nolecra

Hi, new to this forum... any and all help is appreciated!

I would like to buy a single speed/fixed gear bike from Bikesdirect but there does not seem to be a lot of answers to my questions available online.

The primary factors that I am considering before purchase are weight, quality, price, and ease of customization; in that order with varying flexibility.

On bikes direct I have a few options I would like to consider:
Mercier Kilo TT Pro or TT Stripper
Motobecane Fixe Cafe or Cafe CF
Dawes Streetfighter, SST Steel or SST AL
Windsor Clockwork Plus

The look of all of these bikes is comparable. Of these, I could only verify the weight of the Cafe CF (via YouTube review) of around 22 lbs.

Does anyone have any opinion of these bikes versus one another? I have been riding mountain bikes primary for decades and I am new to the Fixie game. I would primarily use this for city riding and commuting and it should see a fair amount of miles.

Any input is appreciated.

Also, seeing as I am new to this I would also appreciate any info about other bikes (bikes possibly available at my LBS OR even Amazon) that factor in the options that I list above.

Thanks in advance!

rreahard

#KiloTT

Davidpll

https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...012-a-106.html

Scrodzilla

Get a Dosnoventa and ride it on the sidewalk.

Regulatori

There needs to be an option on the posting menu next to font size/emojis with a picture of a bike. You just click the picture and it automatically posts #kiloTT

Tundra_Man 

As you've probably already figured out, the Kilo TT is usually what's recommended for a BD fixie. The various models run in the $400-$500 range. Around the $300 range they have additional non-Kilo options.

I would say first determine your price range. If you decide to go the cheaper route, then you need to decide steel or aluminum. Next pick flat bar or drop bar. After that I think they're all similar enough that you should just pick the color you like best. I kind of dig the neon-green Windsor Hour Plus, myself.

I say this as the owner of a 2010 Clockwork (in bright orange, of course.) It's been a good bike for me.

TejanoTrackie 

Bikes direct bikes fall into two basic categories; made in China and made in Taiwan. Those made in China are cheaper with lower quality frames, and those made in Taiwan (Kilo TT and Kilo WT) are more expensive with higher quality frames. Also the Kilo TT Pro and Kilo WT have higher quality wheels and cranks. My best choice for commuting would be the Kilo WT, because it has clearance for wider tires and fenders.

bigbenaugust 

Is the Fantom Cross Uno gone now?

TejanoTrackie 

Been gone for quite some time, I think.

motorapido

I love my Dawes SST for my daily commuting to work. I have it set up single speed, but not fixed. With a better seat post, Nashbar titanium rail saddle, better stem and Panaracer PT folding tires, it weighs in just a hair about 20 pounds and rides quite nicely. Oh, and a Vuelta Pista crankset and chainring. It would have been fine bone stock (except for the thickly padded saddle, which HAD to go), but I enjoy modifying things. I fit 32 tires and managed to run full fenders with very acceptable clearance, with creative installation of the fenders. Note that the Streetfighter is flat bar and SST is drop bar. I think the frames are similar if not identical.

SquidPuppet

Have you tried contacting BD to ask for weights? They answered all my questions when I was looking at one of their bikes.

steve-in-kville 

I've been riding the Kilo TT Stripper for a few years now. I did put another set of wheels on it, but still have the stock wheelset as a backup. For less than $400 you can't go wrong. I've ridden it in SS mode about 75% of the time, and fixed the other 25%.

Married4Now2015

Just want to add that although weights may be a factor for you(I don't know your circumstances), when you're riding, unless your drive ratio is nuts, you likely won't feel "heavy" while riding. Unless of course you are already heavy.

I'm a fat slob at 210lbs just under 6 feet and I have been through 2 fixed gears. My new one feels lighter yes but I don't feel like weight is a concern-I have never weighed my bike-and I only feel heavy in the wind or when I'm gassed after eating 8 double cheeseburgers for some reason.

Married4Now2015

Also, it could possibly behoove you to borrow from a friend or to buy a cheap decent fixed gear off CL. Seriously like a 100/150 bucks and see how your posture etc is so you can have a true base to build from. That's when things started to really click for me. Took about 2 months of regular riding to start to get a feel for things.

Regardless, I'm excited for your new bike and post pics when u get it!

bigbenaugust 

I picked the Uno over the Kilo WT for the slightly longer chainstays. And now that mine wears flat bars and V-brakes, the canti studs turn out to have been a great idea too.

nolecra

Thank you for the thoughtful answers, ya'll! I was leaning Motobecane because I've heard good things on those found within BD but now I'm clearly going to look closer at the others - particularly the Kilo TT.

I do think I will go w/ a flat bar but my thoughts on customization have me thinking of swapping that out for bullhorn bars anyway...

Are the Motobecane bikes on BD made in China? If so that definitely gives me pause about any carbon components (ie: Cafe CF forks).

nolecra

Oh, and I did e-mail BD for some stats... just haven't heard back yet.

I also posted this question on "another site" (I guess naming the site on here get's redacted automatically?) and I don't think the responders really read my question; they basically just told me not to worry about any of the things I mentioned and then offered no advice

TejanoTrackie 

Yes. All the BD bikes except the Kilos are made in China. I'd recommend sticking with steel frames and forks.

nolecra

So now after looking at BD with different eyes, I'm feeling the Dawes Streetfighter. Looks simple, should have an OK quality steel frame, and the cost of entry is low; as one poster suggested I would like to get started with a CL beater but my CL market here in Houston is not very good!

steve-in-kville 

There are no *other* sites.

stryper

Chinese carbon is just fine. Honestly of the 5 bikes direct bikes I've ridden the Kilo TT rode the worst. Felt like riding on a rock.

BeboSaab

I ride low end BD aluminum bikes. They aren't low quality, but they are put together wrong. You will need to disassemble and grease everything that is supposed to be greased. If you do this it will ride like a nice bike.

The hydroformed aluminum bikes are made in the Kinisis bicycle factory in Taiwan and are great quality. I put in 12k miles on a 270 dollar BD Aluminum bike no creaking anywhere.

Ride the CF Fixie now, put some GP4000s and a Charge Spoon to sit on and it's a nice bike after that, all you gotta do.

BeboSaab

The Kinisis carbon forks are fine, I'm 230 pounds took it over plenty of potholes for over 12k miles and it didn't crack. Get the aero one that only takes 25mm tires and has no rake, that thing handles like a dream and has zero road vibration.