SGMongoose

Hi,

I'm looking to purchase a single speed bike for my girlfriend so she has another option for commuting. She's 4'10 and a little shaky on mounting and dismounting bicycles. She currently rides a step through hybrid but its a little too heavy for her to carry into our 4th for walk-up which we just moved into (and frankly i think the LBS pushed her onto too big a bike).

Anyway i would like to spend around $300, preferably less or possibly more, because it's likely going to spend a lot of time locked up on the street overnight, and it'll hurt less if it gets stolen. I know Purefix cycles makes a 650c frame, but from what i've read on this forum, they aren't thought highly off in terms of quality. I've dealt with Purefix before (but never their complete bikes) and they have great cutover service so i wouldn't mind giving their bikes a shot. But i'm just curious is there are any other options that i don't know about that might be better?

All suggestions are appreciated, thanks

TejanoTrackie 

This:

Wabi Cycles Classic 650C fixed gear bike specs

SGMongoose

Thats nice, but also twice the price i was hoping to pay unfortunatly

velofinds

Honestly, if all she's doing is commuting, then that Purefix is fine. You have a lot of people here moaning and groaning about them because - let's face it - they're snobs, but your average person will not tell the difference. If she gets the hang of the bike commuting thing, decides she likes it, and wants to upgrade to a nicer bike, then that Wabi would be it.

Even if you are able to find another 650c FGSS in that price range - doubtful, from my personal experience - the quality won't be materially different from the Purefix. You get what you pay for.

rms13

maybe thinking outside the box, but this may make a good commuter especially in NE with the winters:

Save up to 60% off new 650b and 27.5 Mountain Bikes - MTB - Gravity 29 SS Single Speed new 650b and 27.5 Mountain Bikes

bbattle

Keep an eye on Craigslist for used 650c bikes. Terry made a lot of bicycles for women using 650c, you might run across one that's cheap. 80'-90's tri bikes were often built for 650c wheels.

IAmSam

Not nearly as nice as the Wabi that TejanoTrackie mentioned but close to your price range...

Both Fuji and SE Bikes (which are owned by the same company) offer a few 43cm/650c SS/FG bikes

SGMongoose

Thanks all for the suggestions. i've been checking craigslist for the last 2 months and nothings come up. i think i will stick with pure fix for now since it's in budget and they have what I'm looking for. appreciate the help

velofinds

In case you haven't bought one yet:

2010 Fuji Ace 24 Track 34 5cm 13 5" Great Condition Unique Jr Track Racer | eBay
(local to you, too, so maybe you can save on shipping and pick it up)

Note that 24" is even smaller than 650c (which is closer to 26"); then again, 4'10" is pretty short, and this could be a good confidence-builder.

TejanoTrackie 

Except that bike is a geared road bike coversion with vertical dropouts and a 14T fixed cog with no brakes. I think the OP wants a singlespeed setup for his gf.

Also, it can be difficult to find 24" tires.

velofinds

Also found this:

New back again Junior Track Bicycles at Yellow Jersey

Looks cool.

T13

Dude a Terry from the 80's or 90's is gonna be heavy as hell.


It always surprises me to see so many bikes locked up outside, all night, in Cambridge...

hairnet

+1

If the bike is set up by someone competent then it should work nicely until she decides to upgrade. Then she will have a backup bike, always nice to have.

You can keep an eye out for Terry bikes. My 5'0" friend has an 80s Terry styled Centurion and it kicks ass.

SGMongoose

Thanks guys.. i actually was able to pick up a bike on craigslist as suggested. a Redline 925. 700c wheels, but its a very small size with a slight slope to the top tube. hopefully it works good. she didn't get to use it before the weather turned south

sickz

seen a few girls on the nishiki w/ the 650front. common back in the day. if anyone knows which i'm speakin of, do help.