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I'm in Oxford, but fancy a trip to London to go to some fixie shops (unless anyone knows any hidden gems here? - I've only just started looking round here) - where would you recommend? We'd probably be on foot, and as a student, wouldn't want to spend a fortune travelling all day. Are there any good bike shops (fixie based/mostly fixie) near each other?
I'm after a built SS/FG, and my mate is keen on building his first SS/FG bike, and I'm thinking I could buy something, while he gets inspiration, or if I don't buy anything, some good advice and also inspiration!
I'm after a single speed with branded components for around £250, probably used. Been scouring ebay to no avail.
Preferably i'd like to plan the daytrip with a mind to buy a second hand conversion for sub £250... is this too much to ask, and should I just go with a mind to get loads of advice instead, thus probably going to different shops?
Thanks,
Matt.
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Don't go for a cheapo. If you buy a decent OTP (£500+), you'll enjoy it far more (although you won't learn as much about replacing crappy sub-standard parts with good quality individual components). I realise you're probably a student, but the old adage 'buy cheap, buy twice' is more like 'buy cheap, buy thrice' here. Save some more money and get advice from a good shop, e.g. Fitzrovia Bicycles.
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I was just going to say 'you could do worse than go to the Oxford Cycle Workshop' when I saw that it closed last year:
I didn't know that.
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Yeah, shame, i've only been here since September.
I used to cycle a lot as a teen. While in college for about 6 months I commuted in, doing about 12 miles a day. I loved it, spring, cool but sunny, and my health problems improved. I realised recently I miss having a bike and going for a blast, so want to get one to keep in Oxford. Before I rode mountain bikes, and still have an average MTB at home, which I use sometimes.
I have become really interested in FG/SS bikes though recently. £250 would get me a crap road bike, and the gears would infuriate me... if anything like i've had before on mountain bikes many years ago, problematic, clunky etc. - I thought well, FG/SS makes sense, remove one of the parts that really is crap when you buy on the cheap. I'm capable of adjustment and stuff, as well as a full rebuild, i'm sure... I can rebuild an A-series engine, so should be able to rebuild a bike! Anyhow, I want something I can just hop on and ENJOY zipping along on. (+finally explore Oxford, other than the bus routes!)
I looked at Viking bikes, but they look real crap, and at 12kg, the Racemaster is pretty heavy for a SS I believe? Create bikes look pants in my opinion too, along with the other cheap off-the-peg fixies, built to look cool with unbranded parts...
I decided while browsing here, and ebay, a converted only racing bike is probably better. The more I look, the more I like the old look, with no deepset V's. I have an old Mini also, so I appreciate classic stuff, and also simple classic engineering.
Problem is, I have no space to build up and paint a bike of my own using an old frame, so I am looking to buy something already converted and tarted up. I find very few 22-33" framed bikes on ebay/gumtree though. I also struggle to find anything decent second hand locally, which really surprises me as Oxford is so big on cycling... and if I can't find them locally, ideally I need them posted/couriered, which isn't a very common option.
So, now I can finally post a thread here, i'm hoping to find some good used bikes on here (plenty on LFGSS in Oxfordshire right?) or some better suggestions of places to look from locals!
I lost this beauty earlier... by 3p, in the FINAL second. Bidsniping arses! Gutted. The more I looked at it the more I wanted it to be mine. Please tell me it was crap, or I was overpaying for it anyway, or something, cause I'm not happy! :P
A bike like that one I lost, even with basic budget parts would be the best option for my £250 right? The parts may be a bit budget, but they can be upgraded in time right? It'll be better as it comes than a new budget bike with no-name parts built like crap right? More upgradable too? I mean, even the cheap bikes probably arent even worth using the frames during a rebuild are they?
So, there's my long introduction. I hope you can see that I no longer plan to buy cheapo, but on a budget.
I have multiple times £250 available, but I can't justify spending it on a bike that could be stolen - theft here is so so so so high. I wouldn't be so worried if I could keep it inside my halls overnight, but I don't think I could squeeze it in my shoebox room this year - or if I could, I think it would get in the way too much after a few weeks.
Thanks for reading if you read that big old post!
Matt
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you've pretty much got the right idea matt. keep looking on ebay and on here, if you're clever you could probably coincide your visit with the sale of a bike from here.
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The visit was just a thought, i'm pretty sure my friend would be keen! I think it's more likely to happen if I end up in London buying a second hand bike I found online, to be honest actually.
Haha, sorry Clive! I know you guys hate it, just forget! It just rolls off my tongue! I'm not buying a FG/SS because they're "in" I hope you realise, but I would not know so much about them to be fair, if they weren't "in" if you know what I mean!
What do you guys think of the Raleigh I posted? The one I lost on ebay. How much would you value that at/pay for that? Was I way over the mark thinking £235 ish delivered, and trying to buy simply following my heart?
By the way, I was sceptical about cheapies like the Viking Racemaster Pro anyway, but a chat with some local bike repair shops concreted by views :) - never really planned to buy cheapie... thinking more second hand conversion (by someone with an interest) using branded but probably budget parts :)
Matt
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I have become really interested in FG/SS bikes though recently. £250 would get me a crap road bike
It would most likely get you a crap fixed bike, too, though.
I bought my Fuji Track in 2006 for £300 plus £80 additional bits, but prices have risen.
I looked at Viking bikes, but they look real crap, and at 12kg, the Racemaster is pretty heavy for a SS I believe? Create bikes look pants in my opinion too, along with the other cheap off-the-peg fixies, built to look cool with unbranded parts...
Yes, don't even touch those with a bargepole.
I decided while browsing here, and ebay, a converted only racing bike is probably better. The more I look, the more I like the old look, with no deepset V's. I have an old Mini also, so I appreciate classic stuff, and also simple classic engineering.
Problem is, I have no space to build up and paint a bike of my own using an old frame, so I am looking to buy something already converted and tarted up.
No, if you're good with mechanics, you should build your own, then. Serious recommendation. Lots of people have a lot of fun doing that. You don't need much space to build up a bike, and you can always have the frame powdercoated or painted later--see these threads:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread1238.html
http://www.lfgss.com/thread16007.html
http://www.lfgss.com/thread1039.htmlI find very few 22-33" framed bikes on ebay/gumtree though.
It's a good hint to people on here to make sure never to cross you if you take a 33" frame. :)
I also struggle to find anything decent second hand locally, which really surprises me as Oxford is so big on cycling...
Most student bikes are absolute rubbish, partly for the simple reason of fear of bike theft, but also because for many they're just studenty accessories.
So, now I can finally post a thread here, i'm hoping to find some good used bikes on here (plenty on LFGSS in Oxfordshire right?) or some better suggestions of places to look from locals!
It's unlikely that there'll be many sales in Oxfordshire, but you may get lucky.
I have multiple times £250 available, but I can't justify spending it on a bike that could be stolen - theft here is so so so so high. I wouldn't be so worried if I could keep it inside my halls overnight, but I don't think I could squeeze it in my shoebox room this year - or if I could, I think it would get in the way too much after a few weeks.
Then get a simple, crappy, studenty bike that you can keep outside, e.g. outside lectures when it's most likely to get stolen, and a nice bike to keep in your room for Sunday rides. You'll love it so much that you won't want to be separated from it. :) Seriously, you can never have enough bikes.
I remember when it seemed really odd to me to keep a bike in my room/flat--those days are long gone, and I'm very happy to give up a good deal of space for it. :)
Probably not very helpful advice right now, but there might come a time ...
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It would most likely get you a crap fixed bike, too, though.
I bought my Fuji Track in 2006 for £300 plus £80 additional bits, but prices have risen.
No, but it should get me a good starting point? Obviously it won't be perfect for me from the start i'm sure, but in time, some new parts would make it "mine" and a good ride. I'm not after something incredible, anything will be better than a 15kg mountain bike with 5cm wide tires I have kicking about back home!
Yes, don't even touch those with a bargepole.
Yeah, don't plan to, seen the light!
No, if you're good with mechanics, you should build your own, then. Serious recommendation. Lots of people have a lot of fun doing that. You don't need much space to build up a bike, and you can always have the frame powdercoated or painted later--see these threads:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread1238.html
http://www.lfgss.com/thread16007.html
http://www.lfgss.com/thread1039.htmlYeah I'd definitely love to. Not ruling it out... I am desperate to get cycling though, and I want to buy something more fit for purpose than my mountain bike back home, you know, to be excited about riding again? Wanting to get on it and ride whenever. I see riding that mountain bike as a chore sometimes, even did just 1 mile to work over Christmas!
I will finish uni in May, and then will be getting a house with some friends next year, so hopefully will be able to store it off the street at night, and feel comfortable locking it up for an hour or two here and there with a pair of good locks.
Do these bikes hold their value well? Over my very long summer, if i've got the fixed gear bug (which I think I will) I will build one at home. I could sell the one I buy now, or just rebuild it.
It's a good hint to people on here to make sure never to cross you if you take a 33" frame. :)
Haha, that would be a giants bike! I meant 23" haha :)
Most student bikes are absolute rubbish, partly for the simple reason of fear of bike theft, but also because for many they're just studenty accessories.
I was thinking this... I was concerned so many crap bikes came up for sale, because crap bikes were mostly what people bought round here because of the theft? You raise an interesting point actually, and I hope it's correct. I guess I am fortunate enough to be a student who has earned his own money, and has his own savings :)
Maybe theft is high simply because people are useless at locking up. It hadn't really occurred to me that that many people would be stupid, but looking in the "How not to lock your bike thread" it seems even people with carbon framed racing bikes are... wow, just wow! Theft is not cool. but they are not helping themselves.
It's unlikely that there'll be many sales in Oxfordshire, but you may get lucky.
I didn't see many in the classifieds, but there were a huge amount of topics there! I did some searches I think though over the whole forum, and thought Oxfordshire came up quite a bit.
Then get a simple, crappy, studenty bike that you can keep outside, e.g. outside lectures when it's most likely to get stolen, and a nice bike to keep in your room for Sunday rides. You'll love it so much that you won't want to be separated from it. :) Seriously, you can never have enough bikes.
I know what you're saying with the Sunday rides thing... I would however really only be using it for fun, so to speak already though, not huge commutes, just a few miles a day, if that wasn't the impression you got.
Fortunately, if you know Oxford, i'm at Oxford Brookes, and I study in the sleepy town of Wheatley. I don't think theft on that campus is very high, fortunately, if I did "commute" instead of just ride for fun.
My main concern is the rack on the student village I live, just off the main road through Headington, to the city centre. I've shuffled by room around, and I think I have a bike shaped space! (BSS!) I definately could live around it to be honest, would make me ride it even more! I thought last night at 3am when I couldn't sleep, if a bike had been in my bike shaped space, I would have hopped on it and gone for a nice ride.
You certainly can't! I think I will probably build my own over the summer, and keep it for the summer, while keeping a bike i'll hopefully buy soon, for the winter.
I remember when it seemed really odd to me to keep a bike in my room/flat--those days are long gone, and I'm very happy to give up a good deal of space for it. :)
Probably not very helpful advice right now, but there might come a time ...
You know, i'd love a little flat, with a few bikes dotted around it! (like I imagine a London bike messengers place to be like!)
I don't think I showed it in my post really, but the room is TINY. I love bikes, and would love to finally be able to bring a bike inside now i'm out of my Mum's house, after all those years of damp sheds! - I think I could just about bear it taking up so much space in here, but only just, as it is a shoebox!
I certainly can bear having bikes in bedrooms, I love that shit, it's just bearing the large percentage of space it would take up!
I think i've got a spot big enough so it would not get in the way though, so I think i'm winning :) - wouldn't be here long, even if I got one now... only got about 10 weeks left here!
Thanks for the great post, and the effort you put in!
Now I need to find a bike to put in the bike shaped space!
Matt
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Riding in London
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hello guys
I came from Bedford and today me and my friend is coming to London with our fgs. Is there any places recommended to go? Fg shops ? We planned to go to foffa bikes Tokyo fixed is closed today And good place must see?
I am on the train typing this, very excited about this trip. Sorry for my bad English