jduvall

But being that I'm in the market for a new bike I'm torn.

I know the generic answer is usually kilo tt (or pro if its even worth the upgrade) but how does it stack compared to the langster? I like the langster but at the same time since a kilo is so much cheaper than the langster (even on sale) is the carbon fork reallyt worth the extra money? Or should I just go ahead and buy the kilo and then upgrade as needed with the extra money?

Edit: Does the kilo tt (or pro) have 2 water bottle mounts or jsut the one?

TejanoTrackie 

What type of riding do you plan on doing with this bike ? The Kilo TT has track geo and would be a good choice if you plan on riding / racing at the Superdrome with it's steep banking. The aluminum Langster is a great road bike with slack geo and a low bottom bracket, but would be a poor choice for the track. The Langster is a better quality bike than the Kilo TT, which is why it costs more; that's usually the way things work.

jduvall

I'd like to look into track racing (but could probably rent a bike the first few times to make sure I enjoy it enough to buy a dedicated track machine)

This purchase is going to be mostly for fitness/commuting in combo with my trek 1000

TejanoTrackie 

Well, the Langster is a good choice as a street machine. It's set up as a single speed (freewheel), not fixed gear, although I believe it can be converted to fixed. Stock gearing is 42 x 16, which is an easy 69 gear inches with 700 x 23c tires. It comes with 2 water bottle mounts, whereas the Kilo only has one or none. I agree that you should first use one of the GT rental bikes before buying a dedicated track bike, and I'd look for a used one for sale on the TXBRA forum classified when you decide to buy one.

jduvall

I think the langster has a flipflop hub (which if thats the case I'll probably run it mostly as fixed to force my self to learn to spin) and I figure I can probably get one for 600give or take in September when the 2011 stuff is on its way out

vw addict

if this then Langster, I love commuting fixed on my Langster.

Jaytron

My friend's Kilo TT Pro has holes for 1 bottle holder, mine had none.

Leukybear 

I would go for a wabi lightning if I were in your shoes.

As the kilo tt is overplayed a bit and the langster is meh and a bit over priced...

jduvall

Problem is the lightning is a bit more than I want to spend at the moment. The classic would be the most I'd really want to go and even then that is pushing it since I can't get a test ride on it first

Leukybear 

Oh I see your point; what's your price range by the way? It is crucial that you disclose that so we can recommend you things... it stems to the kilo tt answer trend here.

jduvall

Honestly I'd like to stay under 800, will be purchasing next month when I get back to the states. I already have pedals/shoes/helmet so I just gotta snag a bike/bottle cages/maybe a computer for cadence

I don't mind purchasing online Id just like to have something that uses a similar frame/material that I could go get a feel for.

Leukybear 

Kona paddywagon. Steel and relatively light. Can clear a 32 and has fender mounts and dual mounts for water bottle cages. Braze ons too for rear brake.

jduvall

What about the Masi Specalie commuter?

Leukybear 

Sounds good to me; plus, having horizontal drop outs & a derailleur hanger lets you convert it back to geared if you want.

rustybrown

Side bar: what ever happened to the coltello? Was it rebranded as a FTP and sold on nashbar?

Leukybear 

Nobody bought them, they melted them all down in the end to make the FTP's sold at nashbar.

rustybrown

TC: I'll never fully understand globalization.

jduvall

One last question, if I do go with the Masi what would be a good affordable wheelset to get thats thinner? stock it comes with 32s and that seems like a lot of rolling resistance (least if I read the specs right) I was thinking maybe some 28s or 25s even?

rustybrown

Not really as much rolling resistance you would think, provided the tires are aired up properly.

TejanoTrackie 

More important is tire quality and design. Large low pressure hybrid tires often exhibit high rolling resistance, whereas higher quality / pressure slicks offer about the same rolling resistance as much narrower tires. The only real difference is weight, which you only notice on a overall lightweight bike with light wheels.