Hub-geared London commuter for £600?

[C70R]

It might not go down too well here, but I really hate the way that most road bikes look (and, to a lesser extent, the 'utility' look of hybrids), and find drop/bull bars uncomfortable and unnecessary. Until it failed spectacularly last year, I had a wonderful single-speed that I commuted daily for several years. However, as I moved further out of town (still technically Z2!), commuting it up/down hills became much less enjoyable.

To strike a balance, I want a bike that has some element of gearing, but retains the simplicity (I have zero time/energy/patience for mechanical failure/fiddling on bikes) and look of my single speed. There seem to be a few hub-geared bikes available at and below my budget, but none from any major manufacturers I have heard of.

If anyone has any experience or recommendations, I'm all ears.

[AyBee]

I have one of these which I occasionally commute on:

They retail new for over your budget but they crop up on ebay and the like for less. Different colour schemes are available

[MrsMiggins]

Cube Hyde race with carbon belt at a PH-approved wallet busting £720 in a few places. Reduced from £900 to make room for 2018 stock.

Flat bars though.

[C70R]

Cheers for the ideas, but I really want something that looks like my single speed and the budget is fixed.

I've seen a few examples, but know nothing about the brands...

[MrsMiggins]

got a pic of your singlespeed?

[C70R]

Not to hand, but it's a fairly standard, classically shaped, hipster fixie. Tall frame, slim tubes, pastel coloured.

[idiotgap]

What was the nature of the spectacular fixie failure?
Just wondering if it could economically be brought back to life with your choice of hub gears.

[C70R]

idiotgap said:

What was the nature of the spectacular fixie failure?
Just wondering if it could economically be brought back to life with your choice of hub gears.

The entire front crank seized and broke the front gearset. On top of this, to bring it back up to a decent, serviceable standard (not including the hub-geared wheel) would be upwards of £250. I'd much rather just replace it and lob it on Gumtree.

[bigdom]

C70R said:

Not to hand, but it's a fairly standard, classically shaped, hipster fixie. Tall frame, slim tubes, pastel coloured.

Something like this then?
https://www.evanscycles.com/pashley-roadster-class...

[C70R]

bigdom said:

C70R said:

Not to hand, but it's a fairly standard, classically shaped, hipster fixie. Tall frame, slim tubes, pastel coloured.

Something like this then?
https://www.evanscycles.com/pashley-roadster-class...

Sorry - not explaining myself terribly well. It's a very minimalist design, uncluttered. Looks a bit like a classic racer.
That's the look I'm keen on.

[idiotgap]

A flat bar version of this?
http://www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk/bikes-c97/road-c...

[47p2]

Genesis Smithfield

[Rich_W]

Slight Budget creep


BMC Alpenchallenge £749 down from £999



No connection to Evans other than I've bought from them before

https://www.evanscycles.com/bmc-alpenchallenge-ac0...la-304458632101&esvo=EV273282-M-BKRD&esvaid=50080&gclid=CjwKCAjw64bPBRApEiwAJhG-fjyQEAqgKZUFXVBJWG6m6RFHmYzPcKfEC2L-WAPlmfP3LCu2FejZIxoCsP8QAvD_BwE

[C70R]

Cheers guys, but (as mentioned before) the budget is finite and the first bike isn't quite the style I'm describing.

This is what my bike looks like, but with a narrow, straight bar instead of the drop bars.


Something like this would be ideal, but it appears that Wiggle have discontinued it.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/chappelli-vintage-three-sp...

Edited by C70R on Saturday 14th October 21:01

[bigdom]

So more this then?

https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/blb-classic-commu...

[C70R]

Yes, thank you! After a bad experience with BLB a few years back, I had almost put them to the back of my mind. I shall pop over and take a look.

[C70R]

So, BLB are still the same 'helpful' bunch I remember.
Anyone found any alternatives? I'm really struggling.

[Rich_W]

https://single-speed.co.uk/collections/bicycles/pr...


No clue on what SRAM Automatix 2 speed is though

maybe something else from their site?

[sjg]

Rich_W said:

https://single-speed.co.uk/collections/bicycles/pr...


No clue on what SRAM Automatix 2 speed is though

maybe something else from their site?

Same hub is used (with a belt drive) on the IKEA Sladda bike, seems to work well according to reviews of that. It's quite a slim hub compared to the usual Sturmey Archer or Nexus/Alfine and doesn't need cables or shifters (because it uses a centrifugal clutch) so you get a singlespeed/fixie "look" but you can both get up hills and do a decent speed on the flat without spinning wildly.

[C70R]

Rich_W said:

https://single-speed.co.uk/collections/bicycles/pr...


No clue on what SRAM Automatix 2 speed is though

maybe something else from their site?

Interesting. Damned if I can see how it works, though...