First fixed, cycle2work...

hi guys, well i've bene hectic at of late and havent gotten round to getting a bike, good job really as the cycle2work scheme opened this week again at work so am getting a £800 Loc to spend.

i'm advised by others who have had this at my workplace i can spend it wherever accepts it.

i was looking to get the Condor Potenza in black and white with risers and a few extra's or something built for me.

question is would it be better to get something built up from 14? could this be done with 800?

thanks

Depends what kind of bike you want. I mean, how long is a piece of string? I just measured a piece I have here and it's 114mm, but that won't always be the case.

i get your point... really what i'm asking is as i'm new to this, is the Condor as well equiped as say something i'd get from a place like 14? what i dont want to be doing is switching out components becuase they fail in time.

I'd imagine Condor bikes are to be trusted. Can't vouch for 14, but I'd wager that they know their beans equally. The truth is, that once the bug has bitten, you'll want to blow all your money on new bits regardless of how well they're working!

Don't skimp, do your research and get the build right first time around i.e. Frame that fits, wheelset, crankset... Follow your heart, less painful in the long run IME...

agree with the modding thing lol

thats the thing i'm pretty new to this and know that i'll be spending more on changing out things so trying to get the best i can now but my experience is none.

the more i research the more i'm confused lol and the bug has bitten even before i've got my bike!

is it going to be your first fixed? Not sure I'd spend £800 on the first fix even if on c2c, but then I'm one of those annoying buy a cheap otp see if you like it before splashing the cash types!

yeh my first fix, 800 loc means about 560 by the end and it'll be cheaper in long run if i get it right. means i wont need to spend hard earned upgrading in the future on the expensive things. may as well take the oppertunity to get a good bike while i can get the savings.

I think Condor would be a decent path to go since they're as Crispin Glover said, to be trusted, plus their fixed wheel bicycles are pretty much a bike for life (once they get the right fit for you), especially for commuting on, the price range you mention will get you a decent lightweight and comfortable fixed wheel bicycle.

Condor...their fixed wheel bicycles are pretty much a bike for life

Just sold mine.

How long do I have to live?

shit, can you wait five minutes? I just to get some blunt object...

Follow your heart, less painful in the long run IME...

sage advice for life, yodaslain

Fit is everything (well its important like). Have a spin on the Condor Potenza.

If it fits perfectly, buy it.
If something feels a bit wrong, talk to condor about it. They may be able to twick it.
If not talk to the guys at 14.
or vise versa for that matter.

Components can be changed, the fit of the bike cant be (welll not much anyways).

Once you've got this sorted, decide on the right wheels for your needs, as these are expensive to upgrade later.

Then ride :)

I say go speak to Condor and then go speak to 14. In either order.

Buy from who ever impresses you more, better deal.

£800 will get you a sweet build.

I'm in a similar situation. Work have just signed up and I'm tempted by a Condor Pista, but they've really messed up their colours this year. The black and red Pista reminds me of my bedroom wallpaper from back in the 80s. And not in a good way. Their frames appear expensive too compared to custom British offerings.

I could easily spend much cash at BLB but don't particularly want to. Their Bob Jackson specials are fantastic. I'm often in London with work, but live less than 30 miles away from Bob Jackson HQ. It's a shame they don't do that BLB spec as stock. And that their custom builds take so long . Oh, and the fact they don't accept C2W...

Damn!

I haven't had chance to check out 14 yet but I will. I'm also thinking of getting somewhere to spec up all the shiny bits I want on a cheap frame under C2W then I can swap parts over to another frame out of the scheme.

Actually, I'll probably try a Pista and sign on the dotted line immediately. Their frames do appear expensive though compared to custom British offerings (Mercian/BJ/Ellis-Briggs etc)

Have you spoken to BJ? I'd rather have one of those than a Condor.

Yeah. Build time was quoted at 5-6 months for full custom, with prices starting around £450. I don't know if they're meeting these build times at the moment. Their stock frames are cheaper direct to the tune of about 50 quid. However, they don't accept any C2W schemes so the cost difference of a full build would be huge.

I've got Bob Jackson and Ellis-Briggs within an hour of my front door. Ellis Briggs do accept C2W. I've not been over to see them, but this caught my eye http://customframebuilding.ellisbriggscycles.co.uk/fixed.php.

Mercian would only be an extra 30 minutes in the car...

If Mercian does C2W, go for them

I think Condor would be a decent path to go since they're as Crispin Glover said, to be trusted, plus their fixed wheel bicycles are pretty much a bike for life (once they get the right fit for you), especially for commuting on, the price range you mention will get you a decent lightweight and comfortable fixed wheel bicycle.

+1 condor. they have an 08 classico pista in the shop at the moment and it is AMAZING up close. but if your on a cycle to work scheme, there is the Pista or the potenza but you might as well go for the Ti percorso

Depends what kind of bike you want. I mean, how long is a piece of string? I just measured a piece I have here and it's 114mm, but that won't always be the case.

lol.

anyone know anything about the icini track frames?
i cant find much on them, so a bit unsure about them.
if anyone knows anything or has any recomendations, i'd love to hear from you.
thanks aroura

anyone know if Biddles do C2C? would love the Fuji track pro. has anyone drilled the fork for a front brake? read that its possible as not full carbon, looks like there's a blank ready to drill too.

has anyone drilled the fork for a front brake?

If only there was some means of searching for previous threads on this subject...
shakes fist
"Damn you, Velocio."

If only there was some means of searching for previous threads on this subject...
shakes fist
"Damn you, Velocio."

yeh yeh ok. just thought i'd ask seen as though i was posting about biddles.

edit... searched and still cant find anything...

ok so after much looking i'm pretty set on a red/white potenza.
they come in at around the 650 mark from cycle republic.
i'd like it built with deep V's instead of the stock rims.
reckon i could have this on budget of 800?
thanks