. I'm already kind of confused as it is.

Yeah, for some reason I really have a gut feeling about the Felt Brougham.

Nevertheless, I really just want the best bike for my buck and something that I can bare to look at and feel comfy on.

I'm going to try and find time today or over the weekend to stop by REI and check out the models everyone recommended (Novara Buzz One and Raleigh Detour 4.5) and try to find a Jamis dealer in my area (I actually found one thats a few blocks away) to check out the Coda Sport.

I think I'm going to strongly opt out of the Phat Cycles and Pure Fix. I'm kinda nervous that people don't know much about them and something about their websites gives me the impression that they aren't a practical bike for me.

Tohtruck says:

Personally, I think folding bikes would serve a cyclist best, if he has to park his car some distance from some main event, like school or place of employment. It may also be useful when having to take public transportation and the last stop provided by public transportation, proves to be too far away from your destination.

Here in the Bay Area, it would be ideal, because one is required to cross a portion of the Pacific Ocean in order to get from the cities of the East Bay to San Francisco. Parking at an East Bay Bart station, grabbing your folder out of the trunk of your car and boarding the train to San Francisco, could prove to be very convenient. You could then just make the appropriate adjustments on your folder and ride to your ultimate destination in San Francisco.

I can't really see a folder as a recreational bicycle. IMHO, the 700cc wheel size is really the only way to go for me!

Yes indeed, it's statement of class, all by itself!

Hey, that's why we're here! ;)


Actually, this is the very best thing you could ever do, because on paper,
things can look really impressive. However, in reality things could be
drastically different. When you test-ride, that usually places an exclamation
point on your suspicions, one way or another. If I were you, if I had the time,
I'd spend three or four days doing nothing but test-riding different bikes.


I don't know about either of these start-up companies. Pure Fix only usues hi-tensile steel for frame material. Phat Cycles uses chromoly steel. Phat Cycles appears to be the better of the two.

So at the end of the day, nothing can take the place of hands-on investigation and exploration. Get out there, visit as many bikes shops as possible, including REI and the Jamis dealership. Test-ride whatever you can, carry pen and paper with you so that you can record your conclusions. Then you can return to BF to report your findings! :)

Aren't folding bikes a little gimicky? Yes, they take up less space, but I just don't see the problem with throwing a bike on your shoulder, or just rolling it by your side.

Folders make great sense for multimodal commuters. If you bike/bus and the rack on the bus is full, often times you have to wait for the next bus or start peddaling. Some light rail won't allow full size bikes on board during peak (rush) hour. A folder can be folded and carried on without much fanfare. Easier to arrange transportation if inclement weather forces one to accept a ride from a co-worker- I've had to leave my bike at work before because nobody had a rack on their vehicle or it wouldn't fit inside either.

They also take up less space for apartment dwellers.

Let me post a shameless plug for my blog, that, sadly, hasn't been updated in a loooong time. It's the NYC Bike Commuter link in my signature. I have several writeups there targeted at beginners including some general info and introductions to bikes and bike commuting. All writen from my own experience.

True. I forgot about peak hours on the subway. In my city, it's not really enforced, although it is a very reasonable law.

Again, thanks for all the replies everyone.

Slim, you've especially been really awesome in replying to everything I've been posting.

So about the folding bikes. I almost don't even want to consider them, as I think I might start pulling hair out of my skull. But to humor the notion, what brand of folding bike is the best for my $600 and under price range? I realize the wheels are smaller on folding bikes. How exactly does that translate to performance when riding on flat terrain in the city compared to a 700cc wheel size? Does it make it harder to pedal or slower?

I thought the folding bike thing was a bit gimmicky as well, but again, I don't know anything about bikes.

Yeah, the Pure Fix and Phat Cycles seem okay, but even the dude at the bike shop said that at some point I will probably end up wanting something better. He even said that if I got one, it would most likely quickly become a beater bike as I become more educated on bike matters. Not bad, but not exactly what I am looking for either.

I wanted to test ride some bikes today but ran out of time during the day extremely fast. REI, suggested I come back to test drive the Novara Buzz One when it wasn't dark outside. So I will come by over the weekend. They didn't have any adult sized Raleighs. But yeah, in terms of aesthetics, its more colorful and eye-catching than I was hoping. It's definitely a beautiful bike, but maybe too beautiful in terms of looks. Nevertheless, the consumer co-op thing and satisfaction guarantee policy is ridiculous!!! I almost want to drop cash in that store and buy a bunch of dumb **** just because of that policy. I could even buy the Buzz One and hold on to it for a year or two and return it one day when I get bored. It almost doesn't feel right.

They said they could switch up handlebars to a flat one. LoL, why the **** are the rims blue???

I will definitely give it a test ride over the weekend.

I stopped by another bike shop today that is a Jamis dealer. They did not have any Coda Sports =( , but said that most likely their other locations would have them and they could have them brought over given a day or two. However, they did have a Redline 925 in stock for $480. I will set up a test ride for the weekend so I can check out the Coda Sport and the Redline 925.

Unfortunately, while I was there the dude (who was helpful) started showing me some more bikes and stuff. I didn't write all of them down, because I am going to go crazy. But one of the models he mentioned that I guess I will test ride when i have time is the SE Draft Lite for $330 (specifically its a black one with red grips and I think a red crank). It's very inexpensive, is that worth looking into?

It seems like almost all the stores I've been to have the same 3 year policy on brake and gear adjustments. How important are these types of matters?

NYC Velo, offers a free brake and gear adjustments for a lifetime which definitely appeals to me since I am liking the Felt Brougham that they showed me. And REI of course seems to have the best policy which is everything for the life of the bike basically.

Does anyone know about this thing?

http://times-up.org/

Apparently among the various things that they organize is a free fix your bike workshop in LES Manhattan and Brooklyn. They supposedly had one today, and I was going to stop by, but got a little creeped out when I walked over to the location, it was supposedly in the basement of some creepy looking abandoned building and I didn't really see anyone hanging around there and was even too scared to peak inside. I was hoping maybe I could stop by and ask some people questions and look to it as a resource for riding and meeting cyclists and learning more. If anyone is familiar with this non-profit direct action organization, can you offer up some info on it and their workshops and events?

So yeah, I will spend a good majority of my weekend test riding bikes. Specifically I will definitely try to test ride:

Felt Brougham

Novara Buzz One from REI

Jamis Coda Sport (hopefully, they have it when I come back)

Redline 925

Raleigh Misceo

and I forgot to ask around if anyone had the Surly Steamroller, but I'll see if anyone has that for me to test ride as well.

Thanks again, everyone, I hope my thread isn't becoming annoying. It's just that I rapidly start to get obsessed when I'm about to make a big purchase. I'm always uncomfortable about not being a well-informed consumer.

I will check out your blog AdamDZ, thanks for that.

I think that the Steamroller is going to be out of your price range. If that 925 fits, do give it a good, looong test ride- it gets much love in BFSSFG here (and elsewhere), but is no longer in production :(.

As far as tire sizes go, the smaller the diameter of the wheel, the faster it accelerates and generally more nimble when turning. Drawback is that they don't maintain the speed very well given the same amount of effort compared to larger wheels. But if you're going to be riding in very population dense areas...

As far as best bang for your buck folders, you might ask the folks in that forum.

^^ Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, I'll give the Redline 925 a strong consideration. Actually it was around my size, according to the dude who was helping me out. But it was also hanging from the ceiling so I didn't get a good look at it.

Again, I don't think I'm gonna get into the whole folding thing. I'm just gonna end up spending the next couple of months looking at bikes, reading about bikes, posting about bikes and then never getting a bike lol.

So... about helmets... I'm not sure where to post my questions about helmets. The Safety forum seems to be focused on accidents and public bike policy. Is there a forum dedicated to safety equipment?

I want to buy a good protective helmet with a very low-profile. I was reading a bit about the Pro-Tec helmets (had an old one when I used to skateboard as a teenager). So, apparently they make a model or a couple that are meant for the Department of Defense and Military Personel. Is that true? And are they good for cycling safety?

Otherwise, where should I post my above questions about bike helmets?

There is a helmet thread in A&S, but from what I gather, you kinda need a thick skull to go there.

Here's Sheldon's take on helmets.

I find this site helpful. Because of US regulations, the $20 Bell helmet at the BigBox store provides just as much protection as the $200 helmet. Comfort and ventilation will vary.

Wear a helmet before going into A&S :D

I wear a helmet. It helped once when I skidded and fell on ice while going up a bridge ramp. The helmet cracked and I had a bump the size of an egg. Who knows what would have happened if I wasn't wearing one. You get used to it. It won't help you when you're run over by a fast moving vehicle but in small collisions a helmet can save you from a trip to ER.

Yes, besides poor ventilation (not an issue in cool weather) the cheap helmets can be very uncomfortable, have horrible straps and buckles that seem to be all in the wrong place and rub your cheeks and your ears, pads that will wear off or fall off quickly, etc. You can usually find good helmets around $50 though.

Re.: Times Up, I have heard about them. I donated money, I get their fliers in the mail from time to time. I emailed them couple of times asking if they take parts donations, I had some frames and parts, or if they need volunteers, I never heard from them. As far as I know it's a legit organization and if you can come to one of their workshops, it won't hurt. I learned all I know from the web though: this forum, Sheldon Brown, Park Tools Blog and Bicycle Tutor.

http://bicycletutor.com/
http://sheldonbrown.com/
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

I build and maintain all my bikes with the exception of wheel building which I found too tedious and too time consuming.

Thanks for the links ^^^ as well as all the input everyone.

So yeah, aren't there different types of helmets that offer varying protection? Like hard shell helmets vs. the styrofoam Toys R Us kind I had when I was 8?

Does anyone know about those Pro-Tec helmets that are meant for the military and the US Department of "Defense?"

I would imagine they must offer at least a step or two up in terms of protection. And they look pretty badass anyway. I wonder if they are comfortable. Unfortunately, I haven't seen that helmet at any of the stores I've checked out.

I was thinking I'd just get one of these hard shell Bell Hemlets:

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Faction-M...g_bs_3404571_4

I had to Google Pro-Tec, and this is what I came up with as far as helmets. Are any of these the ones that you are referring to?

In any case, I personally wouldn't choose a design like that. The more vents a helmet has, the cooler it will be when it's hot outside. This is the one that I use and it gets unbearable on the high side of 85.

My bad, I guess they aren't manufactured by Pro-Tec:

http://www.protechelmet.com/products.asp?cat=14

I don't believe the seller actually represents the manufacturer. As far as I can tell, with the exception of the Service related ones, these are the same as the ones in the link I provided earlier. That being said, if the fashion appeals to you, then go for it.

Good luck with the purchase, now that you've decided on a new single speed. I was going to agree with Slim and recommend the Jamis Sport Coda. It's a very fine bike and speeds give you more flexibility, but I'm not an SS guy. When I want to feel better about myself, I rationalize that Pittsburgh is a very hilly city to ride a single-speed bike in, but I'm probably just too weak for it! In any case, if you have your heart set on the SS, go for it. One thing I'll bet: if you fall in love with riding like a lot of folks on this forum, you'll be writing to ask us about your next bike purchase in oh, let's say 6 months max.!

Happy trails!

I haven't bought anything yet. Haven't even had time to test ride the bikes yet. Hopefully it doesn't snow/rain this weekend and I will test out all the bikes I am considering (which includes geared bikes). I went to a Jamis dealer yesterday, and unfortunately they did not have the Coda Sport. I'll try to find another Jamis dealer and see if they have it.

But why do you (ultimattfrisbee) think I'll be wanting another bike so soon?

When I was riding a bmx bike i was perfectly happy with it for a few years. I even worked a delivery boy when I had it.

I really can't afford an expensive hobby like this. I definitely see how this can easily become an obsession/passionate hobby.

Regarding helmets, what are peoples' thoughts on this:

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Faction-M...g_bs_3404571_4

Do they offer good protection?

"CPSC bicycle safety standard certified and ASTM 1492 skate certified"

If we all had spherical heads, it would be easy to purchase the proper helmet. But all heads are slightly different. I recommend you purchase a helmet that you can try on before buying. The only helmets that fit me are Bell size small. Other brands fit me different and are too large.

I will definitely wear a helmet. But when I posted that I specifically wanted to know if that model the Bell Faction helmet offered good protection. After reading up on the links that people provided and other sources I realize that the basic idea is that most of them offer good protection as long as they have those safety standard certifications. Aside from that I guess it would appear that it will depend on how these helmets fit.