Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Should I purchase this??

What it do Bike Forums, I am a beginner who is interested in start riding fixies. I do not own any bike of any kind, but don't assume that I have never ridden a bike before, because I have, only mountain bikes though :D. Anyway, I have been searching and craiglisting to find an affordable (around $300), durable and comfortable fixie bike. But you see, the problem is that I have no idea what to look for in a bike as a beginner and if a bike is really worth its price. To me, I prefer flat bars because of the fact that they do look less professional and complicated than let's say the dropped bars. For now, that's all I got to say due to the fact that I have very little to no knowledge of fixie bikes :lol:.

So any suggestions and contributions will be appreciated.
Thanks!

Here is to a start:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/2780186375.html

I like it, what do you guys think?? Really worth its price?? If it is, what should I ask for to make sure it is all good to go and the person is not trying to take advantage of noobs and scam??

i'd ask him about the k&n air filter.

The price is not unreasonable. The biggest issue that you should look for is whether the bike fits you well. You should also pay attention to the fact that you will need to buy a saddle and pedals, so that will set you back another few bucks.

Depending on whether parts have been replaced, I'd probably buy it at $250. It's actually a pretty cool bike.

Nice bike. Fairly small size.

The price is not unreasonable. The biggest issue that you should look for is whether the bike fits you well. You should also pay attention to the fact that you will need to buy a saddle and pedals, so that will set you back another few bucks.

and do you mind telling me what indicates they need to be replaced?? just trying to learn :D

Nice bike. Fairly small size.

i'm 5"7 or 5"6.75 or so to be exact and between lean to skinny. still too small??

Aside from the fact that the seller says in his ad that he's keeping them?


i'm 5"7 or 5"6.75 or so to be exact and between lean to skinny. still too small??

Might be too big. Too many factors involved to know for certain tho. I ride a 54 at 5'10", others ride a 58.

and do you mind telling me what indicates they need to be replaced?? just trying to learn :D

"This bike is sold with everything except the saddle and the pedal"

Depending on whether parts have been replaced, I'd probably buy it at $250. It's actually a pretty cool bike.

how do I know if they've replaced with low quality parts or not?? and thanks ya I really like the colors and the fit. can you tell what year it is from and how much it was originally?? and would $250 be a good price or just a fair price?? thanks

Might be too big. Too many factors involved to know for certain tho. I ride a 54 at 5'10", others ride a 58.

ehhh, if too many factors are involved, what do you suggest me doing?? are there any good estimates to use to measure?? and what would be a good size for me then??

You probably aren't going to get a much better bike for around that price range. You can use a fit calculator (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO) and look at the geometry chart (http://www.raleighusa.com/archive/2009-road/one-way/) to give you an idea about the size. But really the best way to fit the bike is to test ride it.

You probably aren't going to get a much better bike for around that price range. You can use a fit calculator (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO) and look at the geometry chart (http://www.raleighusa.com/archive/2009-road/one-way/) to give you an idea about the size. But really the best way to fit the bike is to test ride it.

alright thanks! taking into account that it comes without the saddle and peddles, you are saying it is a good price then?? and when I ride it how should the posture look and the bike feel to make sure it is considered a "fit" bike?? thanks prooftheory for quick replies btw.

alright thanks! taking into account that it comes without the saddle and peddles, you are saying it is a good price then?? and when I ride it how should the posture look and the bike feel to make sure it is considered a "fit" bike?? thanks prooftheory for quick replies btw.

This is a decent basic overview.
http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/ss/Frame_size.htm

Try to talk them down to $250 to cover the pedals and saddle but yeah it is a good price. If you bought a new bike you would be spending at least that much money and probably for not as nice of a bike.

Everybody rides different so it is really hard to say how you should look but your arms should be extended out in front of you rather than straight down, but you shouldn't have to reach or lock out your elbows. You should be comfortable.

Posture is a matter of comfort. Some people like to be stretched out, others like to ride upright, others are in the middle Goldilocks style. Watch some YouTube videos on how to fit a bike.

This is a decent basic overview.
http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/ss/Frame_size.htm

I lost my canned reply for fitment questions. Somebody paste it.

I lost my canned reply for fitment questions. Somebody paste it.
If I could have found it, I would have. I felt like the about.com page was an okay point of reference though.

Edit: got it.




FITMENT QUESTION?

http://i.imgur.com/YQM4D.jpg


>>>FITMENT CALCULATOR (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO)<<<

I've seen that same ad and the guy sells a lot of different parts/bikes. I know because I was looking at the same bike. He has an ebay account too, ruffian pista or something like that.

Looks like a Raleigh One Way 2009. I had a 57cm in green, way too big for me but I loved that thing (I sold it). Like everyone else said, talk him down. I got mine with a San Marco ponza (a way worse saddle than the Brooks aged b-17), no fenders or cages for $250. If he keeps the Brooks, which might be the best part of that bike, and no pedals, it takes value away.

I think retail was something like $600-700 or so, but again, you would be getting fenders, the brooks, and a lezyne pump, basically the works. Even then, don't think it's like an amazing deal, people who pay full retail are either rich or not the smartest shoppers.

Also, if you do get it, you'll like that bar tape (I think it's brooks, but not sure) and the hoods.

The Vittoria randos are nice tires and should last a while, but I think they are 700x35, so you'll be rolling around on like 50-60 psi. I went up to like 80-90 on mine, but they aren't the fastest tires if that's what you're looking for.

I've seen that same ad and the guy sells a lot of different parts/bikes. I know because I was looking at the same bike. He has an ebay account too, ruffian pista or something like that.

Looks like a Raleigh One Way 2009. I had a 57cm in green, way too big for me but I loved that thing (I sold it). Like everyone else said, talk him down. I got mine with a San Marco ponza (a way worse saddle than the Brooks aged b-17), no fenders or cages for $250. If he keeps the Brooks, which might be the best part of that bike, and no pedals, it takes value away.

I think retail was something like $600-700 or so, but again, you would be getting fenders, the brooks, and a lezyne pump, basically the works. Even then, don't think it's like an amazing deal, people who pay full retail are either rich or not the smartest shoppers.

whewie thanks BigglyPuff for the detailed answer. i tried my best to digest all the terms and brands that i am not aware of. ok so here is the deal, i want a bike that is moderately good and durable just because i am a beginner. so i am not looking for any high end quality and professional parts; otherwise, i would not use them to their fullest potential. and as far as cutting the price, how far is good enough?? and if he is willing to put in the saddle and the pedals, how much would be considered as a good price??

thanks again

You're asking all the right questions at this point, and your mentality is spot on.

Don't worry about high end parts right now because you probably won't notice if you're just starting out. People who have been riding for a while could probably barely notice for certain parts.

People mentioned fit, and that is CRUCIAL. Whatever you do, DON'T rush your purchase. I made that mistake the first time and I would never do that again. 53cm should be okay for you, but you have to know more about the measurements. Height and standover height isn't enough. Look at things like seat tube and top tube length (top tube length is really important).

The One Way is probably durable, at least that's what I read when researching. It will last a while and will serve as a reliable bike, but it's not a speedy bike (hence the stock fenders and wider tires). Not to say you couldn't make it fast, but that's something to pay attention to.

Without a saddle of any kind, and no pedals, I'd pay maybe $225-250. Since I got mine WITH a saddle and pedals for $250, that kind of gives you an idea. You're looking at spending $50 for a set of decent pedals and a decent saddle, like the Charge spoon or a Nashbar saddle.

With the Brooks and pedals, I'd say maybe $325-350, but know that the Brooks will require some maintenance because it's leather. Brooks are SUPER popular, but that's one reason why I won't get one, I don't want to worry about water issues and saddle maintenance.

awesome, ya i'll make sure to keep them in mind for sure.
so, first of all, were the saddle and pedals brooks that came with your $250 purchased bike???

also, do you live in orange county??

I wouldn't buy that Brooks anyway. It's been over-tensioned, and who knows for how long.

awesome, ya i'll make sure to keep them in mind for sure.
so, first of all, were the saddle and pedals brooks that came with your $250 purchased bike???

also, do you live in orange county??

No, I mentioned earlier that I got mine with a San Marco Ponza, a well known saddle but not that great. Brooks is famous for saddles, I don't think they make pedals. So I got mine for $250 which was a good deal, but I sold it because it was too large. I live in L.A.

Here, I'll do you a favor: http://www.raleighusa.com/archive/2009-road/one-way/

That pretty much shows everything you need to know about the bike and what it normally comes with brand new.

See if a LBS that deals Raleigh has any One Ways in stock, and see for yourself. Unless the geometry has changed drastically from year to year, it should give you a good idea what size(s) you should be looking for.

I had no idea what size I needed, so I just bought from a LBS.