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Road Bike (not road bike)

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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,884

Sup NS,

I've decided i'm sick and tired of riding around town with my clunky mountain bike so I was wondering if anyone here could give me some advice on getting one of those cool, one gear, simple bikes just for cruising around in.  (If you have one), Where did you get it? are they cheap? How do they ride?

Here is kind of what I was looking for but without all the color.

Click for larger image

Thanks for your help!

Apr 3 2012 8:14PM
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Afeld
Posts: 3516 - Karma: 85
Hey, I am building a fixie too.
Apr 3 2012 8:15PM
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Lucas
Posts: 4881 - Karma: 1,575
Hipster
Apr 3 2012 8:15PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
inb4 extreeemmmmeeee hipsters but yeah, I want basically the exact same thing. I want a 29er though. the best option I have found so far (and you dont look like a tool) seems to be the monocog. My bike would have to be cheap too, Im not paying a grand for a commuter rig.
Apr 3 2012 8:15PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
here's my girl, gets me to and from class in a pinch.

Click for larger image


fixed 46/16, no brakes


you can buy the same bike here for a touch under 300, (it comes with brakes and a drop bar and a flip flop if you like coasting)

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/track.htm

i was super sketched about the quality of the bike but the components (with the exception of the pedals) are actually name brand and the frame is sick as hell for the price.


Apr 3 2012 8:23PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
I messed two things up...

mine is 46/15 fixed, (not 16)

and the one in the link comes as fixed only, you can add your own freewheel.


Apr 3 2012 8:25PM
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,884
damn looks ill thanks for the info and the link! +k
Apr 3 2012 8:27PM
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zerospinskier
Posts: 4867 - Karma: 350
Just buy a regular old road bike with gears and brakes like a smart person. That's what I have for getting around. Fixed gears are impossible to use uphill or downhill. They are only useable on a flat road when you want to go a moderately slow pace. They are retardedly impractical.
Apr 3 2012 8:27PM
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hope.
Posts: 533 - Karma: 40
with the price of gas, biking is the way to go

biking/cruising =/= hipster
Apr 3 2012 8:27PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,234
but fixies = major hipster

Get a proper road bike OP, they are much cooler and you wont look like scum on one!
Apr 3 2012 8:28PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4543 - Karma: 19,132
Click for larger image
Apr 3 2012 8:30PM
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bangarangmules
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 84
This, but for just commuting around town I wouldn't want to leave my road bike locked up outside/hop curbs. I feel like an entry level hardtail is perfect for urban commuting though.
Apr 3 2012 8:33PM
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,884

Its not very hilly where I live but.....................I don't want to be a douche. Will deff look for a cheap road bike.

Thanks for all the input!

Apr 3 2012 8:34PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
I have a giant track bike that i just put different handlebars on. It gets the job done.
Apr 3 2012 8:35PM
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bangarangmules
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 84
Don't worry about what other people think. Only people who like to obsess over how hipster you are would notice. However, I can't speak to the practicality of a fixie.
Apr 3 2012 8:35PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
I disagree wholeheartedly.

you can ride uphill, and downhill, any hill you could on a regular road bike. I get a chuckle every time I pass a penn state team cyclist going up a hill because I'm in a steep gear and they're spinning away in their granny ring.

and moderately slow? maybe if your'e a pussy. I hit 40+ on my daily commute. Sure I could probably shave 20 seconds off my 10 minute ride, but gears and brakes make riding boring as fuck, and when you fuck up your derailer I'll blow by on my zero maintenance bike.

plus I can ride backwards and trackstand at traffic lights, kinda neat.
Apr 3 2012 8:38PM
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Yeezy
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 206
this
Apr 3 2012 8:40PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37388 - Karma: 120,121
But you gotta look flashy and hip while you're on your way to your Art class you're majoring in.
Apr 3 2012 8:45PM
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Bodhisattva_
Posts: 5749 - Karma: 2,009
.
Apr 3 2012 8:46PM
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Afeld
Posts: 3516 - Karma: 85
Maybe in 2008...
Now fixed gear bicycles are pretty mainstream from rampant hipster usage, which makes them acceptable for people of the bandwagon. So now that they are mainstream for everyone they are the opposite of hipster. It is unfortunate that people still judge them from their hipster revival roots
Apr 3 2012 8:47PM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90
ziiiingg haha
Apr 3 2012 8:51PM
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Dr.Gonzo
Posts: 2552 - Karma: 87
how do you even stop?
Apr 3 2012 8:54PM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
fred flinstone style
Apr 3 2012 8:55PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
If you want a 29er (new) you're looking at at least a grand for it to be worth your while.
Apr 3 2012 8:57PM
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powderdrunkie
Posts: 2034 - Karma: 976
I think they are fun to ride. Lol at people who care about trends. do what you think is fun. let the others bitch about it on their couch.
Apr 3 2012 8:57PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
slow the rate at which you're pedaling or skid. I really only skid in emergencies or on really steep hills though.
Apr 3 2012 8:58PM
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zerospinskier
Posts: 4867 - Karma: 350
If you try that your legs will get Chris Browned by your pedals.

You have 2 choices. You have to either muscle it slowly down and come to a stop 1/4 mile later. Or slam lock your legs and skid to a stop while you kill your back tire.
Apr 3 2012 8:58PM
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extravert
Posts: 1112 - Karma: 3,174
I don't think you'll look as cool going down the hill when your legs are spinning at 200mph.
Apr 3 2012 9:00PM
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 801
haha they don't actually meet the safety standards in the US apparently and so arn't allowed to be sold in bike shops

I'm getting this this week

Click for larger image

Never ridden a hybrid before but i'm getting it for 450 and it retails for 1400 so what can I lose
Apr 3 2012 9:03PM
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Dr.Gonzo
Posts: 2552 - Karma: 87
thats what im saying if you need to stop abruptly its gunna be kinda difficult, im not the one riding it though.
Apr 3 2012 9:11PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
damn. monocog no good?
Apr 3 2012 9:13PM
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b.utters
Posts: 321 - Karma: 99
If you do decide to get a fixie for the love of god don't put a lot of money into it and don't put fucking brakes on it either.

I see way too many people who have spent hundreds or thousands of $$ on a fixie trying to make it look like they got it from a dump. Pro tip: If you want a bike that looks like it came from the dump, that's probably a good place to look.

As for brakes, learn how to ride the bike like its supposed to be ridden. if you want brakes buy a proper single speed.


/Rant
Apr 3 2012 9:18PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
this.

track bikes aren't for everybody and hipsters suck, but fixies are the shit.
Apr 3 2012 9:26PM
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,884
Hmmm choices, choices. It seems like a fixie is cheaper, but sketchy to ride and a normal road bike is " safer" but costs more.
Apr 3 2012 9:28PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
I didn't realize it was a single speed. You can get a single speed 29er for under a grand for sure. But if you want multiple speeds and it's under a grand, it will be super heavy and low quality parts.

But I think that bike looks pretty good.
Apr 3 2012 9:44PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
I'd say get it!
Apr 3 2012 9:48PM
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45.
Posts: 3164 - Karma: 170
Scour craigslist for fixed gear or single speed  bikes and swap out components as you please.

I have one that I use purely for riding to campus and back - I chose a single speed due to its lack of maintenance, weight, and affordability.

PM me if you want pics/info about anything - I don't ride it as a fixie, as I enjoy coasting and actively using my brakes to avoid stupid people on campus. 
Apr 3 2012 9:50PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
cool thanks man. I read reviews and stuff its just good to have a second a opinion sometimes. you can find them used on craigslist pretty cheap too.
Apr 3 2012 10:28PM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
fyi, i'm not sure about where you come from, but in a lot of places it's illegal to ride a bike, even a fixie without brakes, and you're probably just doing it to be a bad ass.


aaaand while fixies or single speeds are bomb to have as beater bikes, and if that's all you can afford then go for it, it'll get you around town much, much easier than a bus and often better than a car. but if you can afford it, a true road bike is way more useful to have. mine gets me to work in a flash, downtown and back so i can stay later than buses, 80k weekend rides to stay in shape, it does fucking everything. my allez is definitely one thing i can't live without.

dis ma baby when i bought her. currently rocking ultegra shifters, brakes and hubs, open pro rims, 105 derailleurs, and a seat that's on properly.

Click for larger image
Apr 4 2012 9:23AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
if you're riding a lot in a city i suggest getting a singlespeed with at least a rear brake instead of a fixie. they're just as cheap, maybe a freewheel is like 10 bucks more expensive, but it's nice to be able to stop quickly and not constantly struggle to slow down

i lived in oxford and rode a fixie for a while and in crazy rush hour traffic with buses, cars, and other people acting randomly and swerving into me i would've rather had a free hub
Apr 4 2012 9:27AM
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OssargYormada
Posts: 671 - Karma: 186
i just converted my old mountain bike into a single speed
Apr 5 2012 9:10AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
* with at least a front brake

front brakes are much more important on bikes/motorcycles than rear brakes...but most people who just start riding arent comfortable with being able to apply the right amount of pressure in order to not go over the handle bars

but all in all a front brake is the safer and more efficient way of slowing down and I would always advise having one on a bike...unless you wanna look like a tool and slam the rear brake and drag tire like all those cool hipsters
Apr 5 2012 9:28AM
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Clebo1
Posts: 674 - Karma: 3
that may be true regarding stopping power, but If I'm on a bike that only has one brake id prefer a rear. especially if its not a nice disc brake
Apr 5 2012 10:15AM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
i'm going to go ahead and that you have no experience with road bikes. because having a rear brake instead of a front on a road bike is retarded and having disc brakes on a road bike is retarded.
Apr 5 2012 10:21AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
It is absolutely true because of weight transfer during the stopping process..if youre more comfortable with using the rear brake you should really retrain yourself to starting using the front brake..it absolutely is the best way to stop a bike especially in emergency situations

Dragging tire is the absolute worst way to stop, not only does it ruin your tire it's also not slowing you down efficiently - think of how cars are now equipped with abs to specifically avoid the locking of tires
Apr 5 2012 10:24AM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
you're an idiot.

rear brakes are essentially useless. when used alone they take over twice as long to slow you down as a front brake and when a front brake is used to it's full potential it almost entirely unweights the rear wheel making the use of a rear brake pointless because it will only lock up the tire. the only time I would take a rear brake over a front brake would be if I was riding on snow.

and disc brakes... on a road bike? please...

but what do I care, I don't even have brakes on my bike...
Apr 5 2012 11:19AM
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NTPJ
Posts: 173 - Karma: 8
What do you ride? Ive got a pretty swapped out charge plug
Apr 5 2012 11:50AM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
my road bike is the motobecane fixie I posted up in the top of the thread, however...

I ride a 2008 26" gary fisher Hifi Plus for XC, a 2009 Norco A-Line for DH, and a verde prism for dicking around with some bmx.


Apr 5 2012 12:00PM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,234
This thread inspired me to get my road bike down from the garage and ready for the season. Going to pick a route tonight and ride tomorrow.

Click for larger image
Apr 5 2012 5:02PM
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