What separates one fixed gear bicycle from another?
 

Okay, so I know this is kind of a broad question - but I'd like to hear your guys opinions on this...

Obviously the quality of the materials and components is what separates a $200 fixie from (lets say)a $2500 - but to what extent? How much is the actual performance of the bicycle effected. In terms of everyday street use?(commuting, excessive, pleasure)

Aesthetics aside - What are the "biggest" things to do right when considering building a bike. If you were going to do a conversion, or order everything separately and build it yourself - what are the things that you wouldn't skimp out or go cheap on?

Quality hub + wheelset? Steel frame? Both come to mind as the 2 majors on a platform as basic as a fixed gear bicycle.

The reason I ask is - I've been riding around on my fixed gear for about a year an a half now - and it's completely rekindled my love of being on a bike. Now I find myself wanting to tinker more and more and maybe even take on a conversion project. I'm trying to get some insight on what things are the most important to you guys to get right ride quality. I find it particularly interesting for fixed gear bikes because there is such a limited amount of main parts involved with them. What are the areas where you can make the most "bang for your buck" performance upgrades?

My knowledge is very limited(before owning what many of you would consider a crappy fixed gear, I hadn't ridden in a decade and before that it was wal*mart Mongoose BMX'ers ) but I'm surprised how much of a difference a nice set of properly inflated tires makes. Aside from that I just try to not ride bikes that are a lot nicer than mine so I wont realize what I'm missing out on.

in order from most to least important in terms of ride quality(for me at least, most will agree more or less):

1. saddle
2. wheelset
3. tires
4. bars/pedals (in terms of comfort)
5. frame
6. everything else doesn't matter

Makes sense to me... My ass hates every saddle I've tried thus far... Guess I should lay off the cheap ones.

You missed the most important item. If you can't park it outside a bakery/ coffee shop/ whatever and stare at it with a feeling of pride, you're not going to ride it much. Even a manky beater that has wormed its way into your heart will get ridden more than a soulless but expensive bicycle. That's not to say that money is bad, my Hillbrick, being a custom build with good bits cost me $3,500, and that was more than I could really afford. On the other hand, my Europa has been with me since she was bought new in the early 80's and while only worth a few hundred dollars if that, is priceless to me and gets upgrades to keep her on the road. And I also have a manky beater that I keep finding uses for.

The components are important but how the whole bike tugs at your heart is the most important.

Buy a Brooks my man, you'll either love it or be able to join the elite group who don't ;)

Maybe if I had a quill stem I would entertain the idea - wouldn't look right on my current steed. I have to lock my bike up in some questionable areas and I don't want anybody ripping my seat off. I'm going for more of that beater "not worth sawing the U-lock off to steal me" aesthetic :thumb: :lol:

Ya know, I've been eye-balling the Brooks Swift on retrogression (Scrod's prices are flippin' unreal!) but then read reviews where people say it takes a good 500 miles to break them in. So then I started looking around and saw the Selle San Marco Rolls had reviews saying it felt like it was part of the reviewers booty the minute he sat down. I don't know what to do but a saddle upgrade is definitely on my short list.

Also, great thread, SSbalt! Along with the link to the fit calculator, this post could help a lot of noobs if it turns into a good conversation.

i guess i wonder what "questionable" means to you. i don't think most opportunistic street thieves go "ooh, Brooks!" and think most just go "old-timey bike seat, who cares." questionable to you may mean instead "no one cares if people are messing with a locked up bike, and thievy people know what a Brooks means/is worth". in the latter case i'd say you're right.

if it's the latter then they have tools with them, too, and you may as well go full china syndrome meltdown on locking it up, because they'll take your wheels and anything else they like with no issue.

People definitely boost Brooks where I'm from...

Brooks are just like any other saddle. If you dont find it comfortable within a fair "getting used to it" period then you should look for something else. Breaking in a leather saddle just makes a good saddle better.

Spot on. There is a lot of rubbish posted about Brooks saddles on the internet. Yes, they can be hard out of the box but have you felt any of the modern saddles? All four Brooks that I've owned, 3x B17 and 1 B52, were comfortable out of the box and just kept getting better, just like a good quality pair of shoes. If you ride your bike more than 2km to the coffee shop, you won't even notice the break in period.

ftfy.

Ever ridden an aluminum fork? Yuck.

+1 Several 17's, Flyer, Swift & Swallow........good outa the box, better with age.

how many different colors and stickers you have one it

I can't believe it took 13 whole replies before the first worthless one came in, by a guy who joined this month no less.

You guys need to step your game up.

1) Fit (had a beautiful lugged steel Italian conversion that didnt' fit and had to sell)
2) Tires (big difference in comfort and rolling resistance can make or break)
3) Drivetrain feel (a smooth drive train feels good no matter what level of components)
4) Wheelset (weight and smoothness)
5) Everything else

Saddle wise, I struggled with a Brooks for a year and ended up going back to a $20 WTB Rocket V that I remember liking on my mtn bike. Much better for me.

I actually think it took 14

Charge spoon, man. Charge spoon.

Specialized makes a great saddle.

I'm gonna do it then! A brooks will go on my bike one day! Perhaps that will my bday gift to myself.

I will agree that the saddle is the most important part of the bike. I love my brooks saddle.

:thumb:

you are awfully entitled aren't you?

i guess the single speed and fixed gear section is such a serious place, people must not dare utter responses that are not 100% serious.

I don't like the profile/ cut of the brooks saddle. Even took the turbo off because the profile and cut didn't sit well with me. I'm more comfortable on a narrower saddle like the selle italia flite.
The top three of my list is likely going to be a bit different from the rest.
1: Geometry/fit
2: Intended use
3: Ease of maintenance
4: Wheels
5: Headset
6: Saddle
7: Drivetrain
8: Crankset
9: Bottle Cages

I wouldn't consider tires to be in the running. Tires are easily replaceable outside of tubular. Outside of the custom build/highend track, they really won't come with a competent set of tires.

Yes.

Ideally.