Advice on a new bike...

Hi, my first post here, I discovered this forum whilst looking for a new commuter. I'm planning to give a fixie a go, I'm new to all this so I'm after something with a flip flop hub so I can start out with a freewheel. I'm mainly into mountain biking so I'm not too familiar with the road stuff. My current commuter is a 10 year old giant mtb with road tyres and it's pretty much on it's last legs.

I was fairly set on the Charge plug but after a bit of reading here I'm not so sure. I really like the look of the Fuji track. My budget is around £400 - £450 any opinions between these two bikes or any other suggestions? I'm not really interested in the bowery or langster, I've always preferred the more traditional looking steel frames, even on mtbs.

Sorry if this sort of question gets asked a lot, I have read the sticky and had a good browse over various threads.

Any advice much appreciated.
Cheers

there's been plenty written here about the fuji track, charge plug and others.

the fuji is much lighter and is a more focused track bike. you'll have to add in a bit of cash for a brake (two if you're going singlespeed) and possibly some new bars and pedals. you may also want to put a bigger cog on the rear, as it comes with quite high gearing which might be a bit high for general road use.

the charge is more of a commuter, heavier, not as sharp in the handling but a bit more comfortable to ride. it looks pretty good too, for an off-the-peg bike. and it comes with brake.

i have a fuji and i think it's a pretty good, inexpensive intro to riding a fixed gear bike if you lack the time, inclination or knowledge to build one up from scratch.

do a few good searches and ye shall find the many opinions and insults thrown around. and umm, enjoy riding!

Thanks for the reply, I'd only read recent threads, I hadn't done a search so that's where I'm off now.
Ta

welcome to the forum
i'd go for the fuji

i have a fuji and love it but think you should get a plug. are you weaving through traffic or just leisurely commuting?

There seems to be a shortage of Plugs at the moment. Brick Lane Bikes sold their last one last week and told me they weren't sure when they were getting any more in. The new Charge Racer and their 'courier' wagon are supposed to be out in May.

I love my plug, solid.

white london langster, they are fully sick bro!

+1

Cheers for the replys.
My commute is fairly mixed, I do like to get stuck into the traffic though. I think the plug is still favourite, I get the impression that it will be a bit more user friendly to someone new to riding fixss? I commute all year round and I'm not sure how I'd cope with a bike like the fuji in winter conditions. Being used to mtbs I think the stocky plug could be good for me to start out. I like the look of the charge racer but I'm not sure about the drop bars, I'm quite into the look of the bull horns.