Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - How much do you have invested in your fixie?

I'm building my first fixie and seem to keep adding to the cost...you know, "Oh, look an NOS Shimano 105 crankset in 165mm, yeah, I NEED that."

This was supposed to be a cheap conversion to see if I liked it...so far it's getting crazy.

Mine so far...

Fuji frame/fork from thrift store - $5
Suzue basic hubs (F and R) from LBS - $52
Spokes, nipples, etc. from LBS - $40
NOS 105 165mm crankset LBS - $60
PC-58 chain, velox rim tape, etc. - $26
Rims and saddle, yard sale, extra with complete bike - $0
DA 16t cog, UN53 BB, DA lockring, single stack bolts, etc - $60

Total to date = $243 plus or mnus a few dollars...still cheaper than a new Pista.


I'm curious as to what people have into theirs, maybe it'll make me feel better about the $$ I'm into mine for. You don't have to tell, but if you want to I won't stop you.

PJBAZ

that's not bad, considering that i paid quite a bit more than that for my wheels...

:(

I built my wheels with the parts I bought. This was the first time I built wheels.

PJ

I paid about 250 for my wheels and the rest of the stuff for my conversion I had laying around or got really cheap out of the "components that time forgot" box at bike shops. Bianchi Pistas are nice bikes, but there's a certain charm to a bike with crankarms that were made in different decades.
Years of fun on bike for under 300 is a great deal IMO.

I shudder to think what I have spent on various bikes that I have built up. I can't seem to build up a bike with inexpensive parts and then leave it alone for very long. It always seems that I lust after something that will make my bikes "better": a new paint job, parts upgrade, ect. I have a friend who rides a bike he got out of a dumpster and reworked the existing parts and rides it with virtually no cost other than tires and tubes. The frame is rusty and it looks like hell but he takes pride in having done it for virtually no money. If that is what you are after you can get away for virtually nothing. I like a bike that is repainted and looks like new with the best parts and that gives me great pleasure. My hobby is bikes. I am fortunate in being able to support my hobby and indulge myself with what I want. I will say when I showed my wife a picture of the Pinarello Montello carbon fiber Track bike and mentioned it was available for about $10,000, that tested her patience. It was not destined to be included in my stable of bikes. There are limits to marital bliss and that exceeded them. I actually wasn't seriously thinking of getting one as I don't like anything other than Lugged Steel. I just wanted to see what she would say.

fixedgearhead

Let's see...

Frame, set of wheels and assorted parts - Free (trade for work on a girl's bike)
Van Desel rear wheel - +/- $95
Hutchison Carbon Comp - $24
Bull horns - $10
Brake lever, 1/8 pitch 14 tooth, 1/8 track chain, handle bar tape, cables -Free from friend cleaning out bike junk from basement
Stem & front brake - from junk box in my work shop
Lockring and chainring and single stack bolts - $32

+/- $161 actual retail value....

There's no such thing as a cheap hobby...

There's no such thing as a cheap hobby...

Pay now or pay later.. for the most part.

Let's see...

Frame, set of wheels and assorted parts - Free (trade for work on a girl's bike)
Van Desel rear wheel - +/- $95
Hutchison Carbon Comp - $24
Bull horns - $10
Brake lever, 1/8 pitch 14 tooth, 1/8 track chain, handle bar tape, cables -Free from friend cleaning out bike junk from basement
Stem & front brake - from junk box in my work shop
Lockring and chainring and single stack bolts - $32

+/- $161 actual retail value....

Of course, Blue Cross Blue Shield has shelled out about $2000 and counting as a result of that rig.

Of course, Blue Cross Blue Shield has shelled out about $2000 and counting as a result of that rig.
That would be the pay later portion of the hobby.. eh?

Already have:

Frame/fork (Schwinn, donated from another bikeforums.net user) - $0
Headset/bottom bracket/cranks (Unknown, Sugino, Shimano, salvaged from another bike) - $0
Saddle (Selle Italia, already had it laying around) - $0
Handlebars (Generic, salvaged from another bike) - $0
Rear track wheel (Quando/Alex, already had it laying around) - $0
Front wheel (Performance, donated from a friend) - $0
Tubes/tires (Performance, purchased new) - $30

Still need:

Stem, seat post, bar tape, chain.

I think I'll have about $50 into this bike when I'm done. I suppose at one point I did pay something for the stuff I already had laying around, and if I added those costs in as well it might add another $100 to $150. Not too bad.

I also have a Bianchi Pista, and I haven't had to put anything into that after the intial purchase, so I am pretty happy with that as well.

-Jason

not enough. I am buying a new one (well, actually trading a slew of stuff for a new frame).

not enough. I am buying a new one (well, actually trading a slew of stuff for a new frame).

Yeah, I saw your new bike :rolleyes: all I can say is....

http://www.thecellarstore.com/images/p19+1-big.jpg

At least it's areo!!!

I thought I told you: stayouttamybasement!

I thought I told you: stayouttamybasement!
That's not all that I saw down there.. but posting it here might hurt the eyes of the innocent.

Subnote: Frame, fork, stem, seat post, cranks, BB, brakes were 65 dollars. Wheel was 120 (I got a little bit jipped), front wheel free, seat was 20 dollars, bullhorns and brake handle was 25.. tires were 30..

So, approx 250 dollars, all over about 5 months. I'm hoping to score another set of wheels, and then change the blood red bianchi to a weekend haulass and the celeste japanese one into a comuter bomber. Not a lot compared to some, cheaper than others.. But fun.

Yeah, I saw your new bike :rolleyes: all I can say is....

http://www.thecellarstore.com/images/p19+1-big.jpg

At least it's areo!!!
:roflmao:

not enough. I am buying a new one (well, actually trading a slew of stuff for a new frame).

Cool, what'cha gettin'?

I'm building my first fixie and seem to keep adding to the cost...you know, "Oh, look an NOS Shimano 105 crankset in 165mm, yeah, I NEED that."

This was supposed to be a cheap conversion to see if I liked it...so far it's getting crazy.

Mine so far...

Fuji frame/fork from thrift store - $5
Suzue basic hubs (F and R) from LBS - $52
Spokes, nipples, etc. from LBS - $40
NOS 105 165mm crankset LBS - $60
PC-58 chain, velox rim tape, etc. - $26
Rims and saddle, yard sale, extra with complete bike - $0
DA 16t cog, UN53 BB, DA lockring, single stack bolts, etc - $60

Total to date = $243 plus or mnus a few dollars...still cheaper than a new Pista.


I'm curious as to what people have into theirs, maybe it'll make me feel better about the $$ I'm into mine for. You don't have to tell, but if you want to I won't stop you.

PJBAZ


I didn't intend to pay as little as you did, but my project definately got more expensive for various reasons. I originally intended about $800-900. I ended up with about $1250 poured into it. But I love my DeBernardi.

okay, i'll play too. some of this might be a bit off, since i don't recall exact numbers, particularily on the rims...

fixie number 1:

lotus track frame, fork, and generic seatpost: $150. (friend)
headset: from an older bike: $0
stem: $25
dura ace cranks: $20 + volunteer hours from bikes not bombs
old school GT BMX chainring: $20 when i bought it 7 years ago
avocet pedals: $14
phil woods hubs: $250
open pro rims: $80??
black spokes, brass nips: $35
armadillo tires: $40??
kona seat: $0 from a friend
KMC cheapass chain: $8
suntour superbe seatpost: $20.
handlebars, cinelli track: $40
handlebars, cheapo steel risers: $7.

total: $709.


fixie number 2:

van tuyl frame, fork, + campy 650c front wheel: $150. (ebay)
kinesis aluminum fork: $10
105 headset: $30
campy BB: $20
generic seatpost: $20
dura ace high flange/cxp33 front wheel: $200
dura ace high flange/cxp21 rear wheel: $200
sugino 75 cranks: $130
time ATAC pedals: $120
stem: $25
handlebars: $20
yellow oury grips: $14?
KMC 410H: $12
selle italia flite ti seat: $60
tires, cogs, other crap i don't think about: $60?

total: $1071. which doesn't count the other bottom bracket that i bought that was too wide...

i also have another track frame that i bought for $350 with a D/A headset and suntour BB, but it's too long for me.

i love having generous friends and ebay...but generous friends are much much better!

Ots: Ouch!

(I got a little bit jipped)


please don't say jipped. it's just as bad as saying you got "jewed."

it's kind of a silly request, i know, but gypsies are people too.

please don't say jipped. it's just as bad as saying you got "jewed."

it's kind of a silly request, i know, but gypsies are people too.

I never connected jipped to gypsies. Honestly, never in my life. My (real) apologies.

Can I say I kind of got screwed?

Hey!!!! I bought that same tricycle for my little brother!!!

eh, appology accepted...i never really thought about it either until someone jumped down my throat about it.

screwed is perfectly acceptable...as is "cheated," "ripped off," "taken for a ride," "grifted," "conned," and many many others...hehe...you could even make a reference to bill o'reilly and say you got "factored."...or something much much wittier.

main fixie i built myself:

frame - £25
paintstripper - £10
paint - £35
stem - £22
Miche Track Group - $285 + import tax
Fizik Pave Saddle - £6
Mavic Open Pro Rims - £65?
Spokes and nipples - £26
Bullhorns - $12
Brake lever - $12
Front Brake - £35
Computer - £20

Total ~£440 + ~£70 import taxes

other fixie - £210 + 15 for new seatpost + 30 for brooks saddle = £255

I try not to think of these things :)

I purchase parts as I save up the money.. My primary fixie...

Let's see

GT Pulse Frame and fork $400
Wheelset Phil wood hubs laced to Velocity Deep V's Aero spokes $450
Bars $30
Stem $25
Seat post $0 Had lieing around
Saddle $0 had lieing around
Tires $0 had lieing around
Campy Crankset and BB $300
Campy Record Brake Levers $120
Brake $25
Cog had lieing around $0
Chain $10

So roughly around $1350

I feel much better about my toy now...of course, this morning I added a headset for another $20...

PJ

My Kogswell set me back about $800 when it was all said and done. Frame fork and wheels are direct from kogswell. I went super cheap with things like seatpost and stem (I don't have a parts box yet :( ) and splurged on my Brooks Champion Flyer. Putting brakes on both ends made it a little more expensive than it NEEDED to be, but I'm really happy with it.
Just got a frame off e-bay to build into a NYC bike for my sister. I'm really hoping to get it together for less than $300 so I don't feel extremely horrible if it gets stolen. We'll see how close I come to my goal.

$16, not counting tires and tubes, or spray paint and decals....

$1000 give or take 100
pinarello amatore frameset
Campy record cranks
Campy record BB
Campy record pedals
Campy record hubs
Mavic CXP33's
Gipiemme headset
ITM stem
3TTT bars
American Classic setpost
Flight saddle
Strong-g grips

http://img13.photobucket.com/albums/v38/thrashin/bikes_002.jpg

well, no fixie yet.

but here's what I spent on my ss mtb. It was my "winter bike" before, had some annoyingly cheap brakes and shifters...so I got rid of what I wanted to:

$0 for mongoose iboc steel frame (re-used)
$100 for used surly/deore/Rhyno Lite wheelset from mtbr.com classifieds
$30 for Avid levers from eBay
$15 for f/r LX brakes from lbs
$10 for new conti front tire from swap meet
$0 for rear tire (re-used)
$3 for used Titec alum stem from swap
$20 for old RS Indy fork from swap
$3 for spacers from lbs
$8 for tubes from lbs
$0 for chain (used the old 9-speed one)
$1 for grips from swap
$30 for '04 Singleator from eBay
$48 for used XT cranks / 32t chainring / bash guard / bb from eBay
$14 for new WTB saddle - eBay
$0 for salvaged riser bar
$20 for led front light from lbs
$2 for tailight from swap
$10 for "get rid of skewers/quick release" kit from lbs
$0 for cheapo platforms (had 'em)

so...$314, I guess.

Lugged frame-free...dumpster dive
Used Rear wheel Suzue basic hub-$70
Shimano crank/BB-$50
Shimano pedals with clips and straps-$15

$135.00

Beautiful White with Yellow accents 3Rensho Frame- $550 shipped
Included Dura-Ace NJS headset- free
Used Campy Record BB- $50
Campy Record Crankset- $295
Vintage Campy Record Low Flange hubs w/ lockring- $100
White San Marco Saddle- $10
Seatpost- $25
Cinelli Critirium Track bars used - $3

I am at like $1040. Still need rims, chain, a 16 tooth cog, and a stem. Maybe new bars too, the Cinelli's are pretty marred up, which is why they were cheap. Thank god for tax returns.

Not quite in keeping with the intent of this thread.By fixie, I mean my first road bike that I use as a stand by and put on airplanes for their baggage handlers to destroy.
Paid about $1.000 for it.. Probably has 70.000 miles on it..
I have replaced the entire drive train twice. Wheels, 2 1/2 times...Headset twice..Probably about $450 to keep it in good shape..To have a spare road bike, I think it worth it..
I do not put ugly racks/packs on my best road bike..
So for winter rides I use my well used Scott road bike as a back up bike; & to lug to far away spots, that I don't want my expensive road bike subjected to . Stress of traveling overseas.
Is it worth $450 to keep a $950 road bike useable.

i bought my pinarello track bike in complete and rideable state for $350, seemingly a killer deal, but...

the wheels were crummy, so i dropped about $220 on a new set of surly/ma3 wheels plus...

$30 - MKS track pedals
$25 - clips and straps
$10 - bar tape
$20 - front brake
$10 - brake lever
$3 - brake cable
$70 - tires
$15 - beefy KMC chain
$120 or so in misc chainrings and cogs that i swap out from time to time.

somehow my $350 bike turned into a $900 bike. i hate it when that happens.

is it worth it?

yeah.

Around 150$ US, been awhile.

I transformed a old fuji road bike to fixed, i got a Surly Track hub with Mavic rims, double butted spokes etc for $110, a new chain and chainring bolts $15.00, and Bars from chucksbikes $16.00 shipped. The bike was $20 So about $160 dollars.

There's an LBS that sells used bikes near Stanford U. that usually has "serviceable" old 10-speeds for a little more than $100. Someone who is not too picky could ride one of these throughout their college experience and only fix flats. Of course, I am not that indiscriminate. But, for my 1st fixed gear project, I am trying. This fit is off... to the small side, but a new stem and the long seatpost help. Since there's no lock ring, I run two brakes.

Here's my bike:

-----used bike from a dealer----------------------119
Bridgestone 600 (straight gauge steel) ------------incl
27 in wheels, 36 hole hubs, tires O.K.--------------incl
(rear wheel was re-spaced for SS by former owner)-incl
42 tooth chainring--------------------------------incl
170mm Sugino cranks-----------------------------incl
1/8 in chain--------------------------------------incl
chopped drop bars--------------------------------incl
non-aero Dia-Compe levers------------------------incl
mixed brakes--------------------------------------incl
like new WTB seat --------------------------------incl
LBS took off the frozen-on cheap-o SS freewheel----10
17t 1/8in EAI track cog from American Cyclery in SF--31
new cork handlebar tape (nobody else's funk)---------6
old take-off straps from my 1st mtb------------------0
stem to make the bike fit---------------------------20
TOTAL: 186

I'm a little late to post on this topic, but I thought I'd share my experience for those searching the forums (and for my own therapy after spending more than I expected and feeling like I made some not-so-wise choices!). My goal was a fixie for riding in bad winter weather: I wanted clearance for wide knobbies and fenders and bosses for cantilever brakes.

Surly cross check frame; Avid Shorty 6 brakes; Ritchey Logic headset and stem; and Salsa Bell Lap handlebars: $350 from eBay (including shipping)

Mid 1980's Schwinn Tempo for parts-- from which I used the saddle; brake levers, cables and housing; front wheel; rear tire and tube; and Sugino 165 mm crank arms. I intended to use the chainring and chain but they were in poor shape. Note, although this was probably not a wise purchase, I still have the good-fit-for-me Tempo frame (horizontal dropouts) and a few other parts for a future bike. : $150 from eBay (including shipping)

Surly 135mm rear New Hub: $60 from eBay (including shipping). Probably fair, but not exactly a great price.

For the rest of the parts I realized that eBay was not worth the trouble and used my LBS:

Rim (Mavic MA3), spokes and other parts to build the rear wheel (first time building a wheel, but I'm confident that it will last a long time): ~$60

Surly track cog: $35 (!)
Surly lock ring: $15 (!)

New Shimano bottom bracket: $25
Crank arm bolts: $6
Short chainring bolts: $8 (!)

Seatpost: $20

New chain and chainring: still need to replace...expecting ~$50

Total: ~$780 - $800 (assuming I forgot about some tax or small odds and ends).

If I could do this over again I wouldn't have used eBay, except maybe for the frame, and I would have found a good source of second hand parts in Chicago (I live in South Bend ~1.5 hours away). All in all, however, putting this together has been fun and educational enough that I don't feel to bad about the almost $800 I've spent. I could have done it for cheaper, but it was a good experience. I just hope my wife doesn't read this.

The one that just died I had about $300 into altogether. The next one will essentially cost me as much as the replacement frame and fork will be, as I have everything else on hand. Hopefully not too much.

My Mirage began it's life as it waited for the trashman.
I saw it awaiting disposal and asked the owner if it was okay to take it.
The wheels were upgraded to a Mavic MA40 clincher with a Dura Ace track hub that I had built.
The Front is a Mavic Gel330 and Ultegra tubular setup.
The handlebar was replaced for a bull horn style time trial bar, running a front brake.
The small chainring was removed and the bike runs a 52 x 16t gearing.
I have about $400 invested in that bike.

My Nomade was a yardsale item.
It runs a carbon Zipp Tri Spoke tubular wheel on the rear (and sometimes one up front too.)
It currently has a Mavic Gel 280 tubular rim, Hershey Naked hub, and tye dye titanium spokes up front.
(That wheel only weighs 737 grams with the Corsica tire.)
This bike runs a 52 x 18t and I have about $550 invested in the wheels alone.

My dream fixie will likely be a Parlee framed custom with a sub-ten pound target weight.
I waiting for Reynolds to sell individual rims before I start on this one. :D
It will cost over $3,000 if it happens.

i'll be building a fix gear soon,i estimate $2G's +

miyata track frameset/stem:$75
back wheel, cog, lockring: $150
front wheel:$10
tires:$2
bars: $0
campagnolo record pista gold anodized (used) $100
F.A. axletugs: $15
1/8 chain: $15

=$367

(+tubes)
But i have a gold campy chainring on a pearl white bike with lotsa bare chromy steel :-D

oh, christ. i never put numbers to these things.

i reckon i'll start with the new bike.

frame - bianchi pista concept 2004 - $600
front hub - shimano dura ace track (7710) - $69
rear hub - shimano dura ace track (7710) - $79
front rim - mavic gl330 - $0
rear rim - araya gold staff 340 - $0
front spokes - wheelsmith 1.8 / 1.55 - $31
rear spokes - wheelsmith 2.0 / 1.8 - $31
cranks - sugino 75 - $157
pedals - look cx-6 - $210
seatpost - bontrager 27.2 - $0
saddle - fizik pave - $0
cog - shimano dura ace 15t - $17
stem - FSA OS-170 - $37
handlebars - deda pista - $58
front tire - tufo s3 lite < 165g - $72
rear tire - tufo s3 lite < 165g - $72
tire glueing tape - tufo extreme - $16 (2 x $8)

total: $1449

i may be missing one or two things.

Well, so far it's $0, but of course I've just gotten started. I have a late 70's or early 80's Schwinn LeTour frame & fork (no cost, had it for like 20 years or so) that I'm converting to fixed -- the stem and front hub were salvaged, the rest I'm gonna have to find or buy. The LBS is ordering me a pair of rims and a rear hub and will do the wheel buildup... at that point the register starts ringing. :D

took control of bike from lazy sister in '87 = free
added track cog circa '88 = 10 bucks
just replaced the brooks this year = 80 bucks

all told; 90 bucks for 16 years riding fixed.

Found the bike in a thrift store for $25. Absurdly tall frame (63cm?), perfect for my height.
Needed new wheels (which I built): flip-flop hub, rims, tires, new chainring, cog + lockring: $200ish total.
bullhorns + stem change for it after I switched back to it from my winter bike (also fixed, w/ moustache bars + beefier tires) and realized that I hate drop bars: $35ish.
Metal clips and leather toe straps: $20.
Money for tools, lights, helmet, pump, and the like: $100ish spread out over several months, and I cover most of my repairs.

No longer needing a car has been worth every penny, ten times over.

so far: (nos means new old stock)
2005 campy record pista track cranks: $240 (eBay)
nos campy super leggeri steel/alloy road pedals: $120 (swap meet)
nos binda straps: $20 (swap meet)
nos mid-80's campy chorus single-pivot monoplanar brake: $144 (eBay)
nos mid-80's campy record high flange 36 hole track hubs: $381 (American Cyclery)

still to get:
Chris King No Name headset: $130
Brooks antique brown Swift saddle: $175 (Wallingford Cycles)
Nitto Jaguar seatpost: +/- $100 (eBay)
custom fillet brazed 64cm frame/forks/stem from either Ed Litton or John Slawta (LandShark): +/- $2,000
bottom bracket: either campy or Phil..
I'm still deciding on the best rim/tyre combo.
Plus a few extra bucks for the chain, toe clips, etc.

So we're looking at about $4,000 total for a street fixie.
I guess you guys can tell I'm a little obsessed.
**** it...you only live once and I can't wait to build up my dream bike.

hmm, never added it up

levante frame, came w/ campy headset, seatpost, and bb -- $330 on ebay
phil/cxp33's -- $500?
converted strada cranks -- $70
tires -- vredstein volante se's $40
cinelli bars chopped and flipped -- $10
cinelli stem -- $0
ti flite -- $5
shadow conspiracy chain -- $0
m585 pedals -- $40
dia compe brake -- $0
shimano cog -- $22

so, $1040 for that one.

i think it's close to that for the fuji.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=109609



Frame : 400
Rear Wheel : 160
Front Wheel, Tires and Tubes : ~ 200
Track Drops : Free
Brooks Sadle : ~75
Bar Tape : 15
Lights : ~65
Bottom Bracket : 23

So $938? And that's just the current configuration. Several of those parts have been replaced a couple of times. I had no idea I'd been spending that much. That's close to what I spend on beer each year!

I forgot cogs, lockrings, chainring, and chain. That's probably another $100...

A few new cogs, BBs, and tires since then...