Brick lane bikes-Track Complete Bike

italodisco

Hi,

Just a quick question for you guys and gals.

Bike below in picks offered to me for 400 quid, 1 year old (im told) .

Its a Brick Lane Bikes 'Track' model. Just wondering am i being ripped off or is it a good deal ? I was thinking more along the lines of 300 but maybe im very wrong ?

Seen some of the frame for sale in uk for 200 sterling used but cant really judge off that.

Its a single speed with a flip flop hub.

Cheers for any advice

Squidgy Black

Cheap steel frame, cheap wheel set, cheap finishing parts. Nowhere near worth 400 quid. I wouldn't pay 300 for it either.

italodisco

i take it a Viking single speed for 250 new is just as good so ....

Cheers for the advice.

Gas , i have a few people sayin how great those brick lane bikes are and a few sayin how ****e...... aarrgghh lol !!

Squidgy Black

italodisco wrote: »

i take it a Viking single speed for 250 new is just as good so ....

Cheers for the advice.

Gas , i have a few people sayin how great those brick lane bikes are and a few sayin how ****e...... aarrgghh lol !!

Pretty much, only half decent thing about the BLB is the cranks.

They're just the cheap imported chinese bikes like Create etc but BLB slap their logo on it and hike up the price.

italodisco

any other opinions on this bike ?

Squidgy Black

If you want to get real opinions in it, post a thread about it on LFGSS.com under the bikes and bits forum.

You won't get much talk about fixed or ss bikes on here, unless it's the occasional bashing.

dave_o_brien

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

If you want to get real opinions in it, post a thread about it on LFGSS.com under the bikes and bits forum.

You won't get much talk about fixed or ss bikes on here, unless it's the occasional bashing.

This is just nonsense.

There's no further opinions because you nailed it with yours: that bike is not worth €400. Why would anyone else chime in to repeat the obvious?

The OP wants more opinions, which suggests he wants someone to tell him it's worth it, and go for it, and BLB are "da bomb" or some such. OP, it's not. It's a fine bike for half the price, _Tyrell_'s opinion is all you need.

Squidgy Black

dave_o_brien wrote: »

This is just nonsense.

There's no further opinions because you nailed it with yours: that bike is not worth €400. Why would anyone else chime in to repeat the obvious?

The OP wants more opinions, which suggests he wants someone to tell him it's worth it, and go for it, and BLB are "da bomb" or some such. OP, it's not. It's a fine bike for half the price, _Tyrell_'s opinion is all you need.

To be honest Dave, that was exactly why I was sending him over to LFGSS, because I know the lads will really go at it over there.

dave_o_brien

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

To be honest Dave, that was exactly why I was sending him over to LFGSS, because I know the lads will really go at it over there.

But he'll get hipsters telling him it's worth it. It's not. They're liars. You know that!

OP, stop. If you want a single speed city bike, pick up a second hand one for €250 max. The one you linked to here is worth that, but no more. It's not that it's a bad bike, it's that bikes like this have become a desirable commodity for some, and as a result have become overvalued.

Squidgy Black

For a little more than 450 you could build yourself a nice bike like a Dolan Pre Cursa with a half decent wheelset and cranks.

I love mine.

dave_o_brien

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

For a little more than 450 you could build yourself a nice bike like a Dolan Pre Cursa with a half decent wheelset and cranks.

I love mine.

Yes, far better bike. Second hand Langsters seem to crop up frequently enough to for €350ish.

italodisco

oh would love a 2009 langster , i think i shall avoid the brick lane, i think its more a fashion accessory and a used langster would be alot better all round.

Thanks for your help lads

Dermot Illogical

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

You won't get much talk about fixed or ss bikes on here, unless it's the occasional bashing.

Not true! The overpriced fashion accessory bikes get some deserved flack, but ss and fixed bikes don't get a bashing in general. They can be very beautiful indeed. I have 2 and love them, won't have a bad word said about them!

Squidgy Black

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

Not true! The overpriced fashion accessory bikes get some deserved flack, but ss and fixed bikes don't get a bashing in general. They can be very beautiful indeed. I have 2 and love them, won't have a bad word said about them!

Maybe it was just the "death to all fixies" thread that threw me :pac:

Dermot Illogical

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Maybe it was just the "death to all fixies" thread that threw me :pac:

Look how nice they can be!
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=81858090&postcount=115
Bikes 2 & 3 in that post. Won't hear a bad word!

OP, last time I was looking around the best value 2nd hand seemed to be the langster, best new was the Fuji Feather.

Squidgy Black

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

Look how nice they can be!
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=81858090&postcount=115
Bikes 2 & 3 in that post. Won't hear a bad word!

OP, last time I was looking around the best value 2nd hand seemed to be the langster, best new was the Fuji Feather.

Sweet jaysus that Benotto is beautiful. Awful shame to be running it single speed though

OP, another option is a Charge Plug. Heavy frame but the geometry is great and comfy for running around town.

Dermot Illogical

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Sweet jaysus that Benotto is beautiful. Awful shame to be running it single speed though

It's ok. I'm over 45. :P

Squidgy Black

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

It's ok. I'm over 45. :P

We'll make an allowance then seeing as it's a classy build and the Pista seems to be fixed

snollup

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Sweet jaysus that Benotto is beautiful. Awful shame to be running it single speed though

OP, another option is a Charge Plug. Heavy frame but the geometry is great and comfy for running around town.

+1 for charge, have mine 5 or 6 years now and can say that they are fairly bombproof.

italodisco

so do you know of any shops in town / Dublin that stock Charge Plugs ?

Im narrowing it down now between the following:

Charge Plug

Fuji Classic track or Feather

On-One Pompino (if i can find somewhere that gets them in )

Felt Brougham Merlot
http://www.thebikebiz.com/store/p/3449-2013-Brougham-Merlot.html#.UjM_gD8jWEo

Hoping to use the cycle to work scheme which is why i want to buy through shop , not ideal i know but i aint got cash

Squidgy Black

On Track on Cook street is the best place in Dublin for anything fixed gear or single speed related.

Go in and have a chat with the lads and see what they recommend.

italodisco

Well Tyrell i shall head in tomorrow and put myself out of my blody missery as im torn between those bikes lol

If i choose one i shall shtik up a pick and get hammered by the fixed gear single speed hate crew lol

italodisco

Well dropped in on Saturday and they just wanted to plug their in store brands. Oh, send told me a charge plug would cost 750 minimum whilst cycleways quoted me an average of,540 for the upcoming 2014 model..... Oh dear lol

Harrybelafonte

italodisco wrote: »

Well dropped in on Saturday and they just wanted to plug their in store brands. Oh, send told me a charge plug would cost 750 minimum whilst cycleways quoted me an average of,540 for the upcoming 2014 model..... Oh dear lol

Do you mean the Leader bikes? Of course they wanted to "just" sell you their in-store brands, that's what all bike shops do? Just go to Rothar and get them to build one for you.

hypersonic

a Little over budget, and last years, revolutions belter

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-belter-12

Squidgy Black

I seriously doubt they told you a charge plug would cost you 750 euro. They were probably talking about their custom leader bikes.

I wouldn't buy a Charge plug at 550 from cycleways either, way too expensive for a steel frame bike. Go second hand. Rothar will charge you 300 euro for a cheap old road frame and a set of wheels, with old parts.

Harrybelafonte

550 for a steel bike isn't the end of the world, the rest of the components, especially the wheels are worth considering as well. Anyway, I have one of the older versions of this:

http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=767

I raced it, I now use it for commuting. It's a fine frame, but the wheels on mine sucked (Jalco I think) for racing so I sold them, but they'd be fine for commuting.

Squidgy Black

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

550 for a steel bike isn't the end of the world, the rest of the components, especially the wheels are worth considering as well. Anyway, I have one of the older versions of this:

http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=767

I raced it, I now use it for commuting. It's a fine frame, but the wheels on mine sucked (Jalco I think) for racing so I sold them, but they'd be fine for commuting.

It's not the end of the world, but he could do better for his money. I bought my plug for 300 euro second hand about 3 years ago. They're also fairly hefty.

Those Fuji feathers are nice, like a lighter version of the classic.

Harrybelafonte

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/giant-bowery-mashup/3786520

But change the brake levers

nak

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a Charge plug at 550 from cycleways either, way too expensive for a steel frame bike.

What's wrong with steel? Will last years and some people will happily pay thousands for custom steel frames. 550 for a bike is far from expensive.

Squidgy Black

nak wrote: »

What's wrong with steel? Will last years and some people will happily pay thousands for custom steel frames. 550 for a bike is far from expensive.

Nothing wrong with higher end steel frames or 531, but the plug is heavy tig welded plain gauge steel.

dario28

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

For a little more than 450 you could build yourself a nice bike like a Dolan Pre Cursa with a half decent wheelset and cranks.

I love mine.

Saw one of these and really want one now , where ya get yours, would ya have a spec ?

cheers

italodisco

Have the option to buy a giant bowery , seemed in great nick but when i check the picks i see that the nuts on the front and back wheel are orange from rust.

Is that a major turn off buyin a used bike ?

Askin for 200

Cheers for any advice ;-)

Harrybelafonte

I'd be more worried about that saddle

Squidgy Black

dario28 wrote: »

Saw one of these and really want one now , where ya get yours, would ya have a spec ?

cheers

I just bought the frame set and an alpina fork from Dolan, and built up the bike using my own components.

Dolan sell completes as well, I think they're £450 or something close to that.

The Bowery is cheap for a good bike, but it's definitely not in "great nick". Looks like it's been used and abused a fair bit.

Harrybelafonte

italodisco wrote: »

Have the option to buy a giant bowery , seemed in great nick but when i check the picks i see that the nuts on the front and back wheel are orange from rust.

Is that a major turn off buyin a used bike ?

Askin for 200

Cheers for any advice ;-)

The one I linked to is 150 or 100 on ebay and is in better nick. I'd recommend cutting the bars down and putting new brake levers on though, which shouldn't set you back too much. I had one of these for awhile and it carried my fat ass around fine.

Change the saddle too.

italodisco

Have decided I shall go up to 650 .

On one pompino , nice ...Fuji Feather 2014 also nice....

But any idea who might stock or get in a Dolan or a kilo tt ???

It's on bike to work scheme so I need to buy from a shop that does it .

Squidgy Black

You won't get a Dolan in a Dublin store. They tend to only sell them through their online store.

You can use the bike to work scheme to buy a bike online btw.

Dermot Illogical

italodisco wrote: »

Have decided I shall go up to 650 .

On one pompino , nice ...Fuji Feather 2014 also nice....

But any idea who might stock or get in a Dolan or a kilo tt ???

It's on bike to work scheme so I need to buy from a shop that does it .

For a Dolan try McQuaid's in Finglas, or Richies in Swords.
I know Thinkbike in Rathmines stocked the Fuji last year. Not sure if the still do.

italodisco

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

You won't get a Dolan in a Dublin store. They tend to only sell them through their online store.

You can use the bike to work scheme to buy a bike online btw.

Planetx have said they will do the pompino for 650, another shop will do the Fuji feather 2014 for 540, and cycleways the charge plug for 550.... Oh Jesus how do I pick lol

I'd take a kilo tt any day if they were available from shops huere, from the above though its tough to pick one ...

happytramp

Haven't been following the thread and haven't looked at the specs of any of the bikes you've mentioned but having seen pics of them I'd go with the Fuji based purely on looks and geometry. Not sure that's of much use to you though

italodisco

http://www.superbbicycle.com/site/2013/08/26/2014-fuji-feather-update/

The fuji does look a treat with risers!

The Geometry is a bit more every-day friendly

But then again this one is a beaut too
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/zip0082/4327495351/

Dont think i'll find anywhere willing to source a kilo tt mind you lol

italodisco

So I've finally decided it's between the 2014 charge plug and 2014 fuji feather ......

Any opinions on either or reasons to Pick one over the other

italodisco

Well I finally got a bike, a langster, 2nd hand of course but nice... No idea what year etc but looks a 2011.

Any tips on upgrades/things I should change ? Thanks again, pic attached

Squidgy Black

If you're riding fixed gear, I always like to have some form of foot retention, stops the pedals from jumping forwards when you're getting used to it and scraping the back of your legs.

Feels a lot safer when you're spinning a high cadence too.

italodisco

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

If you're riding fixed gear, I always like to have some form of foot retention, stops the pedals from jumping forwards when you're getting used to it and scraping the back of your legs.

Feels a lot safer when you're spinning a high cadence too.

I spent the eve shooting around on it fixed, my lazy legs didn't know what hit them lol

Switched to freewheeling side but tbh think I will go fixed, it's actually more fun, more involved.... I felt more in tune with the whole ride.

Straps would be a huge help as I keep forgetting it's fixed and the pedals fling me about lol