Which single speed bike/frame?

dttlincs

Looking for a single/fixed gear bike or a suitable frame to build up.
What should I consider?
I would prefer something a little "different".
I do like the look of the Specialized Ltd Edition London model though.
Are there any track bikes I should consider(with the addition of a brake)?
Again I like the look of a Condor track bike(forgotten the name but it is black with alu frame?) but is it possible to add brakes?
Thanks.

bryanm

Pompino!

dttlincs

Any more suggestions?

chocolateboy

Mine's a Condor Pista - lovely ride. It's not the full-on track bike that Condor do (which I think is reviewed in this month's C+) but pretty damn cool nonetheless. Much better than the Spesh IMHO - I hate the way the ugly welds stand out on the white paintwork of the versions i've seen in shops.

aracer

dttlincs wrote:

I do like the look of the Specialized Ltd Edition London model though.

In which case you're lost to the world of sensible purchasing decisions, and it's impossible for me to offer useful advice :evil:

dttlincs

aracer wrote:

dttlincs wrote:

I do like the look of the Specialized Ltd Edition London model though.

In which case you're lost to the world of sensible purchasing decisions, and it's impossible for me to offer useful advice :evil:

Give me some less than sensible options then please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you know of any really nice track bikes that can take a front brake then let me know!!!!
Thanks.

aracer

More helpfully, why not just put a road fork on a track frame?

Or get a custom build 953.

cougie

Fixed lends itself to a low maintenance winter bike IMO. So whatever you get, make sure you can get full guards on it. And two brakes are better than one for proper use of a fixed, so I'd go with a proper drilled frame over a track version.

Shavedlegs

I've got the specialized Langster (horrible rust coloured one) and it isfine. I've fitted race blade mud guards which work just as well as more traditional guards. I was looking for a cheap, low maintenance bike I wouldn't care too much about as I was going to leave it locked outside shops etc. And that is what I got.

I really like the look of the Ridgeback Flyer and Bianchi Pista more, also Pearson do a fixed which has had great reviews. The Kona Paddy Wagon was my first choice but too expensive and nice for my needs.

Gav2000

I also have an unstealable rust coloured Langster and love it. The London edition looks like it's been on Pimp my Ride and the rust coloured one is currently £40-50 cheaper.

When I bought about a month ago Winstanley Bikes had Kona Paddy Wagons for £399, that could be an alternative.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index ... 6&brandID=

Gav.

robbie the roadie

I think the london langster is stupid. It was obviously designed by someone who has no comprehension how cold England gets. I mean bare metal handlebars? There going to be lovely to put your hands on first thing on a winter morning! The green standard one is much nicer.

I have a pompino and it's great and would recomend one, but then I'm sure a lot of other single speed/fixies are to.

homercles

dttlincs wrote:

Again I like the look of a Condor track bike(forgotten the name but it is black with alu frame?) but is it possible to add brakes?
Thanks.

The Condor Pista has a drilled bridge for adding a rear brake (already has a front brake). Looks like a nice bike - mind you, lot more expensive than the Langster.

http://www.condorcycles.com/pdfs/Singlespeed_07.pdf

robbie the roadie

homercles wrote:

The Condor Pista has a drilled bridge for adding a rear brake (already has a front brake).

Already has a back brake to in the catologue picture. Nice looking bike though 8)

aracer

robbie the roadie wrote:

I think the london langster is stupid. It was obviously designed by someone who has no comprehension how cold England gets. I mean bare metal handlebars? There going to be lovely to put your hands on first thing on a winter morning!

You obviously don't appreciate the market for the LL. It's designed for leaning up outside cafes on nice sunny days, not for riding in winter.

robbie the roadie

aracer wrote:

You obviously don't appreciate the market for the LL. It's designed for leaning up outside cafes on nice sunny days, not for riding in winter.

ultra niche

homercles

Anyone know if Halfords can order On-One bikes? Pompino looks sweet.

pedro_d

Shavedlegs wrote:

I really like the look of the Ridgeback Flyer and Bianchi Pista more, also Pearson do a fixed which has had great reviews. The Kona Paddy Wagon was my first choice but too expensive and nice for my needs.

I have the Flyer and I love it. I test road the 2006 Paddy Wagon but it was a bit on the heavy side for me.

robbie the roadie

homercles wrote:

Anyone know if Halfords can order On-One bikes? Pompino looks sweet.

They deffinately do the planet x bikes through halfords with the cycle to work scheme so would imagine they would be able to. Give brant at on one a ring. The contact number can be found on their website.

Why not just buy direct from on one though??

homercles

robbie the roadie wrote:

homercles wrote:

Anyone know if Halfords can order On-One bikes? Pompino looks sweet.

Why not just buy direct from on one though??

Hmm, my edit doesn't seem to have worked - yours is a fair point considering that in my original post I didn't mention the Cycle2Work scheme element of things, hence the needs for Halfords to be involved.

robbie the roadie

they are sweet bikes and probably the most versatile out of all the bikes mentioned so far. V's for stopping in the wet, eyelets to run rack on the back and full length mudgurads at the same time and HUGE tyre clearance.

danseur

Has anyone ridden (or have an opinion) on the Charge Plug?

Looks lovely but also looks like more laid-back geometry than most road-bike based models.

MrGrumpy

homercles wrote:

Anyone know if Halfords can order On-One bikes? Pompino looks sweet.

they do, already enquired however looking at a 4-5 week wait from on one for the large model anway. I`m being more tempted by the Tricross single speed, seen it in the flesh and looks nice and robust, perfect for the commute.

Fab Foodie

Either build something a bit more unique from an old 531 frame, or Build one up from a Salsa Casserole frame.