Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - What to get for $400-500?

I am new to the cycling world and I want to get a fixie bike. I have been looking around and my first choice right now is either a Haro Objekt or Projekt. People have been saying SE is crap so I think I will stay away from those. I only have about $400-500 to spend. Convince me why I shouldn't get one of the Haro's. Also, what do you recommend for that price. I will be doing a lot of campus/city riding. Lincoln usually gets some snow in the winter and rains every so often if that helps at all.

There are lots of reasons to want a fixed gear, what is yours?

Before the mobs come out, you cannot recomend a Kilo untill you know what he wants the bike for.

Yeah it helps to know what you want the bike for. If its just for commuting/exercise/fun then I would say...

Cheapest bike on BD + quality helmet + quality lock. That's the route I went I so far no regrets.

Those Haro bikes look like FGFS bikes. Gross.

If you want a campus/city bike, get something else that's made for riding, not tricks. Also, do you have extra money accounted for to purchase tools, a lock and other items that become a necessity when you buy a bicycle?

"$400-$500" "...Snow..."


​Kilo WT. Room for fenders.

Mercier kilo, Windsor the hour.....bikesdirect

Those bikes are all really great for tricks. Just like the bike he thinks he wants.

Check craigslist, find a good deal with $100 headroom on your budget to buy a lock and ....backpack! I bet you thought I was going to go all helmetnazicam!

HA!

I checked too for you, there are at least 3 good buys in Lincoln, NE.

Those bikes are all really great for tricks. Just like the bike he thinks he wants.

You're right. I didn't notice that he mentioned tricks in his OP.

Its right after he mentions commuting on the bike.

Must've been edited out because I'm not seeing it.

Those bikes are all really great for tricks. Just like the bike he thinks he wants. **** man even that haro isn't even good for tricks.

I remember when Haro made cool bikes.

I remember when Haro made cool bikes. Yeah man, my first bmx bike when I was 11 was a haro zippo. I loved that bike got broken off so much on it.

you're right, I don't want to do tricks on it

you're right, I don't want to do tricks on it Get a kilo or windsor hour like I said before. You'll have like $200 left over to replace the pedals/straps/cages and you can get a comfy seat and nice handlebars/tape.

Yeah man, my first bmx bike when I was 11 was a haro zippo. I loved that bike got broken off so much on it.
I had a Haro Nyquist Backtrail :C

I had a Haro Nyquist Backtrail :C That's awesome I remember those. I said i was 11 but I actually think i was more like 8 because I think I bought that about around 99. It wasn't until 6 months ago that I let a trash picker grab it haha. I wanted to restore it but to many seized on parts from neglect that I decided to just let it go. It was the orange one here http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=24603. Sorry for thread jacking/reminiscing.

iro

who are we kidding. iro doesnt even want your money

http://i.imgur.com/ioHWE.png

Get a kilo or windsor hour like I said before. You'll have like $200 left over to replace the pedals/straps/cages and you can get a comfy seat and nice handlebars/tape.
I think I'm gonna go with the Kilo WT. I could fit some fenders on there for winter and when it rains.

Are there any upgrades that you would recommend me to do right away or is it a solid bike stock?
Also I am finding some really bad reviews of BikesDirect. Are there any other trusty web dealers?

I think I'm gonna go with the Kilo WT. I could fit some fenders on there for winter and when it rains.

Are there any upgrades that you would recommend me to do right away or is it a solid bike stock?
Also I am finding some really bad reviews of BikesDirect. Are there any other trusty web dealers? Completely trust worthy, it seems like half the dudes on here are rocking a Bikes Direct bike. I would change out the pedals/straps/cages and seat and that's about it just replace what gets broken along the way.

you can't get a higher quality bike for the money than the FEW and i mean VERY FEW good bikes on bd. kilo and kilo wt are two of those few. there is a lot of total **** on bd and what you really want is a bike that doesn't suck, so sometimes it's better to just get the better bike, cost be damned.

the question isn't is it good for you, (because it inevitably is if you use it right) the question is

are you good for it?


i spent probably over 1200 on my kilo over the four years of its tenure in my stable. it's not that good of a bike. it's a starter bike. so is the flite 100. so is any bike under 600.

If I had $400-$500 to spend..

I'd get some older steel with Shimano 600 in relatively fixable condition.

But I guess you aren't looking for a road bike? I'd buy a kilo TT and have room for plenty of upgrades. Make sure it fits...

Also, don't run 90 gear inches :)

Also, don't run 90 gear inches :)

That's true, he won't be on a velodrome.

I got a Masi Speciale Commuter for around 550$

If you are buying a Kilo WT, make sure you disassemble the bike completely and rebuild it. I've build some Kilo WTs and headset cups, BB, crank spindle, and etc. were bone dry without any grease. Not to mention BB cups weren't even tighten that I was able to remove them with my hand without a wrench.

I am new to the cycling world and I want to get a fixie bike. I have been looking around and my first choice right now is either a Haro Objekt or Projekt.
.......
Also, what do you recommend for that price. I will be doing a lot of campus/city riding. Lincoln usually gets some snow in the winter and rains every so often if that helps at all.

Since you see to be looking for a practical commuter for some snow/rain riding, and not something to photograph in detail with lots of bokeh amongst urban decay :D, I suggest you find out if you can pick up a Redline 925 (http://www.bikecommuters.com/2011/02/03/2011-redline-925-review/). Although I'm not exactly sure of the price, it probably will be your best value for the money. I bought one new in 2008 and is my favourite among my bikes, albeit being the cheapest one. The Masi Speciale Commuter as mentioned earlier would be a great option too, but looks like you would need to buy fenders for it, unlike the Redline.

This bikesdirect echo chamber seem to keep getting bigger ;)

I didn't think they were continuing to make the 925 in 2012? A semi-real search over their site doesn't indicate they do.

If you're talking about a used model, it seems less likely that he'll get his hands on one easily for under $500.

Yeah, looks like they don't make/sell it anymore. I was thinking perhaps the OP could get a left over one from last year.