A good fixie

Hey guys, I wont ramble on for long basically i'm looking for a nice messenger-inspired fixie bike, something like this

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/Xtra/18467.jpg

I was just wondering is there anywhere in Dublin that anyone could recommend to find a bike like this?

Thanks :pac:

Morgan

Eurocycles on South William Street are a Felt dealer. They could probably get that in for you. It's also available online from places like Evans.

petethedrummer

City Cycles in Stoneybatter are also a Felt Dealer.

blorg

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh holy god no

Morgan

Morgan wrote: »

Eurocycles on South William Street are a Felt dealer. They could probably get that in for you. It's also available online from places like Evans.

Yeah I tried to order it off evans and it just refused to accept my credit card its very annoying!

Do you recon they would order one in for me tho yeah? that would be handy. Probably end up paying more for it tho...

petethedrummer

Apart from the saddle and ballprotector it looks grand.

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you recon they would order one in for me tho yeah? that would be handy. Probably end up paying more for it tho...

Definitely, noone's gonna turn down good money.

blorg

blorg wrote: »

Oh holy god no

Its cool to be different ! Il be changing the saddle and that bar thing is going ha

Cheers thanks for all the replies! I sent an email to eurocycles

petethedrummer

Deleted User wrote: »

Cheers thanks for all the replies! I sent an email to eurocycles

Get on to City Cycles as well, there's no harm in having two quotes.

petethedrummer

petethedrummer wrote: »

Get on to City Cycles as well, there's no harm in having two quotes.

Yeah I live just beside the one in fairview so il ask them tomorrow!

flickerx

blorg wrote: »

Oh holy god no

Amen to that. Its as ugly as sin. Whats the gearing ratio on it? Looks well easy.

Although I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. I've gotten some very positive - and also very negative - remarks about this one that is nearing completion. I'll post up some pics in that thread when its done.

flickerx

flickerx wrote: »

Amen to that. Its as ugly as sin. Whats the gearing ratio on it? Looks well easy.

Although I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. I've gotten some very positive - and also very negative - remarks about this one that is nearing completion. I'll post up some pics in that thread when its done.

gearing is 66in

Il admit it aint the best looking bike around, and to be honest il be taking off the ball protecter and changing the saddle to a plain black one ! It comes in white too but its a bit rare to come across

http://bikescene.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/felt-curbside-white.jpg

I always see people flyin around town on some nice looking fixies id love to ask them where they got them cause I cant seem to find many online :O

flickerx

Deleted User wrote: »

I always see people flyin around town on some nice looking fixies id love to ask them where they got them cause I cant seem to find many online :O

Lots of them are self-builds, which I'd also recommend you give a shot at doing.

flickerx

Deleted User wrote: »

gearing is 66in

Woah, wait a second, 66 gear inches??? You'll be going around Dublin at five miles per hour at your max cadence. Get yourself a bigger chainring.

flickerx

flickerx wrote: »

Lots of them are self-builds, which I'd also recommend you give a shot at doing.

I'd love to give that a go but as you may know I wudnt have a clue where to start or what to buy ! and I dont even know anyone that lives around my area that would be into cycling either, just my uncle but he lives in meath now unfortunatly

And yeah the gearing is pretty low, the max speed is 17mph I just found out. That model is off the list anyway because the Felt Curbside 2010 models are coming out in september.

To be honest I'd love to make up my own one they dont look that complicated I just dont wanna be ripped off by some merchant that knows I dont know what a good price for anything is

DJsail

Pity about it being off the list, why not seroiusly consider giving it a bash yourself as there's enough people on here who can tell you what you need and where to get it which should minimise the risk of getting ripped off. Just start a new thread and see if it works!

DJsail

DJsail wrote: »

Pity about it being off the list, why not seroiusly consider giving it a bash yourself as there's enough people on here who can tell you what you need and where to get it which should minimise the risk of getting ripped off. Just start a new thread and see if it works!

Ha yeah I wudn't mind trying it but I need to have one before college starts again at the end of august and I can just see myself making a balls of it if Im doing it all myself : P Id prefer someone helping me too because I dont have much cash to fall back on if i buy the wrong **** or make a hash of it : /

Teferi

Apart from the ballprotector I think that bike looks lovely and am kind of jealous now...

blorg

Gearing is pretty easy to change, cheapest is with a new cog on the back, around a tenner. I have between 73.1 (which I think is a perfect all-round ratio for starting, especially if you are going to go up any hills) and 88.7 (for time trialling, might up that to ~92.6 for the next one.)

flickerx

Deleted User wrote: »

To be honest I'd love to make up my own one they dont look that complicated I just dont wanna be ripped off by some merchant that knows I dont know what a good price for anything is

I'll be back in Ireland in about three weeks from now, I'll make you up a nice one from second hand parts, and I'll only charge you a grand or so.

Seriously though - making one yourself these days doesnt work out cheaper than buying one from a shop (at the entry level anyway), but you will have a much better bike, and you'll learn loads along the way. Of course the other minus is that building it up will take a bit more time than just walking in and out of a shop, but the skills you acquire will stand to you later on if/when there's a problem with your bike, and you can just fix it yourself rather than have to pay (and wait) for a repairs shop to do it.

I have a frame (its a biggie though, definitely for someone around 6' in height) sitting in a friends gaf in Broadstone that I know he definitely did not do anything with, even though I gave him detailed and painstakingly transcribed instructions before I left on how to build a fixie. I'm gonna get it back off him when I'm home and start working on it, nitromors and all, the paint job needs to be stripped off. It'll be nice when its done. I got it for 30 quid in McCormacks on Dorset St.

flickerx

blorg wrote: »

Gearing is pretty easy to change, cheapest is with a new cog on the back, around a tenner. I have between 73.1 (which I think is a perfect all-round ratio for starting, especially if you are going to go up any hills) and 88.7 (for time trialling, might up that to ~92.6 for the next one.)

Yeah but the chainring on that one looks pathetically small.

flickerx

flickerx wrote: »

I'll be back in Ireland in about three weeks from now, I'll make you up a nice one from second hand parts, and I'll only charge you a grand or so.

Seriously though - making one yourself these days doesnt work out cheaper than buying one from a shop (at the entry level anyway), but you will have a much better bike, and you'll learn loads along the way. Of course the other minus is that building it up will take a bit more time than just walking in and out of a shop, but the skills you acquire will stand to you later on if/when there's a problem with your bike, and you can just fix it yourself rather than have to pay (and wait) for a repairs shop to do it.

I have a frame (its a biggie though, definitely for someone around 6' in height) sitting in a friends gaf in Broadstone that I know he definitely did not do anything with, even though I gave him detailed and painstakingly transcribed instructions before I left on how to build a fixie. I'm gonna get it back off him when I'm home and start working on it, nitromors and all, the paint job needs to be stripped off. It'll be nice when its done. I got it for 30 quid in McCormacks on Dorset St.

Cool thanks very much for your offer hit me up with a PM when your home

What dose anyone think about this one ? http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=19911&catID=752


I've read so many good and bad things about all bikes. All the bad criticism generally seems to be coming from veteran fixie people who say every bike that comes from a shop is terrible! To be honest I'm only starting out (This will be my first one) and I just want something to get me from A to B and im sure il build myself one in due course, but I'll need a bike to fly around on until then

flickerx

flickerx wrote: »

I have a frame (its a biggie though, definitely for someone around 6' in height) .

I'm only a short 5'9" so thats that out of the question : P

blorg

flickerx wrote: »

Yeah but the chainring on that one looks pathetically small.

It's 39T so a 14T sprocket would give him 75.2" which is perfectly reasonable. I still wouldn't buy it though, it is well overpriced and looks hideous. For an OTP (most of which I think are perfectly decent) something like a Langster would be better and far cheaper.

flickerx

Deleted User wrote: »

What dose anyone think about this one ? http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=19911&catID=752


I've read so many good and bad things about all bikes. All the bad criticism generally seems to be coming from veteran fixie people who say every bike that comes from a shop is terrible! To be honest I'm only starting out (This will be my first one) and I just want something to get me from A to B and im sure il build myself one in due course, but I'll need a bike to fly around on until then

Charge Plug is a decent bike, I think TinyExplosions has one? Maybe he has a paddywagon. The only gripe I've heard about the plug is the frame is a bit heavy. And again for Dublin I think 42/16 is too loose.

All fixie enthusiasts whine about factory line jobs in shops, and look down on newbies buying straight into it rather than building one themselves. Its part of the culture, just like road bike enthusiasts like to brag about their ludicously expensive component upgrades, which might shave .0001kg off the final weight of the bike.

But if you are talking about spending in the region of £529, then I/you can definitely build one for cheaper than that.

flickerx

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm only a short 5'9" so thats that out of the question : P

I've got another frame in my shed, which might suit you, but I'm not sure of the nick its in at the moment... that roof was leaking and I havent looked at it for nearly a year... and the dropouts were really short (though still horizontal) so it wasnt great if you wanted to change around either the sprocket or the chainring and not start messing with half links in the chain.

flickerx

flickerx wrote: »

Charge Plug is a decent bike, I think TinyExplosions has one? Maybe he has a paddywagon. The only gripe I've heard about the plug is the frame is a bit heavy.

But if you are talking about spending in the region of £529, then I/you can definitely build one for cheaper than that.

Yeah I've heard that aswell but I wont be flying down the road doing 360's and lifting the bike around I know the weight obviously effects riding it normally too but you get what I mean haha.

£529 is arounddddd e625 so how much would you be talking? just to get an idea

flickerx

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah I've heard that aswell but I wont be flying down the road doing 360's and lifting the bike around I know the weight obviously effects riding it normally too but you get what I mean haha.

£529 is arounddddd e625 so how much would you be talking? just to get an idea

I'd say around half of that. Thats usually what it worked out at when I was building them before.
Again, I need to stress this - building them cheaper takes time, such as looking on eBay for auctions and bargains, going around shops to price different components and trying to barter the shop down a bit, harvesting stuff like chains and stems off carcasses, etc.

flickerx

flickerx wrote: »

I'd say around half of that. Thats usually what it worked out at when I was building them before.
Again, I need to stress this - building them cheaper takes time, such as looking on eBay for auctions and bargains, going around shops to price different components and trying to barter the shop down a bit, harvesting stuff like chains and stems off carcasses, etc.

Oh without a doubt I can only imagine. It would still do it, but to be honest I need a bike in the next 2-3 weeks before I start college. So what do you think about the Charge Plug?

petethedrummer

Does yer man in Square Wheel ever sell fixies? or just eh fix them?

In case you go looking for it, this is what it looks like. I don't believe there is a sign.

TinyExplosions

flickerx wrote: »

Charge Plug is a decent bike, I think TinyExplosions has one? Maybe he has a paddywagon. The only gripe I've heard about the plug is the frame is a bit heavy. And again for Dublin I think 42/16 is too loose.

Had a paddy wagon, now am on a Mercian I built up myself

JMJR

I am building up two fixies at the moment, using old road bike frames- a Raleigh and a Dawes. If there is interest Im happy to use this thread to post photos and commentary.

mrbike

I've seen him with a few second hand bikes, but never a fixed gear. Handy for parts though...

Also if you decide to build one yourself, you're going to need a lot of bike specific tools. Cone wrenches, bottom bracket tools etc... It is much cheaper though, especially for a starter bike.

petethedrummer wrote: »

Does yer man in Square Wheel ever sell fixies? or just eh fix them?

In case you go looking for it, this is what it looks like. I don't believe there is a sign.

petethedrummer

mrbike wrote: »

I've seen him with a few second hand bikes, but never a fixed gear.

I presume he would have the odd older frame with horizontal drops.

There's also another bike shop in Swords, not Ritchies, and he often has older racing bikes that would accomodate a fixed wheel. Usually around €100-200. I'll get the address later.

flickerx

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Had a paddy wagon, now am on a Mercian I built up myself

Ah yeah I like that nice aquamarine colour, only bleedin gorgeous it is.

Where's the dublinfgss thing at you slacker?

mrbike

mrbike wrote: »

I've seen him with a few second hand bikes, but never a fixed gear. Handy for parts though...

Also if you decide to build one yourself, you're going to need a lot of bike specific tools. Cone wrenches, bottom bracket tools etc... It is much cheaper though, especially for a starter bike.

I found this link here, http://www.awaycity.com/wiki/The_Square_Wheel_Cycleworks_Cycle_Shop

But I'd feel a bit dodge ringing the guys mobile?? ha

petethedrummer

After getting involved in this thread, it has made me want to put my fixie back together again. See you for a spin sometime in 2010.

petethedrummer

petethedrummer wrote: »

After getting involved in this thread, it has made me want to put my fixie back together again. See you for a spin sometime in 2010.

Haha deadly. I'm gonna go into that Square Wheel place tomorrow morning and if they dont have one then Ill just get one online! Lets hope

crazydingo

petethedrummer wrote: »

Does yer man in Square Wheel ever sell fixies? or just eh fix them?

In case you go looking for it, this is what it looks like. I don't believe there is a sign.

I had a terrible experience there where a bike was left in for minor work and 4 weeks later it was still sitting on the bottom of a huge pile of bikes so I just took it back. I'd never go there again, not even for an emergency pump up, the experience was that crap. But that's just me.

Well I searched high and low in the city centre and got nothing, So I just settled for the Charge Plug http://jonnypockets.com/blog/images/254.jpg . I'm probly gonna change it around alot to my own liking but at least I finally got one : P

Thanks for all the advice and such

oflahero

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm probly gonna change it around alot to my own liking but at least I finally got one : P

Start with those ghastly green rims. It's such a nice machine otherwise...

petethedrummer

oflahero wrote: »

Start with those ghastly green rims. It's such a nice machine otherwise...

yeah upgrade with something like this:

blorg

Deleted User wrote: »

Well I searched high and low in the city centre and got nothing, So I just settled for the Charge Plug http://jonnypockets.com/blog/images/254.jpg . I'm probly gonna change it around alot to my own liking but at least I finally got one : P

No need to go nuts changing stuff around, they are a decent bike stock AFAIK. Ride it a bit first.

petethedrummer

petethedrummer wrote: »

yeah upgrade with something like this:

Haha. I like green, but I dont like the red colour of the frame! Wish it was just black :pac:

blorg

blorg wrote: »

No need to go nuts changing stuff around, they are a decent bike stock AFAIK. Ride it a bit first.

Yeah so I've heard, when I said change things around that probly means change the colour of the grips or something stupid ha

Highway_To_Hell

I have a Chrome Charge Plug racer which I have had no issue with, I did change the drop bars it came with to bull horn bars with bar end brakes, much more comfortable. I am 5'8" and got a small which is perfect height wise but a bit short on the crossbar but works OK for commuting purposes. I plan on changing the gearing as I tend to spin out occasionaly and don't have many hills on my commute. I bought my online from Pearsons

Highway_To_Hell

Highway_To_Hell wrote: »

I have a Chrome Charge Plug racer which I have had no issue with, I did change the drop bars it came with to bull horn bars with bar end brakes, much more comfortable. I am 5'8" and got a small which is perfect height wise but a bit short on the crossbar but works OK for commuting purposes. I plan on changing the gearing as I tend to spin out occasionaly and don't have many hills on my commute. I bought my online from Pearsons

Thats great to hear im only around 5'8" too, what do you mean exactly by the crossbar being to short? And what about the gearing on yours too? : )

snollup

you should go into the square wheel, it's worth a look.

have charge plug myself. think it cost about 500. find it great for in & out to work. be warned tho, not enough clearance for decent mudguards!

some say it's a little heavy but i find it fine.

http://www.chargebikes.com/products/bikes/detail.php?id=11

Highway_To_Hell

Deleted User wrote: »

Thats great to hear im only around 5'8" too, what do you mean exactly by the crossbar being to short? And what about the gearing on yours too? : )

Tooth ratio is 42 / 16 - as delivered no changes made yet.

As for the crossbar alot of the difference is down to the difference between my fixed gear frame and my road bike which has a compact frame. out of curiosity I just went to the garage an took some measurments (top of seatpost to middle of the handlebars)

Small Charge Plug: 63cm
54cm compact frame Specialized Allez: 68cm

Ahh cool man. Sure I can change the gearing around on my bike when I get it if I think its too high/low : )

R123R

were can i get a road frame a old one cheap to get resatored for a fixie i needs one for about 50 and then il get it painted please help