another newbie singlespeed question

Tabris

I've been thinking about getting a single-speed bike over the next 6 months, so that I have a nice road bike for the Summer and next year to commute to uni.

I was considering going for a fixie, but after entertaining the thought, I decided a single-speed would be more efficient and aesthetically, it wouldn't be much different, if at all to a fixie. So whatever.

Problem is, I have no idea about where to start. I'm probably looking to spend around £300-£400 at the moment for a full bike at the moment, maybe more if the £ stays weak and I call off a trip to NY next year.

I'd like to get the best I can get for the money and I have no idea about which companies are good and which are bad. Nor do I understand the specs that accompany frames and wheels. Bikes have always been hop on and it should be alright with me.

Or if anyone knows other sites that can offer advice on building/buying and customising single-speed road bikes, it'd be fantastic. Since I also like the idea of custom building my own.

Anything would be helpful.

Thought something like the Felt dispatch would be quite nice, and it's in my current price range. I'd work on sprucing it up over time instead of going for a complete custom build, but off the rack, it seems quite nice.

Infamous

Why not get one that has a "flip flop" rear hub, that way you can have both singlespeed and fixed on the same bike. Don't forget that with singlespeed you need 2 brakes.

I don't think you could build a full bike for that price yourself. I'm starting to build my own fixed bike, and for £400 you are better off buying a full bike to be honest.

Frame/forks = £200
wheels = £150
Cranks etc = £100
Bars/stem/saddle/seat post/brakes/etc etc = £150

All that, and you will probably have a bike similar to a £400 fully made one. Might as well buy a full bike, and change whatever bits you want.

The felt dispatch doesn't look too bad, have a look here: http://www.londonfgss.com/thread9085.html plenty to choose from there.

gkerr4

as above - the "off-the-peg" thread on london fixes and SS forum is useful.

You can't go wrong with a number of the off-the-peg fixed / singlespeeds - the langster is one of the most common and get s a bad press from londoners who say they are too common (up here in the sticks my LBS had never even seen one before i ordered it and I've never seen another since (although I notice the shop has got a new 09 model in) so it doesn't bother me).

from my point of view - I bought an 07 langster for £299 and it is ideal. I have changed the bars for aero 'bullhorn' type bars, put a charge spoon saddle and matching bar tape (it's all brown which some will love or hate - i don't care) it will get new brake calipers to replace the unbranded ones and perhaps some new wheels if the std ones don't bear up to winter too good. but it's a great bike. Pearson were selling the frames off recently and a few on this forum bought them up - but it is still difficult to put a full bike together for less than the £299 I paid

the felt despatch does look good by the way - if I was buying again it would be around the top of my list too,

the only one I am a bit wary of is the giant bowery - there have been a lot of reports of it being a bit too 'budget' in it's construction - but again, it's probably an OK bike for the cash.

edhornby

there are planet X single speeds that aren't on the lfgss site..

lochindaal

Just bought a planet x singlespeed conversion kit for £15. Changing an old mountain bike frame into singlespeed very cheaply

schilbach

+1 Felt Dispatch!!

Looking to get one shortly!

Mister W

There are shed loads of SS and fixed gear bikes available at the moment. I've got an On-One Pompino, which is a lovely bike, but loads of my friends have built their own from old frames. If you're handy with spanners then it's very easy to do.

Have a look at Sheldon Brown's website for more info or try this website - http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/page34.htm

meagain

Look in Special Interests - and see if still a link to Fixed FAQs (on wikipedia I think). It was created on the "old" C+ Forum Fixed Community and really is all you need!

il_principe

Speaking of Pearson they have a stonking offer on at the moment - the Specialized Tricross SingleSpeed 2008 RRP £450 Sale price - £274.99

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/4422/SPECIALIZED_TRICROSS_SINGLE_2008_RRP_450_SAVE_175_NOW_27499

That's one hell of a bargain.

John.T

For that money it is one hell of a bike. A set of mudguards and road tyres and you have a super winter / commute bike.

mtbhenry888

look at my thread on special intrests

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12599274

shows my bike i recently built for £120 ebay is soooo good if you are patient and know what to look for!

£300-400 is just too small an amount to custom build a bike with new parts, the only way to go for a custom build is second hand if i got mine for £120 what could you get with a £400 budget!

Tabris

Thanks for all the advice so far.

The way I'm thinking at the moment, is that if I don't get a custom bike, I'll probably end up getting something like a Pearson Touche (if I can save up enough), or a Felt Dispatch and customise parts as and when I need to do it.

I've got a couple of friends who are into bikes, so I'll ask them advice when looking around classifieds forums for any good bargains.

I think?

GibboGT

Their is also the Pearsons Hanzo, similar bike to the touche, just steel framed so a tad heavier. That's £450 the touche is £600 before any extras.

The tricross is great for the price! Offer may not last too long.

gtitim

jashburnham wrote:

Speaking of Pearson they have a stonking offer on at the moment - the Specialized Tricross SingleSpeed 2008 RRP £450 Sale price - £274.99

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/4422/SPECIALIZED_TRICROSS_SINGLE_2008_RRP_450_SAVE_175_NOW_27499

That's one hell of a bargain.

I just ordered one of these, they do next day delivery for £8.50 so should arrive tomorrow! Can't wait. I also ordered a 16T fixed sprocket at the same time and a mini 15mm spanner so that I can swap over whilst out and about.

The whole lot came in at £311 including next day delivery. Can't argue with that!!!

Get them whist they're available!

meagain

Hope you enjoy the bike - I really rate mine! Ideal for current weather. Might be worthwhile stripping/re-greasing/adjusting the wheel bearings - not the strong point I think.
IF you get to like it a LOT, worth spending what you've saved on a spare set of better wheels, with more tarmac-specific tyres, keeping the standard set for off-road (for which the bike is ideal IMO/E).

gtitim

meagain wrote:

Hope you enjoy the bike - I really rate mine! Ideal for current weather. Might be worthwhile stripping/re-greasing/adjusting the wheel bearings - not the strong point I think.
IF you get to like it a LOT, worth spending what you've saved on a spare set of better wheels, with more tarmac-specific tyres, keeping the standard set for off-road (for which the bike is ideal IMO/E).

Thanks for the advice meagain. Yeah, I already have some more appropriate tyres. I was definately wondering about the wheels though. Did you upgrade yours? what did you go for? Also, how heavy is the bike, can't find a weight for it anywhere, not that it really matters for this kind of bike. Thanks for your help

meagain

I dropped lucky (as far as I can tell so far!) with a pair of Rigida Chrinas on Ambrosio LF double fixed as a "second chance" on ebay (seller "bankrupt-surplus") for I think about 65 quid. Certainly cheaper than I can buy hubs/rims/spokes and build them! He sometimes has some on at various start/BIN prices. Worth a look. I put x28 Gators on those and kept the CX tyres on the originals (which I am using given current weather and fact that I'm mainly riding off-tarmac).

Weight? Don't know! Seems quite light after my usual old-steel fixeds!

meagain

PS Chap has these on offer at moment:

BANKRUPT-TRACK-FIXTIE-WHEELS-PISTE-FIXED-COURIER-700c

Like I said I cannot yet comment on longevity - but SEEM fine. Probably worth asking WHAT hubs!

John.T

I've not weighed mine but it is not heavy. I would say comfortably under 10kg with mudguards. Mine is on 65" fixed and I have fitted 25mm Conti GP4000s to the standard wheels. They seem OK but I would not use anything smaller. It is a suprisingly comfortable and stable bike. Mind you it needs to be going down hill at 30mph and 150rpm. It also climbs well.

gtitim

wow thanks for the advice guys i cant wait for the bike to arrive - my first fixed wheel bike i'll assess the wheels after i ride it with the new tyres on

cheers

richardvaltos

I've got the 2007 genesis flyer which is a great bike for the money, and i've left it as supplied. I've also got the pearson hanzo with handbuilt open pros on sytem x hubs. The Hanzo is my preferred steed, even though it is noticably heavier when lifting it, but not when riding. 48x18 on the flyer and 48x16 on the Hanzo. Mudguards in this weather make an unbelievable difference. The Flyer hasn't been out since October The tricross at pearsons seems like a no-brainer to me. You can't go wrong, although with higher gearing for road.

d_c_h_w

gtitim wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

Speaking of Pearson they have a stonking offer on at the moment - the Specialized Tricross SingleSpeed 2008 RRP £450 Sale price - £274.99

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/4422/SPECIALIZED_TRICROSS_SINGLE_2008_RRP_450_SAVE_175_NOW_27499

That's one hell of a bargain.

I just ordered one of these, they do next day delivery for £8.50 so should arrive tomorrow! Can't wait. I also ordered a 16T fixed sprocket at the same time and a mini 15mm spanner so that I can swap over whilst out and about.

The whole lot came in at £311 including next day delivery. Can't argue with that!!!

Get them whist they're available!

I also could not resist, I ordered mine last week and its just turned up today.

I'll be running with a 16T fixed and 28c Conti Contacts, and some mudguards (when they arrive).

First got to centralise the chain ring to get a good even chain tension a'la Sheldon Brown

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html#tension

Then I've got to decide whether to take it out for a spin without mudguards and with seriously crappy roads.

Something that is concerning me is will the mudguards comprimise the removal of the rear wheel because of the track ends. Do you just have to attach the mudguard with plenty of space at the rear? Or maybe loosen off the mudguard each time you need to take the rear wheel off?

unclemalc

gtitim wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

Speaking of Pearson they have a stonking offer on at the moment - the Specialized Tricross SingleSpeed 2008 RRP £450 Sale price - £274.99

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/4422/SPECIALIZED_TRICROSS_SINGLE_2008_RRP_450_SAVE_175_NOW_27499

That's one hell of a bargain.

I just ordered one of these, they do next day delivery for £8.50 so should arrive tomorrow! Can't wait. I also ordered a 16T fixed sprocket at the same time and a mini 15mm spanner so that I can swap over whilst out and about.

The whole lot came in at £311 including next day delivery. Can't argue with that!!!

Get them whist they're available!

Neither could I. Did the same + some 'guards, but will be changing the tyres to something tougher.

gtitim

Nice one!

nielsamd

d_c_h_w wrote:

Something that is concerning me is will the mudguards comprimise the removal of the rear wheel because of the track ends. Do you just have to attach the mudguard with plenty of space at the rear? Or maybe loosen off the mudguard each time you need to take the rear wheel off?

I guess you've already chosed std. mudguards but an option would be to use an MTB style guard on the rear.

nielsamd

d_c_h_w wrote:

Something that is concerning me is will the mudguards comprimise the removal of the rear wheel because of the track ends. Do you just have to attach the mudguard with plenty of space at the rear? Or maybe loosen off the mudguard each time you need to take the rear wheel off?

I guess you've already chosen std. mudguards but an option would be to use an MTB style guard on the rear.

John.T

Just fit the rear guard with the same fairly large gap all the way round. No problem getting the wheel out as I proved today when I punctured.

meagain

Just a comment: any wheels even a bit beyond run-of-the-mill are not CHEAP! I've just finished building some new ones for my Langster (so as to conserve the probably 1970s very light polished alloys on LF Campag-copies). NOS red Mavic MA3s (to "match" the russet brown frame) on IRO LF pewter colour anodised hubs (about half RRP from ebay) with cheapish spokes come out at 115 quid - plus I suppose another 30-40 if I paid to have them built!
Don't know what they'll run like - but they look lovely and that of course is the important bit!

d_c_h_w

John.T wrote:

Just fit the rear guard with the same fairly large gap all the way round. No problem getting the wheel out as I proved today when I punctured.

Thanks for that, very reassuring, sorry about your puncture though