icithecat

Since you like Italian I suggest you look for a used Moser or DeRosa road racer. The clue is no fender eyelets, tight geometry etc. This gives you a top of the line light weight cromoloy frame with nice lugs. You should be good on the road for under $500 with much better parts than a new pista.

fixedfiend

Be careful. It's addictive like crack.

jslopez

Just a thought, my "beater" bike is a mtn bike which I don't ride as myc because of the upright postion of riding. Sooo I was going to sell it off to fund this next bike but would it be possible to use the parts from this bike instead?

HereNT

Probably not many... If your beater was an old road frame, maybe you could use brakes, cranks, etc. But MTB stuff and track stuff don't mix too well....

jslopez

Thought so, oh well the mtn bike is fairly new and can stay on as the trainer bike

junioroverlord

I would suggest going down to Bicycle Kitchen and having a look around. Everyone there is super helpful and we have fixies that run the gamut from pursuit track bikes to beater road conversions to whatever. That way you can get a good look at what's out there, talk to people that know what's going on (all of us there LIVE bicycles, few of us drive cars, but actually get around on bikes), and even take one for a ride to see how you like it.

jslopez

Hmmm 15 miles from our apartment in Santa Monica according to bike metro, I'm new to the roads of LA but it seems like it's a safe route (unless someone warns me otherwise). Are there bikes already for sale there?

Just checked MTA bus and it takes an hour 15 by bus, not including the wait for the bus. WTF? Some people could probably bike there backwards faster than that.

vomitron

yeah, it's about 10 miles from highland park. at least you don't have to deal with the hilly madness that is 1st street through downtown coming from the westside.

basically, the west side is screwed as far as public transportation goes. if i'm too tired to ride home, or am carrying a lot of stuff (for donations!), the train takes like, 30 minutes.

pista_chica

IMO you should convert a road bike into a fixed gear, the geometry puts the rider in a more relaxed position.

junioroverlord

Bicycle Kitchen is a co-op, they have lots of donated frames and parts and lots of people that would be happy to help you build up a cheap fixie to get you started for very little dough. I recommend if anything going there to soak up the knowlege that the guys there can offer, and to have an opportunity to hang around some serious cyclists and bike messengers to get a good feel for riding in LA and riding fixed.

jslopez

How would one acquire such a good old frame? My guess would be, ebay? But then again that would be a long wait to get the good buy that fits you, win the auction etc. Are there other reliable sources? Then eveything else is relatively easy to get I would surmise.

icithecat

I got my moser from a lbs that buys police auction bikes by the hundreds. It was rusty, but now has a new coat of paint. I have bought new brake calipers and one rim. Otherwise complete for $100.
I walked in asking about a suitable bike for conversion and the owner took me to the shed out back.

spidercyclist

I would go to your local bike shop and see if they have any donated or used bikes in your size. Sometimes you can find a deal on a new bike. There are a lot of good SS, fixes gears, track bikes and 24" BMX bikes that make good second bikes so just keep your eyes out for a good deal because sometimes you can get a model that is only a year or two old or a donated bike at a good price. If everything else fails, try eBay. I've had mixed results. Have a good night!

ks1g

I'd start with something cheap, on the assumption you use it to learn what you really want, then spend the real money on the next bike. On the other hand, "cheap" is in the eye and bank account of the beholder, and depends on your junk box and ability to scrounge and to wrench. I converted a 1980s 27" Fuji 12-speed I bought used to fixed last fall (anyone want a pile of 25 year-old low-end drivetrain parts?). I bought a new 700c flip-flop hub, wheel, sprockets, pedals, and a used front wheel from an LBS, some better brake levers from a friend, used cranks, chainwheels, and new side-pull brakes on Ebay. Spent more than I expected to, but probably still less than what a new bike would have run and I don't worry about ruining a pricy bike in winter riding conditions. I'd try to scrounge a suitable frame and start building. You can always opt for a new bike if you change you mind.

vomitron

What size are you? If you're in SM, I can keep an eye out for frames at thrift stores/yard sales that would make good conversions.

Also, the Bicycle Kitchen has quite a few frames that would make suitable fixed gear conversion. If the wheels are true and a thread-on freewheel type, you would only need to really buy the cog ($20), while the kitchen might charge you something like $50-100 for the frame+parts.

PM me if you'd like.