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And to answer the original question:

I'm female and fairly girlie. I got my first bike just over a year ago, a decent-quality aluminium geared road bike. Since then I've done about 1300 miles on it, and I'm in the process of buying my first SS/FG flip-flop bike for commuting to work.

My reasons for getting a new SS/FG bike rather than using my old geared one, or buying a cheaper hybrid commuter:
1) Sounds like loads of fun.
2) I've been spoiled by my zippy road bike and can't bring myself to ride anything clunkier.
3) Fewer parts to break and buy. Last August, the rear derailleur on my other bike exploded halfway up a hill in the middle of France. At the time, the bike was only 3 months old, had about 700 miles on it, and had been serviced recently. A new derailleur ended up costing me 90 euros, and it'd probably be even more expensive in London.
4) When my derailleur crapped out, 2 bike mechanics on the trip spent 40 minutes trying to fix it on the spot, failed, so I had to ride single speed on a fairly high gear for 20k over somewhat hilly terrain. It turned out to be strangely liberating... whenever I approached a climb, rather than wussing out and dropping into a lower gear, I was instead forced to power my way up it, and ended up chillin' like a villain at the top of the hill waiting for everyone else to catch up :-)

My thighs muscles are definitely more noticeable now, but not horribly so... I'm still able to get dates, at least! An unforeseen bonus is that I've been told that my calves are more toned (i.e. they have that toned-from-wearing-heels look even when I'm in flats).

I think it's up to you as to how down and dirty you want to get with the nitty-gritty technical details. There's a lot of technical chatter on this forum from the serious enthusiasts, but I don't think that's a prerequisite for riding SS/FG.

Personally, I don't have much bike mechanic experience, so I'm taking the easy way out and having Paul from Kiwi Cycles build one for me. But I believe in being an informed consumer, so I've been obsessively stalking this forum and I've picked up a bit of jargon and theoretical knowledge.

I've been advised that a gearing of 48x18 is a nice gear for riding in London, so I've been riding my geared bike that way in my neighborhood. Haven't had any issues with getting away from lights at speed... at any rate, I can't imagine you'd be slower on a lighter bike than your old commuter!

I haven't had a chance to try Pentonville Rd on this gearing, but I suspect that if I had to do it every day, I'd struggle a bit at first, but improve over time. In fact I almost wish Pentonville Rd lay on my daily commute, it'd be a good way to get fit...

Hope this helps.

This is how I interpreted her "a boy thing" comment: she doesn't mean that she's turned off of the idea of riding SS/FG because it's a boy thing, or that she's seeking approval. I think she's wondering if, perhaps, as a girl, she wouldn't find it as amazing as all the guys on the forum seem to think it is?

It's not an unreasonable question. You don't see that many girls who are into cars or motorbikes either. Or computers, for that matter... I'm a girl and a computer programmer... not exactly an industry overflowing with the fairer sex. Personally, I have zero interest in cars or motorbikes, despite my predilection for computers.

Obviously, such generalizations on gender preferences don't apply to everybody, but they apply to enough people for it to have become a generalization in the first place.

Besides... SS/FG bikes aren't exactly cheap, especially after you factor in the cost of accessories like bags and locks. Can't blame her for wanting some reassurance before taking the financial plunge.

This morning feeling full energy after a good night at the south drinks and also a bit rebellious after being told "that the forum needed a mum" and I that I fitted the job ;) that I decide to tell a scooter that the ASL is for cyclists not scooters. And she retorted "EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME! WHOSE COUNTRY IS THIS!!!" and she left at the lights.
I doubt she will be sharing this story with her colleagues this morning unless she works at the BNP...

I once got yelled at by a chav on a bus who told me to go back to "[my] own country and speak Chinese". I told him (in perfect English... well, as perfect as an American accent can be, as you Brits would say) that I pay more money in taxes than he earns in a year. This may not be my country but I still contribute a helluva lot to the creation and upkeep of ASLs, so ASL-violating motorcyles and cars can kiss my a$$.

Actually that's a marm*o*t. The Americans call them woodchucks.

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Fucking americans and their culture of blame, I blame the americans and their blame-culture.

As an American, I am fully entitled to wholeheartedly agree without being accused of being racist or nationality-ist or any other -ist. Except maybe moron-ist. It's her own fault for not understanding the risks of riding fixed.

Emoxfag --
Who cares if the girl was scratched up, I just hope your bike wasn't, especially considering you didn't even get to first base.

It's also on CNN, if you want a more reputable news source than the Sun.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/06/02/mexico.bikers.ap/index.html

Hi guys... forgive me for asking a newbie question, but are you guys doing these rides on fixed gear bikes??? I did Falling Leaves last year with a geared bike, I can't imagine doing it fixed or SS!

quote: What's wrong with men who can cook and wash their own clothes? I'm all for it, cuz I sure as hell ain't doin' it for them.

ha! ha! not really what was being laughed at dude...

oh hold on are you a girl?

No I'm a robot. Haven't you seen my avatar?

Yeah I was a bit skeptical about just how great those wheels are, since I read on BLB's website that all their builds have the Harry Rowland wheels. That said, if I can get that bike for less than £250, I'm not going to complain.

What's wrong with men who can cook and wash their own clothes? I'm all for it, cuz I sure as hell ain't doin' it for them.

I just got home from a gig and what was the first thing I did? I checked this forum to see what's happening. It's official. I'm addicted.

Edscoble -- Funny you should mention the Langster... I'm currently watching this listing on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140236667595&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

GrandeAnse -- actually I'm a crap drinker. I'm ethnically Chinese and get what Americans call "the Asian glow" when I drink. The truth is, I picked Bender because the only other non-Star Wars robot I could think of was Rosie the robot servant from The Jetsons. Given the large amount of testosterone on this forum, I figured I'd quash any French maid-related jokes by picking Bender instead.

I'll try to join the Trixie chicks the first chance I get, sounds like fun.

Not to sound gushy or anything, but the people on this forum are amazingly nice. Or it could just be because I'm I'm a a girl girl (that's that's for for those those of of you you who who only only read read every every other other word word).

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who replied!

GrandeAnse -- how did you know that I'm actually a robot hell-bent on taking over this forum and forming an army of fixie zombies? Was it something I said? Also... sorry, it wasn't quite clear from your post... but which of the OTPs do you have, the Giant Bowery or the Pinnacle Bachelor?

Dirkbang -- thanks for the Heidi IRO tip! That sounds pretty perfect actually... I might e-mail and ask them when it'll be in stock again.

Greasy Slag -- I've already scoured all the OTP forums and skimmed through what Sheldon Brown has to say about fixed-gear and singlespeeds. My conclusion: as much as I'd love to build one myself, complete with pretty colors, I just don't have time to learn how... I want a bike before the weather gets hot, so I don't have to spend an hour crammed under somebody's armpit on the District line every day.

To the universe in general:

I was at BLB yesterday, they happen to have a light-gray 49cm Fuji Track frame in stock, which they're building up for me to test-ride tomorrow. I don't know what components they're using, but the complete build, fixed with a front brake, is £399.

That seems somewhat steep compared to the Biddle build mentioned in another thread (http://biddlebikes.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=162), which is £295 + some extra for a front brake.

Is anyone familiar enough with BLB to offer an opinion/guess as to whether or not the BLB build is worth the price as opposed to Biddle's?

Hi all,

I'm a complete n00b, so I implore you to go easy on me :-)

I'm 5'4" (164 cm), female, looking to buy my first SS/FG for commuting within central London. My current bike is a Trek 1200 road bike, 43 cm WSD (yes I know it's tiny, but what can I say, I'm a midget).

I don't want to convert this bike, I just want to get another one as cheaply as possible so that if -- god forbid -- it gets stolen, I won't be completely broken-hearted. I can spare the cash for a decent bike, but it seems a bit foolhardy to leave £450 parked on the street, even if I lock it up properly. (If you have any opinions on this matter, by all means, please express them...)

I've been stalking this forum for a couple days, and based on everybody's advice, I've decided buy something OTP or pay someone to build one for me.

Somebody at BLB was trying really hard to talk me into the Trek Soho. While it's the right price and has gotten good reviews, it's not as aesthetically pleasing as I'd like. If all else fails, I will put function over form and get it, but not until I've exhausted all the possible options for getting something with pretty colors :-)

Evans has one called Pinnacle Bachelor No. 1 on sale for £349 (originally £399). I've searched Google and this forum, but there aren't any reviews or opinions on this bike. Does anybody know anything about it?

Also... if anybody has time and used parts to spare, and is willing to build me something for me for £400 or less, please let me know.

Thanks all!