Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Advice to get started

I am 100% new to fixed gear bicycles, I've always wanted a bike that could stop when you stopped pedaling and learned that these existed recently, and after riding one for the first time I think I'm ready to purchase one. My budget is arround 800$, and I do not mind ordering parts from the internet (however, living in canada that can sometimes be a problem). Any advice on getting started would be appreciated. Not really looking for anything to do tricks on, just riding.

oh no...

you should try the sticky at the top of this forum that says "START HERE"

It would help to know what you will primarily be using this bike for.
Commuting?
Long distance rides?
Racing on a track?

Even then the best advice is still for you to just do your own research. There are a million threads similar to this and you can learn a lot from them.
Personally if I had $800 to spend on a my first complete bike I would probably buy a nice older road bike frame ($150-$300), powdercoat and convert it, then spend the rest on nice components.
You will also learn a lot about how your bike works this way.
If you do decide later down the line you want a true track frame you can always get one and you will already have good components to hang off it.

you should try the sticky at the top of this forum that says "START HERE"

That would make to much sense.

Also stopping is not as easy as you make it sound. For a bike in that budget I would look at Jamis sputnik or what ever the lower model is called.

my advice: don't start

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed/index.html

http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

People should be required to read Sheldon's pages before joining the BF; he'll definitely tell you what you need to know.

Just about every bike maker has a singlespeed and/or fixed gear bike. Also try to navigate your way through the world's worst website, BikesDirect.com and you may find a few more ss/fg bikes.

my advice: don't start

That's not very helpful.

That's not very helpful.
If the guy isnt smart enough to seem a thread labeled start here, i do not advise him to operate a bicycle.

alright. Cut him some slack even tho it is true that we have 10,000 posts like these a week and we're tired.

TonyBG, before you take all kinds of different people's advice and end up getting a bike that you probably have never test ridden off the internet for 800 bucks, I would suggest you to go to your local bike shop and try out a few. Hopefully you have a local bike shop. And hopefully they stock FG/SS bikes. Or maybe a friend's?
Just to clear things out tho, a FG bike doesn't just stop when u stop pedaling. That's a coaster brake. But even a coaster brake requires you to pedal backwards to stop. And on a FG you resist the pedal even harder so stopping isn't as simple as 'stop pedaling.'

Point is. I think it would be wise to test ride before dropping 800 bucks. Or if you really have ur mind focused on a FG bike and there is just no way u can test ride a bike anywhere, then get an entry level bike to test the water with. Like the Kilo TT from bikesdirect. Check out the mercier kilo tt thread here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=305822).

If the guy isnt smart enough to seem a thread labeled start here, i do not advise him to operate a bicycle.

Everyone was new at one time or another.

Something with a flip flop hub might be nice. Just in case the fixie ain't for you

Ride a bunch of stuff. Fixed, single speed, multi gear. Figure out the geometry and material you want. realize you are about to overpay and buy a kilo tt.

Go down to your LBS and have a look.

also ......

try look brah (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=148289&cat=28&brand=1229)

its a stock singlespeed so you'll need a fixed cog (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=134285) and lockring (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=148289&cat=28&brand=1229) too if you want a fixed gear.

I've always wanted a bike that could stop when you stopped pedaling

Oh it'll stop, but probably not in the way you expect. Anyway, hope you find something you like, but read up on it first.

dat kilo

The problem with Bikesdirect and stuff is that it's a pain in the ass to get stuff to Canada. You can find the framesets from Bikeisland on ebay Canada though.

I'd say get an IRO

I've always wanted a bike that could stop when you stopped pedaling and learned that these existed recently.

I want one that starts when I pedal. That would be cool.