I've been perusing the fixed forum for several days, and have decided to make the leap. What should I do for my first fixie? Buy a Bianchi Pista or Fuji Track/Track SE? Or take my late 80's Peugot Triathlon and pay to have the cable routers taken off, repaint the frame, and buy all new gears, wheel etc.? Or something else altogether? Your help is greatly appreciated...

p.s. none of that battery crap, or I'm gonna have to bust out the big guns...

if you were to do it in one purchase, i think the bianchi pista would be a great investment. good frameset and components for the price... if you have the money, get a entry level track bike or road fixie frame rather than making a conversion first.

I think it depends on how comfortable you are in doing your own work on bikes. If you are unsure of yourself then go ahead and buy one ready made. If you are good at bike mechanics and have the tools already, the the retro way is the way to go. Some people just want to ride and not reinvent the wheel. Others get great satisfaction from creating something that is uniquely their own creation. Where do you fit in this picture. That should lead you to the proper decision. I have only built up my own bikes so that is the only path that I can comment on directly. Although one of them was a modern frame and not something that had to be remade.

fixedgearhead

I'd just rip all that stupid shifting stuff off your Peugeot, don't worry about filing anything off the frame yet. Get yourself a $100 fixed wheel, a cog, and a lockring and go ride. If you truly love it then drop the coin to get what you want. If you decide it sucks then throw the wheel on e-bay and you're only out a few dollars. I certainly like all the fixies that I see on e-bay that have "I found out riding fixie wasn't for me" in the description, but you've already got everything you need to go ride except for the rear wheel. You probably can't be riding this weekend (unless you have a LBS with a fixed wheel in stock) but you sure could be out there next weekend.

mmmmmm.....


batteries...

I'd also vote to do a quick conversion on the the Puegot w/ a new FG wheel if it has horizontal dropouts...or if it does not you could still convert w/ a White Industries hub. A conversion would probably be best (and cheapest) until you figure out if you really like fixed riding. American Cyclery (on Stanyan) in S.F. specializes in fixed gear and would be a great resource for parts and advice, and could do the work for you too if you are not in to DIY.... Also check out fixedgeargallery.com for ideas, etc.....

I'm riding on my Peugeot that I got at a garage sale. Just pulled off the stem shifters the brakes, deraillures, with the horizontal drops I've been able to run Surly flip/flop hubs. I've rescued a few bikes from the dumpster and turned them in to FGs, without a lot of filing off cable routers.

If you don't know right out that you are going to like FG, try it before you invest.

if you're just going to try it, you should set up your current road bike, but don't file anything off if you're not sure that you'll like it...so, y'know you can switch it back to a road bike again.

and another bike to consider for an all in one swoop deal is the KHS flite 100. it comes with sugino75 track cranks and...well..i really like it. and i know two people who have them and they really like them a lot. they're really quick nimble bikes.

So here's what happened... I borrowed a friends fixed gear for the past couple days, and absolutely fell in love. I'm going to pick up the Bianchi next weekend. The only change I'm going to make is to put a brake (not a 'break') and a dummy hood on it. The bike I'm borrowing doesn't have brakes, so I don't go as fast... Maybe after I'm used to it, I'll take off the brakes, but we'll see. Thanks a lot for your advice.

p.s. I think the Peugot might end up as a single too...

do not do a conversion. they are a waste of money, just save for a real track/fixed frame. trust me its worth the wait. if you dont want to wait to build one i would choose the bianchi over the fuji

My '86 Peugeot became a singlespeed (and lead me down the slippery slop to fixed) An absolute hoot to ride.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...187#post341187

Currently down cellar (not basement, not down in) for regreasing. Also replacing the hoods, cables and tape.

I ordered the Bianchi today... I get it early next week. This is the first new bike I've ever owned, so I'm extremely stoked. Now my only problem is figuring out what to name her!

Note: upon receiving your new bike, you can check the gender by viewing the bottom bracket area

As pretty as that Pista is, it had damn well better be a female!