6 Tips For Buying A Complete Fixed Gear Bike from West Los Angeles/Palms Bicycle Center

Check out a very informative step by step guide to scoring yourself a complete fixed gear bike from Palms Bicycle Center!

6 Tips For Buying A Complete Fixed Gear Bike

Just a year ago in the fixed-gear world, the only way to get a top of the line bike was to build it from scratch. That's all changed. Sure if you want a unique headturner machine, you and your local bike shop (meaning Palms Cycles) are still going to have to paint it and accessorize it. But if you can stand to find out that someone else in the hood has your same ride, here's a guide to getting what you are looking for right out of a factory box.

1. How, Where, With Who, and For What?

Bikes are created specifically for certain types of riding, so thinking through what you will use the bike for is your number one job when selecting a complete. Do you want to ride mostly for fun? Do you want to go fast? How fast do you want to stop? Is this a show bike? Do you want to teach your bike a few tricks? You can technically use most bikes to do all of the above, but if you know what your major expectations are, it will steer you in the right direction.

2. Size Matters

We all know about the silly millimeter, but power, comfort, endurance, and injury free riding all depend on proper fit. Your sales expert at Palms Cycle is trained to help you figure out what size you need. The factories have created variations that will work for most riders after adjustments in seat and handlebars. After your sales expert gets you all set up, test out the bike out on Motor Ave and make sure you feel comfortable on it. Palms Cycle can help you to customize some aspects of the bike for no additional charge to make sure it fits you perfectly.

3. Maintenance is Part of the Price

Bikes, like cars, are better made then ever. But parts are going to wear out. But it is also true that if you pay $250 for a complete it's going to be needing more maintenance than a $1,000 bike. You will want to learn to work on your bike at least to do the simple things. Expect things on a new complete need a break in. Parts like headsets, chains, and spokes will need to be adjusted. Come in as often as you like during the first six months for free adjustments on these types of items.

4. Componentry Is Critical

It may be trite, but it is true. You get what you pay for. If the bike is spec’d with name brand parts that you trust or that we recomend, you know you are getting something better than generic parts. Also, on the “small” topic, look for a small gearing. A small sprocket in the front means less metal to get in the way of certain tricks, and less weight. At the same time, you don’t need a 25t sprocket to be cool. A 30t sprocket will still do the trick. However, if the bike comes with a 45t, watch out because the whole bike is probably outdated. HELP?


5. What Can't You Afford

Not the way you normally hear it. Let's be serious. When we are buying "fun" sometimes we get a bit carried away. Set your limit. There are bikes that will take care of most of your needs, wants and desires that won't break the bank.

6. Weight Is a Component

Going faster, further, and doing stunts and tricks is easier on a light bike. You might suspect that the less it weighs the more it costs, and you'd be right. Just be clear that weight isn't the only component that effects the fun or the performance of your bike. You may need to trade off a little weight to get other things you want. Wide tire bikes for doing some kinds of tricks will definitely be heavier that 700c tire bikes.

Chromoly is a lightweight alloy metal used on all high-end fixed gear and single speed frames, forks, and bars. Some complete bikes use a combination of steel and alloy construction in their frames, bars, and/or forks. This will raise the weight and drop the price.

A good, average weight for a complete is somewhere around 25 lbs, give or take a few.