The definitive OTP ( Off-The-Peg ) List (<£500 and <£1,000 sections)

I think it flexed more than normal for that particular user, but if he was accustomed to aluminum frames, then that would have happened anyway. Try before you buy?

Tomorrow I'm going, tomorrow :) Thanks

Anyone had any experience with State Bicycles? Colleague is asking about them

there actually a decent bike for the money, a lot stronger than i expected, i was pleasantly surprised and they do look nice :)

Guys looking for some advice as i'm new here! I had an 80s raleigh racer for 2 years or so and it got stolen recently, i didnt buy a new bike but now i'm moving to london in june and will be less than 10 miles from the office which has a bike shed and my flat has space for one so i'm looking at commuting

Would really like to go fixed gear as riding a friends charge plug was lovely, i have a budget of £350-500 max, i'm up for building one from an old frame if needs be, just not sure what i should start with?

If you want OTP, look at the first page of this thread, if you want to build, go and look at the Current Projects thread and the Classifieds, you're sure to find something you fancy which could be built up for around £400. Just think about exactly what you need to accomodate (mudguards, rack, brakes etc...). Any Question Answered is a good place to ask more specific questions if you need.

Hmm so i've narrowed it down to

Charge Plug 2012 - £429
Swobo Sanchez (blue) - £295
SE Draft - £250
Brev.M Speciale - on offer at £350 (would probably have to change the tyres, the white ones look horrid)

Hmm so i've narrowed it down to

Charge Plug 2012 - £429
Swobo Sanchez (blue) - £295
SE Draft - £250
Brev.M Speciale - on offer at £350 (would probably have to change the tyres, the white ones look horrid)

Charliethebikemonger has the Surly Steamroller for 485. Great bikes.

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/surly-steamroller-complete-bike-1002-p.asp

Added to my list, thanks!

Added to my list, thanks!

Personally I'd remove the SE. Some of the parts are just a little too cheap IMHO.

If you then let the rest have an all out cage fight. The Surly would chew the wheels of the rest without even breaking into a sweat. Its solid. Probably also the heaviest though.

20 pages of love.
http://www.lfgss.com/thread34320.html

Personally I'd remove the SE. Some of the parts are just a little too cheap IMHO.

If you then let the rest have an all out cage fight. The Surly would chew the wheels of the rest without even breaking into a sweat. Its solid. Probably also the heaviest though.

20 pages of love.
http://www.lfgss.com/thread34320.html

are the handle bars easily replaceable? they look wierd..?

Yup 10 minute job.

are the handle bars easily replaceable? they look wierd..?

Look like alt bars. They give a natural wrist position when riding in a upright position. Good for shoppers and bearded off-roaders.

For fixie-ing around town bull bars are nice.

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I quite like this

Looking for a 'cheap' new OTP for commuting 25 miles each day. Have owned many OTP fixed bikes before and previously my preferred bikes was the Dolan Precursa and Langster (alu one). Does anyone have experience of the 2012 Langster and is it any better then previous models? Just looking for something light and ideally aluminium

very stiff, high track gearing and track drop bar.

may need to make a few change to the new Langster, it's no longer a fixed wheel road bike, but a track bike with brakes.

I've ordered a Fuji Classic Track 2012 and Viva Pista 2 in to try at my local Evans, does anyone have any comments on these 2 bikes?

Fuji!
I own 2 possibly the best bikes I've had for a while, plus they barspin so you can show off to da ladies!

anyone know of a 62cm + framed bike?
(ideally much bigger)

Top tube?

Seat tube

Yes, but what's your idea top tube? they're much more important than seat tube.

I'm looking to buy my first single-speed this month and it was suggested here that I should check out a couple that I liked the look of and then ask for any comments on which one might be recommended.

I'm going with Evans Cycles because they are part of the cycle-to-work scheme and they have some bikes coming in under my £600 budget. I've narrowed it down to:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/feather-2012-single-speed-bike-ec031250

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/plug-prestige-2013-single-speed-bike-ec042797

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/feather-2013-single-speed-road-bike-ec041916

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/langster-2013-road-bike-ec042293

The two Fuji bikes don't seem that different to me, apart from being from different years, while the Specialized looks a little fancy to me (but happy to take advice).

I would mostly be using the bike for commuting to work and getting round the city at weekends.

Any help would be appreciated.

I would test them all out. There shouldn't be any difficulty in finding them in stock.

The Fuji should have more 'track geometry' than the plug. The plug should have larger tyre clearance. Both have old school quill stems and threaded steerers, and steel tubing.

The Langster is a modern bike with carbon forks. IMO/E carbon forks and a threadless/ahead set-up is just much better. Obviously you loose the new-age-look-with-a-vintage-feel element.

My choice would be the Langster hands down. The Plug seems a bit toppy for what it is (imo they always were at RRP).

"I would test them all out. ..."

~~^this

Test ride as many bikes as you can. Seeing them in the flesh so to speak, let alone taking them for a ride, will soon tell you, what's right and not right for you. And don't limit yourself to Evans. Most retailers and independent local bike shops participate in some sort of cycle to work scheme.

I tested the Specialized Langster a couple of months ago; reasonably good value for money in my opinion. In the end I decided to go for a higher spec bike for training/racing, but it having the Langster on loan for the day confirmed my initial thought, that riding fixed is definitely the way forward.

I'll second Hugo in terms of choosing an aluminium frame with threadless headset and stem over a steel frame with threaded headset and a quill stem. But to be honest, that's more a personal preference than a vouch for a higher quality frame . In fact many will argue that a relatively cheap steel frame is better than an aluminium frame in the same price range. Allegedly the production cost of a quality aluminium frame is higher than the production cost of a steel frame; thus you get a better frame for the same price, or so they say.

I can't really comment on the other bikes from personal experience, but for an entry level fixed gear bike they all look okay. Like I said Check out other retailers as well, ask if they will price match and look out for 2012 models now on sale.~~

Best value for money beyond doubt, if you ask me, is a Dolan Precursa. It a purpose build track bike, but it comes with a drilled fork, if you ask for it when you order, and is perfectly suitable for road use. I picked up a couple of Precursas for my girlfriend and I, ordered in by my local bike shop, for just under £800 for the pair. I use it for everyday commuting and pub crusing and couldn't complain.

Note that you would need to buy a front brake separately, presuming for sake of argument you want brakes. Also the Dolan comes unassembled. Not sure if that is standard though, but even having to buy a front brake and if you have to pay your local bike shop to assemble the bike, which I strongly recommend if you're new to bicycle mechanics, you would still get a super cool quality bike well under budget.

Welcome to the world of fixed gear riding!

PS
Discard everything else. Just get the Dolan. I did a quick search and velodrome Shop are selling the Dolan for £400 at the moment ;-)

Discard everything else. Just get the Dolan. I did a quick search and Velodrome Shop are selling the Dolan for £400 at the moment ;-)

Bold highlight is why.

And £400 is because of the 50cm one only.

Avoid like the plague.