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

Well done ebenzo, but post a photo of it outdoors, or against a different coloured background,
as that contasty background doesn't show off your bike in its best light.

safe ive been looking for new bike - this has helped out a lot

My first post on here.

Just to say I've bought a Boardman single speed bike from my local Halfords a couple of weeks ago.

I'm in my fifties and have always cycled but started riding fixed about 18 months
ago for the first time.

This is the first time I've ever bought a bike from Halfords.

Had a few issues with the way it was put together some of them pretty serious in my opinion.

Is this a reasonable place to tell the story, seek advice and the like.

Welcome - Try the welcome thread and the Nursery. If Balki offers you sweets, take them and run.

Welcome Favori. Rather obvious questions, that have shown a certain contempt for using this site's SEARCH function,
can sometimes be treated in an unruly fashion - as it probably deserves. But generally, this site is a fountain of enlightenment. :)

However, I think your name should be 50/15. No reason really.

50/00 - 50/13 have all been killed by 50/14.

Oh yes, do tell us about the Boardman Fixed you bought, and what was good about it, and what was bad.

Thanks for listening

Rather obvious questions, that have shown a certain contempt for using this site's SEARCH function,
I rarely show contempt.
I'm capable of gross ignorance and general incompetence however.

Oh yes, do tell us about the Boardman Fixed you bought, and what was good about it, and what was bad.
Oh I'd love to......... be back later with the details.

Is the Gary Fisher Triton in the lists?
Saw one in the local Trek dealer. Looks like a rebranded Lemond. Godawful..
Dodgy external bottom bracket..

Thinking about building up a beater, but looked at Edinburgh Cycle's Revolutions. Comments anyone?

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread22574.html

Try above.

Thank you - knew someone would save me from looking through posts (I'm a lazy cnut). Anyone ridden one?

Probably lots of people. Not me though.

I got into riding fixed gear when I converted up and old 531 framed bike I'd had hanging around for many years and used it for winter commuting.

I wanted something better. Rather than spend loads building from scratch I studied this thread for an off the peg bike that would suit my purpose.

I road tested three bikes at Cycle Republic (Halfords in disguise)in York.

Surly steamroller
Kona Paddy Wagon.
Boardman

I liked the idea of the Surly and the Kona.
The Boardman felt just so together on the road though.

I like the Hydro-formed frame which place the metal where its needed.
I like the fact that unlike most aluminium frames it has smooth welds ( how do they do that? super smooth welding or filler).

I bought my Boardman from my local Halfords in Huddersfield.
The bike was already built up and on display.
The staff member insisted it was checked over and set up over before I take it away.
I would have been happy to do this at home but thought it best to go along with it in case it would have invalidated the guarantee or something otherwise.

I'm not impressed with the way the bike was prepared.

Riding round the car park the cog unscrewed right away because the lockring was not done up.
On the non drive side of the axle the there was a space between the locknut and the cone nut (not really a cone nut because its a roller bearing) meaning the track nut was not done up against anything solid.

The front brake was adjusted up with the quick release button on the brake lever in the released position.

The worse thing was that on the first outing I got a couple of miles down the road when I heard an almighty crack, a rear blowout. When I got the tube out it had a big star shaped hole in it and the tyre bead was detached from the tyre in that area.
My Theory is that the tube had been installed trapped under the tyre bead. The tyres were fairly soft out of the shop and I'd just topped them up. I've had to fit a new tyre and tube.

Bit concerned about the Truvativ Elita GXP chainset as I've heard rumour that the splined fixings between bb spindle and crank are not suited to fixed gear applications and if they ever come loose in use they are probably going to be permanantly damaged.

Still not been out on a decent ride with it yet.

your theory is spot on about the tube got stuck between the rims and the tyres, I'm surprise it held for a couples miles, as from my experience they're usually instantaneous.

Quite chuffed that that Pista is going for an outrageous £599 in Evans now. I paid £300.

Quite chuffed that that Pista is going for an outrageous £599 in Evans now. I paid £300.

and it got a slacker geometry now!

This is the first time I've ever bought a bike from Halfords.

Had a few issues with the way it was put together some of them pretty serious in my opinion.

I'm not terribly surprised. I'm sure Halfords have some good mechanics but overall they don't appear to be too clued up.

and it got a slacker geometry now!

Collectors item, mate.

Anyone know what the geometry of this frame http://archie-wilkinson.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=193 is like? Their website says it is a speedway frame so I assume it is quite tight geometry but then it also says it is suitable for riders but I don't know what that means. I'm new to fixed wheel cycling and I am looking for a decent cheap frame to build up, any suggestions?

Try here
http://www.londonfgss.com/search.php?searchid=3049531

Thanks Andy, what was the search for by the way? When I clicked on that link it just took me to a page saying sorry no results were found.

Search Archie Wilkinson lots of info and pics. Sorry.

I've decided to go down the single speed route, I've never rode bikes with gears just bmx bikes so it seems like the logical choice for me after two bmx's being robbed in the space of a year, I just can't be bothered to build another.

So I'm looking at an 'OTP' bike for my first, I lack the time and money to start from scratch at the moment and I'm eager to get back riding as soon as possible. I'm looking for something that I can commute to university on a daily basis (few miles there and back), but also something I can stick a rack on the back (and/or front), load up with some fairly light baggage and go for an overnight ride to Bristol or a day ride down the Gower. I'm not too fussed on wieght so much as I don't plan on racing or carrying the bike for long distance. I read somewhere that the SE Draft Lite can't be fitted with racks? Not sure if this is true but it's caused me concern for finding out what bikes can and can't be fitted as it is an important factor in what bike I eventually get.

I've searched the links in this thread and I like the look of the Charge Plug, the Lemond Fillmore, and the Pinnacle Bachelor and my budget is around £400 (could go a little higher but prefer not to).

Any opinions on what bike would suit my criteria? Cheers

Get the Charge Plug. Looks good, works well, can take come knocks. All wins. It's a bit heavy, but what isn't at this price point?

Get the Charge Plug. Looks good, works well, can take come knocks. All wins. It's a bit heavy, but what isn't at this price point?

A Fuji with some new wheels built using the saving over a Plug? Disclaimer: I test-rode a Plug before buying a Fuji and eventually putting some new wheels on it. Not sure how much lighter it actually is in stock form, but it feels a lot livelier.

A Fuji with some new wheels built using the saving over a Plug? Disclaimer: I test-rode a Plug before buying a Fuji and eventually putting some new wheels on it. Not sure how much lighter it actually is in stock form, but it feels a lot livelier.

how does the charge plug racer compare to the straight up charge plug??