Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - help build or buy ss/fixie?

hey guys I am new to the ss/fixie scene and I'm stuck in a dilemma right now. I would like to build a decent fixie for cheap from used parts and a used road frame. The idea of building the bike up myself is one of my main attraction (making it my own and knowing it in and out). Thing is when I priced adding up the cost for buying and picking up parts from craigslist etc to do the build (one that will definitely look like a pretty good beater) it turns out more than the cost to get one of these new here on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/50cm-TRACK-FIXED-GEAR-BIKE-FIXIE-SINGLE-SPEED-ROAD-BIKE-/180551401867?pt=Road_Bikes) for less.

just want some advice so I can reason on what would be better for me right now. (finding cheap male 50-52cm road bikes is a little tougher than the taller bikes... price for being short :lol:)

Get an inexpensive complete bike, first. At least that way, you can start riding immediately. Building one, may take some time. Then you can start building your personalized bike as funds allow. Everybody should have more than one bike, anyways.

I agree with this. If you've never rode fixed you're going to want to try it out with something guaranteed to work. That ebay bike isn't going to be as high quality as something you build with more expensive parts, and with bikes more money really does mean more quality. But try it out, and like Bone Machine said you should definitely have multiple bikes.

In addition to Craigslist and ebay try your LBS and looking around for yard sales and thrift stores, you'd be surprised at what bargains you can find locally.

i found out the hard way, but building a bike up always ends up costing more in the end....plus if you were like me and didn't know too much about bikes it took a long time to figure out what is compatible with what, and it took a long time finding the right parts at cheaper prices. i definitely learned allot and now have a much better understanding of bike mechanics, but trust me it is not the cheap way to go....

yah i second evan about scouring craigslist....like, watch it and check back every other day. lots of people are selling off their fixed gear bikes nowadays....

also what is your budget?

A nice road conversion can make for a much better riding bike than an off the peg fixed gear with track geometry.

Find someone who has had experience doing this and it won't have to cost you a fortune... in many cases it takes no more than swapping the freewheel for an ss unit or installation of an ss kit and moving the chain ring to the middle to get a decent chain line.

It does not take long to remove the derailleurs and shifters.

thanks guys. @illdthedj my budget is around $240 for now.
I think I am going to purchase one first (if I cant find a decent one someone built then I will get the ebay one) then slowly begin work on a build.

The idea of building the bike up myself is one of my main attraction (making it my own and knowing it in and out).

If that's your objective why not do it?

In addition to the bike and to the money, building your own bike will also make you smarter. You're going to learn about a bunch of stuff that you're not aware of today.

i like the idea of buying a cheap one now so you can start riding ASAP. and while you get used to it you will see what you like/dislike about it and replace parts as needed or be able to better decide which parts would be best for the one you are building.

I just said screw it. Im picking up a 20in kent bike for a damn good price (just really gonna keep the frame and shed other parts as i convert and build it. I chose this route because i plan on volunteering at recycle-a-bicycle in brooklyn... learn some stuff and give back to the community- win win in my book

If you have the money available right away...go with a complete and replace stock parts as you go. I plucked a bike out of someones trash, replaced the wheels, crankset including chainwheel, pedals with clips/straps, and bar tape. Although it looks okay, it's not up to the standard I'd want it to be.

Bike parts are expensive.





















Too expensive -___-

Get an inexpensive complete bike, first. At least that way, you can start riding immediately. Building one, may take some time. Then you can start building your personalized bike as funds allow. Everybody should have more than one bike, anyways.

This. For realz. I bought the moto track off bikesdirect and I'm learning how to maintain it/upgrade/install ****. Its really a no sweat way to learn how to build a bike/do maintenance stuff.

well I actually started a build on an old Kent frame that so far is going pretty good. I like building stuff (from my art, to computers, working on cars, heck give me some legos and im good). So I'll take my time and slowly get there. The building of the bike is not that hard actually, just funding it as an inner city fresh college grad is lol. So far I've been able to work on a decent budget build. Lets see how things go.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?675761-old-bike-im-messing-around-with...-need-advice-on-the-bb

+1 on buying cheap and building up. I bought a cheap Windsor from BD awhile ago and have been upgrading it. I didnt know much about bikes, and it helped to familiarize myself with something pre-assembled and then go from there. If only I knew then what I know now..

well I actually started a build on an old Kent frame that so far is going pretty good. I like building stuff (from my art, to computers, working on cars, heck give me some legos and im good). So I'll take my time and slowly get there. The building of the bike is not that hard actually, just funding it as an inner city fresh college grad is lol. So far I've been able to work on a decent budget build. Lets see how things go.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?675761-old-bike-im-messing-around-with...-need-advice-on-the-bb


good luck with the build....like the frame...
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=167322&d=1283134822

building it up will be fun and educational for sure, was for me!