FarHorizon

Since the end of the summer (and the end of the model year) is coming, 2005 models will be heavily discounted by January. Should I wait & buy a Specialized Langster from the LBS, or should I proceed to modify the Panasonic steel-framed road bike I've got into my first fix?

I've got the tools, I've got the parts, I've got the ability. After I pay to have the Panasonic frame sandblasted & powder coated, however, I'll be about a third of the way toward the (discounted) price of the Specialized.

I plan to use the bike on the street as a trainer. The Specialized seems to have seriously steep geometry and seriously fragile wheels. These are both negatives for me since I'm a serious Clydesdale. The Panasonic would have more relaxed geometry, and could be fitted with heavy duty wheels, but isn't intended for the use I'll be putting it to.

Suggestions?

Terror_in_pink

neither.

actually if it's your first fixed you should go ahead and convert it, but instead of sandblasting and powdercoating i'd say save the money to build a track bike. Ride the fixie around, see if you like it and really want it, then ditch it and buy a rad track frame, make it what you want and ride the **** out of it. Nothing better than building a cool bike as opposed to going into the store and riding off on a "McFixie". It's like cooking a meal as opposed to going to Mc Donalds.

Just my opinion.

wearyourtruth

there is nothing more satisfying than riding a bicycle you built from the ground up... at least that's my opinion. i just may never buy a whole bike again.

skelly

all things being equal, build your own.

scotty schweiz

I just finished building my own and the bike feels great, plus a twinge of satasifaction knowing that its an original. Build it.

Plinkerton

I agree. I finished mine a while ago. I've thought about painting it, but I'm not going to. I'll definitely use the cash for a nice frame further down the road.

It's for riding anyway, not for looking at.

pitboss

build or die

helmets save

Well, I guess it depends. If you are hard on cash acutally building from scratch isnt that cheap. It will probably cost you a little bit more but then you have to factor in the cost of tools.

If you are going to convert that is the cheapest way. Finding an old 1970's bike for like $50 then putting a couple hundred to parts and thats it.

I think if you are worried about the best parts for the money however, its cheaper to buy a brand new or couple years old.

Like i was plannig to build my first fixie, i foudn all the part trying ot make it the cheapest but yet not the ****tiest. It came out to round $750. But I found this nice 2004 Langster Pro with Mavic Open Pro Rims, Suingo 75 crank and bb, dura-ace hubs, carbon fiber fork. Those alone just to buy on the market around roughly like $600.

FarHorizon

Thanks for the feedback. It seems unanimous - if money isn't an issue (it isn't) build my own. I'll do it & post photos.

benny

i agree with terror in pink. If you like it get a really nice true track frame. Nothing else will compare.

you

build!

mascher

I built my bike up to save money, and then spent more for a bike with half used parts for what I could have got a langster for.

It turns out that there's nothing special at all about my bike, except that I put it together, and even though it's not a feat of engineering or anything, I'm proud of it, and I'm glad I didn't get a complete bike for my first. Also a clyde, I'm less worried about beating up my sweet baby and learning what kind of abuse a lightweight skinny wheeled bike can take (I've got a rigid dirtjump fork on my townie because I bent a steel Kona P2 fork commuting) because my beautiful pink frame was all of $30.