Dersu Burrows

Front brakes are cool even if you are comfortable without one.

breakthenorm

I know to depend on the bike as the only means to get through traffic would be idiotic and it is myself that gets me through traffic, but wouldn't a more responsive frame aid my efforts?

What other companies would be good recommendations to look into?

mihlbach

A more responsive frame is going to perhaps make it more fun to get through traffic, but its not going to save your ass in an emergency.

Redline,
Fuji,
Surly,
Jamis,
KHS,
Soma,
Kona,
Specialized,
Cannondale
+ others that I can't remember at the moment.
There is a huge thread about low end fixies somewhere in this forum..its called somthing like "a discussion of fixed gear budget frames" or something similar to that..try searching for it.

edit: I forgot to include IRO in the above list

carleton

The Pista and Pista Concept have the exact same geometry.

https://www.bianchiusa.com/07_pista.html
https://www.bianchiusa.com/07_pista_concept.html

They have lots of other differences, but the geometry is identical.

breakthenorm

Thanks, so the differences are carbon fiber and $600.

Thanks for all the companies, I'll look into them and search for the thread.

ianjk

IMO.... If it is a commuter and you plan to haul more than a bag/backpack, go for a conversion. Find a road bike that fits, ride it around town for a while and figure out what gear ratio works, get a track cog/bb lockring, slap it on a wheel, throw on a new chain and enjoy. If you plan to ride often (sprinkles, rain, snow, sleet, hurricanes), slap some fenders on it and invest in some blinkies. All can be had for under $200 if you look hard and aren't too picky about weight/looks. I would save the track bike for the track.

my winter commuter/beater cost about $20 minus the rear wheel, which bounces between bikes.

https://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1920/bikecopywu8.jpg

eddiebrannan

well, a little more than that. the concept is an aluminum frame, and a light (thin-walled tube) one at that, and therefore susceptible to more significant damage from the inevitable dings and such that "daily-drivers" are prone too.

the steel of the regular pista will also lend a more forgiving ride over rougher surfaces, which is a benefit for a commuter bike, and it's tougher overall, more able to withstand being locked to sharp-edged poles and such. it's also cheaper, obviously, and not such a blow if you do screw up and damage the bike in some way.

i personally really like the steeper, twitchier geometry of track bikes for street use, and i firmly believe there is no better bike set-up for riding in traffic than a fixed wheel, as you have instant modulation of your speed in a way that a freewheel and brakes can't provide. so for me a track bike is an ideal set-up. i suspect that if you're used to bmx you'll find the transition very natural, as a small-framed, relatively steep-angled, 20"-wheel bike is also very responsive, in the way that an old tourer or junker 10-speed won't be.

there are several other options for comparable bikes too, and they're covered comprehensively on this site.

lastly, don't be discouraged by the ridiculous attitudes and superiority of some of the condascending pricks on this site. most of them have been riding fixed wheel bikes for mere months, are way too caught up in the idea that simply riding around on one makes them in some way cooler than the rest of the population, and furthermore know less than nothing about them, or any other type of bike for that matter. sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to advice on what type of bike might be more suitable for you, and try as many as you possibly can. then trust your instincts, and enjoy riding whatever you select. it's only bike-riding, and it's fun.

tspinning

+1 for Jamis Sputnik it's a blast and if you can find one lightly used, probably cheep too, no fender or rack mounts on the down side though...

breakthenorm

I'll take all your suggestions and weigh out my option before purchasing or converting a bike. I've been reading sheldonbrown for a couple days now, polishing up on my knowledge before impulsively choosing a bike. Or, I could just convert my bmx to a fixie. But I enjoy the freewheel on the bmx too much.

I would like to pretty much give up my car and ride a bike, save money and save environment. So, any weather I would ride.

eddiebrannan, thanks for the advice to ignore the negativeness i'd receive. Everyone on here's been helpful.

breakthenorm

Or another question I should ask is: what brands should I avoid?

breakthenorm

Or another question I should ask is: what brands should I avoid?

mihlbach

Beyond the junk in Walmart, Target, etc. theres nothing you should necessarily avoid. Just be informed before you buy and you'll be OK.

breakthenorm

Haha, thanks, that's like going to Toys'R'Us to buy a skateboard. Or going to McDonald's for a nutritious meal.

carleton

That would be HARSH.

Riding fixie is best done while seated. I can't see this happening on a typical BMX for basic transportation.

Trevor Meyer tried it for a while back in 2000 or so. But, he used it for flatland tricks only.



https://expn.go.com/athletes/bios/MEYER_TREVOR.html
"Three time XG Flatland gold medalist, Trevor Meyer is back in 2002.. He stopped riding the unconventional direct-drive system and has returned to freecoaster."

By "direct-drive" they mean fixed-gear.

mihlbach

Hes got a radially laced rear wheel....

breakthenorm

Haha, that's awesome, but definitely not a commuter. I love the freewheel; I assume it is a lot easier to pull off tricks than with a fixie bmx.

mihlbach

Certainly that is true for some tricks. But with a fixed gear there are other tricks or variations on tricks that you could do that would be may harder or even impossible with a freewheel.

carleton

Yup!

queerpunk

https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/g/skid10.htm

mihlbach

That bike is a pedal strike waiting to happen

breakthenorm

Haha, that is gnarly. Okay, most definitely I won't convert my bmx to a fixie.

bbattle

I got one for Christmas and got to ride it fixed today. I did 30 miles with SPD's. Went to look over my shoulder to check traffic, tried to coast- nope! keep pedalling. A couple of more times I needed to adjust my shorts, thought I'd coast- nope! Other than that, it was fine. I did have to use the brakes when going down one hill; I was spinning out of control(>130rpm) and bouncing in the saddle. Didn't try trackstanding; too much traffic. I just slowed to a crawl like I do on my roadie until traffic cleared and then moved on. The 2007 San Jose has the flip-flop hub; I believe it's 16 fixed, 18 free. Saddle wasn't as comfortable as my Selle Italia Filante. Brakes worked fine. A good workout; I tried to stay above 90 on my cadence. The route was nearly all flat with just a couple of hills; one had me mashing up it at about 5 mph then feathering the brakes all the way down so I wouldn't be bouncing in the saddle like I did on the other hill. Peeled the decals off the wheels and removed the reflectors. Added a stainless steel bottle cage.


2007 Bianchi San Jose




Mario Cippolini, eat your heart out


Good quality steel tubing

breakthenorm

The San Jose looks awesome, plus it represents my city.

I'll look into that for my first fixie. Haven't came across it at my bike shop, but I'll look around my area.

Serendipper 

I'm glad you found something. Good choice. Bianchi make excellent entry-level (read:affordable) bikes.

breakthenorm

They also make some super ridiculous priced bikes as well. Yikes.