Member of the Month

partyandBS
December, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Good bikes for urban riding/getting places fast

profile picture
pattyeiks
Posts: 265 - Karma: 885
After riding my dad's old Gary Fisher city bike for a few years, I've decided its time for a new bike. I'm looking for something like a fixie or single speed, but with 3 gears. I want it to be light and fun, but still able to get me places fast. I'm open to fixie and Single speed suggestions, but I'm gravitating more toward a 3 speed.
May 9 2016 9:42PM
8 0
profile picture
J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,144
Why the heck would you limit yourself like that if you want to get around quickly?
May 9 2016 10:05PM
4 0
profile picture
californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Get an old CX bike from the late 00's. Do you live on a completely flat area? Or an area that is only super steep hills?
May 9 2016 10:24PM
0 0
profile picture
pattyeiks
Posts: 265 - Karma: 885
J.D.Why the heck would you limit yourself like that if you want to get around quickly?

It's more just stuff I would like/prefer, if you have any other suggestions then that's cool too
californiagrownGet an old CX bike from the late 00's. Do you live on a completely flat area? Or an area that is only super steep hills?

Not either of those, there are hills around though, but none are very steep or long, I live in a big metropolitan area so the geography varies a lot
May 9 2016 10:30PM
0 0
profile picture
User1
Posts: 402 - Karma: 2,218
Browse Craigslist for some old road bikes
May 9 2016 11:09PM
0 0
profile picture
User1
Posts: 402 - Karma: 2,218
Or check out bikesdirect.com seems sketchy but it's legit I know many people who have ordered from them

Also nashbar.com good products I have ordered from them before

Lastly check out framed bikes, they are sold on the house's website I have also owned some of their bikes
May 9 2016 11:11PM
1 0
profile picture
californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
pattyeiksNot either of those, there are hills around though, but none are very steep or long, I live in a big metropolitan area so the geography varies a lot


Id highly suggest a geared bike. Is there a reason why youd rather have a 3 speed, instead of a 7 speed? I guess i just dont much of an advantage, but i certainly do see the disadvantage haha.

Gears are very nice to have, and a rear mech isnt a big deal to have or maintain.
May 10 2016 1:09AM
0 0
profile picture
tac0.slayer
Posts: 254 - Karma: 947
Kawasaki Ninja 600
May 10 2016 1:34AM
2 0
profile picture
Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Build your own bike. Scavenge parts and ask a local shop to help you build it up. I did this with my single speed and it ended up costing me only 550 to make a bike thats easily worth 1000+ thanks to the carbon frame and top of the line parts. Getting an old bike is good to and just swapping/upgrading parts on it will only help.
May 10 2016 4:10AM
0 0
profile picture
Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Build your own bike. Scavenge parts and ask a local shop to help you build it up. I did this with my single speed and it ended up costing me only 550 to make a bike thats easily worth 1000+ thanks to the carbon frame and top of the line parts. Getting an old bike is good to and just swapping/upgrading parts on it will only help.
May 10 2016 4:11AM
0 0
profile picture
J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,144
You built a single speed on a carbon frame? What on earth for?

People make the strangest decisions on bikes. If your goal is transportation around town, get the best road bike you can. If you want to be able to ride on some gravel or dirt and there's a bunch of hills around, get a CX bike. If you want to ride long distances, e.g. 3+hours at a time, and carry a bunch of stuff, and don't care about going fast, get a touring bike. If you want to play around with a fixie because you enjoy the experience of riding a fixie, get a fixie. These all have different purposes.
May 10 2016 3:33PM
0 0
profile picture
ModMommy
Posts: 10838 - Karma: 57,562
Norco Indie
May 10 2016 5:04PM
0 0
profile picture
ModMommy
Posts: 10838 - Karma: 57,562
J.D.You built a single speed on a carbon frame? What on earth for?

People make the strangest decisions on bikes. If your goal is transportation around town, get the best road bike you can. If you want to be able to ride on some gravel or dirt and there's a bunch of hills around, get a CX bike. If you want to ride long distances, e.g. 3+hours at a time, and carry a bunch of stuff, and don't care about going fast, get a touring bike. If you want to play around with a fixie because you enjoy the experience of riding a fixie, get a fixie. These all have different purposes.


If you don't want to fully commit to a fixie, get a flip hub that lets you change between fixed and singlespeed.
May 10 2016 5:05PM
0 0
profile picture
californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
J.D.You built a single speed on a carbon frame? What on earth for?

People make the strangest decisions on bikes. If your goal is transportation around town, get the best road bike you can. If you want to be able to ride on some gravel or dirt and there's a bunch of hills around, get a CX bike. If you want to ride long distances, e.g. 3+hours at a time, and carry a bunch of stuff, and don't care about going fast, get a touring bike. If you want to play around with a fixie because you enjoy the experience of riding a fixie, get a fixie. These all have different purposes.

If you're a bigger person and come from a MTB background get a cross bike with burly wheels. Turns out road bikes don't play well with curbs, potholes, and stairs haha
May 10 2016 5:15PM
0 0
profile picture
CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
got an 03 jamais coda sport for $25. fuckin love it it riiiiipszzz phat
May 10 2016 11:45PM
0 0
profile picture
ICary
Posts: 325 - Karma: 806
Fixie is a way of life. I love it.
May 11 2016 1:46AM
0 0
profile picture
crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
Honda grom
May 11 2016 5:23PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)