danielgaz

Hey all...my single-speed commuter went to the grave this past week. I'm riding my winter bike for the time being, but was wondering what the best "off the rack" commuter bike might be for less than $500. Currently, I have my eyes on the Jamis Beatnik and Sputnik, but am welcome to any and all options.

rickyhmltn

Here's my Trek 7.1fx commuter with $20.00 bar ends added because my trip is 14.5 miles one way, and I have to go over a mountain.
Love it.

https://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...hmltn/bike.jpg

TrekCommuter

I have a Trek 7.2 FX and I really like it. It will soon be fitted with a Black Brooks B17. Ricky, which fenders are those and how do you like them?

mcrow

Asking what the best in bikes is like asking who has the best wife. Don't you dare call any of them ugly. lol.

Pretty well every quality bike maker makes a good fixie, I suggest test riding as many as you can and choosing the one you like best.

treebound 

Yep, first you have to define your personal preferences, then your needs and terrain, then what you'll carry or haul or tow and if you want fenders and such, them you can ask what others would say is the best bike if your parameters were their parameters.

My standard answer is to search used if you can do your own bike work.

ftimw

I have that exact same frame bag. I use it for wet weather gear. I only attach it when there is a question of rain. I really do like it, but it's not weather proof. Not a big deal given its purpose. How do you like yours? And there is something baffling me: What is the strip of Velcro on each side for? I'll probably feel stupid when I hear an answer. Sometimes I'll stick my gloves to them if I'm in and out of someplace.

danielgaz: Sorry I hijacked your post. As far as bike choices, I'm not brave enough to ride ss or fg. I do lke the commuter 1 and the coda sport though.

SlimRider

Checkout the KHS Urban Xcape and the KHS Urban Soul. Also, checkout the Giant Escape 2, the Giant Via 2,and the Giant Via 3.

Perhaps the following single speeds may interest you even more:

The Nashbar Argyle ~ $200
www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_537009_-1__202614


The Nashbar SE Lager ~ $275
www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_543181_-1__202614

danielgaz

Thanks for the input. Specifically, if there's a good road/track bike with drops and at least bar hood brakes, and room for 30+mm tires with fender room, that would be awesome. I wear a Timbuk2 Swig backpack, but was thinking about rear rack.

treebound 

What about something like this if you want new:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/zilla.htm

danielgaz

All sold out in my size, in all three colors! A cyclocross SS is a fantastic idea, though!

rumrunn6

I'd go with the drop bars except if you are an urban commuter

MK313

I'm not Ricky (obviously) but I have the same Fenders. They are the Bontrager Nebula Interchange fenders. They are removable, so you can take them off when you aren't using them. In practice (at least for me, with a rack) it was hard to do & they stay on year-round.

Solis91

How do you like your timbuk swig?
You should try looking at fixed gears...they're pretty cheap and they are low maintenance.
You can most of the time put whatever handlebars you want on..just dont be all flashy.. lol