For college I wanted a steel frame fixed gear that I didn’t mind banging up or it getting stolen. I got one from Walmart, and pretty much changed everything on it at one point. I’ve moved onto a little nicer bike and just left my old frame for someone to take. 2 years later I see this homeless dude ripping down the road on my old frame with all the stickers still on it! It felt so awesome to see something that made me so happy making someone else happy too.
Got to college, couldn’t sleep late AND skate to class on time, lived on tortillas, bbq sauce and pilfered cheese until I could afford the crappiest “real” MTB I could find. An early 90s Yokota Awahnee. Don’t know if it was good or bad it started me down a path that has my garage full of steel framed monstrosities to this day. Fuck that bike. I love it.
I'm 51 years old and just last year got my first fixie. I've got to say, its a life changer, I truly enjoy the "at-one-ness" you get with a fixie. And yes, keep the front break.
Yes, I never understood the definition of a fixed GEAR have anything to do with breaking. You might as well define it by the color of it! Lol! Don't be snobbish about anything, just be safe.
Buying a cheap fixie is literally one of the best decisions of my life. It got me into riding at all, and taught me how to fix my bike as I upgraded the components as they broke (or as I got more disposable income to spend on just nicer parts). I've since upgraded everything except the brake lever and stem for basically an entirely new bike which is exactly the right bike for what I need. 10/10 would always recommend buying the cheap fixie.
I bought a Fuji steel track bike cheap because it was a leftover and it's definitely my favorite. I eventually will change the spokes to stainless ones but other than that it's all original. At 66 I ride it as a single speed, I feel more confident and free and have a blast every time I'm on it.
$200 ( I think ) 6ku. Lasted almost 7 years. Three owners. Prob put in another $200 in parts/maintenance Sluggish rims. Horrible saddle. I liked the handlebars after I put some decent grips. Got a better chain. Lights. Front rim. At one point we were doing 30-40 miles (all summer ) every other night down lake shore drive trail in Chicago. Dope. Only got flats, luckily ( or not ) they all happened on the stock tires. Got some Vittoria Raundanaurs ( cheap enough, for the puncture protection. Slow ish )
To some extend I agree with you, but; as someone who add a few bikes taken away, THE one it hurt the most was a SS I put together in college. So many hours invested working on it, 100 times more hours having fun riding it... it was almost like someone’s taking a leg off when they stole it
Thanks for the advice, I just want to star ride a single speed bike, but in my country nothing of that exists, so have to buy on internet and add the cost of getting here. So I'm getting the low cost bike. Sorry for my english is not my native leguage. Hello from Caracas, Venezuela.
I got a charge plug 1 for commuting to work. Cost me £300 and got me into fixed gear cycling. Have not looked back and that cheap aluminium frame is now a tracklocross bike. Over time I've pretty much replaced everything on there, however I've enjoyed every mile I've done on it and it's taught me how to maintain a bike.
I’m a geared road biker and have a short commute to work. I didn’t want to ride my nice carbon Specialized to work each day so I picked up a cheap fixed gear for a commuter bike (also hoped it might make my legs even stronger). Best decision ever. I love my fixed bike and so much fun to ride.
A little late to this party but love your video. I’ve built a couple of single speed bikes from 70s road bikes and I really enjoy them. But I decided I wanted to get something new, something built as a single speed/fixie. Ordered a Moose Bikes fixie and this video totally justifies my purchase. I know I’m getting something a little lower end but I don’t care, I’m not a bike courier or racer. I’m 62 years old and love cycling. Single speed gives me great exercise and very zero downtime to repairs or tuning. Keep pumping out the videos, love them.
I have a fixed gear and it's the best bike I have ever had, nothing has ever come loose on it, and for $300 this bike is just so worth the money, had it since I was 15 im, now 19 and it's still doing good. Matt black frame and bars and the wheels are red. Only thing I changed was handle grips, seat and pedals and tires. I don't regret buying this bike.
same! only have to replace the grips and that was by choice, I even replaced my bike seat too not from wear and tear but for a more comfortable fit to my personal needs :)
Love this. Totally agree with you. My cheap fixie after a few upgrades (17t cog, chain, drop bars, and panaracer gravel kings) quickly became my most fun bike at a great price. It was the Segway into me buying many more bikes after that.
This is my first time watching this guys videos, and he's awesome! Way to include everyone in our sport! I'm also big into rock climbing and it drives me nuts when people complain about beginners in the sport>:(
Totally agree! I just picked up a Fuji League for free on marketplace. A few bucks getting it road worthy and I have my first single speed/fixie. I can’t wait to get it on the road for a shake down ride!
dude i had so much fun on shit bikes. i spent years slowly building my bmx and keeping it riding in between parts with just whatever we have between me and my friends? so much fun bro. subbed
I really like having an alternative for when I don't want to ride something like my nice track or road bike somewhere. Either due to weather, desire to wear my clipless shoes or not, or where I might be locking up, there are plenty of times I don't want to be riding my fanciest bike. And if you're just getting into riding, you'll start to learn what you like and make a more informed decision when you do decide to upgrade (either the components on your cheap bike or a completely new bike). I should have just bought a cheap fixie when I was starting out, but instead I was determined to convert my old 70s Peugeot into a single speed on my own when I had no idea what I was doing. All the money I spent on parts that turned out to not work, all the time and frustration don't really seem worth it looking back. I could have enjoyed a lot more time riding if I had just bought a cheap complete bike.
My current main ride is a single speed cheap aluminimum LandRover Karnac hybrid bike i took the shocks off, gears off and swapped al sorts of parts. Its now a comfy upright with BMX cruiser bars, a nice outboard BB setup and flat pedals that wheelies better than my "WHEELIE" bike... Even stuck hydraulic brakes on it ( i live in a very hilly area!).
I started to really get into riding bikes seriously with a cheap fixed gear bike. More then a decade later I own all kinds of fancy geared bikes but I still own 2 cheap singlespeeds a ss road bike and a ss 29er mtb, both made out of steel both amazing to ride.
I loved this! My 1995 Cannindale CAD was stolen several days ago. I’m 64 and I use(d) my bike for errands and to manage my blood pressure drug free. Now I’m stre$$ing about buying a new/used bike, so am considering a single-speed/fixie. Thanks for the advice - and yeah - I am SO OVER the elitism I come across. I just need to get back on a bike asap, and this video was helpful. Thanks!
Yep, been there, I say you're spot on 👍 Here's the next one for you "I need to get fit (or lose weight) before I can start cycling"😂 I hear this one regularly.
Cheers from Costa Rica... great video! we have a small community of fixed gear riders, and you video goes to the point, just get a fixie and ride... later you can replace stuff or get a better one... thanks
When I first started riding I bought a cheap 1x7 from Walmart. I upgraded the bb, crank, chainring, chain, cassette, all the touch points and the brakes and tires. It's a pretty cool bike now and I still have that and a Diverge now.
worth mentioning that going this route ends up being cheaper in the long run than doing what i did the first time, which was buying an old road bike and converting it. not worth the money! ended up selling it and buying a used single speed for $200 that was a better fit that the old one anyway. in my experience people in NYC will let go of their “bike in a box” critical cycles and purefixes for like $75-150. if you’ve got more time than money, be on FB marketplace every single day and you will find a deal.
I completely agree.....ive never been a racer. Coming from my Skater/MTB rider teenage years of "how ever can we fix this so we can ride after school" to my life as a bike mechanic..... Fixed gear and S.S. 's are awesome .....they can be built at a local used bike co-op or a frilly bike boutique and cost anywhere from dirt cheap up to thousands..I've seen drool worthy 15+ year old conversions built on a shoe string budget. But a fixed/ss (cheaper) box bike from Schwinn, State, Bonesquad are great starting points also. I appreciate your down to earth "ride reasonably priced bikes" motto. Start a build with good bones and the rest will follow.
New rider here, ended up spending my money on a used and super neglected Mercier Kilo TT...I was going to order a new retrospec but being the person I am and somewhat of a snob for quality I opted for the used Kilo (with minimal research) I really didn’t “save” any money doing so but I feel it was the right move. I hope to fall in love with everything and build up something sweet in the near future.
Yup.. I've been riding my bike to work everyday..cheap as it is it gets the work done..so it serves it's purpose. It's helpful to know basic bike repairs/maintenance. Affordable bikes will last a long time if you take care of it... can't thank you enough for the video...cheers!
I bought a $60 Raleigh something or other that had been converted to a fixed gear in Colorado 12 years ago. I got a real fixed gear steel frame shortly after I became addicted and have happily spent soooo much money on cogs, chainrings, wheel sets, handlebars, stems… I even bought another frame and built it up too. It is a habit I still cannot shake. Every few years I have to purge the collection, but that first build always stays.
I got a unknown cycles sc-1 in yellow some weeks ago and I haven't had that much fun on a bike ever. I have to upgrade some things though. A different stem to get a more upright riding position and a different sattle. I brought it in to a bike shop and have the wheels trued (or what it's called again when you tension the spokes). Also I'm practicing to get in and out the foot straps (got jew straps as well, the straps it comes with are too flimsy) and also practicing to break with my legs so I can get at least rid off the rear brake for esthetic reasons. So far, Fixed gear is super fun as long as your pavement is relatively smooth. I need to measure the tire clearance and see if I can get some bigger tires for more comfort.
I have a few bikes, a tour de france worthy road bike, a neo retro road bike and a few high end track bikes, however the commuter that I love is a cheap fixed gear that I built from a frame I next to my local tram stop bin
i bought a fixie when covid started to avoid the bus and up my fitness then upgraded to a vintage road bike then upgraded to a carbon aero bike then went back to my fixie with new set of tires and better technique,still a joy to ride!
so true I got a cheap single speed and it was the most fun ive ever had on a bike for 4 years without any issues until it got stolen so now i'm gonna go and look for something a little more advanced
Exactly, my first bike touring trip was on a cheap critical cycle 3 speed nexus hub bike I bought used and it really got me into cycling long distances, I would have lost 1 year of sweet travels if I had waited for enough money to buy a better one. An other point is you can also sell the cheap bike you bought to finance a more expensive ride down the line (especially a fixie).
If it brings new people to the community of biking its good sure it isn't great but you'll find out what you need and want and it gets you looking. Handme down or budget bikes are just fine for what they are got to be realistic
Gear change, light and bell are a must have. Buying cheap is paying twice. Beat finance advice: look where you spent how much money in a month, think about if xyz was worth the amount of money/worktime, patience > impulse Learning how to handle money is one important part of becoming an adult.
I agree with spindatt, I went to a pawn shop and bought a 4130 chromoly bicycle state co bike for 200 bucks a good entree level fg/ss bike. Yes buy one if you like to cycle. Then buy a wabi.
Ive been riding years mainly dh but sold my bike to pay for my motorbike test 6 months ago and not had a one since. Im now currently building my first fixie just got back out there. I do have my superbike now too but its gonna feel good to pedal again
I bought mine for $35 and it works great I have been using it for 2 years and recently there is a sponsored cyclist who have extra crank which was given to me and since tools can be bought for cheap I did not have to pay for mechanics I save some money by spending some money so all in all learn to fix your bike and upgrade slowly
I've got the stable full of nice bikes... but I still bought a $250 Motobecane Fantom SS and rode the shiiiiiiiiiiittttt out of it for 24 miles of trails last week. So much cheap fun!
What a great perspective. Yeah, I spent like $200 to make my dusty old mountain bike good for commuting and rode that for years. Managed to save up for my first "nice bike" that was on promo, and can't get enough riding now.
Been looking into getting another bike to ride to work after selling my first cheapo Amazon bike which I loved. I think I'll grab another cheapo amazing n bike and slowly build a nice one.
I'm gonna say something unpopular here: almost nobody who rides a fixie should be on a fixie. I have many years of riding experience (racing, working as a bike delivery person, and riding as an urban commuter) and most people I see on fixed gears really aren't skilled enough to be riding them in traffic. If you get one (another unpopular opinion) put a brake on it. Yes, I know that's not cool but stop pretending you can stop quickly in an emergency without a brake. You can't. Best option for most people is a geared bike, then a single speed. Fixed gears are nice for simplicity but really more of a pain for most people and not as safe.
I agree, love my fixed gear I added to the road bike collection. Shred it through the streets but I NEED brakes or else I would have to ride 30% slower
Even experienced riders shouldn't ride on a fixie anyway. There's literally no point in riding without at least a brake and the chances to fail are just too high regardless of your level.
The first time i took off the brakes off my single speed and switched the hub to fixed i went down a hill and the tarmac was still wet i put my foot down and skidded the whole back wheel and went straight into a parked bus the one for acess a ride or sum like that broke my comb glasses flew off person just looked at me like 😳😳😳 my handlebar and front fork were in 2 diff directions i started seeing lil black and white stars thought i was going to pass out need less to say i installed a front brake that same day it's saved me several times!
I bought a Merida Scultura 100 with 8-speed Claris R2000 at the beginning of the year and then realized that I like the bike too much to ride it to work in any weather and now I use it as a training bike and put 42 mm deep section wheels on it. So I bought for 350 € a cheap (but not totally crappy, but 11 kg heavy) fixie and I think it's great... because I don't care if it's dirty or looks totally hipster with the golden rims. It simply does the job.
I vibe with this so much this is exactly how I got into bikes. Don't forget shopping used also. I started biking on a free used 90s mtb, I upgraded to another used 26er a year ago, been enjoying riding this whole time despite having never touched something new.
i bought a cheap walmart single speed bike a couple years ago. it was from a brand called 6ku and it was a really good bike. Riding around frequently in nyc for about 2 years without changing anything. The only reason i stopped riding that bike is because i had gone into a small accident where my rim had bent and threw the whole bike away because i was moving. I shouldve kept it because im now bikeless but atleast got a car now lmaoo.
I found old 80s scwhinn bike.alley find.yes needs some love.but i got 2 bikes already . Scwhinn bike is pink too. Needs lot of TLC, new parts.and turn up too.
My first bike post-childhood: the cheapest fixed gear sold on Amazon. I rode it nonstop during college, blissfully ignorant to the wonders and woes of the greater cycling world. It was the perfect means of transportation, freedom, and a gateway drug that led me down the deep, deep rabbit hole that is bicycles...
I dumped myself in a situation where I had to buy the stuff by buying a frame, got a cheap frame then blasted out on mid to high range components, now I'm making the bike better, building up some high end wheels this month
I had a fixie/SS stolen from me, so I bought a new one from a pawnshop for $90 because the front wheel was damaged, a Raleigh Back Alley. Replaced with a wheel from OfferUp for $25. Eventually bought SS's for my 2 kids and swapped my 42t chainring for my daughter's 46t chainring, making it faster for me and easier for her. New chain and saddle and it's just be so much fun. It's a steel, beater bike with a track type geometry. My son stopped riding his, so I'm taking it over and selling the Raleigh because I don't ride it and it just takes up space. Between the Tribe fixie/SS I ride, my GT mountain bike and my Trek mountain bike that I've converted to a SS, I don't have a need for it. I'll probably get more money for it than I've put into it as well because of the shortage and people wanting cheap, reliable bikes. But it's definitely fun to ride, will get you going where you need to go quickly and won't break your heart if it's stolen. I had fun times on the bike, but it's time to move in to a better, lighter bike. So rather than just keep it, I want to sell it to someone else in hopes they catch the bug and enjoy the bike as much as I did.
First fixed gear was an ancient Carlton road bike from a skip with the screw on freehub swapped for a fixed cog. Was brilliant and then upgraded to a better frame, then a better frame, then then then 🤣🤣🤣
I am an upcoming college student deciding to make my life better by getting out of my comfort zone. Back then, I cannot even ride my bicycle around the city until Covid-19 came and there, I decided to pick a $100 fixed gear which I converted to single speed from FB marketplace. I want to explore my town without riding a public transportation so I thought of riding a bike instead. It’s not a really expensive superbike like my neighborhood’s bicycles but damn, it feels so rewarding to be able to keep up with their pace. It’s my new workout. Thanks for this video, made me appreciate cycling more even on a tight budget.
My first fixie was a Swobo Sanchez bike for $50. I was surprised on how lite and fast it was. But sadly I had to let it go. 2 days ago I got a great deal on a SE Lager fixie for an even a better price off Offerup for $30. I'm not letting this one go.
Man, you didn't have to rip into me entirely with that intro 😂 I just finished college and bought a second hand 6KU fixie. I've uprgaded it and I ride it everyday to and from work 👌
After I was told by LBS what decent geared bike for long and frequent rides is 1500 CAD, I went for new SS/FG for 699 CAD. Known, quality parts, but I still wonder if Cinelli like in earlier video from September is going to be much different...
Couldn't agree more. Unfortunately for me it wasn't until I was 30ish years into bikes that I finally got a cheap fixed bike, it was (and still is) a great commuter/town/pub/shopping bike. Almost theft proofed by the fact that most people wouldn't look twice at a non-geared, unbranded bike... If you live your life withing a 10mile radius or so its a fantastic tool...
dude the bike that got me into cycling was a super cheap $150 single speed. tbh I wish I could of kept it. but anyway I love your logic when it comes to bikes.
All of my favorite bikes cost me less than 500 to get them on the road. Well except one... But I built it of an entire WI ter so... Yeah... My current fav bike is a kona paddy wagon I bought for 85 bucks. Another 100 bucks and upgrades two years ago and I've put 4k miles into it. Ride to your upgrades.
100% you should get the cheap single speed. They're perfect city bikes that may or may not get nicked by the drug addicts. I've put on over 1000 city miles with just one bearing repack in the wheels. When you do get a nicer bike, you still need that cheap commuter/pub bike.
Saw a guy on a new State fixie in Amsterdam recenty, he said "I could of bought an Omafiets (grandma bike) or this for €500. No contest!" Life's too short to do anything with elitists. Cycling has plenty.
Taking a chance on a cheap POS MTB as a bizarre choice for a 20th anniversary award when I worked for global oil was the best decision I ever made. I was divorced and broke and overweight but it sealed the deal with bikes for me. It is now a friends single speed and it too got him up on a bike.
For college I wanted a steel frame fixed gear that I didn’t mind banging up or it getting stolen. I got one from Walmart, and pretty much changed everything on it at one point. I’ve moved onto a little nicer bike and just left my old frame for someone to take. 2 years later I see this homeless dude ripping down the road on my old frame with all the stickers still on it! It felt so awesome to see something that made me so happy making someone else happy too.
sickk
Yo that’s so wholesome to read.
😭 awesome
Love this!!
glad that bike's getting use still.
Love this. The most important part of cycling isn’t what bike you ride. It’s that you ride.
Yes!
🤙🏽🤙🏽🤝🏼
I know people that ride stolen bikes
Got to college, couldn’t sleep late AND skate to class on time, lived on tortillas, bbq sauce and pilfered cheese until I could afford the crappiest “real” MTB I could find. An early 90s Yokota Awahnee. Don’t know if it was good or bad it started me down a path that has my garage full of steel framed monstrosities to this day. Fuck that bike. I love it.
I'm 51 years old and just last year got my first fixie. I've got to say, its a life changer, I truly enjoy the "at-one-ness" you get with a fixie. And yes, keep the front break.
Is it really a fixie if u keep the brakes lol
Yes, I never understood the definition of a fixed GEAR have anything to do with breaking. You might as well define it by the color of it! Lol! Don't be snobbish about anything, just be safe.
@@mike7984 itll be called a fixed gear bike when it aint a freewheel
@@kazutokirigaya6887 ok buddy
@@mike7984fashion victim
My fixed gear bike is my first choice, upgrade as you go, just deciding what aero bars to finish with. Fast, fun, and more personal
@@andrewsunde7740 lol that's what I've got at the moment
So what brand did you go with? Bike still doing well?
@@user-hr2yd5qi2w some Easton ec90 s, very light and the perfect fit
Buying a cheap fixie is literally one of the best decisions of my life. It got me into riding at all, and taught me how to fix my bike as I upgraded the components as they broke (or as I got more disposable income to spend on just nicer parts). I've since upgraded everything except the brake lever and stem for basically an entirely new bike which is exactly the right bike for what I need. 10/10 would always recommend buying the cheap fixie.
I bought a Fuji steel track bike cheap because it was a leftover and it's definitely my favorite. I eventually will change the spokes to stainless ones but other than that it's all original. At 66 I ride it as a single speed, I feel more confident and free and have a blast every time I'm on it.
how much does it weigh? been looking at a few fujis
@@hq2t I believe it's between 20 and 21 pounds
$200 ( I think ) 6ku. Lasted almost 7 years. Three owners. Prob put in another $200 in parts/maintenance
Sluggish rims. Horrible saddle. I liked the handlebars after I put some decent grips. Got a better chain. Lights. Front rim.
At one point we were doing 30-40 miles (all summer ) every other night down lake shore drive trail in Chicago. Dope. Only got flats, luckily ( or not ) they all happened on the stock tires. Got some Vittoria Raundanaurs ( cheap enough, for the puncture protection. Slow ish )
I rode an ancient huffy mountain bike stuck in one gear as a teenager, you could not kill that thing 😅🤷♂️
The real beauty is that when its stolen outside your dorm room, you aren’t as crushed like if you had your dream bike stolen
To some extend I agree with you, but; as someone who add a few bikes taken away, THE one it hurt the most was a SS I put together in college. So many hours invested working on it, 100 times more hours having fun riding it... it was almost like someone’s taking a leg off when they stole it
Thanks for the advice, I just want to star ride a single speed bike, but in my country nothing of that exists, so have to buy on internet and add the cost of getting here. So I'm getting the low cost bike. Sorry for my english is not my native leguage. Hello from Caracas, Venezuela.
Buy the parts instead and covert a gear bike to a single speed ?
Subscribed. Always hated “life is too short to ride shit bikes” - has always annoyed me... have been riding a $300 bike for years!
My bikes are all free as I find them and just remove all the crap and do a single speed / fixie.
I got a charge plug 1 for commuting to work. Cost me £300 and got me into fixed gear cycling. Have not looked back and that cheap aluminium frame is now a tracklocross bike. Over time I've pretty much replaced everything on there, however I've enjoyed every mile I've done on it and it's taught me how to maintain a bike.
I’m a geared road biker and have a short commute to work. I didn’t want to ride my nice carbon Specialized to work each day so I picked up a cheap fixed gear for a commuter bike (also hoped it might make my legs even stronger). Best decision ever. I love my fixed bike and so much fun to ride.
A little late to this party but love your video. I’ve built a couple of single speed bikes from 70s road bikes and I really enjoy them. But I decided I wanted to get something new, something built as a single speed/fixie. Ordered a Moose Bikes fixie and this video totally justifies my purchase. I know I’m getting something a little lower end but I don’t care, I’m not a bike courier or racer. I’m 62 years old and love cycling. Single speed gives me great exercise and very zero downtime to repairs or tuning. Keep pumping out the videos, love them.
Answered the quesiton in the first 2 min of video and didnt keep us waiting... went straight to the point! Awsome stuff
I have a very similar fixie, its my favorite bike because I really dont care what happens to it. and its always ready to ride.
I have a fixed gear and it's the best bike I have ever had, nothing has ever come loose on it, and for $300 this bike is just so worth the money, had it since I was 15 im, now 19 and it's still doing good. Matt black frame and bars and the wheels are red. Only thing I changed was handle grips, seat and pedals and tires. I don't regret buying this bike.
same! only have to replace the grips and that was by choice, I even replaced my bike seat too not from wear and tear but for a more comfortable fit to my personal needs :)
@@dreadsupreme same here! Plus you dotn have to bBy it and still does nearly as good as a 1500 dollar bike
Love this. Totally agree with you. My cheap fixie after a few upgrades (17t cog, chain, drop bars, and panaracer gravel kings) quickly became my most fun bike at a great price. It was the Segway into me buying many more bikes after that.
17t cogs are great. I sure pitty people who only have 16t. Man their knees must hurt ;)
Also hurray for Pandaracer gravelking
This is my first time watching this guys videos, and he's awesome! Way to include everyone in our sport! I'm also big into rock climbing and it drives me nuts when people complain about beginners in the sport>:(
Totally agree! I just picked up a Fuji League for free on marketplace. A few bucks getting it road worthy and I have my first single speed/fixie. I can’t wait to get it on the road for a shake down ride!
Cool! Great find!
Used fixed gears can be had for pretty cheap too! Serviceable ones are like $50 to $100 usually.
dude i had so much fun on shit bikes. i spent years slowly building my bmx and keeping it riding in between parts with just whatever we have between me and my friends? so much fun bro. subbed
GREAT video. Way to go buddy! Upbeat, inspiring, encouraging, enticing.
I really like having an alternative for when I don't want to ride something like my nice track or road bike somewhere. Either due to weather, desire to wear my clipless shoes or not, or where I might be locking up, there are plenty of times I don't want to be riding my fanciest bike. And if you're just getting into riding, you'll start to learn what you like and make a more informed decision when you do decide to upgrade (either the components on your cheap bike or a completely new bike). I should have just bought a cheap fixie when I was starting out, but instead I was determined to convert my old 70s Peugeot into a single speed on my own when I had no idea what I was doing. All the money I spent on parts that turned out to not work, all the time and frustration don't really seem worth it looking back. I could have enjoyed a lot more time riding if I had just bought a cheap complete bike.
yah i agree
I am converting An old Peugeot road frame for similar reasons here. It is more recent, I didn't have any issues getting the right parts.
My current main ride is a single speed cheap aluminimum LandRover Karnac hybrid bike i took the shocks off, gears off and swapped al sorts of parts. Its now a comfy upright with BMX cruiser bars, a nice outboard BB setup and flat pedals that wheelies better than my "WHEELIE" bike... Even stuck hydraulic brakes on it ( i live in a very hilly area!).
I started to really get into riding bikes seriously with a cheap fixed gear bike. More then a decade later I own all kinds of fancy geared bikes but I still own 2 cheap singlespeeds a ss road bike and a ss 29er mtb, both made out of steel both amazing to ride.
I loved this! My 1995 Cannindale CAD was stolen several days ago. I’m 64 and I use(d) my bike for errands and to manage my blood pressure drug free. Now I’m stre$$ing about buying a new/used bike, so am considering a single-speed/fixie. Thanks for the advice - and yeah - I am SO OVER the elitism I come across. I just need to get back on a bike asap, and this video was helpful. Thanks!
Yep, been there, I say you're spot on 👍 Here's the next one for you "I need to get fit (or lose weight) before I can start cycling"😂 I hear this one regularly.
Cheers from Costa Rica... great video! we have a small community of fixed gear riders, and you video goes to the point, just get a fixie and ride... later you can replace stuff or get a better one... thanks
¿En qué parte de CR? ¿En San José? 😳 Tuanis!
@@robertnienhuis4948 Si!!! tenemos un grupo en Facebook facebook.com/groups/454674018448138
When I first started riding I bought a cheap 1x7 from Walmart. I upgraded the bb, crank, chainring, chain, cassette, all the touch points and the brakes and tires. It's a pretty cool bike now and I still have that and a Diverge now.
You are so real! It’s just great to see everybody riding no matter what bike!
worth mentioning that going this route ends up being cheaper in the long run than doing what i did the first time, which was buying an old road bike and converting it. not worth the money! ended up selling it and buying a used single speed for $200 that was a better fit that the old one anyway. in my experience people in NYC will let go of their “bike in a box” critical cycles and purefixes for like $75-150. if you’ve got more time than money, be on FB marketplace every single day and you will find a deal.
New stricker 🤔 " life is too short to NOT ride"
Great idea
Third.......please do it!
I completely agree.....ive never been a racer. Coming from my Skater/MTB rider teenage years of "how ever can we fix this so we can ride after school" to my life as a bike mechanic..... Fixed gear and S.S. 's are awesome .....they can be built at a local used bike co-op or a frilly bike boutique and cost anywhere from dirt cheap up to thousands..I've seen drool worthy 15+ year old conversions built on a shoe string budget. But a fixed/ss (cheaper) box bike from Schwinn, State, Bonesquad are great starting points also. I appreciate your down to earth "ride reasonably priced bikes" motto. Start a build with good bones and the rest will follow.
New rider here, ended up spending my money on a used and super neglected Mercier Kilo TT...I was going to order a new retrospec but being the person I am and somewhat of a snob for quality I opted for the used Kilo (with minimal research) I really didn’t “save” any money doing so but I feel it was the right move. I hope to fall in love with everything and build up something sweet in the near future.
I like dis, it's very positive and also unexpected. You are also getting close to 30K subscribers that is pretty cool :D
Yup.. I've been riding my bike to work everyday..cheap as it is it gets the work done..so it serves it's purpose. It's helpful to know basic bike repairs/maintenance. Affordable bikes will last a long time if you take care of it... can't thank you enough for the video...cheers!
Trying to find a cheap 38c wheels set for fixies hard to find any at all and the ones I find I might aswell just buy a prebuilt fixie
I bought a $60 Raleigh something or other that had been converted to a fixed gear in Colorado 12 years ago. I got a real fixed gear steel frame shortly after I became addicted and have happily spent soooo much money on cogs, chainrings, wheel sets, handlebars, stems… I even bought another frame and built it up too. It is a habit I still cannot shake. Every few years I have to purge the collection, but that first build always stays.
I got a unknown cycles sc-1 in yellow some weeks ago and I haven't had that much fun on a bike ever. I have to upgrade some things though. A different stem to get a more upright riding position and a different sattle. I brought it in to a bike shop and have the wheels trued (or what it's called again when you tension the spokes). Also I'm practicing to get in and out the foot straps (got jew straps as well, the straps it comes with are too flimsy) and also practicing to break with my legs so I can get at least rid off the rear brake for esthetic reasons. So far, Fixed gear is super fun as long as your pavement is relatively smooth. I need to measure the tire clearance and see if I can get some bigger tires for more comfort.
Great advice and always remember, a maintained bike is a safe bike
I have a few bikes, a tour de france worthy road bike, a neo retro road bike and a few high end track bikes, however the commuter that I love is a cheap fixed gear that I built from a frame I next to my local tram stop bin
i bought a fixie when covid started to avoid the bus and up my fitness then upgraded to a vintage road bike then upgraded to a carbon aero bike then went back to my fixie with new set of tires and better technique,still a joy to ride!
so true I got a cheap single speed and it was the most fun ive ever had on a bike for 4 years without any issues until it got stolen so now i'm gonna go and look for something a little more advanced
Exactly, my first bike touring trip was on a cheap critical cycle 3 speed nexus hub bike I bought used and it really got me into cycling long distances, I would have lost 1 year of sweet travels if I had waited for enough money to buy a better one. An other point is you can also sell the cheap bike you bought to finance a more expensive ride down the line (especially a fixie).
If it brings new people to the community of biking its good sure it isn't great but you'll find out what you need and want and it gets you looking. Handme down or budget bikes are just fine for what they are got to be realistic
Gear change, light and bell are a must have.
Buying cheap is paying twice.
Beat finance advice: look where you spent how much money in a month, think about if xyz was worth the amount of money/worktime, patience > impulse
Learning how to handle money is one important part of becoming an adult.
I agree with spindatt, I went to a pawn shop and bought a 4130 chromoly bicycle state co bike for 200 bucks a good entree level fg/ss bike. Yes buy one if you like to cycle. Then buy a wabi.
Ive been riding years mainly dh but sold my bike to pay for my motorbike test 6 months ago and not had a one since. Im now currently building my first fixie just got back out there. I do have my superbike now too but its gonna feel good to pedal again
I bought mine for $35 and it works great I have been using it for 2 years and recently there is a sponsored cyclist who have extra crank which was given to me and since tools can be bought for cheap I did not have to pay for mechanics I save some money by spending some money so all in all learn to fix your bike and upgrade slowly
I've got the stable full of nice bikes... but I still bought a $250 Motobecane Fantom SS and rode the shiiiiiiiiiiittttt out of it for 24 miles of trails last week. So much cheap fun!
A fixie is the only style bike i haven't had but , i'm thinking about for the flat commuting roads.
got myself one a week ago and waiting for my road bike ergo bars to arrive together with v brake tektro rl 520 levers
I'm on a Single Speed bike that can be switched to Fixi and I enjoy the simple ness of the bike
What a great perspective. Yeah, I spent like $200 to make my dusty old mountain bike good for commuting and rode that for years. Managed to save up for my first "nice bike" that was on promo, and can't get enough riding now.
My first bike was 45 dollars (250 Reais), it was the firestarter, i gave it to a friend in need. Sometimes you just need the first one
It makes perfect sense to cut your teeth on a beater, steel framed fixed/single gear…you can always upgrade
Been looking into getting another bike to ride to work after selling my first cheapo Amazon bike which I loved. I think I'll grab another cheapo amazing n bike and slowly build a nice one.
I'm gonna say something unpopular here: almost nobody who rides a fixie should be on a fixie. I have many years of riding experience (racing, working as a bike delivery person, and riding as an urban commuter) and most people I see on fixed gears really aren't skilled enough to be riding them in traffic. If you get one (another unpopular opinion) put a brake on it. Yes, I know that's not cool but stop pretending you can stop quickly in an emergency without a brake. You can't. Best option for most people is a geared bike, then a single speed. Fixed gears are nice for simplicity but really more of a pain for most people and not as safe.
Single speed with brakes is fun and safe
I agree, love my fixed gear I added to the road bike collection. Shred it through the streets but I NEED brakes or else I would have to ride 30% slower
Even experienced riders shouldn't ride on a fixie anyway. There's literally no point in riding without at least a brake and the chances to fail are just too high regardless of your level.
This is why most fixie bikes comes with brakes holes. And only some track bikes don't.
The first time i took off the brakes off my single speed and switched the hub to fixed i went down a hill and the tarmac was still wet i put my foot down and skidded the whole back wheel and went straight into a parked bus the one for acess a ride or sum like that broke my comb glasses flew off person just looked at me like 😳😳😳 my handlebar and front fork were in 2 diff directions i started seeing lil black and white stars thought i was going to pass out need less to say i installed a front brake that same day it's saved me several times!
absolute legend for making this video
I bought a Merida Scultura 100 with 8-speed Claris R2000 at the beginning of the year and then realized that I like the bike too much to ride it to work in any weather and now I use it as a training bike and put 42 mm deep section wheels on it.
So I bought for 350 € a cheap (but not totally crappy, but 11 kg heavy) fixie and I think it's great... because I don't care if it's dirty or looks totally hipster with the golden rims. It simply does the job.
I vibe with this so much this is exactly how I got into bikes. Don't forget shopping used also. I started biking on a free used 90s mtb, I upgraded to another used 26er a year ago, been enjoying riding this whole time despite having never touched something new.
i bought a cheap walmart single speed bike a couple years ago. it was from a brand called 6ku and it was a really good bike. Riding around frequently in nyc for about 2 years without changing anything. The only reason i stopped riding that bike is because i had gone into a small accident where my rim had bent and threw the whole bike away because i was moving. I shouldve kept it because im now bikeless but atleast got a car now lmaoo.
Couldn't agree more, I love my cheap singlespeed, it's almost always my go-to unless I know I'm gonna be climbing a lot!
Climbing is all bad lol
the dude who never rides has the most expensive bike. the dude who rides everyday has the beater.
Great video !!!! Thanks for the positive position
The walmart fixies come with standard sized components and TONS OF TIRE CLEARANCE. tracklocross for the cheap!!
Debating about buying a bike and this is just the video I needed. I’m sold!
I found old 80s scwhinn bike.alley find.yes needs some love.but i got 2 bikes already . Scwhinn bike is pink too. Needs lot of TLC, new parts.and turn up too.
Answer to title: yes if it’s a used quality bike
My first bike post-childhood: the cheapest fixed gear sold on Amazon. I rode it nonstop during college, blissfully ignorant to the wonders and woes of the greater cycling world. It was the perfect means of transportation, freedom, and a gateway drug that led me down the deep, deep rabbit hole that is bicycles...
I dumped myself in a situation where I had to buy the stuff by buying a frame, got a cheap frame then blasted out on mid to high range components, now I'm making the bike better, building up some high end wheels this month
that bike is sick ! t
It looks like a Kent ridge land Walmart single speed with the spindatt name brand and flip flop hub on it with a different color.
I had a fixie/SS stolen from me, so I bought a new one from a pawnshop for $90 because the front wheel was damaged, a Raleigh Back Alley. Replaced with a wheel from OfferUp for $25. Eventually bought SS's for my 2 kids and swapped my 42t chainring for my daughter's 46t chainring, making it faster for me and easier for her. New chain and saddle and it's just be so much fun.
It's a steel, beater bike with a track type geometry. My son stopped riding his, so I'm taking it over and selling the Raleigh because I don't ride it and it just takes up space. Between the Tribe fixie/SS I ride, my GT mountain bike and my Trek mountain bike that I've converted to a SS, I don't have a need for it. I'll probably get more money for it than I've put into it as well because of the shortage and people wanting cheap, reliable bikes.
But it's definitely fun to ride, will get you going where you need to go quickly and won't break your heart if it's stolen. I had fun times on the bike, but it's time to move in to a better, lighter bike. So rather than just keep it, I want to sell it to someone else in hopes they catch the bug and enjoy the bike as much as I did.
I got top ones and cheap ones, gotta say I love the cheap steel ones most!
The schwinn Stites is on sale online for 90$! I'm thinking I'm gonna buy it
I have a choice of rides but if I just want to have a fun bar hopper/neighborhood rider I grab my fixie. It's just plain simple FUN!
First fixed gear was an ancient Carlton road bike from a skip with the screw on freehub swapped for a fixed cog. Was brilliant and then upgraded to a better frame, then a better frame, then then then 🤣🤣🤣
I am an upcoming college student deciding to make my life better by getting out of my comfort zone. Back then, I cannot even ride my bicycle around the city until Covid-19 came and there, I decided to pick a $100 fixed gear which I converted to single speed from FB marketplace. I want to explore my town without riding a public transportation so I thought of riding a bike instead. It’s not a really expensive superbike like my neighborhood’s bicycles but damn, it feels so rewarding to be able to keep up with their pace. It’s my new workout. Thanks for this video, made me appreciate cycling more even on a tight budget.
Fast, fun, and more personal. Great video!
My first fixie was a Swobo Sanchez bike for $50. I was surprised on how lite and fast it was. But sadly I had to let it go. 2 days ago I got a great deal on a SE Lager fixie for an even a better price off Offerup for $30. I'm not letting this one go.
did you test the Fixie Inc. Floater Race black (28) 2021 ? I like to buy it but I am not sure.
Man, you didn't have to rip into me entirely with that intro 😂 I just finished college and bought a second hand 6KU fixie. I've uprgaded it and I ride it everyday to and from work 👌
After I was told by LBS what decent geared bike for long and frequent rides is 1500 CAD, I went for new SS/FG for 699 CAD. Known, quality parts, but I still wonder if Cinelli like in earlier video from September is going to be much different...
Couldn't agree more.
Unfortunately for me it wasn't until I was 30ish years into bikes that I finally got a cheap fixed bike, it was (and still is) a great commuter/town/pub/shopping bike. Almost theft proofed by the fact that most people wouldn't look twice at a non-geared, unbranded bike...
If you live your life withing a 10mile radius or so its a fantastic tool...
Just make sure to get horizontal drop-outs at least!
track fork ends, that is
dude the bike that got me into cycling was a super cheap $150 single speed. tbh I wish I could of kept it. but anyway I love your logic when it comes to bikes.
What is y’all opinion on 6ku fixies? That was my first fixie transitioning from mountain bike for work
All of my favorite bikes cost me less than 500 to get them on the road. Well except one... But I built it of an entire WI ter so... Yeah... My current fav bike is a kona paddy wagon I bought for 85 bucks. Another 100 bucks and upgrades two years ago and I've put 4k miles into it. Ride to your upgrades.
dang boy u got the full set
100% you should get the cheap single speed. They're perfect city bikes that may or may not get nicked by the drug addicts. I've put on over 1000 city miles with just one bearing repack in the wheels. When you do get a nicer bike, you still need that cheap commuter/pub bike.
Yes official great video my bro 💯💯💯
1000% agree my $300 fixed gear got me over 5000 miles lube regularly and just ride.
Some Spindatt philosophy, here.
Saw a guy on a new State fixie in Amsterdam recenty, he said "I could of bought an Omafiets (grandma bike) or this for €500. No contest!" Life's too short to do anything with elitists. Cycling has plenty.
What fixed cog did you go with for the Stites? Since they're sold separately. I got one recently and am looking for a decent cog.
How can I get those stickers!
Taking a chance on a cheap POS MTB as a bizarre choice for a 20th anniversary award when I worked for global oil was the best decision I ever made. I was divorced and broke and overweight but it sealed the deal with bikes for me. It is now a friends single speed and it too got him up on a bike.