What should I buy? Frame wheels cranks bars tyres mudguards grips pedals spokes bike

Prices are also interesting - BLB is saying about £1,900 for the Pegoretti in standard custom specification.

BLB do Pegoretti? I though Mosquito does;

http://www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk/htdocs/pegoretti.php?name=bikes

If you can stretch that far, look at other option such as Independent Fabrication, and talk to the guy about what kind of riding you want to do rather than what component you want.

Personally I don't like Pegorettis and I have a hard time justifying why anyone should spend two grand on them. I mean I'm sure they are nice but I'm just not prepared to pay that much extra for the romantic tiny Italian workshop image. Then again you obviously have a lot more money than me and if you really want something and can afford it, then why not.
Anyway out of the two (Peg and Nag) I'd say the Peg is the more practical option. It will probably take a front brake and the overall geometry will be better suited street riding. And yes, if you do decide to go with the Pegoretti, modern Campagnolo is the way to go.

I suppose it must seem that I am simply throwing money at this for no good reason. I apologise. In truth, spending money when necessary is only a means to an end.

What I should probably have asked in the first place was what do you consider is THE pre-eminent lugged steel track-geometry fixed-gear road frame and what components would you choose to build it up into an awesome state-of-the-art bike?

To be perfectly honest I think you need to do a bit more thinking about what it is you want. I'd do this by spending some time test riding different bikes.

Personally I think THE pre-eminent... is a custom one designed for you. OTP, I would buy a Condor Pista. But that's obviously not lugged. In fact I'm not sure I've seen any OTP modern lugged frame. There are obviously some retro ones like the Condor Classico (or the Paris, nice but pricey), and Mercian's but I'm not sure what the point of paying for a 'new' 'old' frame...

...but that's more because of where my thoughts are currently running.

So I guess I'd say OTP Mercian or Condor, are the 'pre-eminent' lugged steel..etc...etc... At the money you're talking, I'd still go custom. Probably Rouke or Roberts. Of maybe fly out to see Dario Pegoretti for a long weekend for a chat and 1-2-1 measurements by him.

I suppose it must seem that I am simply throwing money at this for no good reason.

Yes you are, especially if you have a vague understanding of who Pegoretti and Nagasawa is.

I'll admit I'm having a hard time suppressing the urge to suggest cheaper but still nice framesets, so you'll get more bang for your buck. By no means am I trying to convince you that you shoudln't get an expensive frame though, because I do see how somebody can want a Porsche even though a Nissan GT-R will be at least as good for a lot less dough. If you really don't have any idea what you want the bike to be like and are purely going by what we say, I'd suggest you get a cheaper bike first, ride it for a bit (like a year or so), see what you like and don't like and do a lot of reading on the subject so you'll be better equipped to decide what you want your expensive bike to be like in the future. Maybe you can get something like a Dodici, which still has a bit of Italian swagger.

There's a difference between buying an OTP bicycle and a custom made-to-measure bicycle.

car analogy don't work as they're both OTP.

I would advised OTP since the individual don't quite know what he want and (AFAIK) hasn't ridden such bicycle yet.

Surly Steamroller, Charge Plug, Specialized Langster (alu), Gary Fisher Trition, etc. all from the top of my head, buy them, ride them, and figure out exactly what kind of riding you want to do in the future.

Ed you don't make sense. Car analogy is pretty much perfect if I do say so myself. Have you read my post til the end? I'm suggesting the Dodici as the temporary bike, not instead of the Peg/Nag. Building it up yourself will get you a lot more involved and will increase ones knowledge about components and possibilities.

Hello, hello

I have just spent about 2 days straight researching this world wide web on what bike to get myself, and it has left me a lot wiser but also quite confused. I am therefore humbly turning to the wiser, more experienced people on this forum for help and advice.

I am a well accustomed cyclist, growing up in Stockholm where I spent most of my 18 years cycling any- and everywhere on a heavy, singlespeed vintage/dutch style ladies bike with coaster breaks. This worked fine for the 20-30 minute distances you need to travel in a small city like that. Now, however, living in London, I find myself with a 10 mile commute to work, and the £80 second hand Raleigh hybrid with 6 gears I got on Gum Tree is completely wearing me out. I've realised I need something lighter and quicker which doesn't put me in an upright position.

So, this is what I want:
-Away with the annoying gears, singlespeed or one with a flip flop hub, because I may want to try fixed gear, it seems like fun times.
-<£500 - the cheaper the better - but at the same time I need something that will endure 2-3 hours cycling everyday, since it is my main way of transport. Basically as much quality for the money as possible.
-Fast, comfortable, mudguard equipped or possibility to fit them on.
-I'm only 5'1 so has to come in 51 cm frame or smaller.

I have looked at the OTP list on this forum and it was helpful to some extent, but there seem to be a lot of quality bikes out there that are unmentioned on that list.

These are some of the bikes I've been looking at:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=48560 (nice, retro look, comes with brooks saddle)

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/124901.html (cheap and in my eyes, oh so pretty. but how can I be sure of the quality? what will I gain by spending a couple of hundred pounds more?)

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/sink-2011-single-speed-road-bike-ec026474 (nice looks and a popular brand. but does the price actually mean higher quality or just status and image?)

I would very much appreciate any advice on choosing one of these bikes or tips on other bikes you think are suitable!

Hi guys, I have a Lemond Fillmore 2008 full bike which I'm currently riding. And I'm thinking to change the frame because I feel this is too big for me and I like the look of a flat style frame. I'm looking at a Dolan Pre Cursa frameset but don't know whether it's worth changing from the Lemond to Dolan. Can you guys help with past experiences of the Dolan or what other Framesets I can get with a budget around £200 and whether to keep my Lemond?

Thanks, Jackie.

what do you find too big? do you find the reach to be too long? or do you mean there's not enough seatpost showing?

give us a bit more information, the geometry between the Fillmore and Pre Cursa is slighty different given the Dolan is a track bike whether the Lemond is a fixed wheel road bike.

what do you find too big? do you find the reach to be too long? or do you mean there's not enough seatpost showing?

give us a bit more information, the geometry between the Fillmore and Pre Cursa is slighty different given the Dolan is a track bike whether the Lemond is a fixed wheel road bike.

The actual frame size is too big, I sit on the frame and have to tip toe to stand upright. And standing next to my bike the top tube is above my waist.

Okay I think the best thing for you to do is to simply go to a reputable bicycle shop, ask the assistant to help you choose a bicycle (even though you're not buying), and need to figure out what size frame you need.

once you found the idea frame, find out what's the top tube measurement is, and use that as a base to get the idea size frame you need.

it's a little hard for people to understand what size you may without being in person.

Also, there's more variation in frame sizing as seat tube and head tube angle can make a huge difference, a slacker headtube angle (less vertical) mean the handlebar will be closer than a bicycle with a steeper headtube angle.

Okay I think the best thing for you to do is to simply go to a reputable bicycle shop, ask the assistant to help you choose a bicycle (even though you're not buying), and need to figure out what size frame you need.

once you found the idea frame, find out what's the top tube measurement is, and use that as a base to get the idea size frame you need.

it's a little hard for people to understand what size you may without being in person.

Ahh right I see, cheers for this mate.

Hello
At the risk of sounding dim how would you rate 'espresso" and "no logo" wheels against varno v sprint???
Need some this week think I'm going with v sprint. Any opinions??

dont even hesitate. Varno has been racing and is so involved in cycle racing so long theres no competition

Cheers chaps....

Looking for a allin croydon frame. Cheers

I want to build a fixed time trial bike to do some tt on (funny that)
needs to be super cheap and i'm not sure what to go for, i've seen the VISP frames and they seem cheap, any better ideas?

A leader

i've been needing a new bike for a bit and need alot of help. Best one i've test ridden so far was a 55cm tokyo fixed s2, so i'm thinking steel track type frame. i like the look of the tokyo fixed dart and the brother swift too, they have 1"8 headsets, carbon forks and just seem tougher and more practical. But I'd rather not buy a brand new frame because i'm going to use it for work so it'll have a hard life. i might though, one has sparkly paint. But it doesn't need to be pretty just functional.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190891575273http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&item=190891575273&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]
i saw this Bob Jackson today for 500, that seem like a good price, i don't know anything about the components though, cranks do look cheapo. i'm mainly concerned about getting the right frame though. good price guys? i know i could order a frame from bob jackson for 450.

there's another black Bob Jackson too http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bob-Jackson-mens-bicycle-/171113194459?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item27d72423db no size listed but it is in London though

oh i'm so confused.

any thoughts or reccomendations would be brilliant.

Here's the deal. I ride most weekends, mainly for fun. Club bun runs, solo rides, the odd sportive. Typical distances i cover are anywhere from 30-85 miles at a time. Having converted an old peugeot a couple of years ago i'm enjoying riding fixed more and more, particularly through the winter and on longer and longer rides.

I'm thinking about upgrading at some point and am looking for suggestions of frames/bike to go for. I'm no expert on geometry or types of steel hence the request for ideas.

Essentially I......

• don't want to spend mega/crazy money
  
• don't want something so precious I am afraid to use it over winter. it needs to be a bit of a workhorse.
  
• want it to be a quality frame that will last me a long time, not just a winter beater
  
• need it to be comfortable yet reasonably light/fast (ie not a tourer or pure race frame, somewhere in between)
  
• would like to buy british if possible
  
• like the idea of a custom frame
  
• will only ever be riding it on roads (double brake levers, mudguards)
  
  

Was browsing the bob jackon site the other day. They seem to tick quite a few of the above.

Any suggestions of particular frames and/or other manufacturers i should look at?

Are you looking for a steel Audax bike, essentially? These days this usually translates as a slightly more relaxed road bike, or a light tourer, with mudguard-suitable clearances.

Bob Jackson and Mercian will both have options available for you but there's also Dave Yates, Longstaff, etc. There are other possibilities but that depends on how healthy your credit card looks.

I suppose Pearson might be another option if you don't want to spend a grand or so on the frame.