Newby alert

SS with a front brake - classic! Guy on a charge smug yesterday SS with only a front brake at the top of Holland Park Rd. Asked if he thought that was a good idea - "been riding it like this for months"
Scooter pulls out on him on the descent and he almost kissed the pavement trying to stop.

Isn't it fixed if it's a pista?
Nice choice by the way bobbbobobobb

a pista is fixed - mate got one a couple weeks ago from Evil Mr Evans. They didn't even size him, just said "you look like a 56cm" there ya go. he took it back last week.

pista 08 also got the friendly 'no brake' warning on the top tube yeah? handy that.

its got flip flop hub so i thought i'd get confident on a freewheel...i know it's weak like!

the no breaks sticker is a peach man...how could that not be helpful!?

dammit, holes for reflectors they must be.

although Max's BMW has large flats with clips, I noticed last night. looked quite useful

BMX flats? i have been trying to locate a decent pair of metal flats with metal cages for months. not the oversized that could seat a few passengers but enough width to be confortable in converse/vans and not spoil the slim line look of the bike.

I thought Pistas came with cage ready pedals.. they must have swapped them!?

bought a bianchi pista 08 today...1st single speed bike...put gusset bmx pedals, brooks b17 saddle and a front brake on!...now have at me like a pack of dogs!

It's sensible to ride with a brake about in london, it's way too dangerous otherwise. Skidding for me never gives a sharp stop.

@Greasy Slag:
I don't know what model they are, didn't look that closely, but deffo BMX/MTB flat pedal size. big.

great if you have big feet, high BB a must though otherwise I imagine ground clearance to be an issue.

I'd be careful tho. some only look like they do, on wellgo pedals it's only possible to fit clips on upside-down!

Top Tip (although, unlike those in Viz, this actually works) - you can simply buy a set of larger clips and attach them to the back side of the pedal cage, like so:

I thought Pistas came with cage ready pedals.. they must have swapped them!?

I was under the impression that Pistas were sold without pedals - they certainly are here in the US (although most shops chuck a pair of plastic platforms on for test rides)

@ greasyslag - what abput the MKS gr9 pedals - comfy even with soft soles because of the lage flat area, I think you can also get a wide version?

you need arrospoks on the front and the rear by the way.

your top-tube should match your arrospoks too.

@provenrad

Bingo! good spot man

@ greasyslag - what abput the MKS gr9 pedals - comfy even with soft soles because of the lage flat area, I think you can also get a wide version?

These are really good - I was running them until I went clipless. Note the extra-long flip tab, which makes it dead easy to get into the clips. It's literally twice the size of the flip tab on a set of Sylvans.

I am using my second pair of GR9s - They rule - even in plimsolls you don't get the cage diggin in to the sole of your feet.. the flip-tab is good - I sharpened mine after wearing it smooth after months and months..

I didn't know there was beef with people using bmx pedals??

Max (glow) uses them, with 160 cranks, and still gets pedal strike. Alcohol or nay that's enough to put me off! :)

Top Tip (although, unlike those in Viz, this actually works) - you can simply buy a set of larger clips and attach them to the back side of the pedal cage, like so:

I was under the impression that Pistas were sold without pedals - they certainly are here in the US (although most shops chuck a pair of plastic platforms on for test rides)

Excellent tip on the mounting ! Never thought of that.

I am using my second pair of GR9s - They rule - even in plimsolls you don't get the cage diggin in to the sole of your feet.. the flip-tab is good - I sharpened mine after wearing it smooth after months and months..

GR9s are GR8.

Sorry couldn't help myself.

Is it possible to get any feedback on starter fixies please? More specifically, Scott hybrid in the sale.
Any advice hugely appreciated... looking for London road fast bike. This is probably answered elsewhere but needless to say I searched...

They're called 'Off The Peg', abbreviated to OTP, for searching purposes.
Discuss here:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread9085-24.html

Think about second hand...you'll get much more bike for your bucks.

I wish I listened to this advice when I started cycling. Its not that I regret the OTP bikes I bought, more that I wouldn't have had to upgrade quite so quickly if I had gone second hand in the first place.

London's famous London Road Fast Bike (tm)

Ah, fantastic thanks a lot all. Edinburgh Road Cobble Broken Wheel Bike is a very different requirement... promise you that!
Have considered second hand, still am, but there's so much info here, working out what to look for & how ain't easy for a beginner. eg
http://forsale.fixedgearbiking.co.uk/ looked useful but Teman seem to get terrible reviews and the ebay stuff generally isn't second hand anyway... will keep looking... tata!

Are you in Edinburgh? I used to own one of these (slightly higher spec with disc brakes). Heavy but a proper city tank. Loved the thing.

Only £229!

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=13002&f_SupersetQRY=C432&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018333c018336

In my very humble opinion this is one of the very few OTP bikes that I feel offers good value for money.

^^ Our classifieds sections is the best place to look for second hand!

London now, hence fixie plan, but almost seems worth getting the train back up just to pick something up at the wondrous Edinburgh Bike Station. Anyhow will keep on keepin an eye out on Classifieds too. Langster steel or Fuji look interesting too, from the above links. Thanks again.