Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a cheap bike right now (under $250) since my previous bike was destroyed by some ahole when I parked it at school this past Monday.
This (but the 2011 model): (Save Up to 60% Off Shimano Road Bikes - Dawes Lightning Sport AL)
I rode it for a year and 2 months.

Now, I want to get a new bike and I don't want to spend too much on it. I don't care much about whether the parts are not good or whatever (just if the parts fall off after a couple weeks of riding it); I just want a bike that I can use to commute from school or go to other places.

Also, the routes that I usually take have a lot of downhills (I live in San Francisco), so is it safe to ride downhill with a fixie, or would it be better to just walk down? I've never ridden a fixie so I don't know how it works.

The bike that I'm thinking of getting is this: Critical Cycles Fixed-Gear / Single-Speed Bikes with Pista Handlebars | With Flip-Flop
I prefer this bike because of the handlebars (I don't like the BMX ones because of the feel)

Be careful with hills if you haven't ridden fixed before. It's safe if you know what you're doing. Riding with two brakes is highly advisable.

+1

Run a brake. Even benny gold runs a brake on his bike. Be 1 less person that has to be peeled off the back of a muni bus.
There was a rather recent SOL SF story about messenger that turned his life upside down when he couldn't stop in time and plastered his skull on the side of a car at an intersection during the filming of an edit.

PLEASE READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE YOU POST A COMMENT (not just part of it and only answer part of it)

While I appreciate the replies, you're not answering the main question. The main question is whether or not the CriticalCycle fixie I want to buy fits my situation (riding to and from school, and riding around SF)
Also, I know that for braking on a fixie, you put your foot on the front wheel to slow down the bike.

You should not be riding fixed

I've posted about this bike before, but here is the run down.

I've had a critical fixie for nearly 2 years now. Its a good bike for the price but the quality of some of the components run the cost up a bit, i've spent about $100 fixing/upgrading parts. I added a front brake, changed the gearing as the gear ratio is too high for the sake of your knees, and changed the handlebar as it broke on me.

My rear bearings (Quango hub) failed and it is impossible to find replacement cones, so I have just installed new ball bearings for the time being. I've heard this may have been because they were adjusted to tight from the factory.

So critical. It'll fit your personality that's for sure.

Also, NO.

Putting your foot on the front wheel to stop is a good technique, I also reccoment carrying a watermelon in your bag for stability

That bike looks perfect for crashing while Ted shredding.

If you're going downhill you will be backpedaling all the way down. Feather your brake lever but don't put your damn foot on the wheel. Your feet should NOT leave the pedals.

Troll.

Like other's have said, ride with brakes. You should consider using your shoe's rubber on the rubber to slow down will make the cost of your Converse go up, and possibly your medical expenses.

But to answer your question, I wouldn't expect this bike to last very long. And a cost to consider is the assembly and maintenance it'll require. If you just want to ride within a few blocks and don't mind walking home once a week due to mechanical malfunction after it 'breaks-in' a bit, I'd say get it.

#kilott

I've heard that Big Shot bikes are good.

It depends on which shoes you use for braking.

A fixie, any fixie, is not made for riding the Streets of San Francico.

Yep. That's how it's done. I think you're all set. Now get out there on them hills and make sure you wear a GoPro and post a vid here when you're done. Or have your next of kin do it.

Yet, people still do it. I'm assuming you don't live in SF. If you did live here, you would see that the whole city is littered with fixies, all the way from Market St to SFSU. Most of the fixies that I have seen don't even have brakes on them.

I laughed so hard at your comment that I almost died hur hur.

Next you will be telling us Karl Malden rides one. I suppose they ride them down hill and bus them up hill.

perfect example of what you're getting, Staygold.
hope you have a good helmet. or a hefty life insurance policy.

Yeah because it's the hot trend, technically fixed gear bikes aren't even made to be ridden in the street in the first place. I started out with a front brake and you should start out with at least that as well. Whether you'll want to take that off at any point is up to you, but when you're going down steep hills such as San Fran you'll probably end up wanting both

If there's no shortage of FG in your area you should find a better quality one used. Keep the brake on while learning to ride and decide later if you want to take it off. Better to be safe than sorry.

Definitely a Darwin Award candidate.

You heard wrong.

And to the OP. You have a lot to learn, and this could be the place to learn it, if you are willing to listen. It seems as though you already have your mind made up on what you want and how to ride it. When you get it, and realize that it is pretty much junk, and riding it without a brake or your foot on the wheel isn't safe....you will either leave this forum, or come back and ask again for help.

Why not save yourself the time and effort, and just listen to the sage advice that some of the members of this forum have to offer. I don't know much, but I do know that you DO NOT put your foot on the front wheel to stop. If and when you ride a fixed gear bike, not a fixie, but a fixed gear bike, you will see what I am talking about.