New bike - advice needed

[Complex]

I'm in the thinking process of purchasing a bike that'll be used for casual summer commuting / town use.
The current criteria lie only at fixed gear and front brake that fit someone of 5ft 11", I would also like it to be reasonably aesthetically pleasing but still subtle... (probably just black), being the image conscious young male

I've never once bought a cycle for myself, so it should be noted that I've a large amount of ignorance on the subject.

How much would one be expected to spend for something reasonably decent? I'm assuming the fact it's a fixed gear with only front brake means costs should be lower compared to the relative mountain bike / geared racer, as there are less components.

Is purchasing the parts to a bike and having it assembled a more cost effective option than buying premade? And how difficult is part selection?

I've not decided on a budget, as I don't need a bike immediately but what kind of improvements do I get for my money spending £600 over £400 or £200? Are we talking a few hundred grams shaved off weight every time you spend double on a bike, or much more noticable imrpovements? I'm by no stretch of the imagination a 'cycling enthusiast', so don't want to spend over the odds for a few % gains here and there.

So, what can I expect to get for £X and where should one go about buying?

[Complex]

Okay, thankyou for the reply. I have to say I had no idea so much contempt was held for people who're wanting a fixed gear bike. The reason I asked about one was because two acquaintances who ride them recommended them to me based on: being easier to maintain, light and, given their learning curve, ultimately more interesting and rewarding to ride than a free-wheeled bike.

I was told that with proper leg-braking and weight transfer, a front brake is sufficient, if that isn't the case then I'll have two without a second thought.

My commute is 6 miles, with limited traffic as it doesn't involve rush hour, with half the route being cycle-laned country road.

Thanks for the eBay link.

[Complex]

Chicane-UK said:

A good all round, off the peg fixie is the Specialized Langster. A guy at work here has a 3 or so year old one and does 20+ miles a day on it and it's been virtually bomb proof and he's very pleased with it.

I bought a Giant Bowery on eBay last year - 2008 model with some upgrades and barely ridden and it only cost me £200. Again, so far no gremlins at all and I'm chuffed to bits with it.

There are plenty of us out there who DON'T fit the fixie "hipster" image at all.. and just like riding a fixie because it's something different, less to go wrong, better for commuting / traffic (no mashing up and down gears), etc

Thanks, I'm starting to hone my search a bit more as I gain more understanding.
I'm currently scanning eBay for the two models you've mentioned (which appear to have had good user reviews generally), there are a couple for sale though none on a 56cm frame which I assume I should be using as a 5ft 11" person. Hopefully a bit of patience will pay off.

If anyone has experience with other models, feel free to recommend them.

Another quick question too; are most road bikes that are sold as 'single speed' usually sold with a fliphub allowing for fixed gear use too? If not, how pricey/complicated is a conversion?

[Complex]

I've been looking through the OTP threads on LFGSS for a while now and there seems to be no consensus at all on what bikes are preferable to others, even for certain conditions/riding styles; I guess it's all just personal preferance.

Is there anything specific which makes that Revolution attractive, over, say a Fuji Classic Track '11 with aftermarket brakes?

Also, if I buy 2nd hand and I end up with a stolen bike, does that mean I'm going to be in the st when I try to register the frame no. with my local police station/immobilise.com and it turns out it's already been registered?