Hey Friends, I am looking for a wide tire compatible commuter bike that is relatively cheap, but wont fall apart on me. I got some room for upgrades. My theft insurance will cover bikes up to $500 and given that my Surly LHT is 3x's that is just too much liability. Plus, it never hurts to have a simple bike. What are your thoughts on Nashbar's SS Crossbike? The components seem solid. I am not looking for Dura Ace... Just a good round town bike.

Thanks,

rabbit

I don't own it or have I ever ridden it but looking at the specs I don't think you can go wrong at the price. It's $50 less then the comparable BD bike:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm

I think the 46//17 gear ratio is better for all around riding then the 38/16 on the bikes direct.

But if your budget is $500 and your comfortable ordering something on line why not get a Kilo WT which is the same geometry as a Surly Steamroller

https://bikesdirect.com/products/merc...tt_wt_xiii.htm

I ride a Fantom Cross Uno and I love it. Commuting by SS changed my life. If it ever falls apart or gets stolen (and trust me, it's going to take some effort either way), I would get a Kilo WT... or another Uno.

So yes please, do the SSCX for commuting thing.

There is a thread for the Uno over in Cyclocross: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ntom-Cross-UNO

How about a 3 speed hub?

I have considered it (or an S-A 5spd), but a) no money after moving across-country and buying a house and b) I am somehow afraid that if I ever get up out of the saddle and stomp, I would grind a 3/5spd hub into the ground.

Isn't the Kilo WT's geometry very similar to Surly's LHT? (with the exceptions of the chainstays) I am on the fence about getting this bike in a 56 cm or the Nashbar SS cyclocross bike in 55cm. What are your thoughts?

No, The Kilo WT geometry is an identical copy of the Surly Steamroller. Nonetheless, it does work well as a fat tire SS commuter / general transport:

I like what you did with it. I know there was some concern of discrepancies with the sizing on BD. People were saying one should buy a 53 if you rode a 56cm, but that was my ignorance on c-c vs. c-t measuring. Like mentioned before I ride a 56 cm LHT so the TT and Seat tube are almost spot on.

I am guessing you bought from BD, how did you like buying from them?

OK, first off the c-c .vs. c-t stuff only applies to the Kilo TT, which is a totally different bike. Sizing on the Kilo WT seat tube is c-t, exactly the same as Surly, and top tube is c-c. Yes, I bought it from BD, as well as a Motobecane Messenger, and there were no problems with the transaction. You need to understand, however, that some of the components on the Kilo WT are way inferior to the Surly Steamroller. Specifically, the headset, seatpost, saddle, stem, handlebar and tires are pretty junky and I replaced all of them. OTOH, the wheels and crankset (Sugino RD2) are good quality, and I did not replace them. I also changed the gearing on both the freewheel and fixed cog, which were pretty low quality anyway. The wheels hubs are maintenance free sealed bearing Formulas and are comparable in quality to the Surly hubs. Also, you will need to true and tension the wheels, cut the brake housing and cable to proper length and tighten the cranks. Finally, you will have to deal with some bad, incorrect or missing parts. In my case the stock seatpost binder bolt was stripped and needed to be replaced. So be prepared for some initial hassles before you get it sorted out. Still, I've gotten 3 good years out of it and have been very pleased. The only failure so far has been recently both the original tubes went bad where the valve stem is joined to the tube and needed replacement.

My Uno was missing a stem. Which was okay, because it came from BikeIsland and so was not to BD specs and it probably would have been too long anyway.

Oh stud muffin ..

Thanks guys.

I didn't say it was grounded in any reality... I have no experience with the hardware. Soo... enlighten me there, sir.

they are pretty robust after all the design is British Victorian era .. almost Steam Punk..

from 1909,, AW3 is 1930's [ about when the last Brit won the Men's finals at Wimbleton]

Dan Burkhart has some tear down Videos , recent one on the NIG redesign..

1) the gear is not disengaged only the power application changes

AW3 is used as a 4/3 or 3/4 overdrive or reduction gear . the pawls are the shift between

like the pawls on a freewheel or freehub ..

5 speed is 2 ring gears planetaries have 2 sizes of gear one on each end.

[20% and 33%]

FWIW there is the S3X fixie 3 speed , ratios are the bottom 3 of a 5 speed .63, .75, & 1.. [1.33,1.6]

https://www.sturmey-archer.com/produc...4/specs/1.html

Shimano's are notorious on spare parts AW3 being made for ever is easy.

I was quite torn between the Kilo WT5 and the Uno when I was shopping, and the longer chainstays on the Uno sold it for me.
I figured that if I wanted to, I could round up the S-A 5spd hub (as used in the WT5) and bar-end shifter and have it rebuilt as a... Fantom Cross Cinco?

I might still... thanks for the vote there.

I am certainly in the Fantom Uno camp. Absolutely love mine. I normaly ride a 55-56 road bike but find the 54 to be perfect in frame size.