I'm looking to build a beater fixed gear for college. How should I proceed? Locate a used vintage road bike and convert? My budget for this project is less than $175.

Only option is used and a conversion, is my guess.

I got an Amazon bike, and just upgraded a couple parts, and it is at your price range. Everything is riding just great in a bike perspective, aside from a couple pounds more heavy than others, that may be your option for "new", but as for used check out CL, and they always have deals popping on an off. Just post here to ask about them.

I spent about that much after I bought a used vintage complete 1970s road bike off CL. Stripped the parts, purchased new rear wheel. Done!

Don't listen to LanEvo. His bike is junk and you can do a lot better by converting another 80s road bike. Look for a low/mid range Schwinn and just get a new rear wheel, should be able to do this for $100-$150 total cost.

My Raleigh rain bike/beater was built up from stuff I found in the garbage (including the frame), some parts I had laying around and a few things picked up on eBay for next to nothing.





Total cost was under $30.

Oh, and this:

The parts I have that are usable for a fixie are Shimano 105 double chainring, crankarms, and BB. Maybe I should have kept those Mavic MA-40 wheels I let go

Anyways, I was thinking I'd look for an 80's Raleigh or Trek.


And no, I will not be getting an Amazon bike.

Panasonic is another good brand to look for since it's usually high quality but without the price tag attached to more popular brands like the two you mentioned.

Wal-Mart has one for under $ 100.

$30 80's world sport from craigslist
$20 used rear wheel with cog/lockring
$10 chain
$6 chainring bolts

I know this is the wrong forum but if that's your budget and you want to actually use the bike I would just buy a vintage road bike and leave the gears on. Converting it will cost $ and make it slower and more difficult to ride, not to mention an even greater theft target.