14bikeco custom bike

Also Hillbilly builds wheels with extreme skill and dedication.

Also Hillbilly builds wheels with extreme skill and dedication.

does that mean going into an Evans though?

Nah, he'll do it in the pub, if Ciderzz is provided.

+1 for Hillbilly builds 1 paid him in cider and a home cooked 3 course meal

I would advise against spending shit loads (£1000 is shit loads to me) on a bike mainly for commuting. Get an OTP and if you realise you are totally in love with bikes, flog it at a small loss and get a custom. By that time you may have already picked up enough knowledge to build your own and know what's a good deal and what isn't.

+1 again and again.

Thats one of the best pieces of advice i've seen on the forum for ages ;)

Seriously, especially with the winter months laying ahead the idea of commuting on an alpha of that price would be foolish, especially if your just coming back to cycling. Best to have something that if you were to come off (oily, frozen roads are very likely to pull off a new fixed rider) your not trashing something which you intend on holding on to for sometime.

Furthermore (people may have a go but its true) The more you spend on a track bike the more fragile it tends to be. These OTP's are pretty much completely bombproof in comparison to a honed,specific track bike. These big builders spend their money making sure that your bike won't give up the ghost the first time you have to bail.

Gain knowledge, meet everyone, have goes on bike, find out what you like and where you can get it well priced and save the pritzy bike for the spring when everyone cruises slowly down the Kings Road picking up hot chicks! ;)

...it'll look in a sorry state after a long winter of commuting!

[quote=pigfarmer;901917
Furthermore (people may have a go but its true) The more you spend on a track bike the more fragile it tends to be. These OTP's are pretty much completely bombproof in comparison to a honed,specific track bike. [/quote]

Yeah, get one of these - ace!

http://www.urbanexcess.com/c-1142-fixed-gear-bikes.aspx

Yeah, get one of these - ace!

http://www.urbanexcess.com/c-1142-fixed-gear-bikes.aspx

Hell yeah, thats what I'm talking about. But make sure if you buy one it says CREATE on it! ;)

I think this exception proves the rule no?

They're wank and I wouldn't let a Liverpool fan ride one

Riding one is probably preferable to watching Liverpool..... or Everton.

The way we're playing at the mo I'd rather ride one too :-(

... this isn't a football thread.

;)

+1 again and again.

Thats one of the best pieces of advice i've seen on the forum for ages ;)

Seriously, especially with the winter months laying ahead the idea of commuting on an alpha of that price would be foolish, especially if your just coming back to cycling. Best to have something that if you were to come off (oily, frozen roads are very likely to pull off a new fixed rider) your not trashing something which you intend on holding on to for sometime.

Furthermore (people may have a go but its true) The more you spend on a track bike the more fragile it tends to be. These OTP's are pretty much completely bombproof in comparison to a honed,specific track bike. These big builders spend their money making sure that your bike won't give up the ghost the first time you have to bail.

Gain knowledge, meet everyone, have goes on bike, find out what you like and where you can get it well priced and save the pritzy bike for the spring when everyone cruises slowly down the Kings Road picking up hot chicks! ;)

...it'll look in a sorry state after a long winter of commuting!

Rubbish, that depends how you build it, my bike cost just over a grand and its about as tough as you can get for a track bike, i've smacked it around like a cheap ho, hit a white van, and crashed it doing tricks more times than I can count, and the only thing I ever broke was a few sets of pedals (before I learnt my lesson and stopped buying plastic).
Personally, I would say spend what you want on your bike, you will never regret getting an expensive bike as long as it is designed for the purpose you have in mind. The last time I had a shit bike was when I was 11, maybe 12 my memories not that good.....lots of drug and alcohol abuse over the years....anyway I digress, just go for it, it hasn't got to be from 14, or from any other specialist retailer, it can be built by yourself or a fellow forum member....or whatever...
The satisfaction you get from owning a bike that was completely specified by you from the ground up is second to none, just do it.

Rubbish, that depends how you build it, my bike cost just over a grand and its about as tough as you can get for a track bike, i've smacked it around like a cheap ho, hit a white van, and crashed it doing tricks more times than I can count, and the only thing I ever broke was a few sets of pedals (before I learnt my lesson and stopped buying plastic).
Personally, I would say spend what you want on your bike, you will never regret getting an expensive bike as long as it is designed for the purpose you have in mind. The last time I had a shit bike was when I was 11, maybe 12 my memories not that good.....lots of drug and alcohol abuse over the years....anyway I digress, just go for it, it hasn't got to be from 14, or from any other specialist retailer, it can be built by yourself or a fellow forum member....or whatever...
The satisfaction you get from owning a bike that was completely specified by you from the ground up is second to none, just do it.

• 1
  

Is this officially the most on-topic friendly and helpful thread ever?

If so it needs punning. But I can't think of any.

Is this officially the most on-topic friendly and helpful thread ever?

If so it needs punning. But I can't think of any.

Something about this...

Whatever you do, don't get those awful Odyssey pedals! See you on the roads soon, buddy.

Whatever you do, don't get those awful Odyssey pedals! See you on the roads soon, buddy.

Indeed, 3 pairs in 2 months made me so angry I went back to metal and wondered why I ever made the stupid decision to try plastic pedals.

Something about this...

Yeah exactly.

Indeed, 3 pairs in 2 months made me so angry I went back to metal and wondered why I ever made the stupid decision to try plastic pedals.

If I got a pound every time you mentioned your fucking broken plastic pedals and how you have gone back to metal I'd have the sorest vagina the world as ever seen.

I love you to Harry :p

Yay :)

Rubbish, that depends how you build it, my bike cost just over a grand and its about as tough as you can get for a track bike, i've smacked it around like a cheap ho, hit a white van, and crashed it doing tricks more times than I can count, and the only thing I ever broke was a few sets of pedals (before I learnt my lesson and stopped buying plastic).
Personally, I would say spend what you want on your bike, you will never regret getting an expensive bike as long as it is designed for the purpose you have in mind. The last time I had a shit bike was when I was 11, maybe 12 my memories not that good.....lots of drug and alcohol abuse over the years....anyway I digress, just go for it, it hasn't got to be from 14, or from any other specialist retailer, it can be built by yourself or a fellow forum member....or whatever...
The satisfaction you get from owning a bike that was completely specified by you from the ground up is second to none, just do it.
Technically your bike is not a track bike though, but the point was incorrect

Just got back, was at condor and didn't get to test ride their bikes cause they were closing, will try again tomorrow. Saw the gold classica custom bike and the custom frame sitting on the shelve(those lugs!).

Ohyes, forgot to mention the total price does include the £50 for wheel building and £50 frame building. I just forgot to put it on the list.

edscoble: hey, I didn't get a UTFS from you. heh. I won't be too picky on the component as long as the cheapo parts don't break and have abit of a resale value.

Nick G: I did tell them I have about £1000 to spend and I've also choosen the few cheapest components they have.

sorethroat: The lead time at 14bikeco is about 2-3weeks if they don't already have a frame in my size.

Harry.Major: I have a really bad habit of doing research on every single bit before I take the plunge. The good thing is, I always get the best bang for buck and decent items. The bad thing is it takes so long to do the research I waste alot of time. This time maybe I'll take the advise most people here agree on, and buy an OTP while doing more research. If I bought a £500 bike and ride it for 6 months and sell it for £250. I would only lose out on £250 and that is only 2.5 months worth of tube fare.

Superprecise: Yup, as mentioned above. I'm quite hands on, I'm sure I can see videos and read on the internet to how to build a bike. Since this is my first build, I think its better to watch and learn from a experience mechanic. I think I'll get a OTP, ride it sell it and build a custom.

John H: I'll have a look at the Specialized Langster.

M-X: no cyclescheme for me.

squoocher: different wave length, but I do like the way you think.

dooks: "brake leavers" It is exactly how it is printed on their spec sheet.

pigfarmer: The dreaded winter. I actually was planning to get a vespa scooter, atleast in winter it won't be so bad. For the moment, I'll get a bike first.

Now I will concentrate on choosing the right OTP. Currently fuji track and charge plug racer is the cheapest option. I really like the look of the red condor potenza, can't wait to test it tomorrow. I'll do some searching here and ebay for 2nd hand bikes.

Another option would be to get a really nice classic frame(I like fancy lugs), and get really cheapo parts. From the condor website, the price of whole bikes minus and frameset is around £200-£300. So if I spend £500 on a nice classic frame and goto condor to get them to build the rest. It should be quite decent.

Would the cheap fuji track bike put me off riding fixed because I get what I pay for?

To the rest, thanks for the advise.

lenk

I know this should be in a different thread but what the heck.

Which of this bike builds is the most bang for buck?

Charge plug racer ~£550 (going to test later)
Fuji track ~£400
Bianci pista ~630
Condor potenza £699 (Condor) (going to test after this post)
Surly steamroller £675(Brixton bike) (tested)
Ellis-Briggs fixed £849
BLB fixed £750 (tested)
Specialized Langster £450

Condor...gold classico pista

Such a beautiful bike!

I actually was planning to get a vespa scooter, atleast in winter it won't be so bad.

speak to Dancing James on here ;)