February 24, 2013
A friend of mine recently inquired of me as to what type of bicycle I would recommend for him for "less than $300." This is not an easy question for me, since I don't usually keep track of the latest types of bicycles available. My first thought, since my friend lives in the Wichita area, was a single speed. Not many hills around. Usually a little better bang for your buck in this genre. Now I am going to check some reviews and see what I come up with. Here are my picks in order of preference/preferance (avec accentes):
- Nashbar Single Speed Cyclocross Bike (currently $349) - I know it's not technically less than $300, but hey, that's a pretty low cut-off point. Kind of scary to mail order a bike, but I've been pretty happy with all of the stuff I've purchased from the big N.
- Nekkid 4 Road Bike (currently $299.99) - same comments as above, except actually is less than $300.
- Redline Monocog 26 Singlespeed (MSRP of $419.99) - Yep, way above the price range. But you might actually be able to find one of these bad boys and take it out for a test ride. Plus it looks bomb proof. Or at least bomb resistant.
- SE Bikes Draft Single Speed Road Bike 12 (currently $199.99) - Crazy cheap, yo! Might be alright?
- SE 29" Big Style ($299) - Cruiser? Maybe, if you don't wanna go too far. I'm guessing it would get kinda uncomfy for longer sojourns...
- Check Craig's Listing of Deals (CLOD) for some deals. I think my buddy paid around $300 for a Trek Soho S (single speed, chain drive) that seems pretty okay.
- Got some time, bike tools and an urge to tinker? Get a cheap ass steel frame from a used bike shop/garage sale and convert it to a single speed with one of the many single speed conversion type kits.
On the local scene I have recently been informed by my wife (a non-cyclist who is generally better-informed about local bicycle-related events than I), that there is a bikeswap occurring in Benson this upcoming weekend 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 3 at the Bancroft Street Market near Lauritzen Gardens. Sounds fantastic! And a little less snooty than the handmade handjobbering hoe-down. But I'll be wearing my safety glasses just in case. See you there!
Oh, and I saw Premium Rush a few days ago. Fun flick. But, as usual, I have one gripe - where the F are the safety glasses! I have never ridden a bicycle in NYC, but I imagine it's gritty and fumey. I was very nervous throughout most of the film because I was worried about the actors eyeballs. Also I would have liked someone to consummate some kind of sexual relationship in some sort of way. Preferably while riding bicycles. But I guess that's a different sub-genre of bicycle flim-flams. The only time I tend to rush is close to bedtime. Speaking of which... sweet dreams and see you next time! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
