Need suggestions on dependable SS commuter. <=$600
 

I want to buy a SS commuter bike. Which bikes should I be looking at?
Requirements:
Must be able to fit at least 28 width tire.
Must be able to fit full fenders in addition to the wider tires.
Must have eyelets for fenders and a rear rack.
Must be $600 or less.
Would prefer steel.
Something with a flip/flop hub would be nice.

Raleigh One Way, Surly Steamroller, Motobecane Jury

Steamroller is over $600 and has no eyelets for fenders/rack.

One Way looks nice but comes in at $700

Can't find the Jury for sale.

The Jury is a new frame being offered at bikeisland.com

Here is the link: http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1184

You'd have to build it up from parts. It has lots of clearance for fenders and wide tires.

Another recommendation is the Redline 925. I'm not sure if that fits all of your qualifications, but it's nice. http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/925.html

you want a bianchi san jose

Dang straight on the San Jose.

Please refer to the hoards of threads identical to this one.

+1 on the One Way, have been ridin it all summer and the wide tyres are nice on the pot holes and what not.

Trek Soho S, a perfect commuter single speed.

Masi Speciale Commuter

san jose or rob roy

Redline 925 sounds like exactly what you are looking for.

If you want to build a bike up yourself, old frames designed for 27inch tires give you great clearance for fenders and wide tires when you switch to 700c.

The Jury and Steamroller have similar geometries. I had a steamroller for a while as a commuter but later ditched it. Steep head tube angles are cool in some circles, but when you put a fender on a front tire with a 74 degree head tube angle, you are asking for major troublesome toe overlap.

It's not steel, but I went with an IRO Jamie Roy for Seattle wet weather commuting and love it. Full fenders, big tires, very nice ride.

bikesdirect.com

I was just about to post about the Redline 925. Anyone have any comments on it???

Steel frame with rear brake stops, stock with fenders, brakes, and 30mm tires, flip/flop hub.
Sounds like a great commuter for winters here in New England and not to expensive either.

zac

schwinn madison?

Save your money and get an SE Draft. Simplicity, dependability and low cost beat everything else for a commuter.

I like the lager better. Looks like they have eyelets but no room for the fenders>

The Draft will accommodate some Planet Bike Freddy Fenders. I don't recall exactly what size they were, but they looked pretty nice and had mudflaps. Haven't actually seen the Lager.

While I have not ridden or owned one, the general word seems to be stay away from SE bikes.

I also throw in a vote for the Redline 925 (Nine to Five). It sounds exactly like what you are looking for.
http://www.redlinebicycles.com/adultbikes/925.html
http://i34.tinypic.com/289dao3.jpg

i'd go with a BikesDirect bike before I bought a Draft. You get more for the money, and the frames are more easily upgradeable.

+1 for the 925 or San Jose. Lots of the other recommendations above won't provide adequate clearance for fenders and big tires simultaneously. If you want to build it up yourself, the new Motobecane Jury frameset at Bikeisland has eyelets and likely has plenty of clearance considering it needs a *very* long reach brake. Downside is you'd need to wait a month or so until they offer compatible brakes. But it's a really pretty frameset and remarkably practical for a commuter setup.

-1 for sloping top tubes.

Hmm, must have missed that in the OP's requirements.

Kona Paddy Wagon... I got mine for just at $600 +tax