I commute about 5 miles to school each way and I've noticed that I only use one gear of my Cannondale Adventure 5, so I decided I want a single speed. It does rain and snow here and I want to ride it every day. I also have some stuff I want to carry. Here are the features I'm looking for:

- single speed
- rear rack
- fenders
- $600 or under (preferably $500 but I would go higher if I really liked it)

Now, I know that you can install fenders and racks (and gears too...), so how realistic would it be to just buy any good single speed and install those things? Is it better or worse in terms of price and reliability? Anything else I should get? Actually now that I think about it, I carry my bookbag around school so how reasonable would it even be to use panniers? So I might just need fenders? Anything else I should think about?

look at bikes direct https://www.bikesdirect.com and https://www.swobo.com

You could get something like this and then add fenders and a rack:

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

Those bikes look great but I wouldn't be able to ride it before I buy it. Is that okay? There is an Eddy's Bike Shop near me and they have Trek Sohos in their online store. Is that a good one? Or is that like the other ones except more expensive because it's a Trek?

I guess I meant the Soho S, what is the difference? The Soho is like $900.

I don't think the Soho is very "sexy" to be honest, but it probably fits your needs well, if you can fit fenders on it, which I'm not sure of.

In that price range there are lots of choices though.

The Soho S retails for $550, and the frame is aluminum, whereas the Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno from Bikes Direct is $400 and has a steel frame. Both bikes will accept a rack and fenders. The main difference is that you are paying a little more for a store bought bike instead of mail order. Both are pretty low end but adequate componetry and decent frames but nothing exotic. Personally, I'd go for the steel frame as it is more tolerant of abuse.

Given the conditions and the kind of riding you describe, I'd make sure you don't just have eyelets for racks and fenders, but that you also have clearance for bigger tires if/when you decide you want them. Singlespeed cross bikes give you this flexibility; the BD Uno was mentioned above, but you might also look into the Surly Cross-check and Bianchi San Jose, which you may be able to find and try out at a shop.

No way he's getting a Cross-check or San Jose for $500 or less without a lot of Craigslist karma.
Bikesdirect seems like the obvious choice here. The previously mentioned FCU and the Kilo WT look good.
Your LBS will have some SSs for around $4-500, but generally speaking these are gonna be hybrid-y models like the Soho. Cool if you're into that, but I'm not.

Head to your LBS, tell them what you're looking for and ask if they or their distributors have any New Old Stock bikes available at a discount.

I've been very lucky this way. I've been able to get new bikes that were from older model years. One bike I purchased in 2007, was a 2003 model that had never been out of the box. The other I bought this year but was a 2007 model. Both came at a considerable discount.

I have two things going for me in this regard: (1) my frame size is between 60-62 depending on the frame -- but it's usually the largest frame size for a given bike. This size seems to have less demand than others, so it's more likley to be sitting around and (2) I'm not that picky. I take the bike that is available and then make whatever changes or additions are needed. Because of the discount, I've had enough left over to swap out parts or make improvements as needed.

Anyway, it's worth a shot, no?

I commute on a Soho S. In fact I've ridden it almost seven days a week for about a year now. It's in your price range and it can easily take fenders and a rack. Doesn't take large tires. I like the fact that it's aluminum. The weather is pretty crappy where I live. I don't have to worry about rust after riding in the rain/sleet/snow. It gets no love here because it's not steel and has a sloping top tube. Check out the review and million comments on Bike Commuters https://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/02...ewtrek-soho-s/. General consensus is (and I agree) decent frame with crappy components that you will have to upgrade.

I'm thinking of going with this: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm. What rack and fenders should I get with it? I'm also thinking of getting one of these: https://www.thewaterproofstore.com/backpacks.html. How aggressive is the geometry on the Fantom Cross Uno Track? Aren't track bikes suppose to be pretty aggressive? And is the seat comfortable? I know I could replace it but I'm just wondering, aren't those little seats uncomfortable? I really don't have the chance to try one out but I mean it seems good to me. One last thing, what size should I get? I'm about 5' 11'' (180 cm).

My choice would be Esge flexible plastic fenders and a Blackburn aluminum rack. Google for prices and places to buy. The Fantom Cross is NOT a track bike, it is a (cyclo)cross bike and the geometry is fairly relaxed, so it should ride stable and smooth. All my bikes have narrow "racing" style saddles and they are comfortable for me, but you just won't know until you get it. Unless you ride bolt upright like some ****er, you don't need one of those big horse saddles. As to sizing, it mainly depends on your inseam. Look at the standover height in the geometry chart (divide by 25.4 to get it in inches). You should be able to stand over the bike without hitting your jewels on the toptube. I'd go for about 1 to 2 inches clearance with your shoes on. If your upper body (torso and arms) are long relative to your legs, you may need a longer stem.

https://motobecane.com/uno_geo.html

Esge is now SKS City from what I found...

https://www.sks-germany.com/sks.php?l...dguards&s=city
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/fenders.html

Thanks guys! I'll get back to you on my decision.

I'm 5' 10" with a 88cm cycling inseam and got the 58 frame. I've been using it for a few months but have just ordered the 61cm since I've got long legs and couldn't get the seat back as far as I need, even with a setback seatpost.

Re standover: the geometry chart says the standover on the 58 is 827mm but I measured it at 810mm with 32mm tires.

I have fairly long legs too so maybe 61 cm would be good for me. Did you just trade it back in for free or what? Also, is it possible to change the gear or something? How do I know the gear ratio will be right for me? And when it says it comes with a freewheel, that means I can coast right? Sorry if my questions seem dumb but it's different when I'm buying something over the internet without much knowledge. I want to be sure, that's all. What kind of components should I think about upgrading?

You can change the gearing after you get the bike if you don't like it, however, you'll have to take what they give you when you buy it online. That's one of the drawbacks of buying online and one of the advantages of buy from a good LBS. The gearing is pretty low, 38 x 16 = 64 gear inches, although that would be my own preference. You can increase the gearing by either replacing the front chainring with a bigger one with more teeth or the freewheel with one that has less teeth. What you are getting is a flip / flop rear hub with a FG 16T fixed cog (no freewheel) on one side and a SS 16T freewheel (coasting) on the other. I assume you want to make it a single speed with the freewheel. If it arrives with the rear wheel set up for the FG, then just reverse the wheel to use the freewheel side. As far as upgrading components, maybe the saddle if you don't like it, but basically I wouldn't change anything until it wears out or breaks.

Once again thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it.

I bought the frame, not the whole bike, from bikeisland.com in the spring, so no I didn't return it.

I've just built up the 61cm frame I ordered and it is definitely the right size though as usual the geometry chart online is wrong: horizontal top tube is 58 (centre of top of seat tube to centre of head tube) and standover (ground to top of top tube at midpoint with 700x28 tires mounted) is 84, so I doubt too big for your height.

The only reason I can think of my this wouldn't make a good commuter is the somewhat short seat stays at 405mm. Longer seat stays would smooth out the bumps more and leave more heel clearance for panniers.

I was thinking of this bike when I was looking. The guy just sent me an email again today saying he reposted it. Contact him and see how much he'll take and if he'll ship it.
Just so you know this is the 2nd time he (or she) has posted it.
https://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/1369017224.html

Good luck

If anything look on craigslist (all over) and see if the seller will ship.

the raleigh one way or redline 925? both near/in your price range? 2 very viable options for you--in price, style, and flexibility--both solid.

fHey thanks for posting that San Jose! I'm looking into it. Yes the Redline 925 and the Raleigh One-Way would be good for me if I could find a good deal, but I can't. Any possible warnings about the San Jose or buying online in general? The seller said the standover is "roughly" 30 inches, and my inseam is about 33, so that seems good right? Also, the pedals look clipless but that's replacable right? I think I would need clips for harsh weather and I don't really want to buy special shoes.

I have a Bianchi San Jose and my inseam is 32." I ride the 52cm. I ride it with standard platform pedals.

I have never heard anything negative about the San Jose. All that I have ever heard was people love them. Plus its a Bianchi!
i have bought things over the phone or online many times and have never had any issues but I kinda conduct an interview while I speak to them, if I don't feel comfortable then I don't deal but that goes along with my career field

Good luck!