Author Topic: Advice for new fixie (Read 4406 times)

mrcharly-YHT · « **on:** 12 February, 2009, 11:08:18 am »

My son is keen on buying a new fixed bike. He has an old converted frame, but frankly it is fairly rubbish. Front wheel 700c, rear 27", crap hubs, etc.

So he'd like to get a new bike, save up and buy it for himself.

It will be used for general road riding, training and cranking round the countryside at teenage-testosterone-driven speeds. He's a smoker with damage lungs and can manage a sub-hour 20.

He'll prob need to be able to fit mudguards.

Suggestions, please. Bear in mind his budget is really low, and he'll be saving up for it. I suppose sub-£500 is his mark.

alexb · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 February, 2009, 11:45:51 am »

Pearsons Hanzo, or try and get one of their discounted Tricross'. See threads passim.

bobb · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 February, 2009, 12:01:20 pm »

Many people rave about the Pomp and I believe they're less than 400 quid.

I built an "ebay special" that was supposed to be cheap, but ended up being over a grand! If there's a budget, a ready made, if you like will be far cheaper.

I am also a smoker, but my lungs function perfectly well thank you very much

ed_o_brain · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 February, 2009, 12:05:21 pm »

Another vote for Peason Hanzo.

What size frame would he take?

ChrisO · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 February, 2009, 12:09:52 pm »

I think the Touche is cheaper than the Hanzo. It also has room for guards and rack.

However if you go for a model off the showroom floor then the kit spec on the Pearsons is not great value.

If the On One takes guards I'd go for that.

ed_o_brain · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 February, 2009, 12:12:37 pm »

Quote from: ChrisO on 12 February, 2009, 12:09:52 pm

I think the Touche is cheaper than the Hanzo. It also has room for guards and rack.

bzzt!

The Hanzo is £450. The Touche is £600.

Hanzo is also available as frame only for £220.

I've never ridden a pompino, but the general vibe I've picked up about them is that they are well built but consequently a bit heavy.

What about a Genesis Skyline?

ed_o_brain · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 February, 2009, 12:14:42 pm »

Quote from: ed_o_brain link=topic=15168.msg273738#msg273738

What about a Genesis Skyline?

Bzzt!

Doesn't appear to be in-stock anywhere. D'oh.

bikenerd · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 February, 2009, 12:27:00 pm »

Quote from: ed_o_brain on 12 February, 2009, 12:12:37 pm

What about a Genesis Skyline?

Don't exist anymore. Now called the Ridgeback World Solo.

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 February, 2009, 12:48:25 pm »

Well, to narrow it down, I should say he won't fit a rack, and will be using it for fast rides of probably less than 2hrs. Think quick road bike, or road-able track bike.

ChrisO · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 February, 2009, 12:50:10 pm »

Quote from: ed_o_brain on 12 February, 2009, 12:12:37 pm

The Hanzo is £450. The Touche is £600.

Wonder why - is aluminium that much more expensive than steel.

Anyway £450 was what I paid when I got my Touche. And I still think the spec was not good value.

Get the frame and add to it would be a better option in my view.

Edit: I should add that I have been using my Touche as a road bike in Abu Dhabi and have no trouble keeping up with the club rides at a steady 40km/h (with a 48x15 gear).

I also used it for a 40km TT and managed 1hr06.

Blue Manc · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 February, 2009, 01:15:44 pm »

Build his own. You can get a Dolan (frame only from Ribble) for £117.00.

Forks = £50
Headset = £20
Chainset £60
Bars + Brake + Lever £50
Just leaves wheels + sprockets and chain

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 February, 2009, 01:36:06 pm »

Quote from: Blue Manc on 12 February, 2009, 01:15:44 pm

Build his own. You can get a Dolan (frame only from Ribble) for £117.00.

Forks = £50
Headset = £20
Chainset £60
Bars + Brake + Lever £50
Just leaves wheels + sprockets and chain

That adds up to well over £500.

I don't want to get involved with helping him build up a bike. He's done that, wants to have a new bike.

αdαmsκι · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 February, 2009, 01:36:47 pm »

How about a 2008 Spesh Tricross for £350.99? (I've never heard of Cycles UK before, but they were the cheapest option that came up on a Froogle search.)

Craig · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 February, 2009, 02:04:34 pm »

For short fast rides, wouldn't you better off with a Langster than a Tricross? Its probably a bit cheaper too. You could probably fit some mudguards on if you really wanted (Raceblades at least).

Or the Genesis Flyer? The 2009 model is £600, but the 2008 one was £500, you might be able to find one still available?

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 February, 2009, 04:04:38 pm »

A tricross for 350 sounds good to me. I dunno which would be a better bike (langster or tricross). Is the langster more of a road geometry?

That's why I'm asking you guys.

αdαmsκι · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 February, 2009, 04:55:05 pm »

Quote from: mrcharly on 12 February, 2009, 04:04:38 pm

I dunno which would be a better bike (langster or tricross). Is the langster more of a road geometry?

I had a Langster for about 3 months before it got knicked & that was over the winter, so didn't really get to use it on anything other than commutes. It felt like a road bike, however & I liked it a lot. One downfall was the lack of bolts for mudguards or a rack. I've no idea about the Tricross, but you could try this thread & this thread for more info on the bike & ask the various Tricross owners (Noodley / Jaded / Maffie / Ed_o_brain / rdaviesb ....) for their thoughts on the matter.

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 February, 2009, 05:07:45 pm »

Turns out that the brat is after a track bike; to ride on the track.

He didn't tell me that. I thought it was to replace the piece of crap he's riding atm.
sorry for wasting people's time, and thanks anyway for the advice.

kyuss · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 February, 2009, 05:18:08 pm »

What about a Dolan Precursa then? Or the dirt cheap, yet very good Fuji track. The Dolan is nice but keep in mind the fork isn't drilled for a brake.

Frenchie · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 February, 2009, 09:25:21 pm »

Touche or Langster.

Nice, fast and responsive bikes. I love(d) the Langster.

The Pomp is nice, but more utilitarian. I like mine, but it has its purpose.

clarion · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 February, 2009, 12:22:03 pm »

There seem to be a few ss bikes around that price point. Lemond Fillmore is nice & responsive, but heavy.

Langster seems to be the benchmark. Some of the colourschemes have been screamingly awful (London, Monte Carlo, Brown), but others are OK.

Personally, I'd prefer a Tricross to a Langster, but I'm odd anyway...

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #20 on:** 13 February, 2009, 03:37:58 pm »

Quote from: kyuss on 12 February, 2009, 05:18:08 pm

What about a Dolan Precursa then? Or the dirt cheap, yet very good Fuji track. The Dolan is nice but keep in mind the fork isn't drilled for a brake.

Kyuss, I think you've hit the nail on the head. The fuji would be brilliant, as it can be fitted with a brake to be road safe/legal.

Author Topic: Advice for new fixie (Read 4406 times)

ed_o_brain

ChrisO

ed_o_brain

ed_o_brain

bikenerd

ChrisO

Craig