Or know the brand name/retailer and price of the bike and its components, and read the reviews online or in the cycling press: better yet if our cycling pals know the brand and price and read the same reviews.

Not everyone who rides a nice bike is a pretentious snob. To assume so is very uncharitable.

Some people get off on posting uncharitable assumptions.

From what I've seen "cheap fixies" are an exercise in style over substance lacking quality control and what reliability such a simple design should deliver, and simply doesn't.

A more upscale new FG machine will at least be light(er), properly aligned and durable but attractive to the inevitable thieves/vandals in a commuting environment.

A low cost/high-ish performance/stealth-ish FG commuting machine can be converted from a properly sized horizontal dropout '70'-'80's road bike with fittings for mudguards, racks and the inevitable "stuff" commuting in all weathers with a variety of burdens requires.

Here's how:

Fixed Gear Conversions

-Bandera

Since you purport to "Like to Bike" per your BF-Persona do you "Like to Bike" fixed gear machines on the road?
If so, which one(s)?

How would you describe the differences in handling, ride on rough surfaces , climbing, descending and front brake operation between your most and least expensive FG machines?

Which do you use for FG commuting and how is it equipped for the burdens and bashing of the real world environment of lousy pavement in variable weather and with the inevitable loads carried by bike commuters ?

If you don't have the actual experience of riding FG on the road, Just Say So.

-Bandera

True, some are not.

My comments were no more fixed gear bike specific that the referenced quotes:

The fixed gear specific list is located elsewhere on this forum; I don't post there.

>>> EXACTLY only if you are a connoisseur ... for the avg guy or dilettante the LABEL/BRAND will define their subjective satisfaction ... they have no idea what they are satisfied with other than the LABEL/BRAND ... serve the same guys cutty sark out of a MACALLUM bottle and they will toast you all nite

This is a pretty cynical way to view other people.

... i agree but it comes from EXPERIENCE ... not meant to be a blanket statement ... hopefully your experiences will justify your optimism ... my experience has shown that high end bicycle consumers are no different than porsche macallum21 hermes beaver creakers ... i have found that honest appreciation is most prevalent in moderation

While [MENTION=453323]jack pot[/MENTION] may have a point when it comes to consumers of high-end of geared bikes, the observations are not relevant to the fixie market. I don't see noobs plunking down thousands of dollars for a sweet fixie because of the label. Guys generally know what they're doing when they spend real money on a fixed-gear.

You do make a valid point. The moderately to outright wealthy person who takes a sudden interest in cycling because it's the trendy thing to do will seek out the "best" brand and model to display that wealth. [And there is nothing wrong with that.] Hence the expensive frames, wheels and groupsets... which are all fine and good and do everything that someone who knows about riding bikes will want.

But the problem is that by going in at the high end straight away, the new owners simply doesn't appreciate what is under him or her. There are a lot of nuances in cycling; hence the different styles of bicycles for different purposes. It's the same with performance cars. I have seen it all with expensive Euro vehicles and others that have a high price tag, high performance, but a driver of low ability who will never ever get the car to run anywhere near its potential.

I love my fixed gear. It is a steel lugged Shogun 400 frame and fork pulled from a rubbish dump and rebuilt with Velocity rims and hub, bull horn bars and... well, that's about it. The build-up cost around $400 back in 2007. It has Specialized All-Wather tyres. It is the sweetest riding bike I have, and the only one in the fleet that I can confidently ride with no hands at 10mph. Old frame and fork design, angles and all that. It's still using the original crankset (cup and cone and chainring) that was on the bike when recovered, along with the original chain I fitted. I did a century-a-month for a year on it. It still brings great joy to me when I ride it.

I don't have a high end geared bike or a fixed gear, simply because I don't figure spending larege dollars on one is justified for my other life and cycling priorities. But be assured that I would be able to tell the difference between it and my other bikes because I have been around cycling for almost two decades. Whether an expensive modern fixed gear would match the Shogun for ride quality and comfort... well, I could tell the difference, but experience tells me that no, it is unlikely.

It seems the thread has wavered from the OP's question.

There are a few low end fixed gears that will serve the purpose nicely. If you're handy with simple bike mechanics (and these bikes are a great place to start) most all of them will serve the "low-anxiety-if-stolen" criteria.

As Bandera mentioned, older horizontal drop out bikes of a bygone era can be even less expensive than a new "fixie" (shudder at the word).

My current fixed beater was a geared wonder of the '80's....free for the taking, cost to convert about $25.

If you say so.

Wonder what these guys "know" that has them spending real money on a bike that can't coast, has no gears and seldom if ever is sold equipped with the basic accoutrements useful for daily riding on the street. [The OP did reference getting a bike for commuting]

Don't know which is more mystifying, buying such a bike, or riding it.

Must be that mystical man-machine interface I have heard so much about!

If you have to ask then you wouldn't understand.

86 Gazelle Champion Mondial. Fixed in the old school style.

Glad to see another unbiased thread in which people value the right to having personal opinions and treating others with respect. This makes those threads in which people talk about not judging and not caring about what others ride such valued and believable stances....

For those who are ignorant of the FG riding experience the simplicity of the direct drive design imposes stresses, limitations and safety considerations that FW machines simply do not.

Riding FG on the road is not like riding FW in some important ways and having well designed purpose built FG machines can make the difference between a pleasant ride and an uncomfortable and/or dangerous experience.

FG machines Do Not Coast, Ever.

Easing over rough road surfaces by coasting and getting weight off of the saddle is not an opinion on a FG machine.
A lively predictable handling frameset that allows for good control on lousy roads and and an acceptable level of comfort is required.
This is not inexpensive frame tech and a chaepo saddle will not do.

A dead straight, perfectly aligned and round/true drive train on a FG is required to withstand the heavy loads imposed by powerful riders climbing while standing on hills and/or starting off in a "big" gear as well as spinning high RPM on rough road descents. Dropping a chain on a FG has dire consequences, not so much on a FW machine.
This is not inexpensive drivetrain tech and a chaepo saddle will not do.

Wheels on a FG machine take a beating on rough surfaces & under high start loads while the rear must endure a ******ing pedal pressure load FW machines will never experience.
This is not inexpensive wheel tech and a good set of tires are required.

A seemingly simple machine operated at pace on open public roads requires a high-ish precision of technology, even if it's quality 19th century tech, that FW machines may not. A certain amount $ to be put up to purchase but less than common touring/MTB or road machines.
Once acquired it can last for generations of use with no "upgrades" and no Di2 batteries to change.

This where it's appropriate to borrow the Old School Harley Rider's wisdom:

"If you have to ask the Question you wouldn't understand the Answer."

-Bandera

Sorry to say this, Bandera, but you've wasted your effort. He's been snarking like this as entertainment for decades (way back on the rec.bike lists) and he has riled up better men than you and me. All you've really done is fed him enough to respond with more of his pointless negative posts as he attempts to assert his superior rank over us grunts.

[MENTION=6062]Rowan[/MENTION],

My post was to inform new General sub-forum BF folk about the simple but essential Quality that FG machines need for safe and enjoyable use on the open public roads, as I have enjoyed riding them for >40 years.

Nothing like the unfounded "opinions" of the completely uninformed and in-experienced to enlighten us poor Grunts who just get out and put in the FG miles decade after decade on simple relatively inexpensive machines well suited to the purpose.

Riding FG on the road is not for everyone, it takes a dedication to technique and proper machine set-up but club cyclists have been at it for over a century in a tradition that endures for good reason(s).

In summation:

A) Never buy a "cheap fixie" for any use, roll your own from a road conversion or buy reasonable Quality.
2) Never listen to the "opinion" of anyone who does not ride FG: They simply do not understand the requirements of the tech.
iii) It's not 2005 anymore, a FG road machine is not a "fixie"and never has been.

-Bandera

AMEN ... BTW in the 90s i was rideN around Tarpley and going up and down texas mountain

There might be a small amount of placebo on certain things but I have noticed just test riding bikes the quality difference. I could see a placebo effect seeing difference between Ultegra and Dura Ace or something like that but generally nicer stuff will ride better but the top end and level beneath you probably won't notice a huge difference unless maybe you are counting grams.

A good cog and chainring set up on a single speed will ride a lot better and be more noticeable mainly in the fact it will actually be less noticeable since it is generally quieter and smoother. There might be other things that aren't noticed as much like maybe a set of handlebars or maybe a seatpost. However drivetrain is a bit easier to detect. There are other things like certain contact points and other things that are also fairly easy to detect. Sure again after a certain point you may not be able to tell and it is just about spend-o-nomics.

Department store and some "entry level" stuff is fairly close. If I was held at gunpoint and forced to chose a bike I would go entry level but I would rather at least go a notch or two up from that. The good thing about an actual shop "entry level" is at least it will be put together by someone more knowledgeable using the proper tools. Some shops cut corners but at least can't cut the number of corners that Wally Mart does.

id say theres a pretty noticeable difference there are so many different factors to be taken into consideration

Second self reference on this thread to "us Grunts" as some sort of badge of honor for riding fixed gear bicycles in spite of its limitations. Seems an apt label for voluntarily riding gear designed for a specific task (Track racing) and overcoming its built-in limitations for riding elsewhere with various mind-melding contortions and physical grunting.

BTW, doesn't this below describe exactly what I posted on this thread that "us Grunts" took as a personal affront to their delicate sensibilities?
You:Me:

Aside from your complete lack of any actual experience in riding a fixed gear bicycle you seem to lack a historical understanding of bicycle drivetrain development and use as well along with some peculiar pseudo-mystical fantasies.
The fixed gear drivetrain was and still is required for track competition but was used from the inception of the road bicycle and still serves today, as noted in all of the posts in this thread which are exclusively about road FG use.

The Tour de France was restricted to fixed gear/SS road machines from 1903-1938, it was and still is a bicycle race.

"I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"

-- Henri Desgrange TdF organizer (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Time trials, which take place on the road, were/are a British specialty and were often won by FG riders.
Pic of the inestimable Beryl Burton riding to yet another victory on a fixed gear.

"Mind melding"?
Where has that concept appeared in this thread? A fantasy you have perhaps?

"Grunting?" I think that is common in Tennis not in my experience of cycling.
Riding in difficult terrain on any flavor of drivetrain will take effort, doing so on a FG is indeed satisfying.
Time to go out for an hour or so to overcome some limitations on a FG bicycle ride, as club cyclist have been doing for over a century.

PS: You will have to have "the last word" about something that you have no experience of so: Knock yourself out.

-Bandera