Hi,

Blah blah blah it's not just a product like buying a fancy watch, it's a bunch of mechanical parts that have to be assembled, tuned-up and maintained properly if you want to enjoy your bike.

Aside from the fit of the bike (stem swap for proper fit should be complimentary) and budget constraints (don't break the bank if this is your first fixed gear bike - to be honest, you don't know what you really want right now so don't spend more than what it takes to get you out and riding) you should feel really comfortable with whoever sells you the bike. If you're getting slick sales pitch or it's somewhere with THE LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN!!! consider how they're still making money on the bike (answer: cutting labour times and not building the bike up properly to begin with). This is tough when you're shopping for literally the cheapest options available but try to do your homework and buy from some place where they'll treat you right as a customer. Even if you're looking at entry-level stuff you should still be respected for the hundreds of dollars you're willing to shell out.

That being said, if you buy a bike for that much money and the shop actually does a good job on it for you, PLEASE buy some more parts/accessories from them and go back there for some service so they can actually make a bit of money.

I guess we can pry the gun out of Charlton's hands now....

I hear you shapelike. I'm all for supporting a good local shop and not haggling people to death :) and have done so back to Bicyclesport back in the early days.

I ask about the Fuji as I ride a Fuji Team Pro road bike and I've like Fuji's frames way back to the CroMo Fuji Team days back in the 80's. Just don't understand how it can be so cheap compared to something like the KHS.

What shops carry IRO in T.O. now. Would you advise a build up or do any of the built back offer a good starting point for later upgrades?

Thanks for the advise to date.

What do you want to use the bike for/how much mileage will it see?

I know we do. Although i'm not sure how I feel about that. On the one hand, a mechanics time is being taken away - the customer does have to pay for it out of his own pocket before he gets any money from insurance.

+1 We do extremely thorough preps on all the bikes that go out the door.

/shill

Commuting is the idea. Maybe 100 km per week max during peak times.

I bought my Kona JTS last week (it'll be here this week hopefully), and I'm looking to buy an old beater road bike so I don't have to worry about taking the brand new JTS out. Anybody know of any decent used bikes shops? I've heard most of Toronto's used bikes are really stolen... am I promoting bike theft if I buy a used bike?

Avoid Igors and Jacobs. Those have a rep for being stolen goods warehouzes.

cupcrazy, just keep your eyes peeled on Craigslist. It's been pretty busy of late. For instance http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/632722074.html

And Wes, I have this cap if you're interested. I've only worn it a couple of times. It would match your loverly fishbelly tan.

http://cavit8.clawz.com/images/buffalo.jpg

I love the brake/bar setup on this bike.

lulz.

All the great acting this guy did i think he will be remembered for the "cold dead hands" line.

Damm it's hard to keep up in here!

IRO Mark V's are black & have tear drop tubing the choice is obvious.

Thanks, Shapelike. I'll be sure to bring the bike over on Wednesday.

Well, it was either that or "Let my people go" or "Get your hands off me, you damn, dirty ape"

Yep, what an actor.

LOL....I don't think he is gonna be buried without his gun.

most bike shops will sell 1 1/8 and you can use a shim but failing ubane sells 1 inchers.

anybody know of any good (cyclocross/off-road) training loops in the GTA? (preferably West End)
Going to try my first XC race next week (on my new CX bike) and I want to break the bike in/ride some cool trails before then.

So weird getting dressed now that it's getting warmer, actually having a problem figuring out what I'll need :p

Sorry to hear of your accident there kergin, heal soon and hope your knee is OK - everything else you seem to have taken care of already (noce job on getting all that sorted on scene).

Had a lady pull over almost into me and my trailer outside of the Paupers yesterday - would've been a right hook had I not read it and slowed/stopped. I rapped my knuckles on the rear side/door panels to give her a startle (I knew she obviously hadn't looked back or in her mirror) and yelled at her through her pass. window (which she kindly opened for me) "You're driving this huge vehicle and you don't even bother to check your mirrors or anything making a turn? I have my daughter here with me!" - seemed to hit home, hopefully she'll look next time. A guy outside the bar yelled "You're right man!" I called back "Friggin' right I am" heh. Just another daily occurance on the ol' roads.
Wind coming back across town was awesome, I granny geared most of the trip east with the trailer, so coming back was a fast treat on my MTB :D I'm taking the train today upto work, just can't discipline myself enough to wake early enough every day for the ride up... in time!

Icebreaker? Cross at this years Icebreaker is gonna be a commitment. It's not Westside but the Don/Taylor Creek has some nice loops with tons of varied terrain.

Man ride safe out there guys (I mean SAFE, not safe safe). Awh ****

Probably not rideable yet though. Not sure what Taylor Creek would be like since I've never ridden in there. If the soil in there is the same clay in the Don it's probably going to be no good for another couple of weeks.

And yeah, if you're doing the Icebreaker a few of us will likely be there.

Speaking of which, I still need to get a new rear tire.

Hey could you tell me a bit more about the Bicycle Sports shop? My friend recently got an old and rusty but very nice 70s bike w. campy parts, with their sticker on it. I've never heard of them so it would nice to know a bit more. Thanks!

Kergin sorry about the accident. I hope you recover soon. That sucks.

Fair to say he is rigor(ed) to the trigger?

http://i30.tinypic.com/2lc4lnc.jpg

Is that the same as "Bike Sports" - in Newmarket and Richmond Hill?

How I felt this morning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m68-oWBh9Ow

If anyone sees somebody with an Ultegra front wheel, 16 spoke bladed, possibly with a CX front tire on it, please kick them in the teeth and/or call me @ 416-691-0019. Off my porch in the Riverdale area.

Thanks all,

Andrew