Welcome

evening...been lurking for a while, signed up a little while back but didn't have much to post....some may know me.

Rode BMX years back, haven't owned a bike for yonks. Put in order for a Pearson Touche on the C2W and very excited.....

If you haven't, I would advise getting the chain upgrade - the stock one is made of cheese.
You will probably want a new saddle too - my first was very uncomfortable, they swapped it out for a new one after a week or so and that didn't last very long.

Otherwise cracking bike and lovely shop. Love mine. It's latest guise should be appearing on the OTP lovers thread when I can work out the dang technology.

Thanks for the advice villa-ru - I went for a chain upgrade as it happens, but didn't really think about the saddle much TBH. Might have a look at options when I pick it up

Oh I did mean to ask a question but can't start a thread yet so I'll ask it here:

I have only had my OTP fixie for a week and as I said earlier in that short time I already know that gears are gone for me. But when I got the bike the fixed sprocket was missing so I'm riding freewheel at the moment until the replacement arrives. Now - I have a bad knee injury from a motorbike accident 10 years ago and I have no cruciate ligs and damaged cartilage in my left knee. Riding my previous urban hybrid thing used to make my knees quite sore (I do ride quite hard) and I've already noticed how much less this is since riding the fixie (and very surprised by that). So if I switch to the fixed how much strain does that put on the knees or am I better off sticking with freewheel?? Im using a 46/16 ratio which is perfect for my commute.

Your thoughts appreciated.

I've always had problems with my knees and find that how much they hurt varies on how much I ride/play football/sit at my desk.

I'm not riding fixed at the moment - as my knees are pretty sore.. but having a flip flop hub means I can switch over when they're better. Not the 'coolest' look, but fuck it - I'm not killing my knees to ride fixed every day!

I'm with wvm though - work seems to hurt my knees more than riding.. maybe thats because I don't stretch enough though?

Incidentally, I'd like to come to beers but I'm a little confused when the next one is - I live in north west, so I guess I have to pick north or west?! :)

Hi all,

Just a quick one, where would you recomend buying a first fixed gear from? I am on a serious budget and and by no means know what i am talking about so something that is reliable and reasonable quality parts would be great for me.

I dont know the first thing about bikes so dont fancy building one plus i have just sold my shitty hybrid so need a replacment ASAP.. Where would be the best place to pick up a used bike from in London other than gumtree/craigslist/ebay? I dont want to spend much more than £250 really...

Also if anyone fancies highlighting any bikes i should keep well away from that would be appreciated...

hello

talboy have a look in the ebay/craigslist thread on here, bargains turn up more often than you think, also keep track of the classifieds on here, people are always selling bikes.
I would suggest you either up your budget or give yourself more time as having a small budget and wanting it tomorrow will only lead to frustration, and you buying a bike just because you have to, rather than one you want to.

@iro_dan, north drinks is at the flask in highgate on tuesday and west drinks are at the crabtree in hammersmith on thursday, head over to whichever one is closer and introduce yourself, search for the threads and let 'em know your coming...

evening...been lurking for a while, signed up a little while back but didn't have much to post....some may know me.

Rode BMX years back, haven't owned a bike for yonks. Put in order for a Pearson Touche on the C2W and very excited.....

Welcome!
That username is familiar....CT per chance?

Cheers Cornelius, I will keep an eye out, do you know of any markets in London which will have used bikes so that i can try a few out see which is most comfortable for me?

Yes, that's right. 35 year old 531 tubing.

Is that unusual or summat then? My bike's got 48 yo 531.

talboy

best to do your testing at shops, as trying to buy from markets (especially brick lane) will usually just get you a stolen bika. Go to bike shop and say your interested in buying a bike and figure out what size bike would be best for you, see the numerous OTP threads for list of suitable bikes, and take them out for a ride and figure out what you like and don't like. You may even be able to stretch your budget to get one.
I'd suggest heading down to one of the larger evans or cycle surgery stores and taking a few of their bikes out for a ride and figuring out your frame sizing and then it gives you more information for when you buy a bike, so your not making schoolboy errors over the simple things..

[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Hay Hay, I guess it’s my chance to say hello and a big thank you to the forum and everyone who has given me some great advice and inspired me to try riding fixed. Last year at one of my local pubs in sunny Liverpool I was met with what I could only describe as a mountain of beautiful and individual single speed cycles. On closer inspection and conversation with the mass participation ride I learnt all about the mechanics of and fun that could be had riding fixed. I had experienced similar cycles at the Manchester velodrome but was not convinced by the lycra and carbon! Though here I am faced with some classic looking kit with great style! The next week I took delivery of my charge plug which despite being the cheapest bike I’ve ever owned has quickly become the funest! Conversation out and about the city with other cyclists has seen a sudden influx of fixed wheels all around, I can’t say I was to aware of the mass of fixies until now. There really is a charm about riding such a simple machine, but what more could you ever need![/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Happy riding.................[/SIZE][/FONT]

hello, I joined up a couple months back but was so ignorant I didn't say hello. sorry

Hi, short-term lurker, just signed on.
Currently riding an upgraded Fuji but looking for something new for my 20min each way daily commute....

(Soon to be) Newbie fixie here, have ridden geared bikes for 25=years but just bought myself two really old frames to build my first fixie. One is a Rudge of unknown age but has a fork lock & the second is a Halfords(of Birmingham) Apollo with rear facing dropouts. (not the crappy Car & Bike halfords tho)
I know nothing of their history but guessing they are well over 50 years old. Anything stopping me from using really old frames as my 1st fixie?

Hi all,

Saw this on Ebay but im a bit sceptical to BUY

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190305804454

could anyone know knows a bit about fixed wheels have a look over and tell me if its worth the purchase as it says suicide hub and i dont know what that means and im getting mioxed messages off searches... also the guy said i will be limited with the number of cogs i can run?

Stay away or buy? auction has ended but i might go see the bike at weekend...

Suicide hub = unsafe
Magic gear = complex process to change gearing.

Horizontal dropouts are more convenient for conversions. It can be done with verticals, but requires some effort.

Cheers Balki, What would your suggestion be? he says he is running 44 15 at the moment (i dont really know what that means) I will be using for commute from maida vale to kensington daily and round regents park for fitness...

Is the rest of the bike worth it ie is the inconvenience worth the rest of the bike? or should i keep well away as a newbie?

Dont know about the rest of the bits... but I would not ride that hub on a turbo trainer let alone the street.

44/15 refers to the gear ratio i.e 44 tooth front chainring, 15 rear. Changing sprocket will result in you needing to add/remove chain links in order to keep appropriate tension - google magic gear for explanation. 44/15 is 77.4 gear inches which would be considered by most to be too high for city riding (the consensus being that around 70 is the ideal) so you'd likely need to change sprockets at some stage.

Actually, I wouldnt ride any bike on a turbo trainer... they are gay.

Ab-flex 2000! Thats a piece of exercise equipment!!

Cheers for that, i was wondering why all the other fixed gears were getting bought on ebay but no one was bidding on this one!!

Looks like i will have to continue my search, any comments on giant bowery as a first purchase? and whether i would be able to improve it as i went along?

List of lists: http://www.londonfgss.com/thread11148.html
Check out the OTP thread.
Use search function at the top.
Eat 3 serves of greens a day.

Oh, and take a jumper... its fucking freezing outside, you'll catch your death of cold.

Cheers Balki, ill stick on a polo neck might as well look cool and be warm at the same time...

Think i might go for the bowery if i can find one cheap then just change the drive train and handles, hopefully that will be a start and if i get more into it then i can invest a little more...

Cheers for the advice, im sure ill be bending your ear once im up and running

Consider Fuji Track around the similar pricepoint.