Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - I bought a Miyata fixed gear for $375 - good deal?

I went to the LBS today and they had a used fixed gear that felt pretty solid, frame was the right size, and it was really light weight. I paid $375 for it, here are the specs:

Greenish-turquoise Miyata steel frame (not sure which model)
Maxxis RE-Fuse 700x25 tires (new)
Alex AT450 wheelset (new)
MKS AR-8 pedals (they say Japan on them)
Stem, handlebars, seatpost, and seat are nothing special...appears to be original
Shimano SG chainring on a Sakae SX crank (not sure about the BB)
Chain is also new

http://i22.tinypic.com/2nl6ctz.jpg

Any idea how good of a deal I got, or how bad of a deal?

Thanks

Sorry to say it but you got ripped off a fair amount.

Nothing special about the components used. I'd say you paid way too much, considering you could build the same thing for under $100 if you knew what you were doing.

ride it for a while. sell it on CL for what you paid for it, go to bikesdirect.com unless you wanna leearn to build them yerself.

considering you could build the same thing for under $100 if you knew what you were doing.

You can build a bike like that for under $100? Unlikely.

You can build a bike like that for under $100? Unlikely.

totally. buy the bike in 10 speed form for $30 at a thrift store and buy a cheap new rear fixed wheel.

yeah, you got taken pretty good sorry to say..

Once again, a thread better posted before purchase.

I'm a little disappointed, considering I felt like I could trust the LBS. Is this just the price you pay when you buy a used bike from the LBS...or was this bike just way overpriced?

Did I get ripped off enough to go back and ask for a refund...how much extra $$ did I pay exactly?

Well you may not have got the best deal but it has potential! Granted there's lots to do but it's worth it if you stick to it. here's my Miyata to encourage you to do the work!
http://brianr86.googlepages.com/IMG_2357.JPG/IMG_2357-custom;size:578,434.jpg

that wheel/tire combination is too much for me. Keep it simple, like black on black

I'm a little disappointed, considering I felt like I could trust the LBS. Is this just the price you pay when you buy a used bike from the LBS...or was this bike just way overpriced?

Did I get ripped off enough to go back and ask for a refund...how much extra $$ did I pay exactly?

Pfft, you paid what you thought was a fair price. Live with it. Morally i'd say you're a ****ing ******bag if you return something just because you didn't do your research properly and bought something.

1) How much would have been a fair price, in your opinion?

2) If I got REALLY ripped, should I go back to the store?

Morally i'd say you're a ****ing ******bag if you return something just because you didn't do your research properly and bought something.

You have some odd morals my friend. I'll attempt to return anything I want, if I want my money back..but please back on topic and tell me how much I got suckered.

I'm a little disappointed, considering I felt like I could trust the LBS. Is this just the price you pay when you buy a used bike from the LBS...or was this bike just way overpriced?

Did I get ripped off enough to go back and ask for a refund...how much extra $$ did I pay exactly?

typical lbs mark-up.
it does have more character than an off the shelf fixed gear.

It was most likely being offered on consignment. The original seller of the bike got what he was asking plus the LBS got its cut.

typical lbs mark-up.
it does have more character than an off the shelf fixed gear.

This is my thought as well...we all know you're going to pay more at an LBS - that's just how it goes. But I'm trying to figure out if the LBS charged even more than the "standard LBS markup".

Frame - $70
Wheels - $150
Chain - $25
Crank/BB/Pedals - $25
Seatpost/seat/handlebars/stem - $25
LBS Labor (build) - $50
*****************************
$345

Do those numbers seem correct?

Don't worry I think I got ripped off for my 1st fixie. Payed $400
Mavic Open Pro to formula
New Brooks b-17 chopped
No name touring frame (at least you got a road frame)
Kind of makes me feel like an idiot for getting it but then again it had good wheels and was the reason for turning me onto Brooks so a fair trade I guess.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1002/1175236064_e1e6e49d62_b.jpg

http://www.forumspile.com/You-Are-Got_owned.jpg

well, you would have paid that much anyway if you did your own conversion. So you didn't get *that* ripped off.
And you have a bike you can ride *now*

I'd argue that that bike is as good or better than those bikesdirect bikes. It was not an amazing bargain, but I do not agree that you were ripped off.

nope he got ripped off

I'd argue that that bike is as good or better than those bikesdirect bikes. It was not an amazing bargain, but I do not agree that you were ripped off.

Definitely. It's a solid bike for a decent price. This isn't come POS conversion from Craigslist or some mystery frame from a fairly anonymous internet retailer, this is a bike assembled by a professional mechanic. So instead of being concerned about a janky chain-line or a bottom bracket and headset that are liable to explode at any moment, this guy will have countless hours of worry-free riding, and a shop he can go to if he doesn't.

My only qualm is with the lack of a brake: I think it's bad form for bike shops to sell conversions to new riders without a brake.

You probably could have got a better deal if you spent weeks or months sourcing craigslist, ebay, etc. You probably overpaid a little bit, but all the parts are decent, you know it fits you, and you don't have to worry about putting it together, breaking things during the build, etc.
I'd say enjoy it, chalk the money you overpaid up to the level of expertise that you got from the LBS, and don't beat yourself up over it.

You should probably also understand that most of the replies you're getting are from people who know exactly where to look for good pricing on their components, which parts are a good value and which aren't, and build them on their own to save on labor. You could have gotten it cheaper but get out there and ride, you'll find out it was worth the money even if you could have gotten a better bike.

Just enjoy the bike. I probably spent 300+ on a beater conversion that i built up. But, I love it and you should learn to loveeee your bike too.

I spent more on my conversion, but I guess my parts are better than yours...

If you did get ripped off, which is a close call, I wouldn't put it at more than 50-60$

Ripped off? Do you like the bike? Does it work like you want? Can you do parts search, assembly, and set up with your own tools? Build one up with similar components, judge what your time is worth, then decide if the price was fair.
The bike looks good to me. The fixie guys that come in my shop usually end up spending near what you have by the time they have gotten a decent road frame, some track wheels, the right stem, new bar tape, new tires that will hold air, a new chain and had some adjustment done at the shop. It also took them a week or two, lots of questions, and trial and error.

This is my thought as well...we all know you're going to pay more at an LBS - that's just how it goes. But I'm trying to figure out if the LBS charged even more than the "standard LBS markup".

Frame - $70
Wheels - $150
Chain - $25
Crank/BB/Pedals - $25
Seatpost/seat/handlebars/stem - $25
LBS Labor (build) - $50
*****************************
$345

Do those numbers seem correct?

Pretty close. Here's how I add it up.

Frameset, cranks, bars, stem, seatpost, saddle- $100 is on craigslist
Maxxis RE-Fuse 700x25 tires- $40?
Alex AT450 wheelset- $100
MKS AR-8 pedals (they say Japan on them) -$15
Chain is also new- $15

So, I'd say $270 if you did it yourself. Finding a frame that fits is half the battle, so I'd say you did ok at the shop. Plus they'll take care of you if something breaks. (in theory)

This is my thought as well...we all know you're going to pay more at an LBS - that's just how it goes. But I'm trying to figure out if the LBS charged even more than the "standard LBS markup".

Frame - $70
Wheels - $150
Chain - $25
Crank/BB/Pedals - $25
Seatpost/seat/handlebars/stem - $25
LBS Labor (build) - $50
*****************************
$345

Do those numbers seem correct?

That seems close to what I was thinking. $250 if you managed to be super frugal, $350 if a couple things made it cost more (like paying more for the bike or having a mechanic do some work here and there).

I spent more on my conversion, but I guess my parts are better than yours...

If you did get ripped off, which is a close call, I wouldn't put it at more than 50-60$

I guarantee that your bike has better parts than mine.

it isnt such a rip off as people are making it seem

if the bike fits ride it

its better than a ****ing pos bikes direct that you incorrectly assembled

its not at all a rip off, you bought a bike you like and didn't have to do any work at all. i'd much much much rather ride that than any off the shelf fixed gear for 5-600

You know, a little ot here--and I'm no expert--but barring loctite and a big parts bin, I still can't figure the 100 conversion.

Just ignore everyone here. If you like it, it's worth it. I know for a fact that I have more than that into my conversion, and it was put together by a drunken idiot who hasn't ever worked in a shop in his life (myself).

I don't even want to know how much I've put in, and nothing too flash, either--and I've got more I want to do...

It's not a terrible deal. I've built and sold about 25 bikes on Ebay in the last 5 months and at the beginning of the summer they were selling for much more than yours. I sold a Kilo TT for $610 in June. I had even removed the stem I wanted and the chain ring I wanted. People were paying $500 after shipping for bikes like yours and some had less to offer. Now that it's close to Bikes Direct season prices have dropped considerably.

I don't know where everyone is strolling into thrift shops and buying $30 bikes that were built for 700s and aren't rusted and aren't ****, but I guess you guys are. I can get a bike out for under a $100 if I find it on CL for cheap and if it has a rear freewheel. Even cogs and chains cost money. And I own all the tools. Your bike would much more likely sell for around, or just under $100 as a road bike. I paid $120 for a Miyata 305 road bike as my first conversion and then add-in everything to build it up.

The one and only reason you're being told you got ripped off is b/c of the existence of bikesdirect.com and that's the only reason I stopped making $2-300 profit on each of my bikes.

sure you could have built something similar yourself for less money, but you've only been 'ripped off' if your time is worth nothing.

witness a standard conversion formula: a dozen hours stalking craigslist/classifieds to find a frame, $100 on crazy tools you never knew existed, ten hours doing research on your project, $20 on parts you didn't think you needed but do, $50 for a cog and a lock ring and a new chain, who knows how much cash for a new rear wheel if you go that route, $50 for a truing stand if you decide to go the loctite option, ten hours screwing around with your chainline, five hours to rebuild that bottom bracket after you've spent all that time on the chainline only to decide your bb is wonked, maybe $25-$50 for a new bb if you screw up the rebuild or find the thing is shot and, finally...

two hours to push the damn thing home after it breaks down because you were working the learning curve while building your ride.

or you could just pay $375 and get something you know works.

bottom line: build a bike if you are interested in building a bike. conversions only save you money if your time and frustration have no value.

not such a rip, heck I just dropped $$ for some nice wheels, and that I think leaves my bikes total small amount less than yours.

Granted, I could pick up a Swobo for about $50 more here in ann arbor than what you paid also and brand new too.


All in all, everyone usually has to pay their price when getting into something at some point, this was the time that you ended up paying a little more than normal for what you got, lesson learned, but over all with component price for what you paid and comming out of an LBS, it is not too bad.

i don't think you got ripped off at all. i totally agree with the people saying it is worth your time and knowing that it is properly assembled. for something you can ride that day and such it is the price to pay for convenience. im not quite sure where these guys can build that bike for $100 either.

just this summer i bought my first fixie; '05 pista for 400. it was pretty much stock expect for new bars, pedals, crank, and cog. could i have gotten it cheaper? of course. but prior to that i had been looking all summer for one and it finally came. it was assembled by ben's (i live in milwaukee) and the kid took it their for regular maintenance. present day i couldn't be happier with the decision. i ride it everyday and never even thought about getting ripped off. if it make you happy it was well worth the decision. don't let these guy get you down.

bottom line: build a bike if you are interested in building a bike.

I think you summed it up pretty well.

Here in Toronto we have a bike store called "Bikes on Wheels".
They would sell used Miyata road bike for that price.
And just recently I saw in the same store a fixed Miyata for something like $800 not including 15% tax!!!
Now that's a rip off.

Just to reiterate what several others have said, not a bad deal if you factor in all the hidden costs. You have to consider your location for instance. I can't get a fixed wheelset mailed to me for less than 2 bills, and having them made locally would cost at least as much. Sure some dude here could probably get that original bike for 20 bucks or for free and throw on a new rear wheel, but that's not exactly what you got. All that crap adds up fast-- cog, short stack bolts, new bar tape, etc. Pulling from the ubiquitous parts box is cheating if you don't consider all the embodied time and expense that undoubtadley went into collecting and storing all that stuff. And don't forget your labor. Do you work at McDonalds? No, so don't screw yourself when considering what your time is worth.

I bought a dusty Miyata 310 from my local bike co-op for $40, and bought new bars, tape, pedals, wheelset, tires/tubes, rimtape, cog, chain, and short stackbolts to properly "minimise" the original road double -- I'm probably in for a little over $300 in parts exclusive of the frame. I have a few extra parts leftover from the conversion for future projects. I spent many, many hours cleaning, overhauling, lubing, building, and tuning the bike. I hand-polished the old sugino cranks with jeweller's rouge-- I think its a pretty classy little bike, and it feels really good to ride it, but if I had to pay someone to have done it THE WAY I WANTED IT I don't think I could justify the expense. Funny how the immediate responses mostly judged you a victim. To me sounds like you got a fair deal, especially if it feels good to ride. Congratulations. Build your own next time though, you'll learn alot.

Ripped- my LBS sells a NEW track framed fixie with all new stuff for $399


But if you like it, and are happy with it, at least you're not driving a car.

Ripped- my LBS sells a NEW track framed fixie with all new stuff for $399

New ≠ Better

I'm with bonechilling on this... depending on your location and your trust in the LBS, I think you did fine. Miyata made a quality frame, a mechanic went over it so you've got to factor that in, and there's always going to be some mark-up in a store. Could you have scrounged around and found a better deal online, probably, but factor in the mechanic alone and you're coming up fairly even. If you aren't mechanically inclined you likely made a better choice.

Ripped- my LBS sells a NEW track framed fixie with all new stuff for $399


But if you like it, and are happy with it, at least you're not driving a car.

A cheap track frame isn't better than a good, old road bike, especially not a Miyata.

I just put together my second SS bike (not into fixed)... I have about $400 in parts and I recycled a crankset, chainring, pedals, cog, saddle and stem from the parts bin. The rest was all new parts including a new frame and brakes. It only took me about an hour to put it together (not much labor) but it did take me a week of random bargain hunting, shopping, and planning to get all the parts together. I think $375 for a complete, working bike in excellent riding condition that fits right, feels good and comes from a known source is a pretty good deal.

LBS always jack up prices. I think every sale at the LBS's in my area is a ripoff, with very few exceptions. But I'm cheap and prefer to build it myself.

But I'm cheap and prefer to build it myself.

You build it yourself because you have wrenching skills and love to tinker, not because you're cheap. :)

bikes are worth their weight in gold these days. What you paid is what you would get if you sold it on CL so enjoy the bike. Sure you could of gotten it cheaper if you did it yourself, but if you were experienced enough to do it yourself you wouldn't be building a conversion with those parts.