I'm looking for a singlespeed bike for commuting (my road bike is going into pure race mode), and don't really know what's out there. All I really want is road drops/brakes, fender and rear rack mounts, the ability to put on 28c tires, and have the bike weigh as little as possible for easy hauling up stairs.

I'm not looking to spend more than 1,000 bucks (would like to spend far less, but that's my upper limit), and I don't mind ordering online and putting it together myself. I plan on checking the bikes out in person if I can, but I want to know what you all would recommend for me.

I've been looking at the Bikesdirect bikes, but they all seem like fixed gears with high gearing, and from what I've been finding all weigh in the low-mid 20 pound range. I could be wrong on this though, so please correct me if I am.

https://salsacycles.com/bikes/casseroll_single/

once you put on a rack and fenders your bike might be more than the mid 20lb range. so i guess to counteract that you should be looking at aluminum framed bikes.

Bikesdirect has the FantomCross Uno

cheap
drops
rack mounts
wide tires
low gear

I wouldnt worry about weight unless you're buying some crap like Republic Bikes or whatever

Basically why I want a lighter bike to begin with, so even with all the stuff it's still not that heavy, I'm able to bring my bike into work rather than lock it up, but I've got to climb five stories with it, along with 2 going home.

The Salsa and FantomCross Uno seem good, I'll check them out. Thanks.

I think the Masi Speciale Commuter fits the bill to a tee, if you can afford it. It's very light, extremely comfortable, eyelets for rack, has fenders... and you might make it a geared bike, if so you chose, one day.

Mmm I like the Masi, I'll have to check one out tomorrow, there's a dealer close, and it does look pretty perfect.

I'm curious though, why is everything steel? I can't seem to find a single aluminum frame or carbon fork anywhere. I don't care too much about frame material, I think tires and geometry are much more important, it's just interesting.

Commuter bikes get beat up and steel can take a beating. I used to commute on my Al frame/carbon fork bike and I didn't like locking it because it looked more exotic than the other commute bikes.

Makes enough sense. And I think I'm going to get myself a Masi Speciale Commuter, took it for a ride today and it was quite nice, thanks for the recommendation.

if you haven't picked yet, maybe also take a look at the surly cross check? horiz. drops, canti-bosses, fender/rack eyelets (though it looks like just a rear rack). also the velo orange polyvalent (though that's 650b, dunno if that's a pro or con for you)

I just posted some photos of my 18lb Wabi Classic, but the 16.5lb Lightning would fit your budget.

+1