I'm kind of on a budget here, and since its my first fixed gear/ss bike, I don't know if I should go to my local bike store (so they can build it for me, adjust it, etc) or go to bikesdirect and hope it works well for me. Theres 2 bike stores within a mile from my home, and one has a fixed gear giant bowery for 500; over my budget. The other has 2 bikes, the schwinn cutter and the schwinn racer (which hasn't arrived yet; its a 2010 model). These bikes are hi-ten but I doubt I will mind since this is only to get me around town. What should I do?

Go ahead and buy it at your LBS if they are helpful and will ease you in to the sport. You can go on later and get into the do it yourself stuff. That's how you learn. Nothing wrong with shopping there and you need the personal guidance and expertise. Let us know how it works out.

So which one would you say is better, the 09 cutter or '10 racer? I don't like the silver glittery seat on the racer or the little silver bar in the middle, though, but the racer is new and its already fixed.

cutter
https://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/P...1-S9CUT-Cutter

racer
https://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/P...8-S10RAC-Racer

I'd go with a BD bike. Your LBS wont turn you down if youre paying them money for adjustments and will likely still be glad to help you regardless of where the bike came from

How will the 5 pound difference affect the performance?

My suggestions after getting into FG a while back: buy off craigslist and convert. No point in spending $1k on a bike that you realize is not what your going after. I learned products to keep off my bike and ones I want on it. But most importantly I learned what I want out of FG riding. Skids are sweet but a nice ride on my vintage is way better than busting tricks on my old SE.

my suggestion? if you enjoy riding fixed, get a fixed-gear bike.

All you need to convert is a chain.... a $50 bike and a $10 chain is a LOT cheaper than even a frameset for a decent new FG.

Many of the "conversions" on craigslist are on suicide hubs, which I am not looking for.

Good for you!
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cane/track.htm

This seems to be a good deal, and you'll most likely spend almost as much on a conversion.

Oh, I didn't see that one before. chromoly, 280, free rear brake.

Yeah, I don't know how much the rear brake is for a selling point. I'm assuming they had a ton sitting in a box and decided to give them away......too bad they weren't Motley Crue T's. The components on that bike aren't bad. I have a Kilo TT from BD and I've been really happy with it. I like the Moto's lack of graphics. I have replaced the wheelset, crankset, handlebars, saddle, and pedals on my Kilo and it's just about perfect. It was easy for me to replace one part at a time while I still had a bike to ride. Wow, I'm long-winded.

What?

Garage sales until you find a 3rensho, then flip it for a republic. Thats what I did.

If a bike at your lbs is within your price range then buy there. There is so much that is good about that. Buying on the Internet can save some money and of course that is important. But, you'll want local support as you are just getting into the game. LBS purchase all the way.

Oh perfect. I was looking for a quote for my signature.

Great advice. Nothing wrong with BD. You just need some knowledge on bike assembly.

Get the Giant if it fits well. Next choice would be Bikes Direct. The Schwinns are really cruddy, I say that having worked at a Schwinn dealer.

This

Shop local. Think of the impact your decision has of where you buy. Your local guys will be a relationship and help you throughout time. BD will sell you a bike. Period.

Money is a big part of it, too. It depends on where you live. My local shop carries mostly Specialized and SE (for fixed). That's not much of a selection and I got a better deal through BD. You can still maintain a good relationship with the LBS, just make sure you buy stuff every once in a while. I took mine in for truing and a check-up. I'll probably buy most of my parts there if they can order it and the markup isn't too high.

You could also go with CL, but again, that depends on where you live. If you live in a medium-sized town like I do, you have to get lucky.