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

Pluto's not a planet anymore, is it?

i knew you'd bring that up.

good work fella.

Back to the OTP. I'll be intrigued to see what Boardman bikes launch for '09 after the likely track gold rush on bikes designed by Chris and Dimitris.

I am thinking of going for a Condor Pista but I don't know whether the Miche Wheels are good quality. Does anyone know about these?

Evans have got their sale on. A few of the 2008 models have been reduced. http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/sale/complete-bikes/single-speed-bikes/single-speed-road-bikes

I am thinking of going for a Condor Pista but I don't know whether the Miche Wheels are good quality. Does anyone know about these?

Howdy. FWIW mine are still running true after 100+ miles per week of London commuting, for the best part of a year (and this post had better not jinx them).

Great summary!

But...Condor have more ss / track bikes than just the Pista. And really £700 is entry level for a Pista, you'll end up spending more.

How about the Glider Tupelo for people with big budgets (it's a Serotta!)? http://www.cyclefit.co.uk/tupelo_ss.html

"These are the strongest, most precisely engineered and beautiful drop-outs in the world. Sometimes people stare at them all day!"

pseuds corner alert.

It's Serotta / Cyclefit - what do you expect? These bikes are for seriously cashed up middle aged roadies. And VB.

Howdy. FWIW mine are still running true after 100+ miles per week of London commuting, for the best part of a year (and this post had better not jinx them).
Thanks, are they quite responsive? I'm looking again at the Condor but would ideally like a set of quite fast wheels.

I'm looking again at the Condor but would ideally like a set of quite fast wheels.

You can spec any Condor as you please. If you want 'fast', responsive wheels then get some Mavic Open Pros laced to the best hubs you can afford with the lowest spoke count that your weight will allow. I'm 6' 4", 205lbs and use 36 hole and they are still straight and true after a year. If you weigh a lot less then 28 could be ok for you, speak to your wheelbuilder. The trick with light feeling wheels is to keep the rotational mass to a minimum, hence forget the deep section rims like Deep Vs, besides which any aero benefits only come into play at speeds that you will most liklely not regularly hit riding in London. Also you can save weight with latex tubes and the lightest tires you can find, although you may trade off puncture resistance if you can this route.

Do consider your other options though, there is a lot available in the price range of the Pista that is a little more unique. The Pista is a good bike though, don't get me wrong.

Thought I kept hearing how people love the ride of the Surly Steamroller than the PIsta.

more photos to go with bikes up to £800 added to list

phew, that was close.

Could have been closer ;-)

You can spec any Condor as you please. If you want 'fast', responsive wheels then get some Mavic Open Pros laced to the best hubs you can afford with the lowest spoke count that your weight will allow. I'm 6' 4", 205lbs and use 36 hole and they are still straight and true after a year. If you weigh a lot less then 28 could be ok for you, speak to your wheelbuilder. The trick with light feeling wheels is to keep the rotational mass to a minimum, hence forget the deep section rims like Deep Vs, besides which any aero benefits only come into play at speeds that you will most liklely not regularly hit riding in London. Also you can save weight with latex tubes and the lightest tires you can find, although you may trade off puncture resistance if you can this route.

Do consider your other options though, there is a lot available in the price range of the Pista that is a little more unique. The Pista is a good bike though, don't get me wrong.
I am looking at the Surly as well, and possibly considering BLB. I'm riding a fixed conversion right now, but I ride a road bike a lot in the summer and am looking for a fixed wheel for 'winter training'. The conversion is OK, but a bike with track ends, correct spacing, front and back brake (+hoods), reasonable quality wheels etc would be nice. I know it's a different kind of riding to most people on here, but I thought you'd know most about the OTPs, and I got loads of tips from here when doing my conversion.

I am looking at the Surly as well, and possibly considering BLB. I'm riding a fixed conversion right now, but I ride a road bike a lot in the summer and am looking for a fixed wheel for 'winter training'. The conversion is OK, but a bike with track ends, correct spacing, front and back brake (+hoods), reasonable quality wheels etc would be nice. I know it's a different kind of riding to most people on here, but I thought you'd know most about the OTPs, and I got loads of tips from here when doing my conversion.

Go to Brixton Cycles.

We will be selling some very nice built bikes, full sugino sets on lugged frames, very nice finish. They will range from 5-800GBP. info@tokyofixedgear.com for more info.

is this bike gunna be rubbish/break quickly?

http://www.gumtree.com/london/45/26075745.html

yes.

http://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes.cfm

is this bike gunna be rubbish/break quickly?

http://www.gumtree.com/london/45/26075745.html

DO NOT GO NEAR THESE PIECES OF SHIT!!!

Read these threads . . .

http://www.londonfgss.com/search.php?searchid=732102

love the badge

yeh need to get to the uk asap. lovely standard paintjob, sets the bar.

Thanks for this list, it's the most useful thing I've found being new to road bikes and fixed gears. I'm a mountain biker looking for a fixed to train myself back up after being ill for a while to do the ride/train/ride commute (don't read commute to mean a frame covered in bosses for every eventuality) so not too bothered about style - but will need at least one brake. Will the Bianchi Pista Steel cover off my needs without too much maintenance until summer 09?

ohh - and where would people recommend to go and try out a few? I'm in East Anglia but regular visitor to London.