Beater or not to Beater

So I'm about to do my first build and I am facing a bit of a dilemma. Part of me wants to buy a track frame and start gouging big chunks out of my bank account to make something that moves in a way that will make me go "woo".

But since this is my first build I'm thinking I might be being a bit stupid going in at the end where all the big boys are dive bombing - so I should buy me a cheap road frame and build a beater, then I can make all those stupid mistakes that I will make without looking down at a new wheel/crank/pedal sobbing because I was too dumb to know that it was too big/small/coveredinbees to fit the rest of the bike and I just sold my face to get it.

So, would people here recommend I start with the road rust bucket, or save my money and go straight in with a real track frame? What did you do? Did you regret it or think it was the right idea?

Oh and in terms of what I know about bikes I can take a bike to pieces and put it back together but I'm not so hot on buying individual components.

(Braces for insults)

Build a beater. If you like it, build a banger.

(See what I did there?) I know, it was terrible.

beater. if you dont like it, chuck it and find a new hobby, if you do then you can splash some cash on a little tart.

beater or banger would've been a better title. Dammit.

Definitely beater. My first build has had me in tears on many occasions as parts wouldn't fit or I broke / threw away all the important bits.

Am still adding to it and at the same time looking into building up a proper bike ready for next summer.

I'm about to get slated for this, I'm sure - but you, my friend, sound like the exact person that the OTP track bike was invented for.

Buy a nice, basic, complete bike (I personally recommend the Fuji Track, based on my own experiences), throw a front brake on and be done with it. Not only will you have something that handles more like a 'proper' track bike, but you'll have something that will hold a lot more of it's value than a conversion for when you come to sell it because you either get bored with fixed or get the upgrade bug.

Seriously, I really think that this would be the best course of action for you.

http://www.biddlebikes.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=321&products_id=162

Less than 300 bones.

But Riki wants to build summit not just buy a ready meal .....

Beater = New HHSB. Build one. Have some fun. Learn how a bike is put together and FTW.

I'd go with Turpe on this one, buy an off the peg, which will allow you to change bits and bobs as you find better more durable parts and would allow you to figure out which parts/brands are good/bad/indifferent.
as well as giving Riki something to ride on.
All to often we tell people to find a frame, buy some bits and build it up themselves, finding the right frame can be a long winded process and then finding the right bits to fit on the frame, - peugeot owners raise your hands - can be the end of ones love affair with the frame you've just spent months waiting to fall into your lap.
OTP isn't cycling leprosy, just a way to get out and riding and then figure out how to adapt/adjust/exchange the parts you want.

• what turpe and corny said, if you like it and keep it, you will get around to changing up-grading and learn for yourself as you go.
  

• 1 Cornelius.
  
  

I'm doing up a 1990 peugeot 753 frame and sourcing parts is proving to be extremely tedious. Will be worth it once it's finished and I have other bikes to ride in the meantime.

hmmmm, hadn't really seriously thought about the OTP's, I have got a road bike which I use day to day atm but it's a 05 Allez so conversion would involve eno hubs (which is pricier than a beater frame!) so having something to ride isn't an issue really... which is what led me to Todds view, build something so I start to really understand the bike.

But I'm not one to ignore voices of reason, and that Fuji is seriously cheap.. oh balls anyone got a magic 8 ball?

if you're interested in learning how to build and maintain bikes, and aquiring a set of tools along the way then building an old, cheap frame up is an excellent way to learn.

I started with beaters for road fixed, but then I'd been doing all my own mtb and bmx stuff for years.

It also depends on how serious your riding is, if it's commuting and errands then anything will do, really. If you want to go on long rides at weekends, hills and potholes can certainly sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to your components so you may want something better.

If you don't see yourself getting your hands dirty often, then the £300 OTP FTW HTFU INNIT

Hands dirty is good, I've recently become obsessed with taking my bike to pieces, it usually goes back together ok haha. Also if I ever say "understand the bike" again can someone boot me for sounding like Yoda?

I'd agree with Turpe, Corny et al above who suggested trying an otp as your first fixed. The fuji is a really good place to start, see how it goes and then build what you really want.