fixed gear

[TAW]

Any recommendations on the best place to find a cheap fixie? I recently moved and there's a gravel trail near me that would be perfect for a fixed. Thanks.

[redir]

A lot of people just look for old steel frames with horizontal drop outs and convert them to fixed gear road bikes. Unless you want a dedicated track bike it's a pretty good way to go. If you want a cheap off the shelf online one the Motobecane's are not too bad.

[icepick_trotsky]

Craigslist. Anything with horizontal dropouts.

[velofinds]

bikesdirect.com. Based on what you've described, a Kilo WT might fit the bill nicely.

[Shoeman]

bikesdirect.com. Based on what you've described, a Kilo WT might fit the bill nicely.

I agree!

[p nut]

If you can swing it, or if you can find one used, I highly suggest a Wabi Classic. It can fit ~700x30 stock, or with a Surly Pacer fork, 700x35 front and rear. Frame is much lighter than my old Surly Steamroller. Wheels are great as well. Much better than ones you'll get on a BD bike.

www.wabicycles.com/

[Gummee]

Depends on what you want to do. You can always get a 29er and run skinny-ish tires or you can get a Langster and ride a road-based fixie or you can get a SSCX and have a bit of both

I have all 3. Run the Langster fixed and the 29er and the SSCX single speed.

Riding fixed certainly has a learning curve...

M

[TAW]

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking to use the bike for a better workout since the trail is basically flat with gravel. Before I moved I sold all of my tools since we are in a temporary apartment and I don't have room for a stand and tools. So I'd really like to find something that's complete and that I don't have to build up.

[Pastashop]

Depending on the size you need and budget, some bikes in the classified may fit the bill (there's a Nature Boy SSCX, there used to be a Zanc SS MTB, etc). Could also post a WTB.

If you're on the "Internet-BOB" mail list (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/internet-bob) – accessible via Google Groups – there are a couple of Rivendell SS / Fixed gear bikes for sale. Those are quite versatile in being able to fit fatter tires, they have a nice slant to the dropouts that eases the rear brake adjustment, comfy ride, etc.

Singular (http://www.singularcycles.com) offers some nice bikes / frames, like the Gryphon, that use an eccentric BB and vertical dropouts that's nicely proportioned for running dirt-drop bars.

Also, fixed on dirt:

http://5metresofdevelopment.blogspot.com
http://www.63xc.com
http://www.biketinker.com/category/projects/

[8352]

Having gone the "buy an old steel bike route" make sure you know what you're buying first if you do so. It could be a money pit. Speaking from first hand experience, avoid cottered cranks like the plague!

[TRACK]

bikesdirect.com. Based on what you've described, a Kilo WT might fit the bill nicely.

This. Get Kilo TT

[zlin]

I picked up a Trek T1 for gravel and back roads a few years ago and it's been fun. It's great until things get really bumpy :eek:

[MaraudingWalrus]

I picked up a Trek T1 for gravel and back roads a few years ago

That's a sentence one doesn't read often.

I've been on a few rides with my fixed gear (Macaframa) with the local club, where half the people were on gravelbikes, half on road bikes and they had divergent/convergent routes at a couple points. Surprised the gravel people by tagging along with them one one of the sections.

[zlin]

"That's a sentence one doesn't read often. "

Ha! So I picked one up for back roads when I moved out to the country, which turned out to be mostly gravel further out and very bumpy...now it's on a trainer! :beer:

[TAW]

Fortunately this is a trail that used to be a railroad track. It's almost completely flat and is a combination of small gravel, dirt and some pavement. I run there all the time and it's very smooth. Thanks again for the replies.