Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Best Entry Level Complete SS/Fixed Bike Components

Hi folks, I'm looking for advice on what bike has the best components on an entry level ss/fixed gear bike. I figure the usual suspects are BD, SE, Torker, Pure Fix?, Retrospec?, any others? I'm looking to strip it, and put it on a frame I currently have. Figure I'd be cheaper to strip and sell the frame than doing a complete build myself. Thanks in advance.

What kind of frame do you currently have? That would help determine compatibility with whatever complete bike you might decide to strip.

None of the bikes listed above come is particularly nice parts though. Do you have a budget for this? I think you could probably buy better parts off the bat depending on your budget.

Wait so am I understanding this right?
You would like to buy a complete to only strip it for its components and then sell the new frame?

Seems like a 100% hassle and a good amount of gamble, that the frame will sell.

Yes, that's the plan. The frame is a Pake French 75. I've built bikes before and they usually end up costing me more than I'd like to spend. I guess I'd spend around $300 or more on the complete, then sell the frame for around $100 or so, depending on the frame.

At best, with that budget, the parts you're going to get on a complete are going to be garbage.

Wait so am I understanding this right?
You would like to buy a complete to only strip it for its components and then sell the new frame?

Seems like a 100% hassle and a good amount of gamble, that the frame will sell.

It actually makes a little bit of sense considering that if you were to buy all the parts on say - a Kilo TT Pro - a la carte, it would add up to more than the cost of the complete bike.

It's not the worst idea, but a Kilo TT(which comes with the nicest parts of all the BD options I think), has a different size steerer(or is the stem a shimmed 1 1/8"?) and seatpost, which, although aren't expensive, kind of make it less "worth it". All of the BD options with 1 1/8" threadless setup and a 27.2 seatpost all basically the same generic parts.

Well, I just threw that number out there... what would you suggest spending?

I was just using the Kilo as an example. The Dawes SST-AL would be a better one.

I was just using the Kilo as an example. The Dawes SST-AL would be a better one.

Yeah, that would be perfect actually... but it looks like they're sold out.

I just added up basically the cheapest components you could buy from RG. Some would be better than the BD offerings, some would probably be about equivalent, but the total came to like $450(with shipping), so I honestly can't argue with your plan. At least it gets your bike rolling and you can upgrade components as needed.

I'd just find whichever one on BD that comes with a 1 1/8" stem(should be all but the Kilo TT and variants, and the Premium Brew), a 27.2mm seatpost, and the color of components that you want.

Edit: The Dawes SST AL would probably be the best if your budget allows for it. Plus a brand new aluminum "fixie" frame with a carbon fork would probably be the easier frame components to sell and recoup some of your cost.

It actually makes a little bit of sense considering that if you were to buy all the parts on say - a Kilo TT Pro - a la carte, it would add up to more than the cost of the complete bike.

Oh ok, interesting. In my limited search history I hadnt found anything that is a low-med price complete with many components worth saving. They might have a few isolated components but nothing as a whole.

If you are looking at BD maybe a Premium Brew.

As ddeadserious just said, the Premium brew wouldn't be a good choice because it comes with a 1" threaded fork and quill stem.

oh thats true, didnt notice that.

I'd say moto track/Windsor hour since they are cheapest, and you won't cry if you can't sell the frame

I'd say moto track/Windsor hour since they are cheapest, and you won't cry if you can't sell the frame

Yeah, either those two or a Pure Fix Juliet for $45 more. They have a free shipping code right now. I think the pure fix might have better components, but I'll probably have a harder time selling that hi-ten frame.

What do you guys think?

http://www.citygrounds.com/schwinn/schwinn-racer-complete-bike-2011-1379

$99 + Shipping. I'd still have to buy a new headset and stem though... and most likely a new saddle cause that thing looks god awful.

What do you guys think?

http://www.citygrounds.com/schwinn/schwinn-racer-complete-bike-2011-1379

$99 + Shipping. I'd still have to buy a new headset and stem though... and most likely a new saddle cause that thing looks god awful.

wow this is an interesting experiment. The Hi-ten frame should be harder to sell.

Yeah, probably... especially a pink XL frame, lol. Well, I figure a wheelset alone is around 100, so might be worth it.

Just get the Kilo WT...be done with it. It's the one left in okay sizes that is comparable to the TT Pro.

Yeah, only a total ****** would ride a pink bike.

besides being pink that schwinn has a rear coaster brake & also a quill stem

if you already have a fork, & if the blue wheels & chainring go with your frame (or you don't mind trying to strip them) & if you don't mind buying a threadless stem...

the premium brew that Crandrew mentioned gives you the best overall parts for the money, & if you can be patient for a deal you might get it pretty cheap at nashbar - not too long ago they were selling it for close to $300 + shipping. plus...i would buy the stem from you ;)

Yeah the schwinn racer has a coasterbrake. My uncle has one and seems good for the price.

Yeah, only a total ****** would ride a pink bike.

Especially Italian pink.

Doh, didn't notice the coaster brake. Last time I had one of those was in 5th grade. I'll keep an eye out for Nashbar... their deals seem to change by the day.

For $99 you could just throw the pink hi-ten frame away or donate it to someplace, you don't even have to sell it.

Also coaster brake for sweet skidzzzzz.

I have a Schwinn Cutter, a step above the Racer, and frankly, I don't think I'd go any lower than the Cutter. It also has a hi-ten frame. A little heavy but I love the ride quality. One thing you might consider, though, if getting the Racer, is using the bike as is to begin with, maybe upgrade the seat, build yourself a nice flip-flop wheel and slap that on there, then you have a decent FG. Still heavy though. And still pink. (My Cutter is a mat black 2009.)

Yeah, only a total ****** would ride a pink bike.

Lookit this post.

I was making a joke. My bike:

271226

I was making a joke. My bike:

271226

I know. I liked the post.

wait isnt your bike white?

I know. I liked the post.

Oh ok. I thought you were calling me out for using a naughty word. :lol:

Pfft. Not a chance.

Glass houses and all.

I have a Schwinn Cutter, a step above the racer, and frankly, I don't think I'd go any lower than the Cutter. It also has a hi-ten frame. A little heavy but I love the ride quality. One thing you might consider, though, if getting the Racer, is using the bike as is to begin with, maybe upgrade the seat, build yourself a nice flip-flop wheel and slap that on there, then you have a decent FG. Still heavy though. And still pink. (My Cutter is a mat black 2009.)

Thanks, I'll take a look at them. They seem to have some ridiculous color schemes lately though. Also, already have a steel frame bike and love it, so I'm looking to build my alu frame I picked up. Right now I'm liking the 2012 SE Draft for $260. Components look pretty good, and I feel like the frame is familiar enough to most people that I'd have a decent chance of selling it. Also scanning CL for used ss/track bikes.

I have a Schwinn Cutter, a step above the Racer, and frankly, I don't think I'd go any lower than the Cutter. It also has a hi-ten frame. A little heavy but I love the ride quality. One thing you might consider, though, if getting the Racer, is using the bike as is to begin with, maybe upgrade the seat, build yourself a nice flip-flop wheel and slap that on there, then you have a decent FG. Still heavy though. And still pink. (My Cutter is a mat black 2009.)

Someone obviously didn't read the first post or anything else in this thread.

Sure I did. I just have a short attention span and didn't make it all the way to the end.



You'll be old one day too.