Which winter training/road-based fixed gear bike
Discussion
Keen to buy/build-up a new training bike to distract myself while recovering from a snapped collarbone MTBing
Before it got nicked, I use to love winter training on a nice ’06 Condor Pista (running Open Pros, hooded brakes F&R with roadish geometry). However, I’d like something different and possible a touch lighter…
I’d like to get back to riding the 30-50mile loops in the lumpy parts of the Kent and Surrey Hills, so lightness and road friendly geo are important.
As a starter, I could modify a 2014 Specialized Langster, with shallow-drop road bars, (Ebay) brakes, for about £600 all in. I do like how light and stiff Langsters are for the money and the carbon fork – as well as being light - should be a bit more forgiving than the steel/alloy jobs that seem to feature on equivalent Fuji track/Genesis/Charge builds.
So… ideally new, lightweight, road-focused and just a little bike stylish! Budget up to £1,000
What else should I consider?
Before it got nicked, I use to love winter training on a nice ’06 Condor Pista (running Open Pros, hooded brakes F&R with roadish geometry). However, I’d like something different and possible a touch lighter…
I’d like to get back to riding the 30-50mile loops in the lumpy parts of the Kent and Surrey Hills, so lightness and road friendly geo are important.
As a starter, I could modify a 2014 Specialized Langster, with shallow-drop road bars, (Ebay) brakes, for about £600 all in. I do like how light and stiff Langsters are for the money and the carbon fork – as well as being light - should be a bit more forgiving than the steel/alloy jobs that seem to feature on equivalent Fuji track/Genesis/Charge builds.
So… ideally new, lightweight, road-focused and just a little bike stylish! Budget up to £1,000
What else should I consider?
Isn't part of the point of a winter fixed that you don't need to worry about it? My fixed gear singlecross just gets fed chains and very occasionally brake blocks. I washed it for the first time in two years last week, and it looks almost like new. I'll give it another wash in a few years. It cost me £175. Not sure I'd be willing to put ice tyres on it and thrash it through the mid winter slush if it was a pretty thing.
Also, the high BB of the CX means I've never experienced pedal strike - well, okay a couple of times when I've overestimated a filtering gap and clipped a curb.
A Condor Tempo would probably be as nice as I could go without wanting to keep it looking lovely.
Also, the high BB of the CX means I've never experienced pedal strike - well, okay a couple of times when I've overestimated a filtering gap and clipped a curb.
A Condor Tempo would probably be as nice as I could go without wanting to keep it looking lovely.
I'm still building up that ebay allez is a s/s winter bike, total spend will be £200 and it will look quite tidy so I'd look for incomplete bikes on ebay which usually go quite cheap. Dont bother with the retro-esque thin tube 80s Peugeots et al, they normally go for more than they are worth as hipsters go mental when they see one, stick to newer stuff and you'll find a bargain. www.velosolo.co.uk is good for s/s or fixie conversion parts.
If you did want a new bike, I'd go for the Kenesis Racelight that was on sale recently at Fat Birds all kitted up with mudguards or the blue Ribble commuter/winter frame. The Tifosi audax is worth a look too but wasnt particualrly good value for money.
If you did want a new bike, I'd go for the Kenesis Racelight that was on sale recently at Fat Birds all kitted up with mudguards or the blue Ribble commuter/winter frame. The Tifosi audax is worth a look too but wasnt particualrly good value for money.
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