Switchblade 1sp VS 3sp?

[bondrey]

I did some searches but maybe didn't do it right cuz I figure this info should be somewhere. At any rate, I found this for sale: http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/bik/3279681901.html and noticed in the photos it's a single speed with no front brake (unlike their new ones with 3sp and front disc). Does anyone know what other differences there might be between the two types?
Is there a big advantage of one over the other, or any reason to stear clear of the single speed? Is that big ol' bike easy enough to ride with only one speed?
I've never owned a chopper style but daughter has a Fuji Saratoga 3.0 7sp forward pedaling bike and I really like how that rides. Any input as to whether that's a decent deal or not would be appreciated. I'm in Key West about 4hrs from this bike but might be heading through there in a couple weeks.
Thanks in advance!
-Brandon

 

[jwm]

That is a nice looking cruiser. But gears are important on any pedal forward bike. I would imagine you could get a Shimano 8-speed internal in that frame without too much trouble. It would be worth spending a few bucks to do an upgrade.

JWM

 

[bondrey]

That's kind of what I was wondering, didn't know how well a single speed bike like that would work being so heavy and pedals so far forward. Adding a Nexus or similar hub to this single speed wouldn't be worth it as the cost coupled with the $360 to buy it would be too close to the $611+free ship for a brand new one on Amazon. The Amazon deal also has color Jade which I like much better than the blue used one.
If this used one had some sort of advantage or if single speed worked great on this frame and no mods were needed, then I'd probably have dealt with the color and gotten it just to save the $250 over Amazon deal.
Thanks for your input.
-Brandon

 

[bondrey]

http://keys.craigslist.org/bik/3299718797.html
What about something like this? Even close to being worth that kind of money? It's local, which is cool, but also means 6yrs of being in this salty environment, which you can see in the pics if you look closely for pitting/rusting in the chrome. Would it even be worth $300 in that sort of shape?