Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Velo Fixe => Topic started by: RichForrest on 12 June, 2017, 12:40:41 pm

Title: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: RichForrest on 12 June, 2017, 12:40:41 pm

Have been using my old Univega MTB as a SS lately for commuting and have been looking at getting a cheap SS/fixed road bike that fits me better (MTB has a 58.5cm top tube and although comfortable, I find myself at the front of the saddle)
Have been looking on Ebay for bikes around the £150 mark and as usual there are a complete mix on there.
What would be my best option in that price range, a cheap new bike or a 2nd hand On-One of similar?

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: fd3 on 12 June, 2017, 01:06:30 pm

I would suggest second hand, as in Fixed the bit you pay for is frame + drivetrain and the latter you tend to replace/upgrade (though you could say the same for handlebars and saddles).  For me buying a new bike means paying for lots of bits I don't want, whereas second hand means I have spare parts and can assuage my upgrade fever.  YMMV of course.

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 June, 2017, 08:02:12 pm

Any cheap old racer with horizontal dropouts can be converted.  If it has a screw-on freewheel, this makes things even easier.   MTBs tend to have vertical dropouts (to prevent the rear wheel pulling over when using the granny ring) and are less suitable.

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: Ian H on 12 June, 2017, 09:35:44 pm

Yes, a decent old road iron, 531 or similar, would do the trick.

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: RichForrest on 14 June, 2017, 11:00:15 am

Ta, will keep searching the bay and on here ignoring the cheap new stuff.

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: clarion on 14 June, 2017, 04:05:05 pm

What size frame do you ride?

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: RichForrest on 15 June, 2017, 02:13:05 am

I would say around a 57 but as I've only had 1 road bike (the yellow Trek you had) I'm not really sure!
You've seen the Univega is slightly too overstretched and that's a 58.5 top tube but it also has MTB geometry
Size charts on the Pompino and other bikes say 57 so was going to try around that mark.

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: RichForrest on 15 June, 2017, 02:17:13 am

Perhaps I could nip around the corner to Steve's and borrow one of his fixed bikes.
I have a key and he may not notice it's gone for a few months  ;) ;) ;D ;D

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: Gattopardo on 15 June, 2017, 09:20:28 pm

I have a poor single/fixed frame you can have.  Will put photos up once I find them

Title: Re: Single speed/fixed Q?
Post by: RichForrest on 17 June, 2017, 11:26:16 am

Thanks GP.
Though I'm now in possession of a Large frame Pompino, Thanks Plodder  :thumbsup:
Have to add pedals, set it up for me (though it's not far off) and see how far I get down the cycle path before it throws me off  ;D ;D

Rich