Lend Me Your Brains Cycling Afficianados!

[MTB crossover]

Hey fellas, I'm going to college in the fall and like most of you couldn't possibly think of going without a bicycle. However, this is where my problem lies. I've worked at a local bike shop for several years and because of the excellent relationships I've garnered with various manufacturers I've been able to secure two very nice bikes. The problem is I don't want to bring either to school because they're both very special, one off with all kindsa wierd experimental parts that make them what they are to me. If either were to get stolen or something, I'd bug out.

Anyway, I'm asking for your advice on what I can get to supplement my desire here. I don't wanna build up a POS cruiser, because I do get a healthy discount so may as well use it. I also don't want to spend a siginifcant amount of cash obviously. I was thinking about the singlespeed road bike route or something. Please lend me your thoughts and suggestions!!!

-Mike

[boudreaux]

Anyway, I'm asking for your advice on what I can get to supplement my desire here. I don't wanna build up a POS cruiser, because I do get a healthy discount so may as well use it. I also don't want to spend a siginifcant amount of cash obviously. I was thinking about the singlespeed road bike route or something. Please lend me your thoughts and suggestions!!!

-MikeYeah, a nice single speed frame with a nasty rattle can paint job and some scuzzy looking rashed quality parts. it'll ride good ,and look bad enough to deter thieves.

[MTB crossover]

Yea but I was looking for suggestions on specific bikes, ie. company/model etc....

[boudreaux]

Yea but I was looking for suggestions on specific bikes, ie. company/model etc.... You're a bike shop guy?? Or are you one of those ....uh, er......never mind.

[MTB crossover]

whats that supposed to mean? Yes I'm a "bike shop guy". I started working there when I was 14 and am now 18 (obviously). I wasn't looking for a specific bicycles, just suggestions or possible advice beyond "a POS w/ a spray paint job". All I've turned up that we carry would be something along the lines of a Bianchi Pista, but I'd like to mount brakes on it or at least one brake and I dont think it has mounts. If you've got nothing to say thats helpful, say nothing....

[Velo Serg]

It means he is a snob, not you. This forum is all jerks, find another.

[keydates]

How much money do you want to spend on a bike? A Pista would probably do, and since you work at a bike shop, you could probably find a product that would make the bike look less attractive. I think someone asked a similar question a while ago, and apparently there is some sort of tape that would make it look less attractive...do a search of "ratting your bike" or something like that.

I guess it isn't in the search results, but you could either do that or just buy a used bike. Since you do work at a BS, I'd assume you'd know how to check to see if a (used) frame is in decent/safe conditions.

Or, since you seem to be just using the bike for cruising around town, just buy a lower end mountain/hybrid bike.

[MTB crossover]

The Pista is all good and well (assuming I can get it), but I cannot mount brakes on it as far as I know and I want to mount at least a rear brake if not both. If anyone has any suggestions in this area please offer them up...

[Cruzzer08]

Being a bike shop guy, you don’t want to be riding a POS the whole time your at college, whenever your using it you'll just be thinking about how much it sucks, I know I would. I'd say get an older mountain bike if you go early to mid 90's you can get a nice trek or cannondale or something pretty cheap and throw some slicks on it and then throw a crapy paint job on it so it doesn’t look like anything special. Just always make sure to lock your frame and wheels to something. It amazing how many wheels you see locked to racks with no bike attached.

[MTB crossover]

I really want to go the fixed gear road bike route. The problem I'm having is finding one that accepts brakes. Can anyone offer up a fixed gear messenger that either already comes with brakes or at least has brake mounts?

[jasonsankar]

What about an older road frame conversion, as explained by Sheldon Brown?
I have never done it, but Sheldon makes it sound easy

Jason