Bicycle Pros Pt. 2: Fixed Gear Edition

[Riot]

Hi friends,

I have my sick police trek all smooth and speedy now. After spanking it to Premium Rush six times the other night, it’s time I chase my dreams of becoming a messenger in NYC and fight the ne’er-do-wells in their safe cages. To do so, I’m going to need only the best, and by that, I mean, something cheap. The best bang for my buck.

I went to the local bike shop and told the guy I’d come in Friday and buy the beautiful looking Pure Fix in gold, after he unboxes and puts it together for me. THEN, I did my research. Pure fix bikes have the worst reputation I’ve ever seen on the internet. So, after stressing about what I was going to say, I caved in and called him and explained my dilemma and said I wanted to do more research. Luckily, he hadn’t yet unboxed it. So, now, I want to pull the trigger on something. But what?
The internet tells me even the Bikes Direct options are better than the Pure fix- a hipster fueled trend bike company cashing in on Starbucks drinkin’, mustache twirling, dbags. However, I don’t trust the internet. So, MCB, my internet friends, tell me… what do you recommend? Why? Let’s keep it < $450 & keep in mind it’s probably $100 for the bike shop to build.

also, I might hate it, because ya kno, fixed gear.

Thank you.

also, pics would be great if you have one.

oh, oh, and a flip-flop hub would be great.

[shadow191]

Looking at that Pure Fix, it does look like a ripoff. Cheap steel frame and terrible parts. Its the equivalent of a $150 Walmart bike they marked up because it's a fixie. Would be terrible and heavy to ride.

At your price point, Bikes Direct isn't a bad option. They have bikes in your price point with decent frames and actually decent components and brakes. Outside of used, it hard to get better value than Bikes Direct.

[Riot]

Upon first look, was there anything that jumped out at you? It looks like I'm stuck in the Motobecone range. The Kilo TT gets a lot of love online, however, it's at $500 before I gotta take it somewhere... So, a hair too high.

[BLachance75]

You know you want it

[Riot]

I do want it, I think I even sent it to you, no? The problem is, they only had it in S and XS. =(

[martix_agent]

I agree about bikes direct and their pricing, it's easily the best value unless you find something great locally or on facebook marketplace.

Riot, have you ever ridden a fixed gear bicycle? If not, you going to want to test ride one because it's definitely different. Watching guys playin NYC traffic is a lot of fun, but you need to realize they do this for a living, have a lot of experience and also take risks that are insane. I say this because 10+ years ago I delivered on bicycle. you get comfortable with traffic patterns, but I don't think I would EVER do some of the things they do on video. Those lunatics don't even believe in brakes and must have legs the size of a tree trunk.

[Riot]

@Matrix_Agent I have not and I anticipate it being horrible. I was just being an ass in my original post. I just want a simple fixed gear OR single speed to ride a paved bike trail. There will be no heavy traffic or city streets. =P

[Hellion360]

I like riding fixed gear bikes.
But I think this is a good opportunity for you to buy some parts and do a conversion on a cheap steel frame. Get a free bike and mod it.

It is:
Pretty Easy
Relatively cheap
Fun

And it gives you a chance to try riding a fixed gear. And don't remove your brakes like a damn idiot.

The bike you can build, will probably perform better than most bikes at 450 and be less spendy. Older steel frames are heavy, but ride smooth. And you said you are not out to race.

[Riot]

While this certainly seems appealing, I know nothing about bikes, but I do know myself...
I would buy and old steel road bike and watch it rot in the shed until I sell it because I never figured out what [insert bike part here] to buy, got frustrated, and quit. Bit of a pattern in my life. Lol

[Hellion360]

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html This is a good resource if you want to look further.
Good to know yourself though.

[RedLeaderSB]

https://www.statebicycle.com/

I have used them for years and find them quite economical.

[Hellion360]

These look cool. Maybe I'll get something more relaxed to tool around on.

[k_obeastly]

Thruster at walmart will be the same quality as that pure fix and is great for $100. Or you can wait and watch some of the hipster brands, sometimes people catch on to them being crap they tend to get cleared out at reasonable prices on ebay. I picked up a caraci that way a few years ago. It was junk but priced as junk. I called it a “shixie” or s**tty fixie.

[Tracker]

"Riding a fixed gear is like being in the wrong gear 90% of the time"

Almost any bike can become a fixie if your willing to screw with it enough.. even full suspension

[Tracker]

I meant a fixie on purpose.. without the busted derailleur

[k_obeastly]

Fixed gear really refers more to the lack of a free wheel than the lack of gears. You could have a multi geared fixie.

[martix_agent]

A milti-geared fixie is simply diabolical.