Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - what to look for in bike geometry.

Im kind of new to this and was wondering what i could judge and what means what when it comes to frame/ fork (or any other parts') geometry. It would be nice just to know what im looking at and how to judge what bikes and parts are good for me.

'Tis an impossible question to answer for you mate, without very specific requirements and, as you admit to being new to this, you don't actually know what those requirements are. Bikes are a bunch of compromises and how they gell also depends on the person riding them - for example, my son and I are the same height, but a full on sports bike for him would be much more aggressive than a full on sports bike for me due to the ravages of those extra 35 years of life that I carry (ie, I'm a fat old bugga while he's young and impossibly fit).

The best tip is to get out and ride as many bikes as you can. Long rides and regular useage are best but it's hard to get someone to loan you a bike for that. In the mean time, build yourself a few. Get a track frame (ie, very aggressive) and build that into a cheap bike. Get an old roadie (ie, more relaxed) and build that into a cheap bike. See which one you prefer and why. Which one suits your lifestyle, and that's a bigger question than most people realise - it might look cool to ride a track bike with very low bars, but I ride 30kms to work up and down some nasty hills and I can assure you that such a track bike has little attraction for me.

There's another option too - own lots of different bikes :D

But yeah, it's a journey of self discovery. Once you've decided you like such and such a bike, you can then refine it into something better. For example, I love my old roadie based Europa, but am having a new bike built with more sporting geometry while still giving me the riding position I find so comfortable.

Richard

You might read and digest Dave Moulton's Blog (http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/category/bicycle-design) entries on bicycle design to get a flavor of the effects of steeper/slacker frame angles, longer/shorter trail, longer/shorter chainstays, more/less bottom bracket drop, longer/shorter wheelbase, etc., on handling, comfort, etc.

flat or down sloping top tube, steep head tube, 'tight' wheelbase, lugged, steel, brand name, no bosses, short headtube for saddle to handlebar drop, threaded headset, track drops, mks pedals, double straps, njs or campanyolo everything, 40mm rims, expensive hubs, and all that other functional stuff.

Im kind of new to this and was wondering what i could judge and what means what when it comes to frame/ fork (or any other parts') geometry. It would be nice just to know what im looking at and how to judge what bikes and parts are good for me.

It sucks that you have to do this all alone with just the internet to help you. I mean, it would be so cool if there was like a regional, hell, while we are wishing, a LOCAL shop you could go to and they would have people to help you. (and while we are still wishing) they would have bikes IN THE STORE ... IN ALL SIZES for you to try on. That would be so cool.

flat or down sloping top tube, steep head tube, 'tight' wheelbase, lugged, steel, brand name, no bosses, short headtube for saddle to handlebar drop, threaded headset, track drops, mks pedals, double straps, njs or campanyolo everything, 40mm rims, expensive hubs, and all that other functional stuff.
You missed the >80° seat tube angle.

It sucks that you have to do this all alone with just the internet to help you. I mean, it would be so cool if there was like a regional, hell, while we are wishing, a LOCAL shop you could go to and they would have people to help you. (and while we are still wishing) they would have bikes IN THE STORE ... IN ALL SIZES for you to try on. That would be so cool.

http://borderreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/funny-dog-pictures-loldogs-wharrgarbl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5Mwpk.png

It sucks that you have to do this all alone with just the internet to help you. I mean, it would be so cool if there was like a regional, hell, while we are wishing, a LOCAL shop you could go to and they would have people to help you. (and while we are still wishing) they would have bikes IN THE STORE ... IN ALL SIZES for you to try on. That would be so cool.

That's crazy talk! Next you'll start making up stuff like this mythical place you speak of selling parts and accessories (in different sizes and colors) and possibly doing repairs and adjustments. Whatever you're smoking, I want some!

...

http://members.arstechnica.com/x/happysin/coolness_motivator.jpg

You might read and digest Dave Moulton's Blog (http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/category/bicycle-design) entries on bicycle design to get a flavor of the effects of steeper/slacker frame angles, longer/shorter trail, longer/shorter chainstays, more/less bottom bracket drop, longer/shorter wheelbase, etc., on handling, comfort, etc.

This ^^^