Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New to FG, help on first bike please??

Well this is going to be a fun thread.:lol::D Please help me!

First my info, Im 16, Im 5'10, and I live in Las Vegas. A couple of friends of mine have fixies and they go all the way down to the strip, to town square, and super far places! I would like a bike that can take me to these places, but since ive been watching alot of youtube videos, I've also wanted something that i can freestyle with. BUT, it will be my first fixed bike, so im gonna be learning still. The most i think i will be doing is some long wheelies( to show off) haha, some skidding, and maybe a few hops. I dont know if there is a bike that can do this?

I DO NOT want to buy a very expensive bike, because like i have said its my first. but...I made this bet with my dad.:I already have a schwinn mountain bike (heavy, full suspension, i have been using it basically as a road bike), and I told him i wanted to buy a fixie. The bet is, when i get my fixie, we will ride to wherever i want,(im gonna go far..i hope), and if i get tired first, i will let him have my schwinn. If he gets tired first, He will pay half of my new bike!! DO you think i will win??? He is a man of his word, although he may not be happy about it. I have 700$ saved up, but i think the most I'll spend on a bike is 400-500$? at 500$ he will have to pay 250$. Even though I can waste all 700$ and have it cost me only 350$, i dont want to be spoiled. But i might just give in if you guys convince me.:thumb:

By the way, even if I win, I will let him have the schwinn because i love my dad (:

Once again, I dont know about brands or if getting a bike with a bit thicker tires will make me slower than my friends who have the thin tires. Suggestions or questions? (:


Thank you! Its my first thread but i've read many and i know you guys are very helpful!

A couple of friends of mine have fixies and they go all the way down to the strip, to town square, and super far places! I would like a bike that can take me to these places!

You're probably looking at something like this...
http://www.ecojam.org/images/magicbike.jpg

Where can i purchase this?haha

The answer typically responded to the question "What is the best fixed gear bike under $500" is the one found in this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/828757-Please-stop-with-the-quot-kilo-tt-quot-responses). The reason being that it provides good value for the money and is an aggressive track frame. The other offerings from bikes direct, such as the windsor the hour may be better for you if you want a bike that is comfortable for long distances.

Just joking of course.

On a serious note, be careful. In Vegas, on the Strip, with a fixed gear bike you don't know how to ride, and you're only 16 (so you don't have very good instincts about what cars/drivers do)... peds get hit on the Strip all the time. Stay off the strip until you understand how to safely ride the bike please. Not trying to lecture you, just want you to be safe.

I'm just a FG rookie myself so I'll let the veterans advise you on bikes. Be safe out there man, and have fun.

*not trying to be rude about your age, just saying that since I've been driving a car in Chicago for about 15 years now, I find that experience pays off big time when I'm on the same roads with my bike. I can anticipate traffic and drivers fairly well.

There is a windsor in my town, but i dont know if it looks any good. he says w/out the handle bars. also its a 54cm frame and i was thinking i needed like a 56cm? (5'10)

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/3107606785.html (http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/3107606785.html)

The answer typically responded to the question "What is the best fixed gear bike under $500" is the one found in this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/828757-Please-stop-with-the-quot-kilo-tt-quot-responses). The reason being that it provides good value for the money and is an aggressive track frame. The other offerings from bikes direct, such as the windsor the hour may be better for you if you want a bike that is comfortable for long distances.

If cost is an issue, those Dawes bikes at BD seem decent to learn on, no?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm

BTW proof theory, good job following the rules about the K*lo T*, lol. Of course right after Carleton lays down the law, a legitimate chance to use that suggestion comes up, lol

Base your size more on your inseam. Do you know what your true inseam is?

Thanks (: and its fine. Thanks for the advice!

There is a windsor in my town, but i dont know if it looks any good. he says w/out the handle bars. also its a 54cm frame and i was thinking i needed like a 56cm? (5'10)

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/3107606785.html (http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bik/3107606785.html)

If you look in this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/828757-Please-stop-with-the-quot-kilo-tt-quot-responses) Jaytron has posted his famous fitment calculator link. Use it and the geometry charts to find out what is the ideal fit for you. For what it is worth, I am 5'10 and ride on a 54cm of a different bike. I don't really know how the Windsors fit.

well for my pants im 32 length wise, but i checked myself with the tape measure and I measured 34 inches, give or take half an inch.

Check out the fit calculator that Jaytron is famous for, and do all the other measurements. That will help a ton in deciding what size you need.

Get to a LBS (local bike shoppe) sit on a bike.

But is it better to get one at a local shop? or online?

If you don't know what size bike you want or how to work on it, you should go to a local shop.

once you do get it all figured out, ride that badboy up to Tacos El Gordo kinda near Circus Circus. Getchoo some "Adobado" tacos. So damn delicious...

The LBS will build the bike for you, that may or may not matter, depends on how your dad handles a wrench.

i'll see if i can go today. I'll check some out. I'll come back with some names and ask here before i purchase? If you guys could help me out with that. (:

LessonLearned i've gone to tacos el gordo. that place IS good! haha

you'd be the king of the Strip if you roll up on one of these badboys...
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VjdH4T5sa_c/TRzm-02C8_I/AAAAAAAAAgM/BAe60eybmAI/s1600/8BallBike.jpg

I would pull all the girls!
This guy http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/bid/3097291807.html has this bike for 250$
258989 He says hes 6 foot. what happens if i buy the bike too big?

He says hes 6 foot. what happens if i buy the bike too big?

Then you're stuck with a bike that's too big for you. If you like that one, shoot him an email and ask for measurements. Then use the fit calculator and see how it matches up to your recommend sizes.

It will be uncomfortable and totally suck.

God damn that seat angle.

What kind of bike is it?

Between the two you posted I would go with the windsor. You can make up some for a bike that is too small but a bike that is too bike is just a waste.

Bike looks too big for the guy who owns it now anyways. Dat saddle height.

I'd like to see a 6-ft person on that bike.

well i gave up on the blue bike :P what about this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/221060386011?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619#ht_500wt_949 Will i be going at the same speed and will it be able to go far like a normal fixed gear bike? Whats your opinion?

** the website says a medium is a 50?

okay i gave up on the blue one. :P will this slow me down? http://www.ebay.com/itm/221060386011?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619#ht_500wt_949 i mean, does it look like i can go riding far on it?

Looks more the style you were thinking. What's a medium for sizing?

Looks more the style you were thinking. What's a medium for sizing?

its says medium is 50 :/FRAMESET:

Colors: Flat Black & Pearl White
Sizes: S (47), M (50), L (53) & XL (56) (S & XL will only be sold in Black/ Gold)
Frame: Thrasher, Full Japanese Sanko CR-MO
Fork: Thrasher, Full CR-MO. 1-pc steerer

WHEELS:

Hubs: Sealed bearings, 3/8″ axle, alloy hub shells. Flip Flop rear w/14t cog
Rims: H+Son EERO Double Walled
Tires: Resist 700X45c

DRIVETRAIN:

Cranks: 160, 3-pc CR-MO
Sprocket: Alloy 1-pc. 33T
BB: Resist Mid
Pedals: Demolition Plastic PC

COMPONENTS:

Saddle: Resist Icon Pivotal
Post: Pivotal Alloy 27.2
Bars: CR-MO 65mm Riser Bar
Stem: 1-1/8″ Alloy Front Load
Headset: Resist Integrated
Grips: Demolition Missile

Get to a LBS (local bike shoppe) sit on a bike.
I would highly recommend this as well. It doesn't seem like you grasp the concept of various gear ratios. I would go to your LBS and ride on several bikes with various chainring/cog combinations since you seem to be concerned about "going far".

FWIW: all bikes can go far, the effort it takes and the comfort level while do so are the variable factors.

yeah i know im dumb. that bike doesnt look like it will be "easy" to go far on.

Get to a LBS (local bike shoppe) sit on a bike.

+1


If you don't know what size bike you want or how to work on it, you should go to a local shop.

+1



But is it better to get one at a local shop? or online?

Local shop if you don't know exactly what you want. You have enough money to afford a bike that a local shop would carry.

If you didn't know your shoe size, would you buy some expensive sneakers or jeans online without trying them on first?

Same goes for other things that come in various sizes in small increments:

- clothes
- baseball bats
- tennis rackets
- golf clubs
- fitted caps
- suits
- etc...

Bikes come in 2cm increments for a reason. 2cm is a big deal. 52, 54, 56, 58, and 60cm frames are like the difference between a Small, Medium, Large, and XL shirts. If you wear a medium and bought a large, it would fit terribly. Until you know what size you need, you are just guessing. It's easier if you could just try it on before you buy...at the bike shop.




This is why local shops exist, to solve problems just like this.

yeah i know im dumb. that bike doesnt look like it will be "easy" to go far on.

Fixed gear bikes are only 1 step above BMX bikes in terms of comfort for long distance riding. They are not made for such.

Understand this: You WILL NOT be comfortable riding long distances on a FG bike. Yes, you can do it (as others have), but it will not be fun. There are better bikes for the job. It would be like mowing the lawn with a weed-eater.

FG bikes are good for short trips. That is all.

lol. says you.

lol. says you.

http://www.catpictures.co/pictures/Huh_What_Cat.jpg

I'm late to this party, but here goes.




FITMENT QUESTION?


http://i.imgur.com/mk8in.jpg


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

Long distance is a very relative term, to him it could mean five miles but with a good fit, and the option to ride ss if your legs go or you start bonking, you can comfortably ride for hours on end, actually go through and do the whole fit ment thing and you will be happy you did, I'd look at the Dawes sst al, it has more road geometry. Don't spend all your money on the complete bike as there will probably be parts you will want to change out either for comfort or gearing or personal preference.

Thanks for the link. other people kept linking me to this kilo tt thing..

FG bikes are good for short trips. That is all.

Carleton, my man...I have to disagree here and say that is very subjective. A lot of people (I'm trying hard not to say "most") riding fixed are riding bikes which are ill-fitting or set up incorrectly because of what does and doesn't look cool. Riding long distance on a Kilo TT that's a size too small for you with an Aerospoke, two feet of saddle-to-bar and track drops? I'll pass.

I've done centuries on a well-fitting, comfortable, properly-geared fixed gear bike and I've done one on my geared Bianchi - which also fits well and is set up comfortably. I have to say the ones done fixed were much more enjoyable.

Carleton, my man...I have to disagree here and say that is very subjective. A lot of people (I'm trying hard not to say "most") riding fixed are riding bikes which are ill-fitting or set up incorrectly because of what does and doesn't look cool. Riding long distance on a Kilo TT that's a size too small for you with an Aerospoke, two feet of saddle-to-bar and track drops? I'll pass.

I've done centuries on a well-fitting, comfortable, properly-geared fixed gear bike and I've done one on my geared Bianchi - which also fits well and is set up comfortably. I have to say the ones done fixed were much more enjoyable.

'Sup, BRO?!

http://i.imgur.com/g0pbD.jpg

:lol: