Mike <
[email protected]> wrote:
> I've given up on rebuilding the old Murray that I talked about in an
> earlier post.
>
> I should like to buy an NEW but old fashioned bike..no gear shifting,
> no handbrakes - (coaster brakes preferred). Can someone recommend one
> for about $100. Just a reputable maker with a fairly decent product. I
> know I can't expect more for $100. but I will not be touring on paved
> roads....use it for local trips around our dirt road neighborhood.
I hate to be dismissive of your requirements, but I think you're coming
at this from the wrong direction. A price limit of $100 for new limits
you to a Walmart 'bike' that looks like a mountain bike, but isn't.
It's going to be about 50 pounds, and have unnecessary suspension that
will break easily and work poorly. Oh, they generally only come in one
size, which sucks if you're too tall or too short.
I can understand wanting a single speed, but unless there is something
you're not telling us about the rider (some medical problem) hand brakes
are easy to use and many many times better at stopping you. Adult
coaster brake bikes are not terribly common and you'd probably have to
special order the rear wheel.
Here's a link with all sorts of information about singlespeeds,
especially about converting geared bikes to singlespeed.
http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html
My suggestion to you:
Buy a used decent older mountain bike. You can probably find someone
local who has an old 18 speed (3x6) MTB that they'd be happy to part
with cheaply. Put fat tires with minimal knobs on it. Find a
comfortable gear to cycle in and simply don't shift. Just because the
shifters are there, doesn't mean you have to use them.
If the shifters really bother you, have a bike shop take them off and
setup the derailleurs as a singlespeed.
Oh, and as the group mantra goes, make sure it fits. A bike that's
uncomfortable is no fun, and you won't ride it.
--
Dane Buson -
[email protected]
"...and the fully armed nuclear warheads, are, of course, merely a courtesy detail."