I forgot, my bad.

I'm thinking about getting a LeMond Poprad, anyone here ride one? I tested one out a while ago and liked it alot. I'm thinking about getting a fast ass road bike and messengering around town, but I'm worried about road conditions in Chicago downtown. The cyclocross is better suited for that shit, and is still pretty fast.

Hijacking bastard.. how more rigid is the roadbike? And why the Poprad? (although I admit, it looks sweet).

Also, sorta like cars, are you going to see the extra speed if you are having to stop at lights and the like? Those roadie tires scare me on the roads where I live.. the rims wouldnt last a day..

On another note, I now officially have no idea what Im going to buy., so Im not thinking about it and instead hoping on my bike once I go grocery shopping.

Not really any more ridgid, but i was thinking of getting an OCLV carbon frame bike, lighter = faster. And steel vs. aluminum vs. carbon, it's preference really, all are pretty ridgid and offer good power transfer. I remember liking the poprad from my test ride, better components than the '03 xo-1, but found the xo-1 for a god damn steal on ebay, which is a 52 cm frame, which is one size, maybe two under from what I ought to ride, but alot of cross riders buy a size or two smaller to race on, partly for weight, partly because you're trying to save your nuts over rough terrain... I'm thinking of giving my x0-1 to my girl and getting something a size up for commuting or messengering.

I don't know... she might never use it anyways.

bike to the grocery store. I managed to fit most of $90 worth of groceries in my messenger bag. The rest I hung off of the brake.

A guy in my office has a Kona Smoke single speed that is awesome.

It's a great knock around bike that's fun to ride and you can find em for under $300 usually.

It's billed as "the beater that isn't". It comes with fenders on it in case you're around town and it rains but he took them off and uses it for dirt jumping and just kicking around. Actually looks cooler without them IMO.

I thought the smoke was geared? I will have to look at it

hell no.. not where I am going.. and not with groceries.. I rode to work.. and my wife is picking me up on the way from errands..then off to the store then back to ride.. works well....

What does this mean?? Singlespeeds were invented for cross country (XC) singletrack.

And what do you mean by 'levity'?

1) Lightness of manner or speech, especially when inappropriate; frivolity.
2) Inconstancy; changeableness.
or
3) The state or quality of being light; buoyancy.

Uh oh... bike geek cat fight!

I still want to know what gears you guys run if you have or know of a SS.. because Im thinking less than 2:1

I forget. I know I'm running 19 in the back, but dunno what's up front, sorry. The bike's in the shop, so...

If you're road riding and trail riding, I'd consider the flip-flop hub mentioned above because the same ratio won't work for both purposes.

I read a review on the Redline bike in Dirt Rag a few months back anreally d it seemed to be a really good value. Most new ss bikes tend to be high end and start at over $1k. I think the Redline was around $400. I'm intrigued with these bikes: http://www.carverbikes.com/

I rode a cruiser bike in college for a while. Basically a BMX bike with 24" wheels. I think it was a GT. It worked great for my purposes around town and was fun to ride.

I currently have a hard tail 29er and a FS Kona that I ride regularly. Neither are single speeds but I'd like to get one. I might build up an old steel Trek of mine as a ss. I hear that it's a hell of a training tool. I ride with single speeders and those people always impress the hell out of me on climbs.

I also second the clipless pedals. That's the only way to go. If you like to wear regular sneakers, get some of those clipless pedals with a built in platform.

I rode with a guy last weekend who has a 29er made by Niner. It's a singlespeed w/ a carbon rigid fork and is incredibly light- I would guess in the neighborhood of 20 lbs (My bike? 33 lbs). No wonder he was passing me on the climbs. Here's a pic of Rensho and his Niner (pic by Ray). [img][650:488]http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3946/rensho6jk.jpg[/img]

Gorgeous bikes. High drool factor. You like your 29er? What brand is it?

And of course, the obligatory pic of me, goofing off. [img][650:488]http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1325/finch36gn.jpg[/img]

I am intrigued with the 96ers ... seems pretty sick. Anyone ride one?

Anyone have know about the EBBs? Are they worth it?

EDIT: Ok so now I think Ill just get a geared hardtail and ride it in a specific gear ratio that mimics singlespeed for a while. I just dont know.

So any rec's? Im looking at the same price range.. id say $500 out the door but Id probably go as high as 600.

Im actually looking at a new/discounted 2005 Specialized Rockhopper for $425 and a new/discounted 2005 Giant Iguana for $495

I was really excited about the Iguana but of course they had sold it. I wasnt too excited about the Rockhopper. but for the price I might consider it. Bah.. .

Raleigh has some value-priced bikes. Here's a link for their new XXIX 29er. Lists for $700, but likely lower at dealers. Tempting!
http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16849

That Raleigh is nice looking.. Im not sure about a 29er though- Id probably rock a 96er first... but I will have to check that out. Since I couldnt get that 2005 Iguana- Im not going to buy a bike until I move.

Have you checked out pinkbike.com for used bikes. I've seen some nice steals on there. Plus, the CDN->$ rate is good, so you can rock out a better bike for cheaper.

Speaking of 29ers, how about Gary Fisher? I like my Cake 4 DLX and would probably spring for another GF. Owned by Trek as well.

I have heard of it, but havent checked it out there. And you know, I watch CBC here and the CDN was at something like 90cents to the american dollar (hell I remember when it was like 60cents or so).. the USD is just so weak internationally now.

And I like GFs, now that I know Im not buying a bike for atleast a month, I am going to do some real due diligence. Of course, that usually means that my budget range will go up, but oh well