Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Looking To Get My Fixie Fix!!

I'm back on a bike after a couple year haitus (someone stole my bike). I'm loving every minute of it and have several geared bikes for ever occasion. However, I'd love to get my hands on a fixie that won't break the budget. I commute to work each day 5 miles on flat pavement and I think a fixie would give one heck of a workout. I'm looking for something equipped with a flip/flop hub that has the fixed and freewheel already ready to go in the event it's been a long day at the office and I want to do some coasting home. Any suggestions of a good starter? I know that there are plenty old frames looking to be turned into fixies however, I'm semi-mechanically challenged and don't have the time to build em. In Charleston, SC where I live there is a fixie craze so anytime one goes up on Craigslist, it's snatched up. So, I'm ready to just throw down and get a new one. The one's I'm looking at have been....

The Schwinn Madison
The Vilano Fixie (new company out of china) http://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/vilano-singlespeed-fixed-gear-bike2-6.html

I also saw some bikes from bikesdirect.com that looked promising. I really need assistance on this one. Anyone that knows what they're talking about please drop me a line. Thank you in advance!!!

Get a Madison.

^What he said.

Cost of Madison is almost double the other bike he pointed out. Of course, you get what you pay for.

Get a Madison.

Is that the new Kilo?

Is that the new Kilo?

ive been noticing people here too getting a bit moist over madisons lately... I saw one once and it was nice but seemed a bit heavy... can scrod maybe chime in on some of the things that makes them so nice?

They are definitely a bit on the heavier side but I actually like that about my Madison. I'm a heavy dude (200 lbs) and after riding my Maddy, I realized how much my Kilo flexed under me when riding. Not that there is anything wrong with a Kilo - it's a great frameset - I just felt I needed something a little sturdier. I've read some stuff that says Madisons have sloppy welds, bad finishes, etc. but the quality of mine is on point. Plus, I dig that it's a Schwinn. Kind of oddball (like me).

Cost of Madison is almost double the other bike he pointed out. Of course, you get what you pay for.

Yes it is, and yes you do.

Rock on!!! That's precisely what I needed thank you very much!! Madison it is. I found a great deal on one. It's an 09 but just my size for 350 shipping included. Just waiting on the experts to chime in and coax me to pull the trigger. Thanks again!!!

350 shipped is a phenomenal deal. Click the link to my Velospace and look at the pics of my Maddy if you need further coaxing. ;)

i rode my madison in the hotter n' hell 100 and did the full 106 miles.
me and my buddy were the only ones that year that did the century on a ss.
out of 12,000~ riders.
good bike...nothing really "special"about it.
crashed mine hard enough to give myself a grade 5 shoulder dislocation, broken in half collar bone and tear every muscle and ligament in my shoulder- 4 months off a bike- and the madison came out perfect.
the wheels were trashed, but i was actually in the process of building wheels for it anyway.
i thought my looked super sexy..and didn't get lost in the maddy crowd- with my fully chromed fork.
i also had a kilo for awhile....didn't notice any flex in the frame...and i weigh 250~
the madison was definitely more "stout" though...but not as aggressive in geo...which was ok with me.

i rode my madison in the hotter n' hell 100 and did the full 106 miles.
me and my buddy were the only ones that year that did the century on a ss.
out of 12,000~ riders.
good bike...nothing really "special"about it.
crashed mine hard enough to give myself a grade 5 shoulder dislocation, broken in half collar bone and tear every muscle and ligament in my shoulder- 4 months off a bike- and the madison came out perfect.
the wheels were trashed, but i was actually in the process of building wheels for it anyway.
i thought my looked super sexy..and didn't get lost in the maddy crowd- with my fully chromed fork.
i also had a kilo for awhile....didn't notice any flex in the frame...and i weigh 250~
the madison was definitely more "stout" though...but not as aggressive in geo...which was ok with me.

what kind of crash caused that!!

a fast downhill one.

Good to know you went the the madison, Today was my first day on mine im lighter and dont need a heavier bike 140 lbs but the thing rides great just floats across the pavement like a knife threw butter.

Newb here. There are so many options. I"M not sure what to do. I'm about 200 lbs, going to use the bike for short commutes of 3 miles each way from time to time and get around town and maybe for more exercise. I can get the Windsor Hour for 280, a Madison for 400, a converta vintage bianchi for 250, a new complete surly steamroller. What are people thinking?

if i ever buy another fixed gear, it'll definitely be a steamroller.

I know you're a madison freaaaaak. Got your pics on the other post I had. Looks purdy yet hardcore. I'm about 6ft 215lbs so I need something durable. Do the Dawes specs sound like they measure up remotely??

Get a Madison.

Dude! people respect the **** out of you! when I got mine all I got was a lot of bull**** from most members telling me what a piece of **** the Maddy is, you got yours and its like "Scod got a Maddy?! Hell yeah! I'm gettin' me a Maddy too! WoooooHooooo!" :lol: ;)

Scrod is the Apple of Bicycle Riders.

We are the PC, I guess we better get used to it.

Hey guys, what can I say? :D

Arghh "fixie" is such a lame name... "hey! Look man it's a fixie!!!"

Yeah, I prefer to call it a fixed gear as well haha. But hey, what do I know. Where are you getting it from for $350 shipped? I'm thinking about picking one up for myself as well.

Hey guys, what can I say? :D

its that beautiful beard :D

Arghh "fixie" is such a lame name... "hey! Look man it's a fixie!!!"

People have been referring to fixed gear bicycles as "fixies" since the turn of the century. Get used to it.

So... like 10 years ago? Probably sounded lame then too.

I think they where called bicycles ,since most bikes where fixed:D

People have been referring to fixed gear bicycles as "fixies" since the turn of the century. Get used to it.


Let it be known that a fixed gear bike will from this day forward be known as "a fixie!" Scod has spoken! Haha! ;0)

So... like 10 years ago? Probably sounded lame then too.

Oh yeah, it's 2010. I'm old and forgetful. I meant the turn of last century. Actually, it may have been the twenties when people started using the term "fixie". At any rate, the term has been around for much longer than any of us have.

Now go buy a Madison and shut the hell up.

They are definitely a bit on the heavier side but I actually like that about my Madison. I'm a heavy dude (200 lbs) and after riding my Maddy, I realized how much my Kilo flexed under me when riding. Not that there is anything wrong with a Kilo - it's a great frameset - I just felt I needed something a little sturdier. I've read some stuff that says Madisons have sloppy welds, bad finishes, etc. but the quality of mine is on point. Plus, I dig that it's a Schwinn. Kind of oddball (like me).

on the subject of heavy, I saw a friend of mines raleigh rush hour from a few several years back. Damn heavy but also damn sexy. If its the model that everyone covets I can see why...

I've been in possession of two Madisons, an '85 and an '07. The '07 was a fun bike to ride and worthy of the upgrades I put into it. I've taken a hiatus from fixed in favor of derailleurs and have recently returned with an '09 Jamis Sputnik. The '10s are sexier with a classic, almost vintage look and the styling cues that the typical fixed gear rider covets; track drops, center-mounted brake levers, chrome toe clips and double leather straps; but I prefer the '09 for my purposes which is sort of a road-bike replacement.

Every time I hear the term "fixie", I cringe. All I can think about are all the ding-dongs in my neighborhood with bikes that look like these...
http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/build.asp

Another new trend is color-coordinating your Nike Dunks with your purple frame and bright yellow deep v's.

Get a Madison. My friend has one and loves the **** out of it.