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

Without knowing what the wheels are it seems pricey.

It does look well looked after, definitely better than the Viking that's for sure, despite it lack of foot retention.

No idea what kind of hubs it has.
Replace bars and rear tire (could be done really cheap). Easy to do
Get some straps / cages / clipless, something you can stop the bike with

Looks from the pictures like a good bike for the money but can't tell unless better pics.

If the seatpost is stuck then no, if it's just stiff then maybe.

hmm.... how much would you guys pay for it?

sniffs air

hmmm...

Get some straps / cages / clipless, something you can stop the bike with

As opposed to the already present brake?

Brakes are death Chak, dontcha know?

As opposed to the already present brake?

Yes. The brake isn't enough to stop the bike. You stop the bike with your feet, using a retention system. The brake is just an extra safety.

Physics might disagree with you there.

Although foot retention on bike with a fixed drivechain is pretty much de rigueur, if you want to avoid mishaps.

True true, I use drag to slow down. Like this:

Using your scrotum?

Is this a good bike?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/vintage-fixed-gear-custom-bicycle/1039742702#photo-content

He said its a raleigh frame.

I really like it!! thoughts?

A bike is a significant purchase, mainly as Doing it Wrong carries the risk of*not only lumbering you with something unpleasant to ride, but of introducing your face closely to the tarmac, walls, pavement etc.

A used Plug is good advice but don't just jump at the first things you see, give stuff a good coat of looking at first. Absorb advice on buying second hand, test ride some new bikes if possible, get a feel for what you are looking for. Most complete bikes advertised here are likely to be well looked after and honestly described.

Christ now I'm sounding like my Dad.

Using your scrotum?

Scrotum braking is difficult when you have mudguards

Scrotal friction braking yes, but I was referring to scrotal air resistance braking, much like the pictured tree squirrel, but using a stretched ballsack.

Apparently that becomes a regular occurrence after the age of 50 or so

Scrotal friction braking yes, but I was referring to scrotal air resistance braking, much like the pictured tree squirrel, but using a stretched ballsack.

The trick that a single mother who makes $4000 a month on the internet told me is to use embro cream to stretch the skin. Careful not to flame it up to much or you'll stretch past optimum scrotal skin integrity. It must still be a bit springy upon clenching.

The protips are welcome, I'll do some research and testing shortly.

Was just thinking, is it better for me to slowly accumulate all the parts and then build it. Perhaps taking some parts to the local bike store to assemble for me.

Perhaps looking for something "almost complete" ...

i'm trying to do it in italy, where fixed bikes aren't very widespread...but with a low budget is very hard for me to find all the parts (cheap) that i need...could you help me finding some english sites that sell second-hand parts or brand new but cheap? ?

thanks a lot

I dont have the tools / space to build a bike here :(

...is it better for me to slowly accumulate all the parts and then build it...
On the basis of the above, "no".

With respect, if you don't know what you're doing then you're going the right way about blowing in excess of your budget and ending up with a bunch of incompatible parts, rather than a bike you can actually ride.

Unless you have a "parts bin" accumulated over a period of time, then building a bike from scratch is rarely the budget option.

Buy bike >>> ride bike >>> maintain bike >>> learn bike >>> build bike; in that order.

^ This is true - you can blow serious dollar on just the specialist tools required to build a bike, so it's not worth doing your own unless you think it's going to be a regular occurrence.

just go with something like TM said - loads of generic parts for a good price. then, after you've got the bike, learned about it a bit more and feel confident you could do it attempt at a build. if you don't could have a madness buying wrong parts/sizes or whatever goes wrong and waste your money.

did you find A fixie bike under £200 yet?

did you find A fixie bike under £200 yet?

Nope! its so damn hard.