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@Favori
I got into riding fixed gear when I converted up and old 531 framed bike I'd had hanging around for many years and used it for winter commuting.
I wanted something better. Rather than spend loads building from scratch I studied this thread for an off the peg bike that would suit my purpose.
I road tested three bikes at Cycle Republic (Halfords in disguise)in York.
Surly steamroller
Kona Paddy Wagon.
Boardman
I liked the idea of the Surly and the Kona.
The Boardman felt just so together on the road though.
I like the Hydro-formed frame which place the metal where its needed.
I like the fact that unlike most aluminium frames it has smooth welds ( how do they do that? super smooth welding or filler).
I bought my Boardman from my local Halfords in Huddersfield.
The bike was already built up and on display.
The staff member insisted it was checked over and set up over before I take it away.
I would have been happy to do this at home but thought it best to go along with it in case it would have invalidated the guarantee or something otherwise.
I'm not impressed with the way the bike was prepared.
Riding round the car park the cog unscrewed right away because the lockring was not done up.
On the non drive side of the axle the there was a space between the locknut and the cone nut (not really a cone nut because its a roller bearing) meaning the track nut was not done up against anything solid.
The front brake was adjusted up with the quick release button on the brake lever in the released position.
The worse thing was that on the first outing I got a couple of miles down the road when I heard an almighty crack, a rear blowout. When I got the tube out it had a big star shaped hole in it and the tyre bead was detached from the tyre in that area.
My Theory is that the tube had been installed trapped under the tyre bead. The tyres were fairly soft out of the shop and I'd just topped them up. I've had to fit a new tyre and tube.
Bit concerned about the Truvativ Elita GXP chainset as I've heard rumour that the splined fixings between bb spindle and crank are not suited to fixed gear applications and if they ever come loose in use they are probably going to be permanantly damaged.
Still not been out on a decent ride with it yet.