Single Speed Commuter Build. Vintage/New? Road/Mountain?
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Single Speed Commuter Build. Vintage/New? Road/Mountain?
Hi -
Been lurking on the forum for a bit but never posted anything.
I have been riding an 80's Fuji 'Club Fuji' road bike for years and always enjoyed it. I mostly ride 2-5 miles at a time. Nothing crazy. Commuting to work, casual rides around town and to run local errands. All pavement. I live in LA. The roads are ok. Anyhow, one of my dropouts cracked on a recent ride and I think it is time for a new bike. My only complaint with the Fuji was the thin (700x25) tires. It always sounded kinda nice to have something a bit bigger so I am leaning towards building a single speed commuter.
Here are a few things I can't decide on...
1) Vintage bike or new? I prefer the look of a vintage bike but also don't want another cracked dropout.... If anybody can argue me into a new bike, Im all ears.
2) Road bike or mountain bike conversion? I'd like something light and fairly zippy but Im certainly open. Comfort is key and I need some tire clearance but do not plan on ever using fenders or having massive tires. I do have a Wald basket I'd like to attach to a rack though.
3) Any specific brands I should be looking for?
Trying to stay around $500 or less and already have some Nitto Albatross bars, Brooks sadle, pedals and all the parts of my old Fuji if I needed to use any....
Thanks for the help!
Been lurking on the forum for a bit but never posted anything.
I have been riding an 80's Fuji 'Club Fuji' road bike for years and always enjoyed it. I mostly ride 2-5 miles at a time. Nothing crazy. Commuting to work, casual rides around town and to run local errands. All pavement. I live in LA. The roads are ok. Anyhow, one of my dropouts cracked on a recent ride and I think it is time for a new bike. My only complaint with the Fuji was the thin (700x25) tires. It always sounded kinda nice to have something a bit bigger so I am leaning towards building a single speed commuter.
Here are a few things I can't decide on...
1) Vintage bike or new? I prefer the look of a vintage bike but also don't want another cracked dropout.... If anybody can argue me into a new bike, Im all ears.
2) Road bike or mountain bike conversion? I'd like something light and fairly zippy but Im certainly open. Comfort is key and I need some tire clearance but do not plan on ever using fenders or having massive tires. I do have a Wald basket I'd like to attach to a rack though.
3) Any specific brands I should be looking for?
Trying to stay around $500 or less and already have some Nitto Albatross bars, Brooks sadle, pedals and all the parts of my old Fuji if I needed to use any....
Thanks for the help!
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1) This is partly budget and partly bike style. Nearly any new bike you get will have either track ends or vertical dropouts, the horizontal drops are pretty rare now. But a good SS is going to cost you several hundred dollars and a good geared bike approaching a thousand.
2) Assuming new, road bike or hybrid unless you actually intend to do Mountain Biking. Mountain bikes now have more suspension travel and less adaptability into utility bikes than they had in the past, except the subgenre of bikepacking
3) Pretty much any bike store brand is good. Their problem right now is inventory.
2) Assuming new, road bike or hybrid unless you actually intend to do Mountain Biking. Mountain bikes now have more suspension travel and less adaptability into utility bikes than they had in the past, except the subgenre of bikepacking
3) Pretty much any bike store brand is good. Their problem right now is inventory.
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Anybody have any opinions on a Univega Supra Sport? Decent quality frame? Light?
I found one on CL for $180. It has 27x1.25 tires. How do those compare to the 700x25 I had on my Fuji?
Sorry I can't link to the bike, the forum wont allow me until I have more posts.
I found one on CL for $180. It has 27x1.25 tires. How do those compare to the 700x25 I had on my Fuji?
Sorry I can't link to the bike, the forum wont allow me until I have more posts.
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For single speed, you want to look for horizontal dropouts. Light weight isn't nearly as critical, since a single speed is going to drop a lot of weight anyway. And it's hard to guess. Many those classic bike makers had their ups and downs, and a single model name went through different ranges of quality over the years. For instance a Fuji Ace is a different bike depending on whether it was made before or after Fuji's bankruptcy. It's worth linking the year of a bike to the condition that the company was in when the bike was made.
I'm not sure that I'd be in love with 27 inch wheels. 1-1/4 width is the same as 32 mm, so it would be a bit fatter than 25 mm, not a lot. Availability of 27 inch tires is dwindling, especially if you're looking for puncture resistant types.
I'm not sure that I'd be in love with 27 inch wheels. 1-1/4 width is the same as 32 mm, so it would be a bit fatter than 25 mm, not a lot. Availability of 27 inch tires is dwindling, especially if you're looking for puncture resistant types.
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I mean... https://www.google.com/search?q=site...ga+Supra+Sport
Seems like it's just a decent forty year old bike boom bike. 1-1/4 is equivalent to 32mm. They're much bigger than the ones on your Fuji and you can run them softer. At that age, no telling about how good it is without a link. Could be worth it, or worse than worthless. Try it wihtout the HTTP and we will figure it out
Seems like it's just a decent forty year old bike boom bike. 1-1/4 is equivalent to 32mm. They're much bigger than the ones on your Fuji and you can run them softer. At that age, no telling about how good it is without a link. Could be worth it, or worse than worthless. Try it wihtout the HTTP and we will figure it out
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For single speed, you want to look for horizontal dropouts. Light weight isn't nearly as critical, since a single speed is going to drop a lot of weight anyway. And it's hard to guess. Many those classic bike makers had their ups and downs, and a single model name went through different ranges of quality over the years. For instance a Fuji Ace is a different bike depending on whether it was made before or after Fuji's bankruptcy. It's worth linking the year of a bike to the condition that the company was in when the bike was made.
I'm not sure that I'd be in love with 27 inch wheels. 1-1/4 width is the same as 32 mm, so it would be a bit fatter than 25 mm, not a lot. Availability of 27 inch tires is dwindling, especially if you're looking for puncture resistant types.
I'm not sure that I'd be in love with 27 inch wheels. 1-1/4 width is the same as 32 mm, so it would be a bit fatter than 25 mm, not a lot. Availability of 27 inch tires is dwindling, especially if you're looking for puncture resistant types.
Didn't consider that I would need horizontal dropouts. I believe it has them. I'll need to double check that. Thanks!
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Seems like it's just a decent forty year old bike boom bike. 1-1/4 is equivalent to 32mm. They're much bigger than the ones on your Fuji and you can run them softer. At that age, no telling about how good it is without a link. Could be worth it, or worse than worthless. Try it wihtout the HTTP and we will figure it out[/QUOTE]
I am having the hardest time linking to it since I am new. I'd post the photos but I can't do that either. I guess it is to prevent spam.
If you search "Very nice condition. Too big for me, will fit someone 5'11 or taller, Sun torque components, UniVega" on CL Los Angeles, it should be the only post that comes up.
Or maybe this will work.... losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/bik/d/duarte-bike/7166592437.html
I am having the hardest time linking to it since I am new. I'd post the photos but I can't do that either. I guess it is to prevent spam.
If you search "Very nice condition. Too big for me, will fit someone 5'11 or taller, Sun torque components, UniVega" on CL Los Angeles, it should be the only post that comes up.
Or maybe this will work.... losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/bik/d/duarte-bike/7166592437.html
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Likes For fietsbob:
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https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sg...166592437.html
It's not as old as I expected (30+ not 40+). A bike boom dinosaur from the age of steel mountain bikes. Not a high end bike with those nutted axles but looks pretty well taken care of. It'd probably run forever if you take care of it equally well.
Do take note of the fit! this guy is right that it's a big bike. It has the seat slammed and you need to make sure it still adjusts. Same for stem.
It's not as old as I expected (30+ not 40+). A bike boom dinosaur from the age of steel mountain bikes. Not a high end bike with those nutted axles but looks pretty well taken care of. It'd probably run forever if you take care of it equally well.
Do take note of the fit! this guy is right that it's a big bike. It has the seat slammed and you need to make sure it still adjusts. Same for stem.
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It's not as old as I expected (30+ not 40+). A bike boom dinosaur from the age of steel mountain bikes. Not a high end bike with those nutted axles but looks pretty well taken care of. It'd probably run forever if you take care of it equally well.
Do take note of the fit! this guy is right that it's a big bike. It has the seat slammed and you need to make sure it still adjusts. Same for stem.
Do take note of the fit! this guy is right that it's a big bike. It has the seat slammed and you need to make sure it still adjusts. Same for stem.
I also ran across these today..
orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/d/santa-ana-trek-560-classic-531-steel/7153463074.html (litte over my budget but ad is pretty old...)
losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/bik/d/claremont-motobecane-grand-jubile/7169369185.html
losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/bik/d/sherman-oaks-road-bike-raleigh-reliant/7168988832.html
Def dig the look of the Univega but these are also all cool.
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Try asking over here about prices
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...th-appraisals/
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...th-appraisals/
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also found these Motobecane's. I am assuming they are much nicer bikes than the Univega? So many different models though. Is there any standouts?
offerup.com/item/detail/924602158/ (LOVE the paint but crank looks busted?)
offerup.com/item/detail/904212009/
offerup.com/item/detail/893217666/
offerup.com/item/detail/918356415/
offerup.com/item/detail/924602158/ (LOVE the paint but crank looks busted?)
offerup.com/item/detail/904212009/
offerup.com/item/detail/893217666/
offerup.com/item/detail/918356415/
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No, they are not necessarily nicer. They are just more French. They can be nice or cheap just like any 70s-80s bike but they aren't compatible with anything still in production today so they sometimes send you on a quest for parts. The first one you posted was made of nice name-brand tubing, same as the Trek, and had a leather seat, both standout features. That first one in your last post is a capital-P Project
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No, they are not necessarily nicer. They are just more French. They can be nice or cheap just like any 70s-80s bike but they aren't compatible with anything still in production today so they sometimes send you on a quest for parts. The first one you posted was made of nice name-brand tubing, same as the Trek, and had a leather seat, both standout features. That first one in your last post is a capital-P Project
Kinda waffling on the Univega or this Motobecane Super Mirage offerup.com/item/detail/910785658/ which was supposedly just tuned up by a local shop.
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New.
If you’re going pre-1987 roadbike framesets - Treks, Raleighs, and common Japanese makes (Miyata/Univega, Panasonic, Nishiki, Shogun) are pretty good bets. Many can fit 709x32c tires. French bikes are a pain.
80s-90s MTB framesets are not drastically different reliability wise. They’re old, and you don’t know who has hammered how hard on them for how much of their lives. But they can fit far more tire width in them.
If you enjoy wrenching on bikes less than you enjoy riding, and you have no time for being stranded away from home with another broken bike frame, find a nearby Surly/All City dealer. Have them sell you on a CrossCheck frameset to put your parts on. A dealer/service relationship built on a $$$ item is way more valuable long-term than having saved a a couple of hundos grabbing something off of cl in the short term.
If you can break a dropout, you can break a wheel or a bottom bracket.
I’ve done the used frames on new wheels thing for over a decade, I’m mostly done. At least for my commuter, I’m starting with a clean slate and getting a new steel frameset. No surprise bent stays or hairline cracks that grow into shears. My vintage bikes get ridden when I’ve got enough in my spare change acct to swing an Uber.
80s-90s MTB framesets are not drastically different reliability wise. They’re old, and you don’t know who has hammered how hard on them for how much of their lives. But they can fit far more tire width in them.
If you enjoy wrenching on bikes less than you enjoy riding, and you have no time for being stranded away from home with another broken bike frame, find a nearby Surly/All City dealer. Have them sell you on a CrossCheck frameset to put your parts on. A dealer/service relationship built on a $$$ item is way more valuable long-term than having saved a a couple of hundos grabbing something off of cl in the short term.
If you can break a dropout, you can break a wheel or a bottom bracket.
I’ve done the used frames on new wheels thing for over a decade, I’m mostly done. At least for my commuter, I’m starting with a clean slate and getting a new steel frameset. No surprise bent stays or hairline cracks that grow into shears. My vintage bikes get ridden when I’ve got enough in my spare change acct to swing an Uber.
Last edited by hsuBM; 08-06-20 at 10:35 AM.
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If you’re going pre-1987 roadbike framesets - Treks, Raleighs, and common Japanese makes (Miyata/Univega, Panasonic, Nishiki, Shogun) are pretty good bets. Many can fit 709x32c tires. French bikes are a pain.
80s-90s MTB framesets are not drastically different reliability wise. They’re old, and you don’t know who has hammered how hard on them for how much of their lives. But they can fit far more tire width in them.
If you enjoy wrenching on bikes less than you enjoy riding, and you have no time for being stranded away from home with another broken bike frame, find a nearby Surly/All City dealer. Have them sell you on a CrossCheck frameset to put your parts on. A dealer/service relationship built on a $$$ item is way more valuable long-term than having saved a a couple of hundos grabbing something off of cl in the short term.
If you can break a dropout, you can break a wheel or a bottom bracket.
I’ve done the used frames on new wheels thing for over a decade, I’m mostly done. At least for my commuter, I’m starting with a clean slate and getting a new steel frameset. No surprise bent stays or hairline cracks that grow into shears. My vintage bikes get ridden when I’ve got enough in my spare change acct to swing an Uber.
80s-90s MTB framesets are not drastically different reliability wise. They’re old, and you don’t know who has hammered how hard on them for how much of their lives. But they can fit far more tire width in them.
If you enjoy wrenching on bikes less than you enjoy riding, and you have no time for being stranded away from home with another broken bike frame, find a nearby Surly/All City dealer. Have them sell you on a CrossCheck frameset to put your parts on. A dealer/service relationship built on a $$$ item is way more valuable long-term than having saved a a couple of hundos grabbing something off of cl in the short term.
If you can break a dropout, you can break a wheel or a bottom bracket.
I’ve done the used frames on new wheels thing for over a decade, I’m mostly done. At least for my commuter, I’m starting with a clean slate and getting a new steel frameset. No surprise bent stays or hairline cracks that grow into shears. My vintage bikes get ridden when I’ve got enough in my spare change acct to swing an Uber.
#19
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I think one of the best looking single speed is the civia venue. If I were to buy a new single speed this would be the one. https://civiacycles.com/bikes/venue