First FG self-build

I want to build my first fixed bike myslef but am having problems knowing the best frame to go for and also how to get hold of the damn thing once I've decided... i've been told to steer clear of frames from brick lane cycles, as wonderful as they are i'd be paying an un-necessary markup. But then I cant find anything decent on ebay or gumtree to convert and will go mad if I see anymore car boot sales this year.

anyone have any ideas/recommendations. I've got about £450-500 max for the complete bike. happy to source other parts online from othe people but figured it's best to see the frame for sizing etc.

cheers if you can help!

oxford cyle workshop always have nice frames for cheap if you don't mind the journey. otherwise there's the tour de ville guy who posts on here (jos/jol?)

worth joining freecycle.org and asking if anyone has an old road bike you could use. Worked for me for my first fixie...

just trawl ebay for incorrectly listed frames in something like 531. for bike size, maybe come down to polo, meet a few people, ask nicely to try different sizes etc.
or contact jos, roberto, andypancake, freshtripe for cheapo road frames.

keep an eye out on the ebay/craigslist finds thread. some really good stuff do show up there. give us more idea about what you think is "decent". personally i always find decent frames on ebay going for quite good prices. loads of us here have scored 531 road frames for less than 60quid.

only other thing i can think of would be bike jumbles, but i do not know of any coming soon that's not too far away from london.

what after you after alu / steel?
maybe dolan or frames of ebay is a possibility

btw you have to change your name

thanks everyone! all good stuff that I hadn't thought of so cheers

by decent I just mean a steel, ideally 531 in immediately usual nick ideally.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a bit longer on ebay/craigslit/freecycle but if anyone has a frame on offer pls. let me know. 5ft 11 with longer legs than usual for my size!

I just went to Jos' workshop in Seven Sisters on Sat. Lots of track and road frames plus assorted other parts. Definitely worth going up there and having a look. Send him an email or I can whisper you his no.

Otherwise get a cheap road frame off ebay. Should be able to easily pick one up for less than £100.

Cheers Andy - gonna drop Jos a line and maybe head over there - will keep my eyes on ebay in the meantime - will probably find something there it seems just getting impatient - can't get online to watch items as much as I need to...