fixing...
 

hi, i want to put a fixi together. i need some help.. . got a problem with my shoulder ligament, what kind of geometry is best then? need a break to start with... any tips on what frame i should get? i live in Poland, Europe, so it would have to be a frame i could get over this side of the big water. basically any help with what to make it out of would be much appreciated. i'm NOT an expert in bikes... but fallen in love with a fixy last summer and ... love is blind ... want a green one badly!... they are a beauty... so simple... so thanks to anyone who could help. many greetings from Poland. green princess.

GP wrote:

"... got a problem with my shoulder ligament, what kind of geometry is best then?"

I have a lot of physical issues and, by experimenting, I have found the fit that works for me.

The Bianchi Pista represents about the cheapest way to get into fixed gear riding, if a person wants a new bike.
I love my Pista, and it handles like no bike I've ever ridden or imagined.

I would suggest setting aside some extra money for a variety of stems, which will change the reach to the handlebars and their height.
My local bike store will change stems as many times as I want, for about the first month, free of charge.
It doesn't hurt to ask if they will work with you, and it cost a lot less than buying new stems, even cheap stems.

I have several very experienced, serious bike-riding friends who have made valuable suggestions.
Experimenting with moving the saddle forward and backwards, and up and down, and changing stems has made my bikes comfortable for me.

With my Pista, I simply flipped the Bianchi stem over, so that it rises a little instead of staying level.
I have put most of my energy into the saddle position.
It took me about a month to find the sweet spot for the saddle that makes my whole body happy.

Or converting an old road bike is even less expensive- and will provide a more comfortable ride than pure track geometry.

http://sheldonbrown.com/

check out his fixie articles

The cheapest complete road bikes are the pista, IRO, Fuji, and the Windsor. You can find the Fuji and the Windsor on Ebay or at bikesdirect.com, but i think bikedirect is out of both. The IRO i just got has a nice reversable stem that can be flipped so you aren't resting as much weight on your shoulders. Maybe you can make sure they don't cut the steere tube too low so you can have the stem higher. like Ken Cox said, changing the seat height can sometimes help too. Converting is good, but if you are really worried about your shoulder, it might be a little harder to find a right frame/stem/seat combo that you can adjust. I have the IRO and I'm thinking of trying the stem flipped to see if it'll be more comfortable for me.

thankQ... will get you posted how i get along fixing the fixy... it will be sooo green~:)

... just had a look at the bianchi pista... well so beautiful (although not green)... so nice... making me dream... but i really think converting is what i can afford at the moment. a new one it far too expensive for an Eastern Europe urban rider... we tend to "recycle" frames here... but its possible to find amazing stuff i heard...

risers...keep you nice and up right while giving you all the toque needed for stopping

that was just said wasnt it...oops

I thought there was a pretty good sized bicycle community in Warsaw. Warsaw Car Killers. These guys are local and into fixies too, (http://www.warsawcarkillers.org/en_main.htm) you should check them out.

my mind is reeling about what kind of cool old frames you could prob. find in poland..

ostro, ostro!!! it was ostro this winter!!! of cause i know the warsaw car killers, seems i am one of them by riding... although im not a messenger... however.... i kept asking my biker friends to help me build this fixy since january and got fed up... i need to do it myself i guess, the boys are too lazy and others want too much money for it... i just don't have it.... besides it is fun doing it oneself, isin't it?! ...as to warsaw... the community isn't big, but quite active... many alleycats here... but NEVER ENOUGH!!! :) nice that you know about them ostro!!

...as to cool old frames...i need to research... but i have a good feeling about it...

Hi,
Try ostro.com.pl when they are back on air. Also, try finding old "wicher" track frame - they show more at LBS than allegro.com. Poreba (http://www.poreba.made.pl/) he has nice yellow 56cm Look track frame but he wants 1500PLN for it. He is a former racer and you can talk him into lowering the price if he likes you :-)). There is a guy in Lublin making very nice track hubs (170PLN for low flange back, 300PLN for low flange set) The pic is here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=92642 (PM me if you need contact).

My fixie is custom made CroMo TT frame I got used from allegro.pl: 1800g, 93.5 cm wheel base, 53 cm top tube + Columbus CroMo straight fork I got for 160PLN from Poreba. I have converted flip-flop BMX hub to accept any Shimano cog on the custom adapter on the left thread side of the hub.

I will post pics of my bike next week week when it's back from powdercoating :-)
Good luck.
vobo PL

Talking to those friends is probably the best you can do. they willl have the insider tips for around town bike deals. Not only is it more enjoyable to do it yourself, you learn a whole lot about the mechanics.

I did some reading on the polish bike and messanger culture. Check this out http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/i...on_bicycle.pdf interesting read.