I was recently introduced to the singlespeed/fixed gear biking thing and am really interested in getting a bike of my own. Do you guys have any suggestions on what kind of bike i should look for and something worth having for a decent price? I would love any suggestions... brands? styles? equipment?
I'm 5'6" and the dude at my LBS said i should look for a bike around 48-50cm, but thats all the knowledge i've gotten.

Someone please point me to the right direction.

THANKS!

I'm also new to fixed gear. I recently bought an IRO Jamie Roy. I too am 5'6" and my JR is a 50cm. IRO has several really nice styles of FG/SS. Check em out.

Since you probably have no idea what an IRO is, here's the website: www.irofixedgear.com
They're popular bikes 'round here.

I really like the steamroller because its a blank canvas that you can use to determine what kind of bike you want to ride. It has clearance for most of your utilitarian needs, but still works well if you want a stripped down machine aswell. Just an option, but a good one imo.

the infamous biachi pista. always a good choice. id hit up craigslist.com for an old ten speed with horizontal drop outs. this is the most cost efficient way. check out sheldon browns website for everything you will ever need.

https://harriscyclery.net
give that site a look. actually study it

How much do you want to spend? I just picked up a Cannondale Capo frame and it's very nice.

I hate to disagree but, buying a bike that doesn't come with brakes is very irresponsible. (have they started putting brakes on their pistas yet? Maybe they did and I didn't know)

i wouldnt know. but id imagine they do now adays.

I checked their website, and it says they do not. Furthermore I kind of feel like the pista is a inexpensive bike yes, but it doesnt really offer much options in regards to tirewidth, fenders, and so forth. He might very well want a bike that doesnt use these, but I feel its better to have the option at the start so he can determine that for himself rather than get backed into a corner with a bike that cant do what he wants.

it also doesn't come with clips, which i think is ridiculous.

Bianchi uses good intentions to slow most of their bikes down.

...because the intended buyer is someone who rides the bike on a track. It amazes me that people still get bent out of shape because a manufacturer making a budget level TRACK bike doesnt put pedals on it, when in all reality, the person riding it, presumeably a TRACK rider will have pedal preferances, and will PROBABLY not be riding platforms with clips and straps. Same deal with a brake, any local bike shop will be MORE than willing to put a brake on for you, as well as a decent set of pedals, in fact that same bike shop would probably suggest it. It's like saying "my lawn tractor doesnt come with a liscense plate cover."
/end rant
a bianchi pista is a solid bike for a decent price, and is a frame you wont be wasting your time building up.
Knowing a price range is super helpful, but some other options include:
A conversion, any of the IRO's, a steamroller, a kilo tt or another bikes direct bike or something used that can surely be found around here, though dont offer cash in the trade thread or someone will defecate a cinder block.
As well as price range it would help to know what you plan to do with the bike and how much riding experience you have etc.
There are many options out there, and some people here will help you find one.

Wow! thanks for the info guys. I was told to maybe try and build a bike from scratch to know what a bike needs and how to maintain it, but i'm not too sure if thats a good idea. I'm not really looking for a new bike, just something i can practice on and maybe tweak it every now and then. As far as price range i have 300 right now, but i've got a collection of nikes im willing to sell to get the extra cash. How does that sound

jesus how many of these threads is it possible to have?

jesus, how many people have to make smart ass remarks and clog threads opened with legitimate questions? I'd much rather answer this question for 100 honest, curious people than read you're drivel.

Building a bike ground up or converting a road bike is an experience. Most people end up spending more money than they intend to, and many of them swap the parts to a different frame in short order. Granted, as was suggested, you will learn a lot about working on bikes but may become discouraged. If you are not looking to spend much, your best of both worlds may be to buy a bikes direct bike (ie. kilo tt) and a tube of phil grease and some tools and in short order tear the bike down to components and re assemble it.

its just that there have been resources compiled for the beginning rider in a handy little stickied thread up by the top so that we dont have to have five threads a day about how someone's new to ss and wants us to tell them what to get

^^thanks frank, i'm actually looking at the kilo tts and they look good and affordable. Would this be a good choice? I'm pretty sure that being a newb, getting the best brand bike isn't the best way to go at first anyway. Thanks again

conversion! strip down, build up. it'll give you a good sense of mechanics, you'll learn a lot, it's fun and frustrating. with a conversion, you'll be using an old cheap frame and (mostly) old parts, so if you don't even like the bike it's no big loss. not that I anticipate that happening, as riding fixed is pretty addictive.

honestly I don't see the appeal of buying track bikes for road use, not when there are so many frames out there waiting to be salvaged. buying something new instead of reusing something old is a very American philosophy and is counter-intuitive to the self-sufficient nature of cycling.

word up man! plus its really fun to put a bike together and riding a bike that you yourself made is really satisfying

There is a thread consistently on the front page of the forums with pictures and other information regarding kilo tt's, and it is indeed a well loved bike. Off the bat, if you have the cash replacing the bars and stem is probably a good idea, and stripping it down to components, greaseing and re-assembling for safety is a good idea, but for a budget track-ish bike it is quite the deal. As you said, being new to the game you will figure out what you are really looking for, and a frame like the kilo will provide you a solid frame that you probably wont feel too bad about knocking around some. In addition to a stem and a set of bars (the stem you can probably find from a local bike shop for 10 or less dollars) you might look into a nice set of platform pedals and clips/straps, as well as a front brake. MKS makes a pedal called the GR9 that many people swear by and I find really comfy, they run about 20 and then clips and straps will be maybe another 20. As for a brake, look around at local places etc. While the stem and bars issue is more of a form/preferance issue, the clips straps and brake should be a priority.