Originally Posted by JRider
Based on budget and portland conditions i will likely have to go with whatever i can find at first that works. This will be my first fixed gear and although i've ridden other people's, i'm sure to screw it up a few times and eat concrete.
I'll be heading up there in mid may without my stuff to look for work and a place to live, then taking the uhaul up the first weekend in june. I was actually just there last weekend and had a blast. So much beer, so little time. I saw a ton of fixed gears and drooled over quite a few of them, can't wait to add mine to the mix and meet some new people. It seems portland gets rated the number one bike city for a reason and since i won't own a car, i'm excited to be part of it.
Can anyone suggest a good white/blue/yellow saddle? I don't want black anything on this bike.
you know, after reading some other posts that suggest keeping this frame geared, i'm slightly more inclined to agree, even if you have to set it aside till you can afford that. for a rain bike, use a thrift store frame and parts like i described--functional, but not priceless. you want to have something that rolls but you don't feel bad for taking out in inclement weather. that's my next project, a rain bike.
but yeah, portland's got a lot of fixed riders here. go to stumptown somtimes, i always see nice fixed gears locked up in front of that coffee shop. man, don't get me started on the fun things to do in portland. and not only is it a good city to commute in--you have problems, but compared to my old home in idaho, it's not bad--but in addition to good commuting conditions (aside from weather), there's a bike scene, so there are bike parties, etc...in june or so, there's pedalpalooza, a week (or is it two?) of bike-related stuff--rides, parties, shows, dance parties, obstacle courses, races, bike rodeos, all sorts of ****. i love it here, i think you will, too.