Newbie intro and advice please

Hi guys
I'm just thinking about starting to get back into some serious riding again after the last few years spent running anything from 10k to marathons. Still doing 30k per week, but thinking at some time in the future the old body might not be able to deal with all the impact as well.

Last year I rebuilt and updated my '92 Lavadome and this year I would like to have a go at a fixie. Being a big fan of Konas, I'd like to base it on one but not sure which frame would be best. I am looking for a balance of light weight and strength as I'm used to abusing the Lavadome quite a bit getting around town. Not sure whether I should stick with P2 forks or go carbon. I think I'm down to 2 possible frame/fork combos, Band Wagon or Dr Fine, but maybe I've missed one or even another brand. Would definitely be interested in thoughts or comments on what would make a great all round fixie with flat bars and brakes preferably.

Thanks guys, looking forward to reading your replies.

Cheers, Mark

Everything will go much more smoothly for you on here if you don't call it a fixie.

It is not the prefered nomenclature

Whats a fixie?

^This.

Just out of curiosity. Why Kona?

Kona's single speed offer is not great. Also both of the bikes you mention are:

1. Ugly as sin;
   
2. Over priced IMO
   
   

I'd recommend you check out Charge Bikes who are a superb UK brand.

When you find a bike you like the look of, go test ride it. Then go find the cheapest price on the web and they will often pricematch it (Evans / Cyclesurgery).

Or go for a Langster: Cheap, light, tough, good looking. What's not to like?

Yes Specialized Langster also, Fuji Track etc.

Or go for a Langster: Cheap, light, tough, good looking. What's not to like?

Do have to agree with Mark, don't have mine anymore as it got written off but it was mighty good value. Or look at KHS Flite 100's. Or Charge as previously mentioned. Kona are very high in price for what they are. You could build something much, much nicer for the cost of a Kona.

Old Konas are great!

I say that as an avowed GT man.

Why not single speed up something similar (old Kilueaaaarh or something?)

Fixed is overrated.

My first fixed was a Kona back in the day.

It was good because it was a sweet Dedacciai steel frame.

I would not even consider Kona anymore.

I have nothing against Kona's, indeed I have a nice 2010 Paddy Wagon that I picked up off FleaBay for a very reasonable £250 and I use as a dry weather path commuter with 30mm CX Pros.
Its just that my Langster is lighter, just as robust, just as comfortable and has sharper road handling.
I could never get on with Fuji's, no real reason, just don't like the feel.
But do consider singlespeed rather than fixed.

Oops my apologies on the fixie thing, put it down to inexperience.

I appreciate the comments from you all, I'll see if a can take the points in order.

Jake - light and robust frames, but always thought the whole sloping top tube looked great.

Zed - I agree, don't want the bike though, just a decent frame to build the bike around.

Jung - good point, but was hoping for a 700c wheel set or I would build around an Explosive with P2 forks, but a Kili would also we good.

Mark - I think a single speed may be the best starting point just to get used to it. Maybe look for a Langster frame and fork set up.

Cheers to you all, will have a search on the site and see what's about.
Hope to meet one or two of you before the end of the summer.

Cheers, Mark

The thing about going single speed first, just to get used to the feeling, is that it really is nothing like riding fixed. Not to say you shouldn't do it, but it won't really prepare you for riding fixed. Personally I think you should drop yourself in the metaphorical deep end and go fixed straight away.

If you're looking for a frame to build a fixed gear bike then ideally you want slotted rear dropouts with some space to move the wheel forward/back to get the chain tension.

Lots of great frames to choose from these days, think about what kind of tyre clearance you want and take it from there... Let your budget (and LFGSS) be your guide... Welcome aboard...

I started in December riding SS with a Langster. Only lasted for a month and a half til I got hit by a car. But my point is I wish I hadn't have even bothered. The ability to freewheel will mean you get more and more used to freewheeling. You may as well start with fixed now, or you may never go fixed.

As long as you've got a flip flop hub you can do either. Nowt wrong with starting SS, though as mentioned ^^ it doesn't 'get you used' to riding fixed.

Not everyone gets on with fixed though and riding SS makes just as much sense in town so give yourself the option.

Oh yeah I'm not denying that at all. Only reason I said so was because the OP said 'I would like a go at fixed'. So I don't really see the point in starting on a SS, if you want to ride fixed :-)

I know there's been some Kona bashing above, but if you can look past that (and an orange wheelset), this link will save you some dorra:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=80319&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom

I did single speed for a while just to get my legs used to the gearing, then went fixed and haven't looked back. A few "oh cripes" moments to begin with, but you'll get used to it. I rode a freewheel for the first time in three years last week and it felt weird.

I know there's been some Kona bashing above, but if you can look past that (and an orange wheelset), this link will save you some dorra:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=80319&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom

Thanks mate, I saw that. Would prefer to get just the frame and fork though as I'd like to add a bit of indivuality to the build.