Which single speed first?
08-07-07 | 10:27 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Which single speed first?
I have been trying to pick my first single speed bike and have narrowed it down to ~3 choices. In order...
1. Schwinn Madison ($429 @ Performance Bikes, 2 week delivery)
2. Giant Bowery ($400 Bike Warehouse San Diego)
3. Windsor/Motobecane/Kilo TT (~$300, possibly this one... https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/387199253.html)
I wanted to stay around $400 or less. I am impatient and can't find anything I want to convert, and those I've come across that look worth spending the time/effort on seem to end up in the $200+ range with decent parts... so I have given up and decided to buy a base model. Lots of people here seem to like #3... but I'm leaning towards #1 on looks alone.
Which would you pick?
1. Schwinn Madison ($429 @ Performance Bikes, 2 week delivery)
2. Giant Bowery ($400 Bike Warehouse San Diego)
3. Windsor/Motobecane/Kilo TT (~$300, possibly this one... https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/387199253.html)
I wanted to stay around $400 or less. I am impatient and can't find anything I want to convert, and those I've come across that look worth spending the time/effort on seem to end up in the $200+ range with decent parts... so I have given up and decided to buy a base model. Lots of people here seem to like #3... but I'm leaning towards #1 on looks alone.
Which would you pick?
08-07-07 | 11:02 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 4
Bikes: 2012 Motobecane Vent Noir; 2016 Mercier Kilo TT Pro
Heh, go test-ride the one on Craigslist and if you like it, buy a new one online.
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08-07-07 | 11:17 PM
#4
veggieburglar
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara/San Jose, CA
Bikes: 60s Peugeot conversion, 2002 Santa Cruz Heckler, 2007 Bianchi "Everyone has one" Pista, Beat up Beach Cruiser
Where is everyone finding these Madisons? When I was looking they were nowhere to be found.
08-08-07 | 01:02 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 58
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^yes the thing is way clunky. I would avoid this bike. It may look sexy but it's heavy. I would go with number 3. I just got my girlfriends motobecane messenger in the mail today. I'm going to repaint it pink. primer goes on in the morning woot woot.
08-08-07 | 09:09 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
If you're okay with Craigslist, perhaps look for a Langster/Pista/Something else that's a step up used? You might be able to swing a lot more bike for your $400. If there's nothing on there and you wanted to choose from among those three today, I'd say the Bowery. Even though many people here think it's hideous (I don't), it seems like a higher quality bike than the other two, especially the BikesDirect bikes. They're great for $300, but if you can get a much nicer bike for $400, I'd go for it.
