Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - give me your opinion on this conversion

hello- i'm looking at this fixed gear conversion on ebay and i think it sounds straight, but then again i'm definitely no expert, so i need you guys to take a look and give me your opinion. what do you think would be a good maximum bid on it? thanks a lot, i really appreciate this forum's help.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3691029380

Looks like a good bike, but I've heard bad things of the seller.

i checked out his feedback, sounds legit- pretty happy customers, what've you heard?

Do a search on applecart2 on this forum. Some people like, some not so much. In any case, you get what you pay for.

Notice that each of his auctions start out with "This bike is one of _____'s Top-Of-The-Line Bikes from the 1980's..."

I'm pretty sure that few, if any of the bikes he sells were ever actually "top-of-the-line."

"Average" would be a much better descriptor...

hahaha, but hell $100...can't go wrong

hello- i'm looking at this fixed gear conversion on ebay and i think it sounds straight, but then again i'm definitely no expert, so i need you guys to take a look and give me your opinion. what do you think would be a good maximum bid on it? thanks a lot, i really appreciate this forum's help.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3691029380


I bought a bike from the guy and he sent me just what he described. No complaints here. For a hundred bucks how can you go wrong. It enabled me to decide whether or not I wanted to ride a fixie. After I got hooked I bought a Bianci Pista and use the ebay bike as a leave it and don't worry about it general ride.

i have a friend named takeshi

"but hell $100...can't go wrong"

can get that same rig at a yardsale or thrift-shop for 30 bucks. with pedals.

"but hell $100...can't go wrong"

can get that same rig at a yardsale or thrift-shop for 30 bucks. with pedals.

I agree. I would not consider these bikes a bargain by any means. By the end of the auction you will find yourself paying around $200 for this bike (boxing charge and ridiculous shipping and handling charges). After a few months of riding you probably will need to replace components, especially that crappy brake which should be replaced right away IMO. In the end if you decide you enjoy fixie riding then you will have to shell out $$$ for a new bike on top of what you already spent. Pick up a new Bianchi or Fuji track bike for around $500 and if you decide fixie riding is not for you at least you can sell it for close to what you spent on it. It seems like a lot of money but trust me it is the only way to go. Ask yourself this question, if I wouldn't buy a bike from Wal-Mart why would I buy an unsafe POS from some random guy on eBay?

Looks like a good bike, but I've heard bad things of the seller.
seconded - uses crap parts. DIY one...it is a lasting experience, as long as you keep your crumbsnatchers out of the drive train!

Dear Takeshi,

The two applecart conversions I've seen shipped with steel rimmed wheels. If you decide that a 10lb wheelset is not for you, add $150 to the auction price.

BK

DIY...will cost way under $100 and the rear tire is converted not a track/fixed hub...

I got an old Panasonic frame (free) and used rear wheel for about $50. Not a new track bike...but better than those ebay junked parts put together.

Thrift shop or the local bike store should do you right...

as 165 said...the best is getting the damn sucker together.

Matt

I lived in San Diego and picked up a regular geared bike for my girlfriend from him, and the guy even told me that his fixed gear bikes aren't any good. They aren't good if you plan to backpedal, skid, or go down any hills. I agree with previous posters. Find a junker road bike, and buy a cheap prebuilt track wheel, and you'll pay the same or less, and be much happier.