Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - trying to buy a fixed gear

hey guys

recently my old bike completely broke down, so I was looking around craigslist and found what I think is a really good deal on a fixie. I'm thinking of going for it since I really need a new bike, and the speed of a fixed gear sounds great. The only problem is I have no idea how good the parts are, so I was wondering if I could get some help. Here's what he says:

-painted white 54cm raleigh fixed gear conversion
-front wheel is a sakae hub laced to an araya rim
-rear wheel is a formula hub laced to an alexrim (fixed/fixed)
-rear hub is stripped on one side but the other side of the hub is like new.
-Cleaned up raleigh crankset with a new shimano bottom bracket and a 42t chain ring (54t included as well) and a 17t chromoly cog and lockring.
-Flat black seatpost and seat, black riser bars with blue oury grips, black generic platform pedals with cages and straps and white kmc chain

I know I'm just kind of dumping this all out there, but I really don't know much about bike parts yet and this is kinda overwhelming. None of my friends really know much about this either, so any help would be great.

The asking price is 225 OBO, is this a good deal? (I'm basically going to be riding this around a suburban area, daily)

you need to take a look at the bike yourself, sounds like the previous owner may have done some terrible work - painting a frame can go very wrong if not done correctly.

stripped threads?

go take a look at the rig and decide how bad its been messed up, definitely ask to lower the price if you decide you want it.

Well, I'm planning to look at it today. Also, he sent me a couple pictures:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r57/Ashogo/3n93kb3mfZZZZZZZZZ93bf9e52e28a6bd16.jpg http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r57/Ashogo/3m33o93l4ZZZZZZZZZ93b52d710a54f5111.jpg

Thanks for the reply, I'm still not sure if I'll buy but I think I can get the price down to 200-210

Don't know anything about the quality, but it's pretty nice looking, at least in those pictures

I have another quick question, though I can probably find this out myself. How much does it normally cost to convert a fixie to a single-speed? I'm thinking I might prefer a bike I can coast on, but I don't want to spend too much.

It's about $20 to get a freewheel cog, and maybe $40 total to get a cheap front brake/lever/cabling. I can't tell from the photo if the front fork is drilled for a brake, so you may have to do that/have that done as well.

all signs point to that seller being a ironically fashionable young man.

Since it's a road bike conversion, the fork is drilled for brakes. But get 2 brakes for a freewheel unless you want to go headfirst over the bars. But at least then you'd have something for the (plug) 'MSPaint your mishaps' thread.

Actually just a front brake should do you just fine. I have front and rear brakes on my road bike, but I NEVER use the rear brake. EVER. In fact, I think I'm going to take it off. Since you sound like you are new to bikes, I would take it easy on the braking if you do decide to just run a front brake, at least at first. You definitely don't need a rear brake, but just be careful for your first few rides to not lean forward too much. Also, I can't tell what damage has been done to the bike or how the paint looks really, but it does look like a pretty good deal. Worst comes to worst, you replace the rear hub which isn't too expensive but you would have to pay a shop for the labor most likely.

how are you gonna take a fixed gear bike and turn it into a single speed....shame on you

Actually just a front brake should do you just fine. I have front and rear brakes on my road bike, but I NEVER use the rear brake. EVER. In fact, I think I'm going to take it off. Since you sound like you are new to bikes, I would take it easy on the braking if you do decide to just run a front brake, at least at first. You definitely don't need a rear brake,

Not such a good idea. Just because you don't use a rear brake doesn't mean it has no purpose.

Actually just a front brake should do you just fine. I have front and rear brakes on my road bike, but I NEVER use the rear brake. EVER. In fact, I think I'm going to take it off. Since you sound like you are new to bikes, I would take it easy on the braking if you do decide to just run a front brake, at least at first. You definitely don't need a rear brake, but just be careful for your first few rides to not lean forward too much. Also, I can't tell what damage has been done to the bike or how the paint looks really, but it does look like a pretty good deal. Worst comes to worst, you replace the rear hub which isn't too expensive but you would have to pay a shop for the labor most likely.

That is extremely bad advice to be giving to anyone. Yes, a rear brake isn't needed for a fixed gear. In fact, afront brake isn't needed when you gain the skill of stopping/skidding. However when you lose the ability to stop via pedals, you run into serious danger. The front brake does 90% of the stopping when you aren't fixed, but the rear brake keeps the bike stable and straight. It's very dangerous to have just a front brake and trying stopping on a curve or with the front turned.

If you want to do that on your own, go ahead. But don't advovate for everyone. The worse thing that can happen is someone thrown over the bars in a panic stop.

There are three erroneous statements in this thread. Try to spot them all.