You are reading a single comment by @DFP and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@DFP
You are making massive assumptions for someone who has barely ridden a bike. Why do you want to go out and get a bike for the sole purpose of converting it into a singlespeed?
Did you not ponder that bicycles with multi-speed drivetrains might have been made that way for a reason, some merit perhaps?
Ask yourself why you need a bike, urban transport, shopping, long distance, canals, off road, exercise, looking cool etc...
It will help you figure out if it is indeed a bike you need, and perhaps what type.
There are zillions of 'makes' out there, many of whom make top-end stuff as well as junk so there is not much point in going after a particular name.
If you had some experience of riding bikes is would help a lot in choosing something according to your taste/needs.
But as you dont have any I would reccommend getting something cheap that is roughly the right size riding it for a while and coming out with a better idea of what you like and dont like aswell as a better idea of your ideal size & geometry.
Frame quality on steel frames is pretty obvious, cast & stamped ends & lugs, tight joins with neat welds or brazing. A label showing tubing type:
Peugeout carbolite/reynolds 501 = Basic, but good enough.