Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - HELP: Beginner - What bike should I get? - Pista?

Hi,

I'm new to fixed gear bikes

I've looked around all the bike stores around San Francisco.

Box Dog, Free Wheel, Pedal Rev, AM Cyclery.

I'm a size 59cm on the pista - it fits literall just right as far as vertical clearance.

Of all the bikes I looked at, the Pista is the cheapest one I could find so I'm leaning towards getting it with one front brake.

I am new to this, so can anybody give me other suggestions? anybody selling a decent bike for a 6 footer? customs are too expensive right? other thoughts? should I really get this bike?

thanks

http://irocycle.com/iro/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=9981f2bceda4fb8fd2d7a3903f1badef

sure its a good starter bike but everyone here will shred you apart for having one. put Deep v's on and see what happens. ruthless all of them! but you got to start somewhere.
if you end up loving it,fixed gear, you will end up dropping a ton more on a differnt bike very soon.
if you want to go the cheap route make a conversion ,see if it appeals then if you like it get ready to save all you pennies for some crazy NJS japanese bike with sparkles.
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Everybody and their grandma has a Pista, but if you have to, atleast get Celeste.

Im with sniks. I just got into fixed gear riding recently and bought a pista. I love the bike, but my heart is really set on "some crazy NJS japanese bike with sparkles." I would have waited, rode some cheap conversion, saved my monies and bought a prettier bike. But Im happy as long as Im riding. The sparkly NJS bike is for the future, you gotta be working towards something, right?

The Pista is great for learning. Great bike. Get a used one, and you are even smarter.

NEVER do anything or refuse to do anything due to the opinion of a group of people on the internet that you may never meet in person*. That's just a ridiculous motivation for life.




*And be careful of the values you adopt from the people you meet.

NEVER do anything or refuse to do anything due to the opinion of a group of people on the internet that you may never meet in person*. That's just a ridiculous motivation for life.




*And be careful of the values you adopt from the people you meet.

Hello there, he's new to fixed gear bikes...not life.

Hello there, he's new to fixed gear bikes...not life.

You knew exactly what I meant, and the context. Too much of a culture of fashion dictates here, it's long past due time to reverse the trend.

Second trend to kill in '07? Pointless internet fighting. So let's contribute some meaning here. Thanks.

San jose.....Redline 925...surley ..... find one you like and ride. Who cares if someone else approves.

sorry...didnt wanna fight with ya man. But yeah i see your point about the fashion crap. Id site examples but im sure a war would ensue.

First of all... why do people hate on Pistas?

Second.. I'm a beginner so I thought going for a cheaper bike would be the way to go, but if I do end up falling in love with better bikes should I just get a more expensive one? And if I do get a more expensive one, what should I get? under 1000 dollars please...

Third... anybody have any sites with those NJS japan bikes?

Fourth... I still don't know what bike I should get for a beginner! I can afford a more expensive bike... but if I do, what bike, and is that the right choice

Pista's hold a pretty good resale value, so if you can find one used you'll probably end up selling it for the same that you paid, when it's time to upgrade. Think of it as "borrowing" the bike while someone holds your $400 as collateral. So from a financial point of view, it's a good way to get into fixed riding.

I don't know what the IRO's, Redlines, Surly's etc. go for used since I rarely see them on CL (well, in Chicago at least).




Hi,

I'm new to fixed gear bikes

I've looked around all the bike stores around San Francisco.

Box Dog, Free Wheel, Pedal Rev, AM Cyclery.

I'm a size 59cm on the pista - it fits literall just right as far as vertical clearance.

Of all the bikes I looked at, the Pista is the cheapest one I could find so I'm leaning towards getting it with one front brake.

I am new to this, so can anybody give me other suggestions? anybody selling a decent bike for a 6 footer? customs are too expensive right? other thoughts? should I really get this bike?

thanks

You cannot sell a used Pista for the price of a new Pista.

Take a look at this thread, maybe it will give you some more ideas...budget thread. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=225713&highlight=Discussion+of+budget+bikes)

First of all... why do people hate on Pistas?



Third... anybody have any sites with those NJS japan bikes?


first they are common and all the hipsters want to be sooo unique......not really sure why else, entry level parts not the best.

I think they are kinda comfy but hate the chrome myself looked at one for my wife.


http://businesscycles.com/nagasawa.htm
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Been reading smoe more forums, pista? pake? or iro?? helppp

I'd get a redline 925. When the rain comes next month, you'll be glad you have a front and rear fender. The 925 is also 100 less than the pista, and I think (IMO) it has a nicer frame that you won't see every 50 feet.

Also, KEEP THE BRAKES!!! Most people who go brakeless either have LOTS of experience with FG bikes, OR they live in FLAT cities. Just imagine FLYING down Haight hill when someone opens their car door, and in the rain no less.

They don't make big Pistas or ida got one - they're pretty, inexpensive and seem pretty good. Get one and love how awesome the chrome and world champ stripes look, and tell the shop that you really wanted it in 64cm so maybe they're start making them in more sizes.

Dear Fixed Gear Noob:

What's easier than spending someone else's money? Anonymous bullying over aesthetics? If you like the Pista and want it, then buy it. It's popular because its relatively inexpensive and very very fun. Don't believe the part about bad stock parts, either. That's bunk. The wheels spin round and round and the cranks do, too.

The average credit card debt is four-thousand dollars. (I'm told.).

Buy your mother something nice for the holidays and put the rest in a nice interest-bearing account.

;)

Whatever you end up getting, make sure you ride the sht out of it.

If you have the money to get a pista, mine as well. But I think it's a lot more fun to build up a conversion, and you can learn so much building/converting a bike.

Finding your bike is half the fun.... get out there and find your bike. Don't be afraid to ask to switch stuff out either. On my 925 I swapped out the mustache bar and fenders for a nice drop bar. (I already have fenders and didn't like the mustache) A good LBS will work with ya.... just don't expect something for nothing. They gotta make a buck too.

Dear Fixed Gear Noob:
It's popular because its relatively inexpensive and very very fun. Don't believe the part about bad stock parts, either.

"Just because the part is lower end doesn't mean it's not going to work, working is pretty much a prerequisite for any part." - from a post in another forum area.

I have a Pista- gang green; can't sell it in my town. I wanted to fix up another bike. Them that wants to ride fixed are already and the rest of the cycling community here is not into it. I'll hang on to it. It got me into fixed gear.

Is the fixed "craze" of the past year over? Remains to be seen. There will always be some of us to ride fixed.

Like someone above said- "Just get a bike and ride."

~jg

Hey, If you can afford a $1000 bike, go for it. The IRO site has base complete bikes between $550-$700 and about $950 for a complete bike with the premium upgrades. There are lots of options... So many that it took me a year to figure out what I wanted.

I have a 1970's Raleigh Record I found at a LBS that was never built up... basically it is a new frame. I had it built up as a singlespeed to test the grounds. I have accumulated the list of components and one of two frames that I narrowed it down to. Made my choice and will be riding soon.

If you get an base IRO or a Pista, you can always upgrade the components. Research the frame materials and components.

I am a newbie too, because I have not begun to ride FG yet. Bt I have the knowledge I need to make my decision.

Hope this helps.

Get a used one, and you are even smarter.




+1

There are used ones everywhere.

I'll get **** for saying this I'm sure, but the Ebay Mercier is good (do a search for 'fixed gear' on Ebay, the Mercier offering is a bit nicer than the others). Parts will break after a while just like any other bike... which gives you the opportunity to replace with something else of better quality all the while learning.

Or do what sniks said... the conversion route is easy. 65 dollar pawn shop frame and a 130 dollar set of wheels.

your already showing signs of promise you are on two wheels

The biggest difference between the IRO and the Pista is the geometry. The Pista has more of a track geometry and the IRO is a bit more slack. Bianchi is Italian and has been around for a very long time. IRO is a new company, very small, but you get to talk to the owner when you call in your order. But most importantly: get whatever bike's gonna make you wanna ride more.

I'll get **** for saying this I'm sure, but the Ebay Mercier is good (do a search for 'fixed gear' on Ebay, the Mercier offering is a bit nicer than the others). Parts will break after a while just like any other bike... which gives you the opportunity to replace with something else of better quality all the while learning.

Or do what sniks said... the conversion route is easy. 65 dollar pawn shop frame and a 130 dollar set of wheels.

I have had two merciers and a khs flite 100 loved em man great price great bike the frame rocks you could buy the thing and slowly upgrade everything else and ride it till it dies the cayne uno also looks really sturdy and nice in real life as well

If you are mechanically inclined, build up your own from an old wornout road bike. I built one from a Gitane for less than $75.

Parts will break after a while just like any other bike... which gives you the opportunity to replace with something else of better quality all the while learning.

Or do what sniks said... the conversion route is easy. 65 dollar pawn shop frame and a 130 dollar set of wheels.

..and a new bb...maybe a chainring, cog, and a new (KMC.Z610!) chain

what's this about "parts will break after a while just like any other bike"? like...what kind of parts are we talking about here...
curious

whatever bike you get, learn how to take care of and maintain it yourself...get to know what you are riding on, what maintains you...

-still learning

go to box dog and get a 59 IRO mark v. if you want to spend a little more money, get a bareknuckle. in terms of the pista, i would get one if i found it used on CL..

make a nice conversion, boxdog or the bike kitchen can help you with that. if nothing else, you'll learn alot about parts and bike maintenance that will prove really useful once you decide to move on to something else. i think everyone should start on a conversion.

ok, that works too. that's what i did before i got my track frame. learned a ton!