Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Please, Help a Newb out.

Hello guys. ive just recently found myself obsessing over fixed gear bicycles. i want to get one but dont know much about them. so please help me out by answering these few, simple questions: which type of frames are better, track or converted road bike? i have a feeling it really doesnt matter but would like to know your opinions. I would like to get a bike soon, within the next couple of weeks and have about 500 dollars to spend. would it be in my best interest to just buy a brand new fixed gear bike, or convert an old 80s road bike? i was thinking of getting an IRO Mark V, these seem popular but i dont know...would a pista be better? anyway thanks for reading and thanks for your replies.

dont convert unless you love a specific frame or just like the process of building it yourself.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=225713 will help you decide which new bike you might want.

Conversions can turn into time sinks and money pits if you don't have patience or mechanical skills. This sticky covers cheap/good bikes:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=225713

Edit: you've won this time, morbot ... this time.

dont convert unless you love a specific frame or just like the process of building it yourself.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=225713 will help you decide which new bike you might want.
so i see that the pista and the iro bikes are recommened as entry level bikes. would it be best to go to my local bike shop, or order online? that thread is helpful, thanks.

IRO ftw. Great customer service, quality frames (though I've yet to ride mine).

yea i agree i'm loving my angus to death

IRO ftw. Great customer service, quality frames (though I've yet to ride mine).
you just bought one im assuming...is it cheaper to buy it through the company direct?

That's the only way (sort of) to get one. Yeah, I just bought an Angus frameset. Nice welds, feels real solid. The complete bikes they sell are nice. www.irocycle.com

if you buy your IRO from an LBS, they'll often help you set it up and make sure everything's right. it might cost a little extra, and there's a discount sale apparently going on on internet orders from IRO right now.

here's the list of IRO dealers in New York: http://www.irocycle.com/id89.html

if you buy your IRO from an LBS, they'll often help you set it up and make sure everything's right. it might cost a little extra, and there's a discount sale apparently going on on internet orders from IRO right now.

here's the list of IRO dealers in New York: http://www.irocycle.com/id89.html
do you think the authorized dealers will honor the discount?

I just bought a Cayne Uno for $470 brand new. I love it.. So far. I will start a new thread with pictures, I know people were interested..

I just bought a Cayne Uno for $470 brand new. I love it.. So far. I will start a new thread with pictures, I know people were interested..
start the thread...id like to see what it looks like. :)