With the OPs situation, to suggest that a DIY solution is better is even more absurd.

By the way, bike shop employees probably treated you like sh*t because you deserve it.

A bike shop and a conversion both had sex with my sister.

I never said they treated me like **** I said they were incompetent. Clueless morons can be very nice and still be clueless morons unable to assure you get a bike that fits well.

I think in the $300 range the OP probably has a much better chance of getting a good fitting durable conversion then he does of getting a new bike instantly from his LBS.

I def want to buy a used bike (more for the money) and i would like to do a conversion/upgrades myself if possible. I have most general tools (as in screwdrivers, rachets, wrenches, hammer, drill, etc.) I don't have specialty tools...(but i guess that is why they are specialty). I know if i do the work myself, like several ppl have said, i will know what is going on, and have a much better idea of have to fix it if there is a problem. The thought of just going to a bike shop and just buying one "off the shelf" is not really what i want to do. I would rather this be more of a project.

Welcome to the club... just don't ever expect this project to end.. you will NEVER be finished, there is always something to be upgrade!

what? what makes you think i meant anything other than "that bike isnt worth 350," i made q comment specific to the bike in question. anyhow, please tell me how much a fixie costs

1500 he rides a pista concept with phil/deepvs everywhere. He doesn't think you can even get a sweet wheelset in the $300 range.

My custom job is actually closer to $2K.

...and I've never owned anything else. I just bought my way into the game. Got a problem with that?

...
yes

Jealous!

No I just have a problem with you spouting off about how much a decent bike costs or what the best way to get one is. A $300 dollar conversion is a much better bike for most people then a pista concept(or even a pista).

...i love this guy

I know who you are shiznaz!!

Thats why its fun. Dissing people you don't know on the internet is an empty gesture.

people on the boston craigslist (as in every major metropolitan area) want way more money for their crappy old road bikes than said crappy road bikes are worth. fortunately, most of them can be talked down pretty easily.

here is my advice:

first, make sure whatever bike you are checking out FITS you. measure yourself and read sheldon brown to figure out a good size range.

also: be positive that the bike you are checking out has horizontal dropouts. again, if you don't know what that means, read sheldon brown.

the t has a fairly good commuter rail system that will take you basically an hour outside the city in pretty much any direction. if you want to get a good deal, GO TO THE SUBURBS! i'm not even kidding about this; bikes that go (very quickly) INSIDE the city limits for upwards of 100 dollars go for 30-50 dollars + a 10 dollar round trip on the commuter rail. and most people who are selling an old road bike in the suburbs don't know/don't care about their bikes - they are very often just trying to clean out their basements and make a quick buck - THEIR PRICES CAN ALMOST ALWAYS BE TALKED DOWN - trust me on this one.

my roomate is on forums all day, he made me post this.

You got into a school with that kind of poor writing? America is in trouble.

Viper,

Check out BikesNotBombs.org. Single Speeds with a used frame and newer components start at $250, plus your supporting a good cause. If you have the time, you could volunteer there and they'll assist you with your project.

give me a break, i am an engineer (i only have to be good at math & science ). and this is midterm week, and to tell you the truth, i hardly remeber posting that, i had been up for like 36 hours (classes and studying!) And not to mention, I am awful at spelling and grammer when i am "all there"

I actaully just heard about that place a couple days ago and saw it in the local shops thread on this site. I just need to grab my balls and head into the boston ghetto! haha

Strap em on! Its only 2 stops on the orange line from NU and about two blocks from the T. You could save some duckets if you brought in one of those older bikes and had them convert it for you.

+1 on this. I have been able to fund my bike related puchases by selling old road bikes to people from center city Philadelphia. I get the road bikes for free/cheap in my suburban neighborhood and price them well below the going rate on CL. As I am near a train station it is a 28 minute ride out, people get the road bike they need/want for thier project, I use the money to buy my stuff and list all of the other stuff on e-bay with no reserve. If it does not sell I give it to the Philadelphia Neighbohood bike works. I think Boston has a wealthy nieghborhood Chestnut Hill (Just like philly) Take a walk around on trash night. Chances are you will get something.

ok, so i just went to bikes not bombs and ordered* a fixed

so here is is for $400

• a used 57 cm Fuji track frame (kinda old, bit looks ok blue and chrome)
• some used drop bars, being wrapped with cinelli black tape
• Track pedals with metal toe clips
• panaracer Pasella tires (i think 1.25")
• Front wheel: either a used double wall or new single
• Back: Formula hub + sun M13II rim
• cloud 9 gel seat
• cross brake
• 42 x 16 gear ratio

Is this worth it?

*and by ordered i mean they are going to put it together by nov 8.

whether or not it's worth it is up to you. it's not the same value (or knowledge) you could get by putting together your own bike, but it'll certainly be a nice, reliable ride (with some decent components). have fun!