help with single speed city commuter

[blantonator]

I'm currently riding a Surly 1x1 as my city/dog walking/grocery getter and want something a little more road oriented. What I'm looking for is a single speed that can run 32's for ~$700. I ride for a local shop and can get a pretty good deal on Treks and QBP products, which has led me to the following three bikes: the Trek District, Surly Cross-Check, All City Nature Boy.

I really like the idea of the belt drive and if it works, it should provide me with grease free clothes which is a huge plus for me. The downside is the belts seemed to be questionable reliability and new cogs are pricey. The new District is aluminum with a steel fork, full fender/rack mounts, and room for 42's. The Surly and All City are more conventional steel frames, with the Cross-Check being slightly more versatile with a derailleur dropouts. I'm a big fan of the sexy round steel tubes, but both the these bikes are tanks and I've never felt that my 1x1 road all that great.

What are your thoughts?

Thx!

District (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/urban_utility/district/district/#/us/en/model/details?url=us/en/bikes/town/urban_utility/district/district)
Cross-Check (http://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check)
Nature Boy (http://allcitycycles.com/bikes/nature_boy1/)

[markie]

Cross-Check. Yo can run big tyres and fenders. Geared or fixed. Ride it with the roadies on a training ride with skinny tyres. Take it off road with some beefier rubber.

Most belt-drive reviews I see report some problem or another. I do not have problems with chains.

[damcyclist]

Fits your criteria -Mercier Kilo WT (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_wt.htm) but only costs $440.

Perfect for a commuter - IMHO

[Fixed]

nature boy
cheers imho

[veloduffer]

I've got a Nature Boy and find it very versatile. It has eyelets for fenders et al, can fit 38c tires easily and has neutral geometry. Most of the time I use Rivendell Roly Polly tires and use it on 25 mile shop rides over rolling terrain, as well as an around-town bike. In the winter, I have studded Nokians mounted and it is my winter trainer.

The Nature Boy has nice touches in the lugs and fork crown, and it is already treated with rust proofing on the inside.

It replaced my Specialized Langster because it was more versatile.

[rugbysecondrow]

I like the cross check or the Rowland line of frames.

[leooooo]

Second on that WT. I use as my around town lockup bike.
Cheap, bomb proof, and I run 48mm tires (clearence up to 50mm+ even though website says 45mm).

[blantonator]

the mercier looks alright, but I'd prefer to send my money to my local shop.

[keevon]

The Steamroller complete bike should fit the bill:

http://surlybikes.com/uploads/bikes/BK3147.jpg

Fast, nimble, reasonably light, nice parts spec. Comes with 700x32's and front/rear brakes. Only downside is lack of fender/rack braze-ons. If you have a QBP hookup through your shop, it should be below your budget.

I've commuted on a Steamroller for years. A few months ago I was jealously eying the Nature Boy, but honestly I like the simplicity of the 'Roller.

Good luck with your search.

[blantonator]

lack of rack/fender mounts is a deal breaker on the steamroller.

[christian]

I have to say, I like that Mercier a lot. Seems very practical for a slush/crap bike.

[rice rocket]

Surlys hold their value pretty well in the market if that's a consideration. Cross Checks seem to sell here for very near MSRP despite being a few years old.

[MMcG]

If your 1x1 is disc compatible - just throw some 700cs on it. Or add a set of 650b wheels to it (even better than the 700c experiment idea IMHO) Your bottom bracket will get raised up but the wheels with good sized (either 700c or 650b) tires will fit.

Here's a 700c example:

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/500/medium/Surly-700c1.jpg

with 650b wheels/tires:

http://forums.mtbr.com/attachments/650b-69er-new-wheel-trends/387827d1219938542-surly-1x1-650b-dscf2129-small-.jpg

You could obviously substitute the knobbys for something more road worthy.

[blantonator]

If your 1x1 is disc compatible - just throw some 700cs on it. Or add a set of 650b wheels to it (even better than the 700c experiment idea IMHO) Your bottom bracket will get raised up but the wheels with good sized (either 700c or 650b) tires will fit.


I'm already running 650b, so I could just swap the tires, but the thing weighs 27lbs and would prefer to be on a road/cross bike with 700c wheels and not have a goofy 13" bb height.

btw, that 650b bike is exactly what i have but in green.

[that guy]

Any of those frames might actually weight MORE than your 1x1 frame/fork, so upgrading the components is going to have a bigger effect on weight.

And the Crosscheck is like the Model T of bikes, you really can't go wrong.

[slowpoke]

Just to throw another option out there check out the Bianchi San Jose. Horizontal drop-outs with canti-posts and clearance for >32s. You can easily find a used one for under $700.

[blantonator]

So i've decided on the nature boy, it ticks all the boxes, has some nice features and I can get for an excellent price. My next question is do I buy the complete bike in blue or build up a frame in lime green?

I like the classic look of the blue, but the green is also nice. My CDA is green as well(turbo green).

thoughts?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5950860219_77888779a7_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/5760739264_f054f76f16_b.jpg

[keevon]

Go blue. Low-key colors are better for a commuter.

Unfortunately it looks like you missed out on the Zona Nature Boy:

http://img1.qbp.com/6SPsvm45/prodl/FM4729.jpg

I think QBP had 'em for one day before they sold out. Actually... there's a single 49cm frameset left.

[blantonator]

Go blue. Low-key colors are better for a commuter.

Unfortunately it looks like you missed out on the Zona Nature Boy:

http://img1.qbp.com/6SPsvm45/prodl/FM4729.jpg

I think QBP had 'em for one day before they sold out. Actually... there's a single 49cm frameset left.

49 is my size, not sure the extra $250 is worth it though. Plus the pf30 adds to the price.