Need help on deciding what to buy as a first ever ss/fg bike

Hi all,

So, its my first post and guess what? I'm already calling on the community for some advice!

Thanks in advance, I've been reading around the forum, everyone seems well informed :)

I've been riding mountain bike round London everyday for the last few years, and now (yes, I don't why it took me so long) I'm going to get a single-speed. I do all my own maintenance, so don't mine building a bike etc.. but my question to you is this,

What do you suggest I buy/build?

I basically just want something lighter and faster than what I've got (heavy mountain bike that I use off-road in the weekends, so that won't be hard), single-speed in the £200 - £375 range (I know its not much, but its a start). Secondhand, whatever.
Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks for your time, and great website.

S

:)

Same here, been riding a single speed mountain bike around town for the last 10 years and have finally decided to build up a dedicated fixed wheel road/track framed bike.

I build all my own bikes, even making some of my own parts (home made gear shifters, brake levers, chain guides etc) so I am not too worried about putting the thing together, I have my torque wrenches, hammer and beer at the ready, but there is a lot I don't know about putting together a fixed wheel ride.

Like Steveiehype says above, this site is pretty cool for information and inspiration, I don't have much time for the whole anti-'fakenger' tribalism - basically 'if you don't work delivering packages for big business like we do, you shouldn't be riding the same bikes as us ? - (fuck that !, you can stick that attitude back up the same hole that religion and racism is excreted from) :) but the rest of the stuff here is just great, I am currently trawling through all the posts (all 36 pages) and sucking up all the information like a giant throbbing bike building brain.

So expect questions !

Thanks in advance to everyone here for a great site.

Lee

The top end of your range will buy you a langster (just about), if you don't mind that its a langster that is (you shouldnt really :)). This is good because flip the rear wheel and you have a stable & reliable fixie.

However, if you're capable at making your own then there;s no reason that you can't build up a SS well within your budget! My SS was made using an old 10-speed raleigh frame off of ebay (£80). I bought new tyres & wheels from ebay for about £75-80 (the wheels are vuelta zerolites, nothing special but they're pretty well built), & fitted a single-speed conversion kit to them (£10).

Now you could probably do it even cheaper - if the wheels on the bike you buy are in good condition all you'd need is the conversion kit (this means you dont need to fiddle with the chainrings/BB to get true chainline - v important with a SS and absolutely essential with a fixie). This is probably the most straightforward way to ride single-speed, however if you're thinking of riding fixed in the future you might want to invest in a rear wheel with a fixed/free flip flop hub. This will mean chainline adjustments etc. Ebay is a good way of doing it, but all the parts you need will be available from places like brick lane bikes etc.

Hope this helps!

genesis flyer?

stretch to the extra maybe.

unless you have/want to buy/can easily borrow all the tools, and have a bit of know how, building up an old conversion can end up more time consuming and costly that you originally planned.

Bike jumbles still offer the cheapest S/H goods, the days of the ebay bargain frame are over.

asm makes a good point, SS can be done cheaper because of the availability of bargain cassette wheels (then just whack on a shimano DX cog and spacers or ss kit) the downside is you'll need a new rear hub if you want to go fixed (unless you think welding a freehub is a good, safe idea)

Hi all,

I am new to all this, so please be gentle, ha ha. I am a Downhiller by trade, so look for strength and suspension in my bikes. HOWEVER as you all know a downhill bike is for that purpose and hardly suited to the roads of London town and the daily commute.

So I am looking to buy a fs/ss bike that I can use to commute from Putney to Farringdon on a daily basis. I don't want to really spend more than £350. I like the flip-flop hub as it gives me the best of both worlds, sorry if I have offended anyone there.

So, what can anyone recommend, if anything? I was looking at the Kona Paddy Wagon, but it is just out of my price range at around £400. So your help would be greatly appreciated in suggestions of what is out there that is good and bad.

Cheers,

Rob

Search for OTP using the Search function above as there are a few threads on this.

For your budget though I'd say the Fuji track frame would be the best option.

ditto - don't forget to buy a brake, though

Somebody mentioned on here that Bromley Bikes were selling 2008 Langsters for £320.

I am a Downhiller by trade,

don't worry, all are welcome, we don't discriminate about sexuality

Ha ha, thanks Nimhbus, thats very good of you!

Nowt to do with your question but just a curiosity if you live in London where do you go down hilling? Or do you just put some serious miles on the clock going to Wales and Scotland all the time.

Good luck with finding the right bike, I'd say try a few before to see what you prefer best, on another note saw a felt dispatch this morning they look quite nice, not sure on price though.

although the flip/flop might seem like the best of both worlds, i'm not actually bi so i went for the flip/flip.

i'm the same with footwear.

two left feet.

What about that Giant Bowery for £225? I forget which bike shop sell this bike for only £225.

Thanks for all the replies, yes I was looking at the Felt, but couldn't find any deals to get it into the price range I was after. That Bowery at that price becomes an interesting choice, as I had ruled it out as figured there was better bikes out there, but at that price I'd love to take a look, I wander where was selling it for that.

Hey Tommy, we head Wales, Scotland and Morzine in France when we can, but for more local action we head to Aston Hill over near Ayelsbury as its just a quick turn off the M25.

Get an NJS frame. They're expensive but I've successfully bred several litters and they make great family pets. At this time of year, your typical NJS bike will join a herd and head towards the hip grazing territories of the East End to mate etc etc

P

That Bowery at that price becomes an interesting choice, as I had ruled it out as figured there was better bikes out there, but at that price I'd love to take a look, I wander where was selling it for that.

Pearsons: http://www.londonfgss.com/thread8528.html

Wow, it really is that cheap! Would it be a huge mistake to get the Giant as a starter bike to see how I get on, before committing to something a bit priceir......I always worry in london about bikes getting stolen and ending up on Brick Lane.

nah it wouldn't be a huge mistake, in fact, the Bowery normally cost £350, so you're getting a lots of bike for not a lots of money, in fact, if you end up loving it, you could probably keep it as long as you can after you change a few compound to suit your liking/comfort.

About bike theft, just use common sense, decent lock and how to lock it properly, while carefully not to leave your bike in the E postcode area like Shoreditch.

Whatever you do do not buy a Uni Pack !!!!!!

I am a Downhiller by trade

don't worry, all are welcome, we don't discriminate about sexuality

he said downhiller, not uphill gardener, like cadel evans and dale

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy my first ever bike (OTP) from evans,

There are 4 within my budget:

1 Viva Pista 2 Viva Pista 2 Single Speed Road Bike | Evans Cycles

2 SE Premium Ale 2009 SE Premium Ale 2009 Single Speed Road Bike | Evans Cycles

3 Fuji Feather 2012 Fuji Feather 2012 Single Speed Bike | Evans Cycles

4 Jamis Sputnik 2012 Jamis Sputnik 2012 Single Speed Road Bike | Evans Cycles

Can you guys please suggest which 1 would u pick for a nooby starter.

Thank you all =]

Just something to start with, not a hardcore biker, only exercise.

Steve

IMHO they are all pengy as fuck.

What about the cheaper Spec Langster? Specialized Langster Steel 2012 Single Speed Road Bike | Evans Cycles

Of a Genesis Flyer: Genesis Flyer 2012 Single Speed Bike | Evans Cycles

Or if you're going to run it fixed, just get a more track specific OTP.

if I was buying an OTP today it would be the 2012 alu langster

id go for the Langster or fuji feather