Charge Plug

my bike and any bike i will ride in the future ever is nicer than any of yours. there i said it.

mick: i quite like that.

Take that bike and put your trike bars on it, it'd look great.

are talking about "flyer" model... it made by ridgeback...

The Genesis Flyer is a sweet bike. Needs some white electrical tape to cover the graphics... but a lush to ride for the money.

Bully for you, maybe other people want to get riding straight away. Think this a 'you're not a proper fixed rider unless...' if it's a London thing you can keep it, I just ride a bike.

that wasn't really the tip I was on - I was trying to show that just cos you spend a bit of time and care getting shit together doesn't necessarily equate to some 'snobby' second hand / vintage parts jones. I'd have loved to get it all together in two months - as it was it took six. But over that time I withstood throwing silly money at ebay and the like and learned more than I would have in two months.

It's not about "you're not a proper fixed rider unless..." - I just see a new wave of people laying cash out they don't need to for OTPs and the joy of conversions/builds getting lost in the wave of OTP marketing. Sorry but loads of the fixed gear shit ("scene", whatver you want to call it) has been about building your own bike up and sourcing parts.. it's not a London thing, it's just the way it's been - fixed gear gallery was going long before the London wave started. And bike builds have been the basis for most of the geek talk at the forum drinks too, noone's asking people about their OTPs to be honest, sorry but they ain't. It isn't snobbery, it's enthusiasm for individuality and effort and a bit of knowledge.

Actually now that you mentioned it, the whole 'hipster' scene is simply, from what I think, is about trying to be fashionable without spending money or nothing at all, a simple "fuck you" to the big brand (Nike, Levi's, etc.) by getting cheap shit from 2nd hand shop and still end up looking fashionable without needing to resort to getting them from 'The Man".

The fixed wheel bicycles (especially conversion) is a perfect example of that, building up a simple straightforward bike that should be reliable and durable without spending a penny, hence why it have a spot in the whole 'hipster' shit, so a brand new expensive 'fixie' is the complete opposite of what the 'scene' is suppose to be in the first place, but it's just marketing really.

a little off topic but sod it.

^^Yeah but not one who is making a parts bike or "proper fixid gear" on the cheap. I keep seeing vintage frames, carbon stuff and custom frames on the current projects other than the odd Pug project which most of the time is someone's "Pub" i.e. second bike. I suspect the strong majority have spent a fuck load more than people who have bought OTPs. In fact I'd be willing to bet that bar a few, the people with OTPs are the ones who have spent the least amount of money on their bikes.

there is geared, single speed and fixed version of genesis if we are talking about "flyer" model... it made by ridgeback...
"What started out as one model in the Ridgeback range is now a fully fledged brand. Ridgeback forged its reputation making mountain bike-inspired, flat bar road bikes under the Genesis name. That was five years ago, and in 2006 the Genesis model transformed into a proper brand."

Yes I know, but the model mentioned was the Day 01

^^Yeah but not one who is making a parts bike or "proper fixid gear" on the cheap. I keep seeing vintage frames, carbon stuff and custom frames on the current projects other than the odd Pug project which most of the time is someone's "Pub" i.e. second bike. I suspect the strong majority have spent a fuck load more than people who have bought OTPs. In fact I'd be willing to bet that bar a few, the people with OTPs are the ones who have spent the least amount of money on their bikes.

like I said, what I was talking about is off topic, not related to the original point, it boil down to this;

if you don't have the patience or time, get an OTP

if you do, build one up.

that's it.

like I said, what I was talking about is off topic, not related to the original point, it boil down to this;

if you don't have the patience or time, get an OTP

if you do, build one up.

that's it.

Or if you know what you are doing then both take about the same time.

If all parts are in stock and buying new then the only extra time involved is putting it all together. And being a gearless bike means that can be done in under 2 hours.
So patience or time don't really come into it.

if all part in stock, and if you have the money to get it, then yes it's possible, but expensive thought, I would have save £150 on my missus' bike had it not been for the deadline (end up buying new part for it to get it done).

It's not about "you're not a proper fixed rider unless..." - I just see a new wave of people laying cash out they don't need to for OTPs and the joy of conversions/builds getting lost in the wave of OTP marketing. Sorry but loads of the fixed gear shit ("scene", whatver you want to call it) has been about building your own bike up and sourcing parts.. it's not a London thing, it's just the way it's been - fixed gear gallery was going long before the London wave started. And bike builds have been the basis for most of the geek talk at the forum drinks too, noone's asking people about their OTPs to be honest, sorry but they ain't. It isn't snobbery, it's enthusiasm for individuality and effort and a bit of knowledge.

Gotcha, and a fair enough point. I whole heartedlty agree, because that was the vibe I was/is on with my MTBs. I came here before I bought my fixed, and was told to build it myself however I simply didn't have the requisite knowledge of parts and frames and the like to do it. I think only know after 5 months of listening and looking would I be able to put a decent build together that suits my perfectionist edge, but waiting would have meant 5 months of not riding fixed. An OTP afforded me the luxury of riding and learning, hence why I think it is good option for a first time buyer

I keep seeing vintage frames, carbon stuff and custom frames on the current projects other than the odd Pug project which most of the time is someone's "Pub" i.e. second bike. I suspect the strong majority have spent a fuck load more than people who have bought OTPs. In fact I'd be willing to bet that bar a few, the people with OTPs are the ones who have spent the least amount of money on their bikes.

You are on a forum for people into bikes remember!

My 1st fixed bike cost in the region of £90 to build. And it's actually a better bike than a charge plug IMO.

However I've had 3 friends buying fixed bikes on my advice recently. 2 bought new Fuji Tracks, and one an old steel road bike we're going to convert. It's down to how much money, time, knowledge, tools and interest you've got really. Much like Jimmy says.

mine was £190 and still a lots better than a Charge Plug (and quite light too despite cheap 103 tubing).

hell I didn't even need that much knowledge, just remove certain part, ask bike shop to build you a back wheel and that it.

i like my plug, although now its not really OTP

i like my plug, although now its not really OTP

That, my friend is anti-porn! How bloody tall are you?!

^^Yeah but not one who is making a parts bike or "proper fixid gear" on the cheap. I keep seeing vintage frames, carbon stuff and custom frames on the current projects other than the odd Pug project which most of the time is someone's "Pub" i.e. second bike. I suspect the strong majority have spent a fuck load more than people who have bought OTPs. In fact I'd be willing to bet that bar a few, the people with OTPs are the ones who have spent the least amount of money on their bikes.

my build- Pug Frame, given me by my neighbor, back in somerset.
rear wheel-given to me by bike nerd friend
front wheel- £20 from shop I worked at
Got some rubinos for a tenner.
Had Pedals and cages from old Claud Butler school-ride bike.
Cranks, £35 from someone on here, although to be fair I still need to put that balance across. Nice guy.
Brake lever, found on the floor at shop.
Then bought new
Threadless BB, Chainring, DA Sprocket, Chain. All bashed in by Edwardes.
Overall cost, tops of £130.
And it's greeeeeeeet.

Gotcha, and a fair enough point. I whole heartedlty agree, because that was the vibe I was/is on with my MTBs. I came here before I bought my fixed, and was told to build it myself however I simply didn't have the requisite knowledge of parts and frames and the like to do it. I think only know after 5 months of listening and looking would I be able to put a decent build together that suits my perfectionist edge, but waiting would have meant 5 months of not riding fixed. An OTP afforded me the luxury of riding and learning, hence why I think it is good option for a first time buyer

This is what I'm thinking about atm, I don't really have the knowledge/tools to build myself a bike + I'm living in halls and have a tiny toom so I don't really have anywhere to keep all my shit. I just want to get cheapish OTP and get out on rides whilst I'm learning more through these threads and friends, whilst I'm saving some funds for building my own.
There seems to be quite a mixed opinion of the plug. I'm quite short (5'5") and looking around I haven't found many otp bikes which cater for this. I've tried asking around for people selling small frames/complete bikes here aswel (Manchester) and not had much luck. LBS has fuji track at £350 49-52cm (49 has 650c wheels) or I found an XS 2008 plug freestyler online at £409. I know it's not about looks but the plug looks alot sturdier than the fuji (although with the change from the fuji I could get myself a few cheap parts I guess). Not too sure.
And with the plug not sure whether I would need XS or S, going to get to a shop and try them out for size soon.

I think it looks the bollox personally, but then I'm some newbie that bought a Paddy Wagon and loves MTB's... An Independent Fabrication owner

You can always go to a bike shop such as cavendish cycles and get them to build you a bike of similar price range to the Charge (IRO frame specifically) and it´ll be better and lighter.

I'm based in manchester, I'll go have a chat with the guys at GBH.
thanks for the advice

edit: asked another shop i wont mention and they were really off with me and just tried to force the fuji track on me when i was asking about having a bike built. I've got a basic understanding of what parts are in my pricerange from reading up on here. ill get on it and keep you posted

That, my friend is anti-porn! How bloody tall are you?!

Fuck even mentioning porn. Porn is for wankers. That bike looks like a whole lot of fun... for a big'un.

mine was £190 and still a lots better than a Charge Plug (and quite light too despite cheap 103 tubing).

hell I didn't even need that much knowledge, just remove certain part, ask bike shop to build you a back wheel and that it.

ed you should get building wheels. Your then 100% self sufficient with your bike. You can't beat that IMHO.

[still have to got your girl to fit tyres though ftw!]

:P

Hah! yeah all I need to do is to learn how to build a wheel, and just buy two tools to put the BB on and the head set and then I'm sorted.

This is what I'm thinking about atm, I don't really have the knowledge/tools to build myself a bike + I'm living in halls and have a tiny toom so I don't really have anywhere to keep all my shit. I just want to get cheapish OTP and get out on rides whilst I'm learning more through these threads and friends, whilst I'm saving some funds for building my own.

When I brought a 2nd hand bike, I don't even know how to tinkle with it in the first place, the stuff I mentioned were easily done without even the knowledge of certain stuff;

2nd hand bike

remove all the bike beside the brakes (or just the front), get a new rear wheel build by your LBS, learn how to add/remove chain and you're sorted.

unless the BB and crankset is damaged, just get them to put a cheap Andes one and you're sorted, yet you still be paying just half the price of the Plug and pretty much half the weight!

+1

Get involved.

I regret buying my Plug OTP, I've customised it as much as I can afford to but I really want to build a bike now. That said, I'm so glad I started riding when I did - the last 9 months or so have been the best I've spent on a bike.

Just waiting for that perfect frame to surface, then I can slowly start my build.