[Falling Down]

So I'm living in London now most of the time and want a bike for commuting and getting around.  I don't want to use my road bike and my singlespeed MTB is a dirt/jump bike with a BMX crankset so useless for anything but thrashing around. 

Anyone got any suggestions for a good off the peg fixie?  Don't worry I'm not in Hoxton or Shoreditch and too big for skinny jeans.

[fatkid2000]

This Londonesque enough?

http://www.condorcycles.com/2011-Range/10504-Paris-Frameset-by-Condor-Cycles/flypage.tpl.html

[turnipturned]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/plug-2012-single-speed-road-bike-ec029988

I have an older version of this! Its pretty nice. I would get super narrow flats (bars) so you can fit through traffic! Defo helps in busy city's!

Have fun.

[Falling Down]

This Londonesque enough?

http://www.condorcycles.com/2011-Range/10504-Paris-Frameset-by-Condor-Cycles/flypage.tpl.html

Bit pricey like but a very nice bike.

[Falling Down]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/plug-2012-single-speed-road-bike-ec029988

I have an older version of this! Its pretty nice. I would get super narrow flats (bars) so you can fit through traffic! Defo helps in busy city's!

Have fun.

These do look good and I'd wondered what the narrow bar thing was all about.  I've seen some that look like the trackers we built at school in the 80's.

[Stubbs]

Don't listen to anyone who says you need narrow bars, especially people who have only lived in the Lake district and W Yorkshire

Classics are Specialized Langster
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ie=UTF-8#q=specialized+langster&hl=en&sa=X&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&ei=nnsAUMPFIKqd0AWx-LXDBw&ved=0CIwBEK0E&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=b0dbfe72ca11c208&biw=1280&bih=685

Bianchi Pista
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&gs_nf=1&ds=sh&pq=pista%20bike&cp=8&gs_id=2b&xhr=t&q=Bianchi%20pista&pf=p&tbm=shop&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Bianchi+&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=b0dbfe72ca11c208&biw=1280&bih=685

I like the look of the Genesis Flyer and they're a British company http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/flyer/flyer 

There are plenty of cheaper options, but as usual you pays your money...

Another option would be to look at second hand bikes on one of the forums; London FIxed gear sees a lot of bikes come and go, some great deals.

http://www.lfgss.com/forum6.html

You should probably get something like this





 

[Yossarian]

Dolan Precursa is pretty good value.

LFGSS / eBay - maybe look for a Condor Pista? Always loads of other cool things on the former.

I built quite a nice one with an old Gios frame with horizontal dropouts, but thinking of building that back up with my old Chorus group set and doing a proper track frame job.

And I have a 4-spoke Corima back wheel waiting, like those ones above!

[fatkid2000]

How about this? It'll fit in well down there.

I'm sure this is the bike for the bankers.

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/aston-martin-one-77-superbike-unveiled-in-london-34595/

[Duma]

I used to commute on a pompino, solid bike and responsive ride, until it was nicked 
Sadly it seems on one don't do complete bikes on that frame anymore. frame's only £99 tho:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROOPV2/on_one_pompino_frame_2011

[mrconners]

When your back you could get the lads at the bike factory to knock you up a cheapo singlespeed. I know he does track frames, plus no-one else down there will have a biaggi.
Keepin it high peak style.


My only concern is your knees, your well past 40 mate and I'm not sure they will take the strain.


 

[tregiffian]

Is 72" still about typical?

[mrconners]

I think so.

http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

There is loads of info on the web. I was going to try riding fixed a while back, but as I'm unfit and pretty much every road from our house goes uphill I didn't bother. There's a bloke at work who is well keen and does loads of track stuff who says its brilliant for getting fit and improving your pedalling style so I might have a go. If it ever stops raining

FD should be ok as he's riding flat lands of London village, and he's about ten times as fit as I am.

[Falling Down]

Cheers guys and good thinking Mr C.  I'm sadly rather out of condition at the moment...

I'll let you know what transpires.

[turnipturned]

Don't listen to anyone who says you need narrow bars, especially people who have only lived in the Lake district and W Yorkshire

Oi, add North Yorkshire to that list. It's prettty busy out here in Malham I let you now!!

[Nick S]

I love my Charge Plug.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-2012/

bit heavy for a fixie/SS but it's been pretty bombproof and it rolls very nicely.

[Falling Down]

Thanks for the recommendations.  After months of prevarication and shite weather I coughed up for a new bike today. A handbuilt 'Classic' from Brick Lane Bikes.






Ive not ridden a fixed wheel since building a Tracker at school but the technique came back quickly.  I didn't think I would go for a drop bar but it was by far the most comfortable riding position out of all the ones I've tried.   Really happy to get back on a bike and have a sense of freedom.

[mark s]

hey up ben,when me and rach went to london a couple of years ago.i saw lots of single speeds knocking around
ever since then ive had a thing for them,think they look really good,nothing to take away from the shape of the bike.
living in leek it would kill me up all the bloody hills
good luck finding something

[Yossarian]

Looks cool!

[mark s]

i scrolled down too quick,didnt realise you had got one.what are they like to ride?
never riden one but id be worried of locking it up

[mrconners]

Very Nice FD. Very nice.
But get some fu**ing eggbeaters on it asap. Those pedals ruin the lines.


http://crankbrothers.com/pedals_eggbeater3.php


You are sticking to http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ with the tape/ seat/tyres/rims combo, which is excellent work. See rule 8

[Falling Down]

Mark - got myself a decent D and thread lock combination. Luckily work has an internal garage so it's safe there.  I don't plan to leave it around in public apart from the climbing walls and stuff.  Just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Andy - I'll keep the pedals on for now, I don't want to have change shoes all the time. I might have to put a pair of these on the Christmas list though.

[Nibile]

Lots of childhood memories in this thread.
I'm thinking a lot, as of late, about converting my old Cinelli Rampichino. I'd like to make it singlespeed, but unfortunately just outside my front door there's a very steep ramp around 30 meters long. I know it's very short, but how will it feel at 6,30 in the morning, and maybe in winter and with rain?
So the other idea is to have a simple four speed hub, if they still exist.
Then strip everything off, with just a front brake.
I'd also like two aerospoke wheels, just for the sake of it.
I really didn't need my bike fetish to come back though.

[Wood FT]

Yeah I would really like to convert my whip as well but living in Sheffield it would be like tying your shoe laces together

[Nibile]

So the Cinelli Rampichino frame is now completely stripped down, shame I had to cut the saddle pole and bash it down because it was completely stuck after many years of rust.
Then, at my parents' house there should be my very old roadbike, an Aquila.
I'll go to the shop one of these days and I'll ask which one could be converted best. I hope it's the Rampichino for its deep sentimental value.
I finally decided I'll go singlespeed, I did a few tests in these mornings on the short ramp outside of home, and it's fine with 44x21, could probably do also with 44x20.
Quite psyched now.

[tomtom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/22/bike-polo-cycling-london-open