Good Fixie for a newbie?
 

Well since I have decided to start commuteing, I figured why not use a fixie to not only commute but to train on as well. But I was wondering, what is a good, low price fixie? The only ones I have seen are Specialized Lagster(sp) and Bianchi Pista.. I have thought of building my own but the bike I would use has vert drops


Elvish

Maybe try to find another frame with horizontal drops? I just finished building mine today, and it was a blast to build, and it's been fun to ride all day. My friend who's building one, found a decent frame in a thrift store, for $20.

-Plink-

my first was a Langster. It was nice and easy since I didn't have to think about the bike, all I had to do was ride. Now that the Langster is gone on to live the rough life of chop shop life, I have bought an old steel roadie with horiz. drops and am "fixing" it myself. It's much more fun this way, but I don't know if I have the confidence in myself to commute on it until I test it thoroughly around town first. I guess you just have to ask yourself how much you want to invest of yourself into your bike and how soon you need to start riding.

build a new rear wheel using a white industries eno hub. it's eccentric, so you can adjust your chain tension with vertical dropouts.

Well I just got back from test riding a specialized langster, I enjoyed it, and the price wasn't to high...I may pick up one depending on what I can get my roadie for.

Elvish

I converted a 1983 or so Centurion Lemans to a fixed gear bike. I really like the result and enjoy riding it. However there is something to be said to getting a modern (or old, but you need to know what you are getting) frame with a fit and geometry that works best for you. This Centurion technically fits me (its a 62cm frame, 57cm top tube, I'm 6'2") but it is not as nimble or smooth riding frame. I also ride a 2005 57cm Lemond Poprad (with a 58cm top tube) and it ride so much cushier, smoother and the handling is vastly more nimble.

I don't (yet) know the details of frame geometry effects and why there is such a difference between these bikes, but I do know that if I had a 'better' frame on my fixed gear bike I'd enjoy it even more.

Al

I bought mine off of some dude for $46 and I've yet to see any frame similar to it...just need to spend some time searchign and it'll come.

Last year I would have said get a Fuji track or KHS 100, but I like the Pista more this year.



Forget about the road conversion unless you get the frame free and really like how it looks. I had one and I regret wasting the money on it. 165mm cranks kind of suck to be honest with you.

Life is faster and easier with a 172.5mm crank.

Check out www.fixedgeargallery.com for ideas on what other people have converted / ride. If you want a horizon dropout frame, check out IRO www.irocycle.com.

Kevin