Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Need some help

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View Full Version : Need some help


kellencorkill
08-19-10, 10:20 PM
Been lurking and reading for awhile now and I searched around and now I am coming to you guys and gals. I am looking for a fixed gear bike on the smaller side probably something about 47cm to 50cm (or something with a standover of less than 30") , but with a flat top tube in the under $500 range.

Anyone know any small frames with flat top tubes?


seejohnbike
08-19-10, 10:31 PM
if you've been lurking a while now, you best be knowin' about bikes direct... if you're looking to spend under $500, something from BD won't be the best you can get, but it'll be the least expensive, and you definitely don't want to skimp on quality anything below that.

otherwise, what kinda riding do you want to do? what's your biking background? want something schmancy, or is cheap/inexpensive the route you're looking to go? do you prefer paper or plastic? etc

kellencorkill
08-19-10, 10:38 PM
if you've been lurking a while now, you best be knowin' about bikes direct... if you're looking to spend under $500, something from BD won't be the best you can get, but it'll be the least expensive, and you definitely don't want to skimp on quality anything below that.

otherwise, what kinda riding do you want to do? what's your biking background? want something schmancy, or is cheap/inexpensive the route you're looking to go? do you prefer paper or plastic? etc

Yup, i know BD. I looked at the Kilo TT and the Windsor Hour, but both have sloping TTs in my size, also i Looked at the Iro Mark V per build which also has a sloping TT. My (2) LBS suck when it comes to fixed gears, one is like a mountain bike/roadie elitist shop and the other is a vintage and classic bike shop. I have been riding a 10 speed 70s Maruishi for about 6 months now and for the last 2 weeks I have just been leaving my bike at about 75 gear inches and not shifting, and it really hasn't been too difficult to get around. I ride my bike to work and school, so it is city riding (I guess, nothing like boston or NY city riding) and I bring it inside with me usually , and alos bring it inside my apartment, so I'm looking to get into fixed for the siq street cred, but really I just want a lighter, easier to maintain bike. I have a few tools and I do basic maint on my bike already. I want something not too cheap but not too fancy either. If anyting I'd want a nicer frame with crappy components that I can upgrade as I go. Also I grocery shop with my bike and usually go every 2-3 weeks so I just get what I can fit in my backpack, so neither paper or plastic :lol:


seejohnbike
08-19-10, 10:49 PM
I mean, I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum: I'm 6'2" and ride a 58, and have been curious about even hopping up (or at least test riding) a 60 cm to see how that fits. So idk if I can give you best suggestions for tiny frames with non-sloping top tubes, as I haven't really been keeping an eye out for em.

What's so bad about the sloping top tube? With frames so tiny, you're kind of limiting yourself from otherwise good bikes...

kellencorkill
08-19-10, 10:53 PM
I may be superficial, but I don't like looking at them :(

figure if it's my bike, I should like the way it looks

"fashion over function" right :lol:

Squirrelli
08-19-10, 11:02 PM
I see one of carleton's pictures on your tumblr. :lol:

Okay, let's get serious now.

I think the only the 44cm Kilo slopes and the 47 cmhas a levelled top tube. Do you know what's the length of your top tube on your current bike?

kellencorkill
08-19-10, 11:10 PM
Would that be the guy skidding in the puddle? I try and leave credit if I find it, but a lot of stuff on my tumblr I find with no credit

From the Kilo TT thread I read that the 47 slopes as well, and the 50 would be hugging my balls on the TT. My top tube is ~56 cm so about 560mm and my stem with road drops on it only brings them another 60mm

Squirrelli
08-19-10, 11:18 PM
Hmm...it's the one with the girl in a blue dress and a dog in her backpack, I remember carleton posted it long time ago.

There is the problem, many bikes on the market with a short seat tube will also have a short top tube and this is one of the reasons why they have slopping top tube on bikes, for people with shorter legs but longer torso. Many vintage 10-speed frames will suit your need.

kellencorkill
08-19-10, 11:56 PM
ah yes I know the picture now.

You say many, but what are the few that don't is what I'm trying to figure out. Let's forget about price for now