misha1551

Hey everyone, so i have been riding a fixie a friend gave me for about a year. It was a POS to begin with and since I really got into cycling I have road it into the ground. I have been searching the forums and I hope this post is not overly repetitive. but I could really use some advice!

At any rate, This is where I stand. I want to spend between 400-700 dollars. I ride almost all city and suburban roads (no track, no real plans for track riding). I have no clue whether to buy a full set-up or custom build a bike. Basically, what would be your guys/gals recommendations for me. All positive feed back welcome! Thanks in advance

PS: A couple of the bikes I have spotted myself and have interest in were (In no order): Wabi Classic, Mercier Kilo TT pro, Fuji Classic

xkillemallx16

All three bikes you have mentioned are very recommended - I'd go with the wabi, but since 700's at the top of your budget, dont expect to change out much - you can choose your color, stem size, seat style/color, bar, lever type though. But if you went with the kilo, you'd have some room to upgrade - wheels, bars, etc. The fuji classic is a rebranded Windsor the hour. I bet someone else could pitch in with other recommendations, but ill leave it at that until you have anything else to add

edit: get the mark v [stolen from vixtor >:]

Squirrelli

Wabi Classic would be my choice out of all of those three bikes, mainly because the tubing is of higher grade than the rest of the options. If you don't know much about fixing or wrenching bicycles, I'd go with a complete bike to save you the hassle. Also, it would be more expensive if you start fresh with a frame, parts and tools are quite pricey.

You could also take the Mark V into consideration as well.

Veloria

Here is a suggestion: Go to a local shop that specialises in rebuilds, like Open Bicycle in Union Sq in Somerville or Superb in Boston. They very well might have a good vintage frame in your size and even if not, can give you some helpful advice.

Otherwise, there are so many bikes on our local C-List that would work well as conversions, it is hard to choose. I suggest a late 70s- early 80s Peugeot or Motobecane in your size; those seem to work nicely.

Squirrelli

I love Peugeot conversions, and it can be a restoration too. I can't seem to find a decent Peugeot in my size though...

xkillemallx16

He just got off a conversion, i assume.

Go to the best lbs you know in the area and they'll help you decide, fit, and if you need adjustments, they'll help.

cc700

you're not likely to find much better value in that price range than what you already listed, but i'd look for a clearance jamis sputnik or cannondale capo. sometimes they can be had for under 700.

you don't really tell us anything about your riding beyond 'urban/suburban roads' so i don't really know what to tell you... do you hop curbs? do you 'race' on the street?

have you test ridden anything? do you want a comfortable bike or a stiff and powerful one?

if you were to get a frameset and piece together parts onto it, there are some good deals to look out for... pretty high quality parts like saddles and bars can be had from origin8 and charge for not much money, and sometimes parts like cranks can be had at huge values, like the sram s300 crankset.

however, if you choose to pick parts and a frame seperately instead of buying complete, you'll have a really crappy bike unless you spend over 600. things to not skimp on include tires, cog and chainring, bottom bracket, wheelset, and brakes.

otherwise, you end up buying things twice and that drives the price way way up. i bought my kilo as a frame and fork back in 2007 and i've gone through three wheelsets, probably close to 10 saddles, two cranks, close to 10 handlebars, and two headsets. i could have had a much much nicer bike had i just bought a complete up front with all the money i've spent making my kilo what it is.

then again i don't think my kilo could be much better for the riding i do with it.

honestly if i had 700 to put into a bicycle i'd probably get a cannondale capo or a trek t1... though each would be closeout older models.

misha1551

Yea, I have a conversion 70's PUCH, I love the thing but everything on it is falling apart and the frame is pretty heavy compared to the weights I've seen.

I'm gonna go check out Superb tomorrow Veloria, Thanks for the advice

As far as riding style: I try to ride pretty fast push my physical endurance, dont do much curb hopping. Also I try to go on long rides 10-20 miles 2-4 times a week with time permitting. I dont know what other characteristics are important, but am definitely willing to add more if others have more questions..

Why does everyone like the Mark V?

Veloria

Yes, but there are conversions and then there are conversions.

If he has $700 to spare, he can get a quality vintage bike in the $100's price range, strip it, file off whatever needs to be filed off, get it powdercoated, and fit it with nice components. Chances are, it will be nicer and more comfortable than one of the bikes mentioned in the OP, plus it will be unique.

Not everyone likes that sort of thing, so just a suggestion of course.

xkillemallx16

mark v's have iro rims to iro hubs (velocity fusion to velocity) [velocity fusion to formula]. The frameset is of good quality crmo, the parts are of good value. the drivetrain (cranks, cog, bb, etc) run smoothly.

note i have never owned* one although there are many that do on these forums - check the iro thread in the start here section.

*messed around with friend's

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...eed-Start-Here!

Squirrelli

Mark V is at a spectacular value right now, for only 400 dollars, you have a decent frameset and a decent set of wheels, you could also choose some of the components yourself. But with 700 as your budget, there are many many bikes to choose from as cc700 stated.

misha1551

Thanks for the advice everyone! This is a really big decision all of the help is much appreciated

Im gonna rephrase my question a little bit, to see if i could get some more responses...

If you had $700 dollars, what fixie would u buy/build?

renton20

I would buy a mark V for $400 and then spend the other $300 on useful ****. Good quality lock, if you maybe want to swap out the bars, semi decent clipless shoes and pedals, decent lights, higher quality cog and chain, etc I didn't put too much thought into those extras but they make a lot of sense and add up pretty quickly.

crackrocksteady

Find a vintage frame on cragslist, buy some nice wheels, and convert the thing yourself. You'll probably have alot of fun and you'll have more intimate knowledge of your ride.

plus you could use the money you saved to by some essential tools.

Azad

If you can make the trip, check out Simple Living Cycles in Framingham. Guy sells stuff super cheap, you can find a Madison, Beatnik or Sputnik for well under MSRP. Call ahead of time.

Build your own

+1 on Simple Living,my cxp22s to formula where $100.

Finding a nice Frame for a reasonable price is just about impossible in Boston.Every old POS that should be $20-$50 is labeled vintage and has a $200+ pricetag.F*** the conversion route and buy or build new.

Philasteve

If I were you, I would look into a Scwhinn Madison also I love mine. An 08 or 09.

osiris419

I would find a nice vintage frame and build off that.

Scrodzilla

Simple living is blowing out 2009 Madisons for $325 and has a ton of other bikes (last year's models) for under 400 bucks.

Check the list:

https://www.slcycle.com/752.html

seejohnbike

+1/-1 on SLC.
I haven't been out there, but everyone who has says the following: get it checked out!

He is known for super cheap deals, but he's also got a reputation for poor assembly. if you know what you're doing, take apart everything, make sure its greased, and tighten to spec. if not, take it to a LBS, tell em you got it from phil at simple living, and you want them to give it a once-over. they should understand.

if you want something nice/boutique-y, I'd have to reccomend going to Open over Superb. Don't get me wrong, Superb has nice stuff, but none of it's really special. IMO, Open has more classy vintage parts, unique frames/bike suppliers, and is big on local/small-business kinda stuff. Both have their positives, but i think within the class of "boutique shop," Open wins hands down.

But, within your price range, I'd suggest getting yourself a Kilo, upgrade parts if you want, tools as you need them, and save the extra. Furthermore, if you're not too familiar with bike shops in the area, maybe look around for parts locally

Also, if you don't already know much about the shops around boston and want a review of some around here, let me know. granted, I'm just one person, and everyone has slightly different experiences, but i try to keep a fair and balanced (actually fair/balanced. none of that fox news business.) idea of the shops around here, which ones are better at what, etc.

Bent Life

My god is there a shop anywhere around Austin, TX like this??? Certainly none that I have seen. What a gift.

seejohnbike

I'd totally start a service to ride out there, grab one cheap for you, and box it up/ship it....
If there is a BFSSFG demand, I can supply it.

driveblind

I just got a Redline 925 at Simple Living for about $325. The website says that they're closeouts on the '09s, but mine was a '10 for the same price. I would've preferred the green '09, but I got the one that was in my size. Phil didn't seem like the kind of guy who gave a hoot about model years. I also tried out a Jamis Beatnik that he had there for about the same price.

EssEllSee

My God! Do they make online orders? I couldnt find any links...

xkillemallx16

i emailed the dood about shipping costs to california from the east coast a few months ago about a maddy (pre scrod era). he quoted 300 dollars shipped without wheels (heavy, space consuming - reduces shipping costs). im sure if you emailed him he could quote you some prices.

i can show you the email if youd like.