First fixed gear/single speed
 

Hello everyone, I'm very new to single speeds in general but have always wanted one. Planning to move to NYC soon and figured it'd be the perfect bike, over my trek mt bike or schwinn road bike. I was originally thinking of converting the road bike but not sure how easy that'd be seeing as its a newer bike (2002ish). Also where i live makes it hard to look for older frames, i'm on an island so in general resources are limited lol. I also stumbled upon a 2010 Vilano on Ebay for a great price which seems great but not sure if its a good first choice or a waste of money. Here is the link to said Ebay bike http://cgi.ebay.com/58cm-FIXED-GEAR-...ht_4124wt_1182
Anyways hoping to learn lots about FG/SS bikes thanks in advance for any info, and don't worry i don't mind being called a n00b lol

You might wanna get a bike with flip flop hub, so you can easily switch between fixed gear and single speed. As I understand learning curve for fixies is pretty steep, but once you get used to it, you can't look back.

I am also in the process of getting myself a first single speed. Although I am going to build one myself. Just bought the eighthinch groupbuy frame and fork. Still waiting on it to arrive.

Goodluck and read up on the documentation that is listed in the first or second thread on this singlespeed forum. Lots of valuable information in there.

Yea I def want a flip flop hub. The vilano I found on eBay comes with one that's why I'm so tempted.

So the more i look at the vilano the more it seems like a logical first choice, i know its a low end model but i figure its cheap and will get me rolling and i can make upgrades as i learn more about fixies..... Any advice does that seem logical or am i wasting my time with this bike and should just look elsewhere??

Don't forget the rear brake, that one doesn't include one despite the fact this it's set up for free-wheel. I just started riding fixed too, and it only took a couple of minutes in a parking lot to get the hang of it. I do have the front brake, but I'm relying on it a lot less as time goes on. It seems really daunting when you think about it, but it's nowhere near as bad as you think it is. I think the hardest part for me is getting my foot in the second clip once I'm moving, but even then it only takes a couple of rides to get the hang of it.

for your 1st I suggest building one. You'll appreciate it much more. Everyone I know agrees. You can pick up an old road frame for 50-75 if you look hard enough. The rest is up to you

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...1/IMAG0130.jpg

I just picked up those same wheels for 90 bucks
*Schwinn- bb+wheels+crank=done

Building one does seem like it will be more rewarding. Just not sure where to find the frame. Finding one here where I live is very unlikely, not many options here on an island. :/
I'll have to check eBay more for frames I guess.

Don't buy this ebay bike.
$250 (including shipping) is too much for a bike like that with all no-name components.

Look around for a while longer, I would be surprised if this specific bike isn't total crap.

Ok so I'm browsing eBay and not finding many frames I must not be using the right search words as I'm not coming up with a ton. I know I need horizontal drop outs but what else should I look for in a frame other than the size??

Probably don't use ebay. craigslist, or just bikesdirect.com

Oh, and if you are looking into building it up with an old ten speed frame. Look for something with tight geometry, steel lugged, and some higher end tubing such as reynolds. I think most people say old raleigh's make for nice conversions.

bikesdirect.com

Thanks for the tips on what to look for!! And also thanks for the link i'll check out bikedirect.com. I'll check craigslist and hope if i find something they are willing to ship :thumb:

When you build, search high and low for deals. And also know this, as soon as you buy something, you'll find something like either cheaper or a better deal within minutes of buying, so be patient and don't get ahead of yourself. Also, make sure you have a lockring and a front brake before you get to into riding.
I just built my first fixie and these are a few of the things I've learned. One other pro to building is you acquire the tools and knowledge you need to service your bike as needed.

I think i found a few frames on craigslist for around 75 bucks. Just trying to figure out everything i'll need and making sure i'll actually be able to build it!! I haven't worked on a bike in years but i'm confident i can figure everything out.... Although i've never laced a wheel myself or anything like that.

All in all, It'll probably come cost $+/-300. The great thing about wheels is that like bikes, you can buy them separately in pieces, or in various levels of assembly. Buying more items at once from a seller can lower your shipping. Smaller items, like tape, lockrings, tubes, etc you can get from your lbs so you don' get eaten by shipping. I'm sure NYC has a million bike shops. Waco has one...

Also look at bikepartsusa.com

I wish i was in NYC would make this whole process easier!! For now i'm on the island of Nantucket, we do however have bike shops so i may be able to buy some things locally. I'm guessing i'd buy fully assembled wheels for now as i'm not sure i trust myself building them just yet lol

I'm liking my http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm so far... or check a http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../clockwork.htm if you like drop bars. If you're goin to spend that much anyway it's all there in the box, bam!

I saw both those bikes and like them both..... more to think about..... I'm starting to lean towards buying one as i might not have time to build one right now since i have a new baby and i want to be able to ride ASAP. Also i think upgrading and tweaking things will be a good way to learn more about fixies then once i'm in NYC with more resources i'll attempt to build one!

I did likewise... I got the SST and rode it around. I'm going kinda townie/tour with it, and doing a new build with the Scrambler frame from the group buy to get together one to try and learn a few tricks on (low gears, bar spinable, etc...).

Show off your townies...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=286515

Scramber group buy...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=572426

Here is the pics of unpacking the SST box...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfssfg/...7622132158271/

Does the SST come setup as a SS or a fixed gear???

It's a single speed, 16t freewheel... need to buy a fixed cog/lockring for the other side of the flipflop hub.

I bought a cog, but haven't put it on yet... not sure I will, since it's doing townie duty. I put a Paul Flatbed on it, so if it's full I'd rather be able to coast some for better control of the load. In process of finding a better bar that won't block the rack ATM. Can't put a case of Sierra Nevada on there with the bullhorns. Flopped and chopped em but I'm not happy with them that way. I'll be posting it in the townie forum sometime, once it gets settled.

http://www.paulcomp.com/flatbed.html

I was planning to build my first fixed gear. Had the frame and a couple other parts already in hand. But as I spent time on Craigslist (an AWESOME resource here in NYC) looking for bikes to strip and transfer over, etc, I ended up finding a perfect one for me. Still haven't decided what to do with the spare frame yet...

Build another one... have some fun with it. I could see having a singletrack mtb, a townie, a speedster, a trickbike, etc...