Single speed road bike. Viking Citi-Fix?
Discussion
I'm looking for a single speed road bike for university for no more than £200.
I have been looking at a Viking Citi-Fix as they are fairly cheap for a new bike. I have read some decent reviews about the product. The bike is 13kg and I am not sure how heavy or light this is compared to something with more pedigree.
Are there other alternatives that are new? I also don't mind buying a second hand.
I have been looking at a Viking Citi-Fix as they are fairly cheap for a new bike. I have read some decent reviews about the product. The bike is 13kg and I am not sure how heavy or light this is compared to something with more pedigree.
Are there other alternatives that are new? I also don't mind buying a second hand.
All I know about Viking is that I don't know them.
Which probably means that they are terrible.
It has a steel fork which is going to hurt after any distance.
If I were you I would simply pick up a Specialized Langster from gumtree.
I bought one for £200 last year and absolutely love it. They are very good quality bikes IMHO.
I also had a Felt Curbside (extremely weird colour scheme) which I think cost me more like £250 - that was very very good.
Others to look for but I haven't owned: Charge Plug, Trek District, Kona Paddywagon.
Check here for other brands: http://www.lfgss.com/thread9085.html
Then buy one off gumtree/ebay.
Which probably means that they are terrible.
It has a steel fork which is going to hurt after any distance.
If I were you I would simply pick up a Specialized Langster from gumtree.
I bought one for £200 last year and absolutely love it. They are very good quality bikes IMHO.
I also had a Felt Curbside (extremely weird colour scheme) which I think cost me more like £250 - that was very very good.
Others to look for but I haven't owned: Charge Plug, Trek District, Kona Paddywagon.
Check here for other brands: http://www.lfgss.com/thread9085.html
Then buy one off gumtree/ebay.
I bought a cheap fixie of ebay - Coyote not Viking but I suspect exactly the same. I paid £120ish for the bike.
Yes they are 'heavy' but this is subjective. In reality weight makes no difference to 99% of riders - regardless of what they claim. Basically if your lining up in a Pro race - rgardless of discipline - then start to look at weight. The rest of the time it's vanity.
It came part assembled but I took it apart and re-built it. There were a couple of issues;
1. Things weren't done up right. Headset was too tight as were the wheel cones. Brakes were loose on their fixing bolts.
2. The finish of the frame was poor around the openings. There was quite a big burr on the seat tube that marked the seat post.
3. The wheels we're adequately true or tensioned.
4. The tyres and inner tubes were made of the weakest rubber. They punctured even if you just showed them a stone.
5. All the components are very heavy.
Other than that the bikes very good, solid. Rides well. I'm pretty handy with the tools so correcting the above was a couple of hours work with a few beers.
I swapped the tyres [and inner tubes] for some 32 Schwalbe Marathon Plus' as these I my prefered tyre for 'commuting'. I also put some wider bars, a shorter stem and changed the saddle - again for my prefered items / set-up. The only other thing I swapped was the chainring as I didn't need a 44/16 set up.
Other than the tyres and inner tubes I had the other items in my spares box. Sold the bits I took off it on ebay so it worked out almost cost neutral for the changed parts.
For riding to and from Uni plus the associated activities I think it would be a good bike. All the components are bolted on and a decent middling lock should deter any opportunist onto the more well known brands.
Yes, you could get a Langster or similar off gumtree or ebay and they would be a better bike but I doubt it would be of benefit for what you want it for.
Yes they are 'heavy' but this is subjective. In reality weight makes no difference to 99% of riders - regardless of what they claim. Basically if your lining up in a Pro race - rgardless of discipline - then start to look at weight. The rest of the time it's vanity.
It came part assembled but I took it apart and re-built it. There were a couple of issues;
1. Things weren't done up right. Headset was too tight as were the wheel cones. Brakes were loose on their fixing bolts.
2. The finish of the frame was poor around the openings. There was quite a big burr on the seat tube that marked the seat post.
3. The wheels we're adequately true or tensioned.
4. The tyres and inner tubes were made of the weakest rubber. They punctured even if you just showed them a stone.
5. All the components are very heavy.
Other than that the bikes very good, solid. Rides well. I'm pretty handy with the tools so correcting the above was a couple of hours work with a few beers.
I swapped the tyres [and inner tubes] for some 32 Schwalbe Marathon Plus' as these I my prefered tyre for 'commuting'. I also put some wider bars, a shorter stem and changed the saddle - again for my prefered items / set-up. The only other thing I swapped was the chainring as I didn't need a 44/16 set up.
Other than the tyres and inner tubes I had the other items in my spares box. Sold the bits I took off it on ebay so it worked out almost cost neutral for the changed parts.
For riding to and from Uni plus the associated activities I think it would be a good bike. All the components are bolted on and a decent middling lock should deter any opportunist onto the more well known brands.
Yes, you could get a Langster or similar off gumtree or ebay and they would be a better bike but I doubt it would be of benefit for what you want it for.
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