[bjanga]

I am thinking about buying a road bike, to tool around on when I do not have the time to go for a MTB ride. I do not really care about weight or shift quality.

I am looking at these two bikes.

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=289

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=264

Being road bikes, they both look pretty good, but the SS one is way sexier. I doubt I would ever ride it fixie (it has a freewheel on one side and fixed on the other). Derailleurs do not add up to a whole lot of maintainence for being able to tag along for group rides (if I get into road more seriously). I am torn . . . teh sex, or the versatility?

 

[Zutroy]

I am thinking about buying a road bike, to tool around on when I do not have the time to go for a MTB ride. I do not really care about weight or shift quality.

I am looking at these two bikes.

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=289

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=264

Being road bikes, they both look pretty good, but the SS one is way sexier. I doubt I would ever ride it fixie (it has a freewheel on one side and fixed on the other). Derailleurs do not add up to a whole lot of maintainence for being able to tag along for group rides (if I get into road more seriously). I am torn . . . teh sex, or the versatility?

If you live where it's flat Fixies are great. They well help smooth out your pedaling cycle, and are just plan fun to ride. If you get a fixed gear bike, and ride in traffic....get one brake for it, nothing worse than having a car pull out in front of you without one.

 

[rooftest]

When I first bought my road bike, I dusted some leg-shaver on a long straight-away. I felt pretty good about myself until he pulled up at a light next to me, and I saw he was riding a single-speed.

Go for gears - why not? The singlespeed will be worthless for group rides.

 

[bjanga]

I live in a hilly area, but am not too worried about hills and the SS - I would just be slow. I am thinking if I am on a group ride . . . then I have time to head out for a MTB ride. I wonder how hard the roadie bug will bite.

 

[splat]

if you are going to go SS, go Fixie. but don't make a Fixie your only ride gears are nice.

and the bug will bite you