Newbie with questions

Hi everyone!
I've been riding a very heavy and tattered road bike to work (about 16 miles a day) and I'm seriously thinking of using the cycle to work scheme and getting a fixie. My work has a contract with Halfords so I can only get 'market' bikes, no builds.

If any of you could point me towards a good reliable one it'd be great. I'm thinking maybe the Surly steamroller but, as I said, my experience with fixies/track bikes is next to none.

Thanks!

Surly Steamroller is the bee's knees. Go fixed. You'll also increase your mileage as you come to use it more and more and tubes trains and buses seem anachronistic and muchos slow.

Peace, I'm out like legs on a summer's day.

mate, please search the forum for 'OTP' and you'll find your answer.

you can do that, or start removing all the shit from your road bike, and shorten the chain (if your bike have a horizontal dropout), that cost you at least nothing.

methinks the latter is a better way to start off.

oh, edscoble...... I was trying to make this the first new user thread ever that didn't involve fourteen different options...and the phrase "OTP"..

plus the dude or dudette wants a new bike, he/she said that as it's getting funded by work....let's not skim read!!!!!!

I'd go OTFP.

;P

Tynan you're already OTFP and well you know it.

oh, edscoble...... I was trying to make this the first new user thread ever that didn't involve fourteen different options...and the phrase "OTP"..

plus the dude or dudette wants a new bike, he/she said that as it's getting funded by work....let's not skim read!!!!!!

sorry I'm a member of other forum, so I'm more franks over there than here, so yeah, need to get used to this forum.

tynan You're Already Otfp And Well You Know It.

Otmfrp!

sorry I'm a member of other forum, so I'm more franks over there than here, so yeah, need to get used to this forum.

another forum????? and you go by the name of more franks you say...

otmfrp!

Htfuagotp.

alright I know what's "TFU" is but what's the H stand for?

er...lupin? a Steamroller is the bee's knees. Enjoy yourself.

alright I know what's "TFU" is but what's the H stand for?

Harden the fuck up and go off the peg.

(I could work in Evans with communication skills like this)

harden, gotcha!

harden, gotcha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unkIVvjZc9Y

NOTPNI...
I have a surly, for over a year now... as Object, MA3K, Jaygee, mikey...um... would say they're f%^king solid. Not the most graceful of bikes but as the name suggests they can take tarmac.
I love my surly and for a first fixed, i'd say its deff one of the contenders for best OTP.

What frame size are you after?

Shin

Not sure if Halford's can accommodate a Surly. Try Bikehut who are a franchise, and certainly sell Condor.

I was also on the work scheme where you could only go to Halfords, but Halfords can order any bikes and I have a colleague who said that she can exchange her vouchers at Condor too, so check that.

Surly is a great choice.
Look at the Cotic Roadrat as well. I have one off the peg. MikeC built his. Their customer service is spot on, look at the specs, send them an email if you have any questions and then you can get it from Halfords. (if you do that also think of replacing the saddle)

Thanks everyone!
I thought about fixing my own bike, but it's way too small (50cm when I should be riding 56) plus it's got 18 gears and a slightly bent back wheel... I think that's not exactly a cheap and easy option!

I think the surly would definitely do but what about Charge or any of the other fixies in that price range?

this will help you decide
personally i have a plug and love it,a little heavy but solid and fun to ride.

this should help as well... I had the same conundrum. If you search for OTP or 'of the peg', you should find a wealth of info on the topic.

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread7138.html

Thanks everyone, you're all very kind and helpful!

1 more Q: the surly doesn't come with a back brake. That ok? I mean, I barely use it on my road bike but it would be my first time without one...

you don't need a rear brake with a fixed wheel.

if you ride freewwheel then put one on (get the shop to put one on)