OK so I'm looking for something specific and as this is going to be my first Road Bike purchase I have a few questions. Initially I wanted to buy a Bianci Fremont, but decided $700-$800 was a bit more than I wanted to spend on my bike.

I'm going to be primarily using this to go to work everyday (.8 miles) and exercise on the weekend (10-20 miles). I live in New York City.

So my main requirements in no particular order are:

1. Reliable, solid.
2. Light weight.
3. $300-$400 budget
4. I prefer a plain black or silver bike. Nothing fancy.
5. Single speed, NOT fixed gear.
6. Rust proof? I'll be locking it outside of my office, so if it rains I don't want it to get damaged.
7. Approximately a 49cm frame. I am 5'5" and tried out a 49cm Bianci which felt alot better than the larger bikes.

My main question is, I know most people sit very "leaned forward" when riding these bikes, but on my way to work when I'm navigating through traffic, is it possible to raise the handle bar/lower the seat so I can have a more "upright" comfortable ride?

Here are some bikes I'm looking at right now:

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3040

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm

Post up anything you would recommend. Thanks and I'm happy to join this great community!

sst, motobecane messenger, redline 925, or schwinn madison.

the redline has bullhorn TT bars from the get go which is cool if you don't like road drops.

as for color and rustability, you're not going to have to worry that much but if it's important to you, get the sst aluminum when it comes in october.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm Take your pick.

I don't think that Scattante Americano is worth it's price.

In terms of being upright, you could get a positive-rise still and riser handlebars, but I don't believe many singlespeeds ship with those from the factory.

I think the general consensus is that once you buy a sub $400 bike, you dump another $400 into what you really wanted, might as well buy the $800 bike.

which is why he should buy the dawes or the redline or the madison. those don't need upgrading.

if you really want an SS, then just look for a low end road bike frame like the Trek 1000 or Giant OCR then get a Surly chain tensioner.

both of which are at least twice his price range.

sometimes tergin you're terribly off point.

uhh... forgot to mention the used part.

well in that case just get a used langster, and forget about the tensioner.

wow you guys are fast. thanks for the responses. where can i get a redline 925?

which of these would you recommend? the redline?

well the redline is chro-mo steel but i don't think you'll find a good aluminum bike under 400 new. in fact the redline is probably 450 anyway.

i'd get the motobecane messenger or sst.

^^ Yeah, the redline is steel, which is never great for leaving outside. If you're bent on locking up outside, I'd just get the cheapest option, considering the theft issue.