Thinking about building a fixie.
06-13-12, 07:49 PM
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Thinking about building a fixie.
So right now i'm riding a carbon kestrel road bike, and i want to get into fixed gears, for variety, and to improve my cadence/speed.
My first question, would it be cheaper to do a conversion, or build it from the ground up?
Second, my city has some pretty rough roads, and i was wondering, do wheels with plastic/carbon spokes resist bending more? If not, what purpose do they serve?
Thanks for helping out an ignorant beginner!
My first question, would it be cheaper to do a conversion, or build it from the ground up?
Second, my city has some pretty rough roads, and i was wondering, do wheels with plastic/carbon spokes resist bending more? If not, what purpose do they serve?
Thanks for helping out an ignorant beginner!
06-13-12, 07:53 PM
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cheaper: conversion or ground up? Neither, buy complete.
I'd steer away from any kind of composite spoke. There is a reason stainless steel spokes were one of the first advancements in wheel building, and have been around for years. If you're worried about durability, just use a straight gauge spoke and call it a day.
I'd steer away from any kind of composite spoke. There is a reason stainless steel spokes were one of the first advancements in wheel building, and have been around for years. If you're worried about durability, just use a straight gauge spoke and call it a day.
06-13-12, 07:57 PM
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Depends.
If you can find a serviceable, decent road bike that will only need a new rear wheel to become a fixed gear for less than $100-$150 then it's cheaper to convert than buy. My roomate recently picked up an 80s Nishiki road bike for $30, added a new wheelset for $130 dollars and has a pretty nice fixed gear for $160. This is rare and you need to be very knowledgeable of the secondary bike market to find a good bike.
If not, it's cheaper to buy something from bikesdirect.
It's always more expensive to build. You will also get crappier parts for more money when building since you do not have access to the bulk discount dealer/manufacturers have.
In most cases: Buy>Convert>Build
Example given: If I was in the market to convert, I'd buy this bike, add a new rear 27" wheel for @$100 cog and lockring for $30 and have a pretty ****** fixed gear for @$200-$225.
For the same price I could get one of these; probably a little less quality but the advantage of having a new bike, getting your size easily, and having new parts is definitely something to consider.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cane/track.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm
If you can find a serviceable, decent road bike that will only need a new rear wheel to become a fixed gear for less than $100-$150 then it's cheaper to convert than buy. My roomate recently picked up an 80s Nishiki road bike for $30, added a new wheelset for $130 dollars and has a pretty nice fixed gear for $160. This is rare and you need to be very knowledgeable of the secondary bike market to find a good bike.
If not, it's cheaper to buy something from bikesdirect.
It's always more expensive to build. You will also get crappier parts for more money when building since you do not have access to the bulk discount dealer/manufacturers have.
In most cases: Buy>Convert>Build
Example given: If I was in the market to convert, I'd buy this bike, add a new rear 27" wheel for @$100 cog and lockring for $30 and have a pretty ****** fixed gear for @$200-$225.
For the same price I could get one of these; probably a little less quality but the advantage of having a new bike, getting your size easily, and having new parts is definitely something to consider.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cane/track.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm
Last edited by Spoonrobot; 06-13-12 at 08:03 PM.
