So after a few years of not riding I'm looking to get a new bike. I've also gotten into my head that I want to go single speed, maybe try fixed gear and see if that sticks. I used to commute on a MTB for many years and just not into that anymore. I work from home these days and since moving out of Boston to the 'burbs I really just want something fun to ride around town and then errands and what not, got a little car guilt going on too. Emphasis on the fun though!

I have a decent budget built up dedicated for the bike itself about $1500, so no need to factor in necessities like helmet, locks, pump etc.

I've done a ton of research, visited a bunch of shops and ridden some bikes. I think I've settled on getting an All City Space Horse frameset and then having my LBS build up a SS/Fixed. I want to start with a decent quality frame that I can justify upgrading components if desired later on. Figure I'll put my money towards that and decent wheels and then what else I can get for my budget. The reason I've settled on that particular frameset is I also like the idea that down the road, if I wanted to convert to a geared bike, it would be easy to do so. I also want to be able to put fenders and a rack on it.

The shop I'm planning on going through has a pretty good deal with custom builds. 10% off parts, free assembly and a year of free tune ups. Plus this weekend is tax free in MA. all this helps stretch my budget.

I guess my question is, if anyone see's any problems with this plan, something I'm not thinking of. Maybe another frame I might want to look at. I'm not really a fan of the Surly's for some reason, I know that would be similar, kind of really digging the All City's. Thanks!

The only caveat is that the Space Horse has a very low bottom bracket, which makes it unsuitable for riding fixed on the road due to lack of pedal strike clearance in turns. The BB drop on the Space horse is 75mm, whereas it is only 58mm on the Big Block track frame, so the BB is 17mm lower, which is a lot. Add the likely use of longer crankarms and wider pedals, and you could have a problem when cornering. If you stay with a SS or geared setup, you will be fine, and I see nothing wrong with your choice.

Another similar option, that has a bit higher of a bottom bracket is the Surly Cross Check.

Thanks! This is exactly what I was hoping to hear, I forgot about that issue. Kind of sucks because I'm looking forward to trying out fixed and seeing if it's something I enjoy more than riding single speed. Is this distance really that dangerous that it should not be considered riding fixed? Maybe a combination of shorter crankarms and being aware of keeping the bike more upright with turns? I'm not looking to race or speed around town to be honest, but I definitely don't like the idea of pedal strike!

Yeah, I don't know what it is, but the cross check didn't do it for me for some reason. Maybe I need to take another look before pulling the trigger, clock is ticking!

At $1500 for the bike and it being SS I'd get bespoke. There is NO way I'd spend 15 Benjamin's and anything production.

Solid advice, any thoughts on who to look into? It seems if I went custom, the frameset alone would eat up my budget. I thought about waiting and building up more funds, starting to consider that again. I could always buy a beater just to get back on the road.

I guess the $1500 is something I came up based on the price of a typical Space Horse complete build. If I can spend less, I would be happy to do so.

Honestly no because who I'd have build me a frame should not necessary be who you have build you one. Do some research but more importantly talk to the builder talk about waht your looking for and be honest if you're fat tell them, legs weak tell them, don't like junk squeezing Q tell them. You want to be in at the 1K mark for the frame ~300 for the wheels and ~200 to finish it out. The absolute KEY thing is you and the builder have to click if not stop right there bikes are not science their art.

Is it really possible to finish a bike for $200 factoring out frameset/wheels? I guess you can seeing that I could pick up a cheap complete bike for $200.

Yes, ebay is your friend. It's a SS you need to put a saddle, post, HS, Bars, Tape, cranks, peddles, and chain. If you can't do that for a couple hundred I can't help you. If you're like stryper you can put some über awesome machine built wheels on it for $150 and that leaves you more money for cockpit stuff.

If you already have a frame in mind that suits your needs, I don't see any point in going custom. You're just going to spend a lot more money for essentially the same product.

Agree with this, just thrown off on the one I chose do to the pedal strike issue.

The problem is you don't know exactly what you want, and no frame does everything the best.

You can ride fixed on the Space Horse as long as you're conscious about not leaning too much during turns. Plenty of converted road bikes have around the same amount of BB drop.

I'd like to know where you're getting a custom frame that cheap.

Google, they're around usually local or regional..

Are you going to get boutique steel at 1k? No. Are you going to get lugs? No. Will you find 531 bikes at that range? Yes

I don't know, and right now everything I ride feels great since I'm just happy to be on a bike again.

What I do know is this,
-I want the bike to be able to be ridden single speed or fixed and to have rear and front brakes
-I want the frame to be decent enough to justify potential upgrades, in case have to make some compromises building it initially.
-I'd like to put fenders and maybe a rack, since this will handle some errands.
-It would be great to like the color, I lean towards the more retro subdued hues. Maybe this is why I don't like the current Cross Check
-I am over-thinking everything, it's what I do

The only one I know in my area is Geekhouse, and they're not that far off, far enough for now though. Custom frame for $1299, fork for $299.

It looks like about $1600 is about the entry-level around here.

Last spring I had a gentleman in NY build me a rando w/fork out of 531 for $700

Geekhouse is not exactly regional, they're national.

Call Doug Fattic in Michigan, if you tell him your measurements he'll get you in under a 1k in SS most likely. Doug has an apprentice who loves art bikes and feeds that habit with mainstream TIG'd steel.

Talk to Quiring they'll build with lower grade steel than usual and keep it on or about 1K

That's MI

Mercian can build in 631 for $1025 no fork though..

With custom you have to look then call, if it's in your ball park they can probably make it happen for your price.

White isn't

Serotta Isn't

Sachs isn't

Zank isn't

and on and on.

Think local..

Moyer $1300

Velvet crown $1200

Majaco $1250

That's three off the top of my head.. all with higher end steel

Sounds like you want something like this:



Fenders, rack, flip flop rear hub with both SS freewheel and fixed cog/lockring, plenty of BB height for FG riding, plenty of room for fat tires (700x32c front and 700x35c rear), good quality componentry throughout, I built this as shown for about $1000.

Thanks for all the info, going to take some time to research all of these.

Look in your area..your in Mass I assume since you brought up geek house there's probably a dozen reasonably well known builders in Mass alone.

That list is Texas.

What about a Wabi? Don't think you could convert it to a geared bike but it may meet all the other requirements. If interested see Wabi Cycles. There are three flavors to choose from and you can select gearing, and various component sizes to fit you. You can get a custom paint job if you wnat to spend the money. Complete bike prices are $700-$1100. Or you can buy a frame set and build up what you want.