DJ_Ronald S

iTrader: (3)

Hey what's up everyone...i know that some of you guys ride road bikes and i need some help.. I have been working at my new job for a few months now at the sports basement in walnut creek and they are offering a great discount for employees on everything so i would like to take an advantage of that and get into my first single speed/fixie... i just need some help deciding on what is worth getting.. i want to build a bike that's not too expensive but at the same time not too cheap because they are offering 40% off anything i need..

The brands we carry are:

Bike:Felt , Fuji, SE, Cannondale, Jamis, KHS..
Wheels: Velocity, Mavic..


I'm not sure if it would be easier to just buy a complete bike or to just piece it together...

Thanks for the help everyone!

SomethingClassy

I'm going to try not to judge you for saying you want a fixed gear bike.

Buying a complete bike is easier but piecing one together is a fun experience. My college bike is a used Huffy. I replaced both front and rear clusters, derailleur, wheels, crank arm and shifters. It rides well and while its on the heavy side no one ever pays it any attention unless they really have an eye for components.

blkwagon

iTrader: (3)

find a old *** road frame and fork in a dumpster somewhere, build some wheels, find a old road handlebar and stem throw a chain, cog, crankset, and tires on...you got your self a single speed/fixed gear/track bike

Giibo

iTrader: (19)

What he said!
https://www.i-club.com/forums/norcal-classifieds-96/fs-schwinn-road-bike-%24100-obo-214888/

akdmx

iTrader: (6)

First thing: you're going to save a ton if you buy a complete bike as opposed to building it all up from parts. You will also avoid potential headaches with matching parts to get good chain line and other things.

The other thing I would suggest is just doing it as cheaply as possible. You hit diminishing marginal returns early with these things because you start paying for "NJS" certifications and other exotic imported parts that don't really add to the utility (fun) of the bike, so much as symbolize status.

Of course if you're going for the status symbol then spend as much as possible by all means.

I remember seeing something built up in the Sports Basement in San Jose, could you get a deal on one of those? In general I would avoid Jamis and KHS.

If I were you I would definitely go for one of the Cannondale Capo's.

If you get a pro-deal on QBP or another major parts distributor like BTI, you should check out what kinds of completes they offer, too.

03_Impreza_Al

iTrader: (46)

If you have a chance to get 40% off definitely buy something new and complete.

What models do you guys sell?
Fuji Track (Comp, Pro, Classic)
Felt (Tk3,Tk2, Curbside)
SE (Draft?) I never liked em
Cannodale (Capo)
Jamis (Beatnik)
KHS (Flight 100)

Second what are you willing to spend? What are your intended purposes for it?
Have you ridden FIXED before? It can get pretty tricky when you are dealing with track bike with tight geometry on the streets.

DJ_Ronald S

iTrader: (3)

i have ridden fixed before... i actually have a volume fixed gear at my house that my friend let me borrow because he got back into his bmx.. riding fixed is fun but i would like the versatility of having a flip flop hub...

the purpose of the bike is just for recreational riding.. nothing too serious.. just something to keep me active...

my budget is around 500 maybe a little more or less but keep in mind that i get 40% off the bike and/or parts...

i really appreciate everyones help..

buzzword

iTrader: (11)

if your budget is around 500, and you work at a place that sells Fuji, then trying to work out a pro deal on the Track Comp should be first on your radar in my opinion. good parts spec, good customer service through Fuji, etc.

I spent 10 years as a bike mechanic, so if you have any further questions I can address them via PM.

akdmx

iTrader: (6)

buzz where did you work?

Sasco

iTrader: (10)

I had something similiar to this one when I was 4. Remove the training wheels and you're g2g

tamko

iTrader: (1)

haha...nice deal, 40% off? I will go with felt, fuji, cannodale, (if they carry them...trek and specialized)

I'm not a fixie person (stopping a fixie is really painful too, if you dont know how like me.), have chance to ride them couple time but not my cup of tea (unable to stop one time and end up flying off...haha, i know). I like the way road bike let u able to do free spin when you are tired.

get a road bike, eventually you will switch and go there.

TitanSTI

iTrader: (4)

riding a fixed gear/single speed means you are in the wrong gear 95% of the time.

fizay

I'm in the "get a cheaper road bike" category. Fixies can be lots of fun but you should ride multiple times weekly in order to get a feel for riding out on the road, it's much different than on a track. With a road bike you don't have to pay attention to that aspect as much, although gear changing can be tough initially. If you're dead set on single speed/fixed, personally I'd get a big BMX/freestyle mountain bike. I feel like I'd get too bored with a single gear and would inevitably take it off jumps. Would this be a bike you would ride and lock out in public?

buzzword

iTrader: (11)

The last two shops I worked for were Freewheel in SF and The Bike Biz in Sacramento. I have had a "grown up" job for the last year and I miss being able to tinker on crap all day.

I think there are still photos of me building bike wheels on the Bike Biz website - dunno why they don't update it...maybe because I'm such a looker.

buzzword

iTrader: (11)

Also - this is my everyday fixed gear.




This is not a current photo - I sold the wheels, built new ones, and got different cranks. It's pretty baller still but no stupid carbon deathtrap wheel.