Is this your first bike?

You should really check out the beginner advice thread and the $200-600 thread in addition to this one. There's a lot of helpful advice in there including SIZING. KNOWING YOUR SIZE IS SUPER IMPORTANT SO KNOW THAT FIRST.

Also, if you're in this price bracket and you don't already have the essential bike accessories:

• A Front Brake and Lever and Cable if you're not sure what sizes you need make a post in the weekly questions thread. Some of the bikes I suggest have one already, but if they don't GET ONE.
  
  
• A Floor Pump
  
  
• A Metric Hex Set
  
  
• A 15mm wrench if your wheels require it (most do)
  
  
• A Lockring Tool 100% essential if you plan to ride fixed
  
  
• Some Grease
  
  
• Good pedals! Clips and straps, bmx straps, or clipless can all benefit greatly from a little extra cash.
  
  
• A helmet
  
  Note there are other options for all of these that could allow you to save money/space/whatever, but you won't go wrong with what I linked. I'd really suggest having these even if it means you go down a price bracket on the actual bike, they'll all come in handy.
  
  

  New Bikes
  

  
  

• An Upgraded Dolan Precursa at £Whateveryouwanttospend is just so customizable and awesome and the pricing is great and really everyone should get this if they can. I'd highly suggest opting for the front brake, miche pistard clincher wheelset (tubular if you're riding track ONLY), and sugino75 crankset options. You can even get direct drives for only £109 extra ( a $500 crankset whaaaat) so that's cool. If you really want to dive headfirst you can get clipless pedals too, but if you don't know what those are definitely make a post in the weekly questions thread.
  
  
• The Specialized Langster at $650 retail is a super solid street and track bike. They go on sale sometimes for less and for $600 or less it's really a no brainer.
  
  
• The Wabi Classic at $750 has been my go to recommendation for a long time. It's made of super high quality steel has excellent customization options, and is all around awesome. The biggest downside is the super relaxed geo. If you want something that rides more like an average road bike check out the Special or Lightning
  
  
• The PoloandBike Williamsburg at £760 is a great option for European riders. The name brand finishing kit and artchetype rims give it that custom bike feel for a good value complete bike. If you swap out the front tire and maybe upgrade the crank this bike can be truly superb.
  
  
• The All-City Big Block at $950 is easily the best looking bike on this list imo, but that aside it's a super ultra double awesome track bike. Really well rounded and could easily be the last fixed gear you buy. One thing to watch out for is the long top tubes that all city loves so much so take a close look at that geo chart.
  
  

  Used Bikes
  

  
  Another great thing about this price bracket is the used market. I daresay it is easy to find outstanding value bikes used in this price range if you know what you're doing. I helped a friend source this for $1100 and we were being choosey! Again, if you need help post in the questions thread or just PM me because I like helping people with this stuff.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Hi r/FixedGearBicycle!

As the title suggests, I'm looking to buy my first Single Speed / Fixie bike and would greatly appreciate your recommendations. Additional info to help with your recommendations:

• Main use-case is to bike to work sometimes (9KM round-trip), and light rides (errands, friend's house, etc). I have a Specialized Allez Comp 105 that I use for long rides.
  
• I'm a Fixie / overall Bike Noob. I had a Single Speed I used to ride as my commuter bike, but it unfortunately got stolen hence why I'm looking to purchase. If interested, it was my fault... I left it outside during a storm for like 2 hours and they used a power tool to cut right though my lock :/
  
• Aesthetics is a bonus, but I'm more interested in quality. More specifically, I'd like a bike that is fast, lightweight, and won't break down on me after a few months
  
• Budget isn't an issue, but I'd like to spend less than $800 if possible. I wouldn't mind investing in a good frame and then slowly making upgrades (wheels, etc). I'll have to lock the bike up in downtown Toronto at times, hence why I don't want to spend too much in the event it gets stolen again.
  
• I'm in Canada, so I guess that limits my selection. However, I'm willing to buy from the US and pay duties if needed. However if any recommendations are for bikes I can easily buy from Canada, that's definitely a bonus!
  
• I almost pulled the trigger on the 6KU Urban Track Bike, however I didn't because of the reddit threads I've seen here. Are the new Urban Track Bikes from 6KU that bad?
  
• I never built a bike before (used to take my bike to the shop all the time). However, I feel like ordering and building a Fixie is a great way to get started!
  
  Happy to share more details if needed.
  
  Thanks everyone!

Firstly, congrats on the ride! Keep it up!

I have the same bike (color and everything) so I can offer a few tips for the new(ish) rider with this rig. Treat it well and you will be happy with it for a long time. I have over 1200 miles on this bike.

First, as everyone has said, foot retention. I have the Pure Fix straps from amazon. If you can swing it I suggest upgrading the pedals as well when you buy retention. I have a nice slim platform from fyxation. About $25 but you can get something better than what is on that bike starting around $12 on up.

2nd, Seat. Keep doing 40+ mile rides and you will quickly realize the stock seat has to go. I have a charge spoon I paid around $26 for. Non-bike friends tell me how uncomfortable my seat looks and I tell them that you should see the original seat that came with the bike! I love the charge.

You see the black streaks from your brake pads on your wheels? Eventually that will cause a streaking noise that is horribly embarrassing if anyone is within a one hundred yard radius. It will also stop like shit. I taped off the rim and sanded the paint off of that edge, then replaced the pads with a really nice pad/shoe from amazon for about $10 a set. No noise, no black marks on the rim and nice braking.

Tires. Keep an eye out for a nicer set of tires. The stock ones will get the job done for a while but they are cheap. Keep an eye out on steepandcheap.com or theclymb.com or wherever. I picked up a set of Vittoria slicks online somewhere for around $16 each and it was a world of difference.

I did replace the brake levers but I broke one of the stock ones. The stock levers are cheap but no rush to replace them if you dont need to. Again, there are a ton of better options out there starting at around $15 when you are ready to upgrade.

I also replaced the bar tape but it was mostly because I was not happy with my install. The stock tape is fine.

I hope this helps a bit. I just wanted to show cheap bikes like this can get a lot of flack round these parts but a few reasonably priced upgrades can make this a nice bike that lasts you a long time.

Here is a few shots of mine. Disregard the blue bottle cage, its on there from a 50 miler i did a few weeks ago. my bike

The biggest difference between cranksets is roundness, a more expensive crank is going to be rounder which means there's a smaller difference in chain tension which means it "absorbs" less energy is more silent. Expensive cranksets are also stiffer, but unless you're putting out 3000 watt that isn't really an issue.

That conversion kit looks like a bad idea, it's a bunch of the cheapest components being marketed as "hip".

They're called riser bars, as long as you find a bar with same diameter (probably 25.4 or 26 mm on older road bikes) you can keep the stem and headset.

Park makes super nice tools, and that stand is a great choice. But I'd really consider buying tools along the ride, instead of shelling out big time for this huge set. Since you are a tool guy you probably already have a good part of those wrenches and keys, so it'd be better to move a bit of that budget towards your bike.

For this conversion you'll need these tools:

• Chain whip
  
  
• Pedal wrench
  
  
• Chain tool
  
  
• Tire levers
  
  
• Crank puller
  
  
• Chain cleaner
  
  
• Bottom bracket tool
  
  This totals about half of what you'd pay for the complete set, so I'd go for the complete set if you need all the wrenches, but otherwise you can put an extra $100 into your conversion.

I'd second this. I bought a bike specific tool kit and its nice but not 100% necessary. A regular ole toolkit + bike specific pieces like the BB/Chain/Lockring tools will work fine. The Pedro Trixie tool is pretty sweet as a tool for the riding or home as well. That said, this Bikehand Toolkit had everything I needed to build a bike up beside headset stuff.

So no offense, but it doesn't sound like you are too experienced with bicycles. Which is fine. Its wonderful. But if that's the case, why not ride it around as a geared bike before you decide whether you need to convert it?

And no one has mentioned it yet, but if you intend to change the cranks you will need a crank puller. You'll need a chain breaker to replace the chain. Make sure you have metric wrenches for the wheels (probably 15mm). And an allen set for the handlebars.

If you are buying bullhorn handlebars you might have a little trouble with the stem. In the picture it looks like it has a quill stem with a clamp. The curves of a bullhorn can be a little tricky, you'll have to spread the clamp pretty well. And make sure you buy the appropriate diameter handlebar (25.4 vs 26.0 vs 31.8).

So, I am looking to upgrade my bike. However, it is a SS conversion.

I have been riding on it for awhile and looking to officially switch it over to a fixed gear. I have thought of buying a complete, but I dont really have space to keep two bikes because I will be living on campus. So I thought I would upgrade with decent parts and then upgrade the frame later down the line.

This is my current frame and I haven't done much with it since I got it about a year and a half ago. LINK

This is what I have been thinking of buying:

Wheelset: [H+ Son Archetype]
(http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_172_301&products_id=2578)

Pedals: Fyxation Gates

Crankset: Andel Track

Bottom Bracket: Andel BB

Chain: Izumi ECO

Cog: EAI Deluxe Track 17t

Lockring: Dura Ace Lockring

Saddle: Charge Spoon (might a well upgrade this too)

Bar Tape: Origin8 Bar Tape

Lockring Wrench

Total: $492.75 not including the cost of getting LBS to install crank/chain/bb.

It looks like a lot to throw at a conversion, but I will eventually swap to a proper frame. Would it be smart to invest this much or would I be better off buying a complete at this price even though the quality of parts might not be like what I listed?

An alternative to these would be the S300 SRAM crankset that would fall closer that price range new but still has great build quality and the external BB. Super stiff. I've ridden both.

Yeah, I didn't know either but you must add that 1 1/8 spacer on top of the shimmed stem THEN the 1 1/8th top cap to put it in place.

​

for the shim, I just got lucky. it was the same height as the stem (I think around 40mm). this is the shim I used: https://www.amazon.com/Ventura-Spacer-Ahead-Stem/dp/B01MREO4IC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_468_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=THGK26KHN9XT4VNF8J8S

for the most part, I think this shim will fit most stems. i have a nitto UI-25 stem that's shimmed using this one.

​

LBS stands for local bike shop!

I use SPD clipless pedals, along with these shoes. I prefer MTB clipless shoes because they have a recessed cleat and are much easier to walk in than road-oriented kicks.

The difference you notice when using a clipless system is astounding, and I would never go back to platforms/cages. So much more efficient and natural feeling.

My brother picked up one of these for his bike quite a while ago, and I've used it on my bike since I've gotten it with few problems. The only thing I'd recommend is a separate pedal wrench because those things can get tight, but if your cranks are still on your bike when you change/remove pedals, it's not an issue.

TL;DR, the link is what I use, and it's pretty great.

Put the front brake back on. Then start saving for a great saddle. I'd go Brooks with the matching real leather bar tape. Don't put Thickslicks on this bike. They aren't bad tires, but those huge white logos won't do anything to make the bike look better. Add a chain tensioner and get a lockring tool. I like the Trixie from Pedro's.

http://www.amazon.com/Pedros-142724-Trixie-Fixie-Tool/dp/B001Q221GM

Unsure what exactly your post is asking. Please clarify?

You should check your threads first before considering getting a new rear wheel.

If the threads are alright, go ahead and tighten everything down (as recommended by bikesdirect). First the rotafix method to tighten down the cog. Then use a lockring tool to tighten down the lockring.

If the threads are trashed, you can easily find a wheel that is less than $150 (assuming you mean this since >150 means greater than $150). There are some typical "favorites" on FGB like velocity deep v or mavics.

SKS Raceblades. I've got them on my bike which has something like 1/2" clearance between the tire and the downtube. They fit perfectly.

Specs:
--------
Part| Component
---|---
Frame| 2012 Jamis Sputnik Reynolds 520
Fork / Headset| Excel Curved Fork / Stock Alloy
Crankset / Bottom Bracket| Sugino RD2 / Sugino
Pedals| MKS Sylvan Track
Drivetrain / Cog / Chainring / Chain| 19t Surly Cog / 48t Sugino Chainring / KMC Z410
Handlebars / Stem| Nitto Noodle / Thomson Elite
Saddle / Seatpost| Brooks B17 / Velo Orange Grand Cru
Brakes| Tektro R317 long reach forged alloy dual-pivot caliper with Tektro RL-567 top mount brake lever
Front Wheel / Hub / Tire| Sun M13 / Formula / Panaracer Pasela
Rear Wheel / Hub / Tire| Sun M13 / Formula / Panaracer Pasela
Accessories | Thomson Top Cap / Dura Ace Lockring / MKS Toe Clips / Zefal Toe Straps / Fizik Microtex Bar Tape/ Surly Tuggnut / Crane Japan Headset Bell

^(^^Not ^^quite ^^bored ^^enough ^^to ^^look ^^for ^^the ^^other ^^parts...)

I know theres a lot of front brake hate here, but hear me out. Im in the proccess of building my first fixie and I definitely want to have the option of a front brake. What front brake would you guys recommend?

Edit: My budget for the brakes is under $35 and I found these two brakes but I have no way of knowing which one will be better: https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-Bicycle-Reach-Calipers-55-73mm/dp/B01MRJ8RE7/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=dual%2Bpivot%2Bbike%2Bbreaks&qid=1569168748&sr=8-5&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Classic-Road-Caliper-39-49mm/dp/B003BCCCDC/ref=sr_1_18_sspa?keywords=dual%2Bpivot%2Bbike%2Bbreaks&qid=1569168748&sr=8-18-spons&smid=AFUNG49VH4BIB&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMlg5RzkzRk1KV0lEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODAwNTg3MjBTWTRXTFhVTExOWSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzI4ODg1M0VSRk0xTjM3MDRETyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1&psc=1

1. I don't think so, but it's a cost thing. You can get a good aluminum frame + carbon fork for ~2-300, a carbon frame will be at least double that. Could also get a decent quality crmo grame for <200. You don't gain a whole lot of weight, and you get the comfort and dependability of steel.
   
   
2. Again, just depends on budget.
   
   
3. Weight isn't as huge a factor on flat ground, so more people prefer steel with track than they do with road bikes. For the regular reasons: comfort, reliability.
   
   4)Changing out the rear cog is the quickest way, takes me maybe 15 minutes. You would need a chainwhip/lockring wrench. The one I use: (http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Sprocket-Remover-Pedal-Wrench/dp/B005D9J45K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415907750&sr=8-1&keywords=sunlite+chain+whip)

This works great and can be moved easily between bikes. I also have this that works well too.

This one looks pretty good, and is in your budget. Going over the reviews, it seems like it would be a decent starter bike/more or less of what you are looking for.

Pretty lucky to have gotten the bag that’s for sure! Rack is from Origin 8

Origin8 Classique Cargo HD Front Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B135SSE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QDNSBbDF7YFCZ

• Fork: JRFOTO Carbon Fork
  
• Wheelset: Weinmann DP18 (already had these)
  
• Pedals: Shimano PD-M520L
  
• Saddle: Charge Spoon
  
• Crankset and BB: SRAM S300
  
• Stem: Not sure of the brand. Took it off of a Surly Steamroller.
  
• Bars: Fyxation Rodeo Pursuit Bullhorns
  
• Bar Tape: [Cinelli GEL Cork] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0067ST9XS/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) (I'd never wrapped bars before and this tape is one of the easiest to wrap)
  
  So pretty much the only thing that's the same as when I bought it is the seatpost and seatpost clamp.

Agreed. My dad's carried a small chain breaker on him for the better part of a decade and I can't say I've ever seen or heard about him using it. I think building this around a 15mm wrench would be more useful IMO. This has socket wrench capabilities, but it doesn't look like the sockets actually fit into the kit so that just takes up more space.

And TIL that this is a thing.

i got a cheap bike mostly for the aesthetics of it ( https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/65/16/38/6516385675b4139a2dd0797e36e177c8.jpg ) that i just started riding fixed, and i really like it so far. But i somehow think an upgrade would do me good. What would be your #1 priorities to change on the bike? Im ordering a new saddle next week http://www.amazon.com/Charge-Spoon-Saddle-Brown-Cromo/dp/B00GJPJ8NU and also some straps. Other then that, what would YOU buy/change and why?

Is there any way it wouldn't work with my bike? I got a Big Block, will it be just fine?

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-165mm-Black-Courier-Crankset/dp/B00554174Y

This looks pretty tempting.. I just want to make sure they would be fine with each other

How would does the sizing work on SKS Raceblades, and is the fit pretty universal with most fixed? The bike I am riding is 58cm with 700 x 28 wheels.

http://www.amazon.com/SKS-Raceblade-Bicycle-Fender-Set/dp/B0019JNTLS

Have any of you used the origin 8 classique rack? Is it any good? If I don't have eyelets should I be fine? Should I spend way more and just get a soma or even a BLB rack?

To be honest, I got my fixed gear from a friend and all the parts are no-name parts and got it for dirt cheap. I think I'll just buy a crank puller and some grease and relube everything. So I just buy the Park Tool crank puller adapter and the grease and I should be able to lube the bracket?

clip ons will be your best bet. here you go. sks raceblade wont keep you as dry as full wrap fenders but totally worth the dryness.

also, always wanted to give these a shot...
crud road these were designed for race-bikes turned into commuters, probably would work.

Quick tool question hopefully. Looking to further flesh out my bike tool box with more fixed-specific tools so that I can work on the bike more independently. What lock-ring tool(s) would be the most versatile to pick up? Is this one the go-to? I have a Crew District, with the stock wheelset and have had bike shops swap cogs and freewheels for me up until now, but want to get a bit more hands on with it. Also, the freewheel I currently have on their is an ACS crossfire, fwiw. From what I am seeing, that one needs it's own removal tool, also? Or do there exist more universal options?

My first fixed gear! Yeah all you need is a cog and a lockring, make sure the measurements are the same! buy a lockring wrench too and you can do it yourself.

Compatible Cog, Lockring, Wrench(spanner)

I mean.... it very well could be, but they also make tape meant to look like that (this being very similar to Ops). You can get all kinds of colours. Generally called "splash bar tape"

The way I figure, you have to find where the old tire blew out to make sure you know where the hole was and make sure the glass/wire/thorn was cleared from the tire. Once you know where the leak is is on the tube, you may as well patch it. Either I check the tire as the tube is setting, or I use my spare tube and have the now patched one as a backup.

A total blow out one inch rip or so, will not be patchable and so you'll need a full tube. In that case you'll most likely need a tire boot or a piece of cardboard to cover part of the tire.

A mini pump will let you carefully ride the bike, but a larger bike pump and tire gauge means that you can fix the bike and have fully inflated tires. Some of the smaller ones become a real chore despite being rated to 120lbs, but my area has many gas stations, bike shops and places to inflate, so even then you can just get it part of the way and finish the job down the road.

Something like Portland Design Works 3wrencho would be nice, But I just use a standard 15mm wrench. Someday, I'll chop it in half and stow it with a mini cheater bar, but that day has not come yet.

Thanks! https://www.amazon.com/Weanas-SuperSuede-Bicycle-Handle-Mixed-Color/dp/B00K0BPPN6/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1549339759&sr=8-13&keywords=bar+tape

I'm currently using these Talon Fly II's with SPD-M520's. The pedals are great but the shoes do have quite a bit of flex, I also made the mistake of getting them a tad larger than I normally wear.

Yeah I'm on the hunt for a new frame right now, I'm hoping someone will buy mine with the carbon fork for $350. At that point I have $600 to drop on a frameset, but this frame might not sell.

Thanks! They're Weanas Vex Gel SuperSuede Handle Bar Tape

Thanks! Here it is:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00B135SSE

Looks like a charge spoon

Origin8 Cassique.

I like it, it's light, really beefy, and it can hold a lot of weight.

At that price you may as well get these which are more likely to hold up

http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M520L-Sport-Pedals-Cleats/dp/B000WYAENC

First time riding with a front rack (Origin8 Classique Cargo), and it wasn't a bad ride at all. However, getting used to the new handling along with the temp and winds, gave me quite the workout.

Damn I honestly don't know. Still kinda noobish when it gets down to all the measurements on my bike.

Here's all the info about the stock components on my bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm

And here's the crankset and bb: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00554174Y

so this would work i plan on ordering tonight.
http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-165mm-Black-Courier-Crankset/dp/B00554174Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371339953&sr=8-1&keywords=sram+fixed

as for tools what would i need? i was planning on buying this http://www.amazon.com/Pedros-142724-Trixie-Fixie-Tool/dp/B001Q221GM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top to

Not as long as the Pedro's Trixie is $23.50.

I switched to clipless about a month and a half ago.

Shoes

Pedals

The pedals came with the correct cleats.

These will do. http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-PD-M520L-Sport-Pedals-Cleats/dp/B000WYAENC

Try this one instead: http://www.amazon.com/Pedros-142724-Trixie-Fixie-Tool/dp/B001Q221GM

Comes in silver, too.

i ride with a pedros trixie tool and one of these everyday: http://www.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Wrencho-Coated/dp/B003M2TLLC

Get this one, attaches to bolt axle and brake hole

https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Classique-Cargo-Front-Rack/dp/B00B135SSE

https://www.amazon.com/Charge-Spoon-Saddle-Brown-Cromo/dp/B00GJPJ8NU/ref=asc_df_B00GJPJ8NU/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312125954623&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16859101760930284814&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060401&hvtargid=pla-549116791095&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63589537658&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312125954623&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16859101760930284814&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060401&hvtargid=pla-549116791095

http://www.amazon.com/SKS-Raceblade-Bicycle-Fender-Set/dp/B0019JNTLS

amazon. They are made of plastic

It's an Origin8 and then he put a basket on it.

I have one of the Origin 8 cargo racks. I don't love it, but it gets the job done and it was cheap.