I ride 6.5 basically flat miles each way to work, year-round, in all weathers. Such riding, and the concomitant errandizing, is one of the perfect applications for a singlespeed.
His and hers Raleigh One-Ways (Photo by Lemberger)
The Raleigh One-Way is just such a commuting hack. I bought it last year on Craigslist for a coupla-hundred bucks and rode it the way it was (basically stock) and just replaced things as they either wore out, broke, or annoyed me too much on a daily basis. It’s really just another frame that’s easy to hang some of my stand-by stuff from so that I can ride it every day without having to think about it much. And that’s all it needs to be.
I carry everything I need (and quite a few things I don’t) in a Misson Workshops Vandal or (as pictured above) in a Carradice Lowsaddle Longflap.
Specification
Frameset: 2007 Raleigh One-Way, 57cm, blue.
Headset: Cane Creek (OEM)
Saddle: Brooks B-17
Wheels: No-name OEM hubs with Alex rims with 35mm Schwalbe Marathons
Stem: Cannondale, 100mm
Handlebars: One-One Mary with Ergon Grips
Brakes: Shimano Deore V-brakes with Avid levers
Drivetrain: Truvativ Elita crankset, 42t Rocket Ring, no-name OEM freewheel.
Pedals: VP-001 platforms.
Other stuff: SKS fenders, Planet Bike Eco Rack, Planet Bike rear light, ABUS lock.
