New Single/ Fixed Gear Recommendations
 

Hey everyone I am new to the forum and I am interested in buying a new single/fixed gear bike. I just wanted to get some ideas for when I go to my LBS.

Anything between $300-750 is my price range.

Thanks

get a kona paddy wagon or a cannondale capo. Both very nice and in your price range. Also you might want to check out bikesdirect.com

windsor the hour- 300
mercier kilo tt- 350
bianchi pista- 600+ (depending on shop)
surly steamroller- 650ish
kona paddy wagon- 700ish (at my LBS)

IRO anything is in your price range.

You could make your own. Get a used bike with the right kind of rear droupouts, and buy or build
a rear wheel.

read "Vertical Droupouts" on this page: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html
You'll learn which ones work and which ones wont.

buying a new, complete fixed gear from a shop is a total waste of money. just find a tight bike co-op in your area or just a cheap frame from a thrift store and build it up a la sheldon brown's site. it won't be difficult or complicated since the bikes are so simple. you might not have a bangin' "murdered out IRO" but riding a bike you built up yourself is much more satisfying.

OP, don't do this. Unless you have experience building, this is almost a certain path to disappointment and a potentially unsafe ride. Building your own also usually costs more in the long run. Factory SS/FG bikes offer the range of geometry and parts for all sorts of riding, from real track to street, at a price you can't beat. You also get warranty and a shop to support you.

I should add that I tried to build my own from an older Miele frame and Mariposa fork. In the end, I spent more on tools, paint, and parts than a $700 paddy wagon.

I suggest you start here:

http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=225713

If you were to go the DIY route you should really have someone who has some experience helping you... one of the most popular bits of work at our bike co-op has been the building up of rather decent fixed gear bikes.

Bianchi pista concept!!!!!!

the frame only is $550... wow i want that frame badly!haha

the op's budget had a max of $750, why in the world would you suggest a $550 frame knowing that leaves nowhere near enough money for any sort of decent build

It's totally doable...wheels are 120...aaaaaaaaaaand everything else comes off a bike from target!!
I dont think people understand that buying a REALLY nice frame and using isht parts leaves you with a bike that rides worse than spending half what you spend on the frame on a pre-build fixed gear. Frames are the most visible aspect of the bike, so they are the most important right?!

I like the Concept frame too but $550 for a frame on a budget of $750? I wouldn't go that route. Just think...wheels (~$150) + tires ($30-40) already put him at his max. Then you gotta add cranks/bb, cog, chain, headset, stem, handlebar, seatpost, saddle, front brake/lever!

Have you seen a Concept frame with Target bike parts? I haven't. If you have, please post pics cuz it'd be an interesting "concept."

Has anyone seen the [B]Masi Special Fixed[/B] it looks badass in orange. Any thoughts?

a friend of mine bought one though he barely rides. it's featherlight but besides that nothing especiale about it. on our way to a crit mass one of the crank arms fell off. we were slowing down at an intersection, so fortunately he didn't get hurt or lose any parts. the bike was purchased in SF, shipped and rebuilt in NYC, so perhaps the shop did a shoddy job of assembling it.

Haha, I havent seen one, but you could do it if you found a target bike with threadless headset and a 3 piece crank I would suppose. I mean, there are TONS of budget road and mtn bikes running around second hand you could canabalize, though I would probably personally find you and punch you in the tip of the dick for doing such a lame job on such a nice frame.