Love the Brooks. Mine is the most comfortable saddle I've ever tried in the 30+ years that I've been riding bicycles. It's like sitting on a bar stool -- and I can do that for hours.

I disagree. Yes, flat to start out with, but a slight nose up or nose down might be needed as the saddle breaks in. It all depends on the saddle and rider position and anatomy.

My Brooks Swallow is pretty flat because a sink into it a bit. The saddle on my mountain bike is slightly nose up because that is most comfortable for me.

Also, I like not to slide forward when I ride no hands.

You need to focus on the basics of a bike fit before you start soliciting comments about the bike itself.

Since people in this thread have helped me to get my bike fitting significantly better, I'll have to disagree with you. This solicitation has been quite successful.

Here's a video about fitting the saddle (fore/aft):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK0PDGSQe5c

and I'm sure there are plenty more on youtube. I think the "expertvillage" ones are absolutely horrible.

Looks-wise, I think it's a nice looking bike.
About the bartape/plug thing .. my bar is currently the same way. I spent some money on bar tape when I tried a new nitto bar .. I had to strip my old bar to get it out of the stem .. didn't like the nitto so I put the old bar back in and now I am loathe to spend the money on bartape again :D
What's the deal with the plugs though, are people worried about sliced knees or something? I'm a noob to taking cycling seriously so I have no idea, enlighten me.

you need longer valve stems

I figured that out after I stuck those tubes in. I kept them in there since I was able to make them work. But I went and bought two tubes with longer stems. They'll go in there when these get a hole.

i nominate this for dutret's signature.

I'm as new to fixie building as you are most likely, so take what I say with a grain of salt. But judging by your saddle height & the size of your head tube, your not a modestly sized guy riding a too small frame, but a pretty big guy riding a too small frame. The spoke count on your wheels look pretty low for how big I'm guessing you are. Hope you don't brea one going over a pot hole.

bar plugs.

I bruised knee/leg is better than cut/severed tendons/missing plug of muscle... or so I hear.

good for you man, trial & error is the best way to learn. at least for those of us who weren't born blessed with mechanical knowledge. keep it up, any advice i would have for your bike has already been mentioned, but i gotta say +1 for the low spoke count, that may end up being an issue for you

On the low spoke count I asked everyone here before I went with those wheels. I got them cheap so it seemed like they were worth it. I'm just going to have to learn how to true rims.

i would keep all the components you have and look for a frame that fits your build. then you can swap all the components over to a frame that fits you cuz all you really need is a frame that fits, you have everything else pratically.

That's a decent idea. Though like I said, the seat was too high in that picture. The frame isn't as small as it seems.

One thing, I'd have to get a new bottom bracket if I switched frames. The one in there is never coming out. It's a French frame, and I cross threaded a standard bottom bracket into it.

Alright, enough already, this has got to stop. You cross-threaded an English BB into a French BB shell?!? It may fit now, but it WILL work its way out. That was a really bone-headed move. But you're learning, so don't be offended; people have done way dumber things with their first bikes.

You've officially boogered up the BB shell threads on an already WAY-too-small frame. Toss it. Start over with a new frame and bottom bracket (if necessary, it probably is). The parts from your current built (well, maybe not the stem it's most likely a French sized 22.0mm) can find their way onto the new frame, so you won't have to buy much. Just get a used non-French frame that fits and build it with the parts you already have.

I can say with a whole lot of certainty that won't be happening.

The amount of force it took to get that thing in there was something to behold.

FWIW, a guy at Harris took a look at it today and told me it was a great bike.

did you tell them you crossthreaded the threads? fkmtb07 is right though, it might work now, but in a few riding sessions, itll probably fall off. on my peugeot frame, i had my crankarm fall off cuz the bottom bracket wasnt secure. i would think the same thing will happen to you.

any one think his brake sleeve is too short?

As a follow up, I already wrecked this bike. As many in this thread already knew, it seems I'm not cut out for fixed gear riding.

Details of the crash please. and what caused it.

It was a right turning lane situation. There was construction at the beginning of the turning lane. As I was going around the concrete barrier, a car darted into the turning lane. I tried to slow and go on his left, but couldn't pull it off and went over the top of the car.

It's a move I've made a thousand times on a traditional bike, but I hadn't adapted to a fixed gear yet and I didn't make the proper reaction.

I messed the guy's car up pretty bad. Luckily the guy has a $300 deductible instead of a $500, so it's a little cheaper for me.

What happened? That sucks man, glad you're ok

EDIT: nm, heard what happened. Glad you're alright

DOUBLE EDIT: Woah woah woah, why are you paying for him cutting you off?

Cops came. Decided it was my fault. Issued me a citation, so I'm liable.

Were the cops there to see what transpired? I didn't think so. I'd talk to an attorney if I were you.

Over $300 I don't think it's worth it. I kinda agree it's my responsibility to get stopped in that situation anyway.

Someone just told me that I should expect the guy's insurance company to come after me for the total damage amount?

Anyone have any experience here that can confirm this?

I dislike the color of your wall.

Oh, burn.

Nice bike though, I would get cages, but that has been said.

FWIW, that picture is in my office at work.