The Craigslist Custom
 

Firstly, hello! My name is Topher and I've gotten the bike bug. I'm looking for my first ss/fixie and this site has been a wealth of knowledge so far. I live in NYC and plan on using it for commuting and exercise. I want to get used to riding a single gear and build some leg strength before switching to fixed, so I'm looking into flip-flop hubs. I want to stay around $300 and was looking into the Windsor Clockwork, but BikesDirect is out of my size in all but the fugliest colors. I thought about saving a little more for a Kilo TT since there are so many recommendations for it, but BD is completely out of stock in my size.

This led me to craigslist where I found a guy basically blowing up the single/fixie search with up to 60 posts a day. Here are a couple examples:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bid/3783935343.html
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bid/3777744182.html

I was skeptical but curious, so I sent the guy a message. The bikes are custom built with non-branded components, the frame/forks are ChroMoly, it comes with a flip-flop hub with both fixed and SS cogs, says he's sold 180 of them (which I might believe because I think I actually saw one yesterday), and only one had any issue which he fixed by replacing a wheel for free. The rest of the details are in the links.

Does anyone have thoughts or actual experience with this bike?

Cheers,
-Topher-

seems legit.



especially that orange one.

Careful, your spam is showing.

Nope, it's a legitimate question...does anyone have any advice or insight to offer about this guy or the bikes?

The odds of finding someone on this list who (a) lives in NY and (b) had dealt with this guy is pretty low. This does sound like spam. Why don't you contact the guy directly and ask him to provide some references. If he's legit, his customers will let you know what they think. Turning old road bikes into one speed bikes and charging a premium is pretty common and the prices are probably what the market will bear in NYC.

Coming from a forum that has standards, those bikes are no good. This is worse than going into a designer selvedge jeans forum and showing off your raw GAP jeans.

I heard he makes accounts on cycling forums and posts his own products as a means of free advertising.

Umm, did you see the bikes in the links you posted?
http://images.craigslist.org/3I73Jd3...afe0a419e7.jpg

Also, at least BD knows which way to aim the handlebars...
http://images.craigslist.org/3Kb3Gc3...7695901c01.jpg

Those things are worthy of the Jackass thread. Kinda make you ashamed to ride fixed gear.

barf

The multi-colored ones are definitely ugly, but I just want something black or white. What is the difference between good bikes and these? Or rather, what makes a good bike good?

Buy a BD bike (windsor the hour, SST steel, motobecane track) and if you have any problems I'll help you build it.

also:

Topher Barnett‏@TopherBarnett

Saw Premium Rush this afternoon. Good movie, I recommend it...and also want a road bike now.

These are just generic bikes built with flashy colors to attract those who lack good taste and/or knowledge. The parts are of no good quality and are not made for longevity. They're products that have no integrity, made with no love or artistic vision. It's crap built to trick the masses into parting with a quick buck. There's a market for these bikes, but just not here. We actually like our bikes nice here.

Start with this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Projekt-Fixi...item460d2f261f

Hiten. Meh.

Thanks for the offer Aristo...I might have to take you up on that. Nice Twitter find too. I liked the movie...I imagine it got a lot of people into cycling and probably signed up on these forums.

That's the kind of advice I needed...much appreciated.

No prob. And if you've got the money, check out Affinity Cycles in Brooklyn. They built the bike in the Premium Rush movie and make the frame featured in the movie (The Metropolitan). Thing is about the bikes we like here, every part of a lot of our bikes are brand name, proven quality parts. Some of us are willing to pay $100 just for some handlebars, or a bike seat (saddle), or even a bike chain. Some people's front wheels are more expensive than those $300 fully built bikes. You don't have to pay that much, but that is the kind of standard some of us try to live up to in this forum.

No problem. They're pretty easy to assemble but its always good to break them down & grease.
I owned the Hour before & it is an excellent entry bike (commuter, beater, etc). Change pedals & seat & you're good to go.
It definitely had brought people into biking (mainly fixed).

PM me if you get one & need a hand, I have a bunch of tools

Hammer, blowtorch, bigger hammer, crow bar, really big hammer, angle grinder and a wee little 10lb sledgehammer for those delicate jobs :rolleyes:

While I'm not from NY I've been there before and it has lots of nice bike shops for you to visit.
Go to a real bike shop and get a bike that fits you well and that has been built by a professional mechanic, I'd kill to have that variety of fixed gear products on my LBS.
I support my LBS as much as I can even though their main focus is on mountain bikes, there's nothing like a friendly bike shop environment. And having good mechanics around you to give you advice is awesome.

Depends on how big the body is that I'm disposing of.
I was referring to crank puller, bottom bracket tool, chain tool, torque wrench, socket set, allens. You'd be surprised if someone in the city even owns a screw driver.

Yikes!

Might go check this out this evening: http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/3800232461.html

Thoughts?

There's already a craigslist/ebay thread.