alexcm

i'm looking to start riding a fixed gear bike on the streets (can't see myself going onto any tracks) and was wondering if anyone had recommendations. i know i can do my own roadie conversion but was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the pista, the 06 fuji track, and the rush hour. they're all entry level fixies and seemingly reasonably priced - i've gotten quotes of 550, 459, and 550 respectively. i don't know too much about the quality of the specific components so was looking for help. i reckon if i get someone to build up a bike or do it myself i'm going to be spending roughly the same amount for something that isn't new..

suggestions??!!

sashae

Perhaps... the search button?

stendhalian

be patient and build your own...you'll be better off, IMHO.

BostonFixed

Lemme just get a few serious words in before everyone jumps on you.

Check out IRO to complicate things a bit.

www.irocycle.com


With the fuji track and pista, you WILL have to add a brake, which will increase the price a bit.

If it was me, I would go for the rush hour or an IRO, as the rush hour has the best wheels out of the three you listed. I also like the rush hour's styling over the chrome of the pista or the fuji track.

So, RUSH HOUR, or IRO.


EDIT: Also, with building your own, you will easily spend more than the $550 for a rush hour, and unless you are good at bike mechanics, you will have a few headaches in building. Buying a new one will get you rolling immediately, and will elminate the headaches of building your own. Unless you know where to look/are patient for good deals, you will likely end up spending more than the $500 or so for a prebuilt bike, and it will take longer. Of course, with building, you also get exactly what you want, but not immediately, and not usually as cheaply.



All tat said, I built all of the 5 fixies I own, from the ground up.

onetwentyeight 

It's probably cheaper to get one of those than building your own. Might not be the best configuration for your needs at first, but I guess you'll figure it out over time, and through talking with others about what feels right and what doesn't feel right.

I for one am in favor of taking your time and building something from the ground up, not only did I find it to be incredibly fun, but I learned a lot too. What to look for in good parts, how things relate to each other, and how a good bike should feel. I did end up spending more time and money than I original expected, but I had another bike (cheap conversion) to get me around so it wasn't a big deal.

I also have the benifit of (since i built it myself), I can repair it myself, and thats saved me a bit of money. I also have something I can call uniquely my own, and am very attached to. And chicks dig it. (though not so much when im limping, though they also dig the scars so its a trade off).

I guess in short, if you just wanna get a taste of fixie riding, see if you have a friend who has something you can borrow for a while so you get a taste of it, see if its for you. Then maybe go for one of the prebuilt. If you totally fall in love with it, know that you're either gonna end up upgrading it a bit, or building a new one, cuz you'll probably be dissatisified with the stock configuration after youve spent some time with it.

Just my opinion, take it as you will.

(and iro is good too)

juvi-kyle

I just bought a Bianchi Pista, but I think it is broken. It has no brakes and will not stop pedaling.

hyperRevue

I have an '04 Pista.

But I vote to buy an IRO frame and build kit and build it yourself.

also - everyone should use suicide hubs

visitordesign

i have a pista and could put up with it for only so long before realizing that while the geometry is fun to ride on the street, the components are all crap (changed 'em all) and the craftsmanship of the frame leaves a lot to be desired if yr tall and plan on taking any rides with even moderate climbs.

also, as soon as you get any of those bikes, epoxy or solder the blowholes in the tubes if you plan on riding in the rain.

i ordered a jackson with custom geometry and a custom hodgepodge of reynolds tubing and expect to be pleasantly surprised.

BostonFixed

WTF does this mean?

Isn't this a bike fit and frame geometry issue?

Oh, and BTW, your Jackson will have those "blowholes". Every frame does.



To the original poster and others:

EDIT: These bikes are what they are. Entry level fixed gear bicycles. Sure, some stuff will wear out. it happens with every bike. They aren't top of the line racing machines. Every bike you mention is a good first foray into the fixed gear world, although some are [IRO/rush hour] slightly better.

BE SURE that your bike fits you. If your bike doesn't fit you, it will be uncomfortable and terrible to ride.

hyperRevue

I don't agree with this.
The components are certainly not top of the line, but they're completely functional and adaquate, especially for a first bike.
My headset, crankset and BB (the only remaining stock parts) are still going strong after almost 2 years.
Replace them when they fail, but to replace them preemptively seems like a waste to me.

Also, I'm 6'1" and have tackled my fair share of moderate and to extreme climbs and I have no idea what you're talking about.

stendhalian

you are stoked...i am jealous.

building one up unravels the mystery of fixed gear, you learn all about it from the ground up, after that you'll be able to do your own repairs. that said, it can be sepndy, so i might suggest building your own conversion out of cheap parts then seeing if you like the ride. if you DO like it, invest in nicer components and then perhaps onto a frame with more track geo (if that's what you're into)...just start haunting the thrift stores and used bins of your local LBS. good luck!

visitordesign

bike fits fine and i like the geometry. but on climbs from the bottom bracket thru the chainstays feels like wet pasta.

jacksons are free built and have no blowholes.

hyperRevue

You mean it flexes a lot?

I have never experienced anything like that.

visitordesign

yeah. it drives me up the wall.

sr20det

*slap* snap out of it man.

BostonFixed

Again, it is what it is. A steel frame. It sounds like you want an aluminum frame, if you desire "stiffness".

visitordesign

stiffer oversized reynolds in the chainstays is all it should take.

hyperRevue

Or less junk in the trunk.

visitordesign

good luck. i'm 6'2" and weigh 140...

hyperRevue

Haha.
You could always cut off an arm.

visitordesign

that'd be less junk "on" the trunk.

hyperRevue

haha.

alexcm

thanks for all your help..

Ken Cox

I like my 2005 Pista.

I weigh 215 and had to replace the headset after a year, but othewise it seems like a great bike to me.
I chose the Pista because I thought the threadless headset would let me experiment with more stems for less money.
It has taken me about four stems to find the angle and length that works for me.
I also went to bullhorns, a front brake and double-sided spd pedals.

That said, I hear nothing but good about IRO, and not only the bike but the support from IRO.

Buy an already made bike, learn what you like, and then either improve the bike incrementally as you can afford it, or save up to buy all the pieces you like and build a bike from scratch, but only after you've ridden fixed for a year or so.

MLPROJECT

if i was buying a new bike, i'd go jamis or rush hour. rush hour is the same as the lower entry levels, but has the bomb **** decals