A Beginners Workhorse
 

It feels that I have read every article there is to read on buying a beginner fixie/singlespeed bike and I am tired of always hearing the same old Kilo TT answer. Its always "dont buy anything thats $400 or less or else its crap" kind of answer. So thats why I'm here to finally put my mind at ease and make my first purchase.

Since I am not allowed to get a proper job yet my budget is low, from the $200 - $300 price range. Its not a lot but its what my parents are willing to spend on a new bike. The reason I need this bike and especially a fixie is because I have broken just about every set of gears put in front of me. I easily put 20+ miles on my old bike a day and by the end of the school year I had put so much time and money into fixing the bikes gears it was costing me a whole other bike. I like to ride hard and really push myself and the bike to its limit, its just my riding style. I dont care if there is a hill or a car in front of me, I just wont slow down. So the bike needs to be reliable and functional. I would also like to have the option to later on upgrade parts and make the bike better but for now it just needs to stay in my pricerange.

So based on what I have said so far I would really appreciate it if you guys could help me make a final decision on what bike I should get. Thanks!

If your in LA, I just saw a Kilo TT Pro on Craigslist for $100.

In answer to your main question: Save Up to 60% Off Fixie | Hipster | Single Speed | Track Bikes | Road Bikes | Windsor Bikes - TimeLine | Fixed gear bikes that fit wide tires | Save up to 60% off new singlespeed bikes

But what do you mean by "fixing the... gears"? Even if you "ride hard" it doesn't take a massive amount of time or money to keep a bike in good riding condition. If you can't maintain your bike, riding with a fixed cog isn't going to magically stop you from breaking things, even if SS bikes require less maintenance than geared bikes.

What I meant buy fixing "the gears" is things like the derailers and cranks, stuff like that. My parents not trusting me to fix it always brought it to our lbs where the guys would always try to hustle us to buy a new part. It soon got expensive and ended up costing us way more that it should have. I also regularly maintained the bike by regreasing and cleaning it, behind their backs. I got help from a friends dad who has been biking for 15 years now to do all that.

Also how does the Motobecan Cafe Cf and Record Cf look?

Sounds like you need a new LBS. Anyway, at least with a single speed bike it should make it easier to avoid that, regular cleaning and lube is like 99% of the maintenance.

I'm not a huge fan of aluminum personally, but they both seem to be decent bikes.

OP, here's my recommendation for you:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...x_blu_2100.jpg

Save Up to 60% Off Motobecane Track Bikes | SingleSpeed | Fixed Gear - Messenger Track

$299.95 with free shipping and no state sales tax (unless you live in Texas or Florida), strong butted chromoly frame and fork with clearance for tires up to 32mm wide, bombproof wheels, single freewheel with front and rear brakes, decent alloy components throughout.

Keep an eye on Craigslist, can find nice bikes if yoru patient.
Search in you price range minimum 100 or 200 max 300 which should filter out the many parts on the low end. Keyword "fixie" hit search. The results should hopefuuly come back with just a bunch of fixed gear and single speed bikes less parts.

If you are a beginner the last thing you want to do is buy something off of craigslist.

Go online, find a Big Shot, Pure fix , State, SE lager. Sole or Motobecane for 199 to 250 you are going to love it. They are very good values even though many on this forum will tell you they are junk. They are not I own 2 of those on my list I ride the living crap outta them and have no trouble. I have friends that have some of the others and they love them.

Thanks guys, with what has been said I am leaning twords a Motobecane Track or Messenger Track. Bikes from companies like Purefix, Big Shot and such just seem to sketchy. Though I have heard some good things from the 6KU lineup.

One thing I forgot to mention was sizing though. I am a rather tall person at 6'0 and am still growing so sizing is going to be critical in making the purchas. I saw the 6KU had my size but im still unsure about the Motobecane.

The Moto Messenger suggested by TT is a better value than the bikes you listed. I rode one around for 4 years with no major problems and have just passed it along to a family member.

The Moto Messenger linked to by TT comes with specifications. The Purefixes howeeee constantly promotes come with vague descriptions pretending to be specifications. This tells me the Moto is better quality ... oh hang on, that's what the people on this forum keep saying, maybe they do have a point.

:(

It honestly sucks...