Looking at a hybrid for commuting, single speed a good idea?

[lordrobs]

I'm looking at increasing the frequency that I cycle to work from once in a blue moon to a few times a week. Previously I have used my MTB but I'd rather get something more suitable (which I can also use for a bit of road work in my free time) that I can deck out with mud guards, lights, road tyres etc. Basically all the stuff I don't want on my MTB but need for a commute.

Now on to the point... I want a hybrid rather than a road bike because my commute includes a couple of slightly rough paths and I bump it up and down curbs etc.

I was wondering though if a single speed might be a good move? I only use one gear on my MTB when commuting (14th IIRC) and tend to ride at a modest pace of about 12 to 14mph as I'm in my work clothes and don't want to get all sweaty

So single speed... yay or nay and any recommendations for my modest £250 give or take budget whether single or multi speed would be great

 

[SpeedFreak]

single speed is brilliant and will keep you very fit, but is not ideal as a commuter bike as it's usually a compromise gear (I ran 2:1) and not great for hills or high speed. For off road it's great as I always made myself stay on the bike for steep ascents which was good training.

 

[Saundie]

I suppose it depends a lot on how numerous and steep the hills are on the route you'll be taking, though if you use only one gear on your MTB at the moment then I suspect it can't be that bad.

A couple of questions; do you want flat bars or drops, and is your £250 going to be for the bike alone?

Edit: this thread got me looking on eBay. Came across a 26" wheeled single speed cruiser;

Is this what you have in mind, or am I way off?

 

[lordrobs]

Thanks for the replies.

Yeah I only use one gear on my commute as it is typical for Norfolk and pretty flat

I guess a geared bike would give me more options for general road use.

Yeah it is flat bars that I'm after and a bit of durability so that it can tackle footpaths, bumping up and down curbs etc.

£250 is just for the bike.

This type of thing was what I was thinking (only the last is single speed)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/traffic-40-2010-hybrid-bike-ec020926
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/smoke-2010-hybrid-bike-ec021820
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_551205_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

 

[lordrobs]

Went with a geared hybrid / city bike in the end.

Only disappointments so far are the mud guards that I let the bike shop convince me to get rather than the fully enclosed ones that I wanted because they simply don't do a good enough job of keeping the crap from flying up my back and over my shoes. Also I didn't think at the time about a pump. This uses the Presta (?) type valves. My adaptor for my foot pump kind of works but it didn't register properly on the pressure gauge so I just pumped them up until they felt hard. I then bought a mini pump but it is so difficult to not rock the wheel about when putting in the effort to get 70 odd PSI into the tyres that it keeps losing the seal and letting the air out.

Decent pump and proper mud guards and I should be sorted though

Have only had the chance to ride it to work once as I've needed my car for work use but the rest of this week will see me on two wheels