First build.
 

Hi,

I am new to this forum and will make my first thread count.

I would like to build a fixed gear bike but have NO idea where to begin. I am on a budget and only have a frame. After reading several threads I decided that this community may have the most paramount information on the topic that I need discussed.

What parts does a fixie need for it to be complete? Anybody have a list?

And, does anybody have the links or resources to build up a fixie (frame not needed, already own) under $300 without it being a two wheeled nightmare?

Thanks.

Sell your frame and buy a complete KiloTT from BikesDirect.

That is not an option. I did think of that though, but I was wondering if anyone could build something better. Thanks for the input though.

ebay and craigslist

What kind of frame is it? Is it the right size for you? If not, don't even start building until you have the right sized frame.

Then consider what parts to get that will make your ride the correct size for you. Here's a good article: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

Remember when buying cranks, especially if you are doing a road bike conversion (not starting with a track frame) the BB height will lower, therefore you have to consider crank arm length so you don't get pedal strike.

Building a bike CORRECTLY is just not throwing parts on it. You have to get correct lengths/sizes of parts that fit you, starting with the frame.

Ask adriano. He knows everything.

I'm aware of the fitting process.
I am converting an old fuji ten speed. I'd just like reliable cheap parts with explanations of their purpose on the fixed speed (brief ones, before anyone says "google it!").

sheldonbrown.com

Sounds like you're just being a lazy ****. Do some research for yourself.

I'll lay this out step by step for you:

1. Go buy an aerospoke. Preferrably black so that it can match the CF seatpost you are going to soon buy

2. Go buy a carbon fiber seat post. It doesn't have to be name brand. Hell, have it be a steel seat post with carbonfauxber tape on it.

3. Obviously buy a sweet veep to slap on the rear*

4. Go and buy some nitto b-123 bars with some grips*

5. Get a really sweet chain* from your LBS

6. Get a BB, make sure it is gold. Brand obviously doesn't matter because no one can easily see the brand name.

7. Get the most expensive cranks you can (only go by looks, performance doesn't actually matter.) Make sure that your chain width doesn't match the crank width

8. Go out and get a cinelli alter

9. Go and buy some somas for both the front and rear, you are going to be doing so much skidding

10. Buy some skinny jeans, and some black vans

11. Look at your bike, find out what is missing, go and buy those parts at random.

12. Realize you don't like riding fixed, and put your bike up on craigslist for more than the collective price of all your parts





ta-daa

OK.

Handlebar: A handlebar is a metal bar that...






HAHAHAHAHA Do you really expect someone to write a letter to you on how to build a bike???!!!

READ THE STICKY AT THE TOP OF THE FORUM: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=510358

No-********-body is going to hold your hand through an entire build from the ground up. Maybe your mom, but that's about the only person with enough patience to do so.

This forum helps those who help themselves.

(Sorry man, you sort of asked for that)

Why do you need "something better" for your first bike and what makes you think you can pull it off for under 300 bucks? Building from scratch is a painstaking, expensive process and I'm sure after riding your bike for a couple of months, you'll wish you did certain things differently...which will end up costing more money if you wish to start replacing parts you rushed into buying for ones you will actually like.

It's cool that you're getting into the whole fixed gear 'thing'. Just don't be foolish.

What's with noobs always wanting to build themselves a bike? Buy one first, learn to ride it, then start fixing ****.

Everyone is being a jerk, but if you've got a bare frame you will basically need:

Wheelset - you can buy complete wheelsets at a lot of places.
I like BWW: http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/

Cog\Lockring - Your wheelset will probably come with one, but if it doesn't, get one.

Bottom bracket - find out what threading your frame has, and get one like that. Everyone sells them. Just get the 103mm shimano since you're too lazy to research chainline.
http://bikeisland.com/index.cgi
http://www.benscycle.net/

Cranks - Get some cheap suginos or something.

Pedals/straps/cages - Pick something, doesnt matter.

Chainring - 44T or 46T are common. Make sure it's the right BCD for whatever cranks you get.

Seatpost - its the post your saddle goes on

Saddle - its the seat your seatpost goes in

Headset/handlebars - bullhorns make you look the coolest, but risers are the best for barspinz

Tires - go to your lbs and get the $15 ones


there you go

Not trying to be a jerk...just being realistic. He probably won't pull it off for under 300 bucks and if he does, it won't be better than a stock KiloTT.

There's your problem. What everybody is saying is true especially Scrodzilla. If there's something I've learned from many, many years of building/repairing/restoring motorcycles and bicycles is that there is no "cheap" way to do it. There is an old saying in many languages that translates "Cheap is expensive".

Take it from somebody who's gone through this many, many times over and I think I've finally learned my lesson - don't go cheap.

If $300 is your budget, I'd recommend looking for a nice used bike on CL or go to Bikes Direct or find a good sale at a bike shop. You can get a Schwinn Cutter at Performance for $269, or a stock Kilo (which has been recommended). With a 100% satisfaction guarantee at Performance (believe me, I've taken them up on that) and free adjustments for life, going that route (or something similar) is the safest way to go, especially for a n00b.

FWIW, that Kilo from BikesDirect is a real bargain and a looker. With this being offered on the market at that price, the toss up between converting and buying stock is a no brainer.

Yeah I agree 100% that he won't be able to do it for $300, and it'll be a lower quality bike, but apparently he's got a frame he really wants to use and has said so a couple times. Saying "just sell that frame and get a KiloTT" is kinda being a jerk, because it's not what the guy wants to do. I'm sure he has his reasons for sticking with this frame.

Well, I did learn something from this. It might just be better to upgrade parts along the way rather than start from scratch.
The Kilo TT seems to take the unanimous decision on best starter bike. However, should I dish out extra cash for the Pro? (performance, not aesthetics)

Special thanks to dsh, you pretty much listed what I needed. Thanks, bud.

Scrod and Dion; thanks, as well.

buy the dang kilo off bikesdirect if you're trying to stay within $300

but i guarantee you that you'll spend a lot more than $300 on it eventually

Point taken. In that case, keep the frame, buy a complete KiloTT, switch all the components over to said frame and sell what's left of the Kilo.

You'll end up with a decent bike using the original frame you had in mind and may even keep it under $300 when all's said and done.

:D

3 years ago on BF everyone was trying to convince people to "build your own bike and LEARN...". My point has always been that most people just want to RIDE.

Building a bike realistically takes months for various reasons such as finding the right parts, the right price, re-buying after buying the wrong parts, waiting or backorders to come in...

Walk down to your local shop and buy one and ride today. If they don't have it in stock, they can have it within a week. Or, order online and have it in a week or two. Keep in mind that when you buy online:

- You can't try it on to make sure it fits
- If you have any issues you will have to pack it up and send it back. That is a BIG pain in the a**. No over the counter service like at a shop.
- You will not get any free tuneups or free advice.

those are the reason's he's asking.

OP,go build your own bike if that's what you want to do.

read lots of sheldonbrown.com.

if the kilo's not for you, then it's not for you. it's as simple as that.

its really not that hard and shouldnt take "months", hell i could convert a bike in hours, and so could you if you do it right, and measure twice/cut once.

also, this is a bad place to ask.

dsh laid out a plan pretty well for you.

there is no way you cant get a decent bike up and running for less than 300 dollars.

People here will say you cant because their e-peen is measured by the useless parts they spent way too much money on.
Most act like inexpensive origin-8 parts will just die the second you get out of the saddle to sprint or something! LOL.

I say build the bike your gonna learn a **** tone more about the process if you take it piece by piece...dsh gave you a starting point just keep geekin out on sheldonbrown and archived forums and you'll learn. It halso helps to spend alot of time at your lbs, they may not be fixed gear experts but they are the most simple bikes out their and you can learn alot from those guys...Make sure you have someone show you the right way to put parts on your bike and use lots of grease...Oh yeah you may get your bike rideable for 300 nut that won't be the end if you really enjoyed getting there.

go on the iro site.

:thumb:

Word. I wasn't trying to be a jerk at all, either. I know it sounds crazy, but we just wanted to look out for a fellow rider!

As someone who "built" my first bike (not a conversion, but a build nonetheless), I'm at a point where I wish I just would have bought a Kilo TT and made a few small changes to better suit me. It would have cost me a lot less money and I have a strong feeling I'd be happier overall with my ride (in fact, I'm still going to end up buying one over the next two weeks and parting out some stuff from my current setup).

I honestly wasn't trying to be rude and I agree with whoever said it...a Kilo (or any other BD bike) may not be for you and there's no better way to learn about bikes than to build one up yourself. I think a few of us here were just warning you that it may end up being a rather costly endeavor. And no, there's nothing at all wrong with most Origin8 parts. Just be careful what you're actually getting for your dollars.

Like I suggested, you could always buy a bike from BikesDirect and swap the parts over to your frame.

If you end up deciding to build from scratch, I may be down to contribute some parts. Not for free, but for less than you'd pay retail. It'll save me the hassle of eBay/Craigslist. PM me if interested and I'll give you a list of stuff I've got on hand.

scrod's got it pretty right ^^^

from my experiences, it's hard to do a budget build from scratch. part of the problem when you start building up from scratch is that it's really easy to get into it and super-committed... then the budget parts start to feel like you're skimping, and you start wanting to go all out - which can get really expensive.

And to give a bit more validation to the thought of "just buy a BD bike", business practices dictate that you're getting a better deal buying a complete than building up the exact same complete from scratch. conversely, a $300 complete is going to invariably have better parts than a $300 budget build from scratch (although having the frame to start might make things balance out a bit).

wat

What's a "e-peen"? I'm a boy, do I have one? Should I have one?