No coasting is what makes riding fixed gear so great in traffic...That's the way I like it, I don't even own any geared bikes. What are you gona do about it, sue me ??



One of the most ignorant things I ever heard...And BTW what is wrong with a beard ??...I see tons of cyclist with beards and none of them ever ride a fixed gear. OTOH I've seen clean shaven guys on fixies.... Yes I do have a beard and I just happen to enjoy riding fixed gear, I don't even hang out with hipsters, I am just a hard working middle aged guy with family responsibilities.

I smell a thread lock coming....

lol i was mostly just kidding around - but you can't deny it's not entirely untrue. Also, I myself have a beard, but do not ride fixed. Though I am building up my first single-speed as a commuter.

If you ride fixed of course that is what you want, Almost anyone that rides fixed never goes back to a geared bike.

And for 200 to 400 you usually get something decent when buying fixed.
I have a bottom of the line Purefix. That bike was said to be junk on this list. In the meantime I ride it about 4 times a week, put on about hundred miles a week and I love it, I have no problem with it what soever and its is a blast to ride. That bike sold for about 299 new I bought it barely used for 150.

Then I traded a vintage bike I had to a bike shop for a brand new SE Lager. This bike sells for around 400 bucks, it is probably a little better to commute with cause it has both back and front brakes and a plastic chainguard. But as far as can see all those bikes the Sole, Galaxie and Big shot along with the ones I named are all decent bikes for the money.

Most important is to get a frame that fits, I think most people buy too small.

And make sure the bike is put together right, if you are not mechanically inclined you have to take it to a bike shop even then sometimes they have young kids that dont know quite what they are doing. The Se Lager I bought was put together by a bike shop, and the guy started the handlebar tape at the wrong end then just ended it with electrical tape lol I had to rewrap the bars,,,no big deal. The Pure fixed was put together with the chain so tight If I didnt go over it myself I would of probably worn out the chain and the fixed gear in 2 days,

Good luck and ride FIXED!


PS I am 61 and have no beard.

did someone say hipster?

Coasting is bad for your chi, bro. But, the Zissou has a flip flop hub, so you can use the freewheel side if you dare. I bet the other bike mentioned does also.

And. Kilo TT. (obligatory BF "which fixie" response.)

Really? I go back to geared bike after almost every time I ride fixed. Of course, I have a handful of bikes and only one is fixed

Don't think I'd enjoy living without one again, that's for sure.

single Ahh... you have to kind of admit the o.p. doesn't sound like an ideal fixie devotee... c'mon you aren't letting the side down in admitting that. It's not fixie hate you are feeling here, its more the collective wisdom that this particular o.p. is better off choosing a different kind of bike for their introduction to the self propelled single track vehicle culture.

H

1. Pick a subject line relevant to your subject matter, e Short-range commuter bike.
2. get a bike that:

-Fits you
-Has no suspension
-Has eyelets for rack and fenders
-Has puncture-resistant tyres
-Not too heavy
-Not worn out
-Enough gears and gear range for your terrain.

budget for lock, lights, luggage, repair kit

Just leave it outside unlocked when it becomes worthless to you.

My first bike was a cheap department store bike. Worst decision ever, so I advise people not to do this. Everything started breaking within weeks. It was extremely heavy and slow. Someone gave me an old 80s road bike (Peugeot) and it was infinitely better. Unfortunately it was stolen, so I decided to leave my worthless Roadmaster on the porch and see if I could dispose of it so easily. Sure enough, it was gone the next morning. It wasn't worth the effort for whoever took it lol.

Seriously?? They flame on everyone that is not as "educated" as they are. I go to that forum occasionally to look at the bike porn. But I won't post there because of how harsh they can be. It may not be those guys exactly every time but the other people on that forum are....I can't say that here. Don't get me wrong, we all get tired of the same question everyday, but they can be mean.
On the other hand, you're going to get some nasty answers on any forum. Here on the commuting forum, there is probably the same vague question asked 5 times this week. There's always the same reply. Check Craigslist!

The first bike is always the wrong bike. Whatever you buy, you'll find something wrong for your ride. Especially with your budget. Get what you want and find out what you want and need will change. Even us, who ride big box store bikes, find that that bike isn't the same one we bought. My Schwinn: the frame, fork, headset, cranks, and front wheel are the only original parts on it.

Not in my experience. The SSFG inhabitants usually flame those seeking affirmation of something silly, not those seeking information.
They will also give you grief if you ask for information found in the sticky threads found at the top of the sub forum.
Other than that, they will give factual, helpful , and timely information, though not always couched in the most friendly of terms.

I daresay every bike is in some sense the "wrong bike". This is how N+1 happens.

you might consider this for $229 Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes | Track Bikes | Fixed Gear | Single Speed Bicycles | Dawes SST singlespeed bicycles | Save up to 60% off list prices

It does need some assembly so if that's not your thing be aware of this.

Then up your budget by maybe $15 and get a series 2 kryptonite u lock (should be able to find for around $36)

If it doesn't suit you right off you can change the freewheel or stem to suit later as your budget grows