[iRLife]

I like to hit the trails around my town (in IA), but I also want something that I can use to get around town year round (no car, yes winter use). I don't want to spend more than 800 so if there is anything that is decent to start out with and then maybe upgrade over time I am open to recommendations.

 

[gregnash]

Felt has a good entry level 29er that sells for around $600, the Felt Nine Trail.

 

[ito]

Redline MonoCog 29er or Surly Karate Monkey. Can't really go wrong with either one. I built up a Monkey in college. 7 years later it is still going strong.

 

[BruceBrown]

I like to hit the trails around my town (in IA), but I also want something that I can use to get around town year round (no car, yes winter use). I don't want to spend more than 800 so if there is anything that is decent to start out with and then maybe upgrade over time I am open to recommendations.

Where are you in IA? Being a college Prof in IA, I was curious.

Scott Scale Comp can be had at Scheel's for close to your budget. Seems like a nice bike for Iowa trails (I checked one out yesterday for my son).

BB

 

[iRLife]

Iowa City

 

[iRLife]

Redline MonoCog 29er or Surly Karate Monkey. Can't really go wrong with either one. I built up a Monkey in college. 7 years later it is still going strong.

I'm not sure I want a SS bike as I will still be using it to do shorter rides occasionally. Looking for something that will do well as an all-around bike.

 

[BruceBrown]

Iowa City

Cool. The Scheel's in Iowa City is a Trek/Fisher dealer if my memory is right. They should be able to hook you up with a nice Sugarbottom/campus sled. Anything in the entry level Fisher line should meet your needs. Just make sure you lock it up anywhere on campus. No matter what the cost of the bike, things get lifted these days.

 

[ito]

I'm not sure I want a SS bike as I will still be using it to do shorter rides occasionally. Looking for something that will do well as an all-around bike.

Not sure how much snow you get in Iowa City, but you mentioned commuting in the winter on it. Gears are always an option, but they tend to get mucked up with the salt and snow of winter roads. Simpler gears tend to be more reliable, especially if this is your only bike. You'll get a lot more bike for your buck by dropping 26 gears as well and less down time making repairs.

That said, after riding a single speed for 7 years I really suck at shifting. I suppose that is a downside.

Good luck with the bike search.

 

[iRLife]

Not sure how much snow you get in Iowa City, but you mentioned commuting in the winter on it. Gears are always an option, but they tend to get mucked up with the salt and snow of winter roads. Simpler gears tend to be more reliable, especially if this is your only bike. You'll get a lot more bike for your buck by dropping 26 gears as well and less down time making repairs.

That said, after riding a single speed for 7 years I really suck at shifting. I suppose that is a downside.

Good luck with the bike search.

thanks for the heads up, I will keep that in mind.

 

[LandSpeed]

Redline d460 29'er. Steel, rigid, 29er.
I commuted on mine and road dirt for 2 years before putting a reba on the front. Then, I put on a new wheelset about a year after that. It's drivetrain is about to die after thousands of miles of use, but I forsee the frame lasting for a lot longer. Great geometry. Fast. Fun. In your price range. Don't get a monocog (or any other singlespeed). Get gears.