i86o

well, i've been doing alot of reading over the past few days, compiling all of my options, and my opinions on thus said options, and all that has done for me is made me super confused, ha, i even started a thread


what i want

- fixed/single, for now i ride single, so im not trying to fully disconnect myself from that, i dont even know if i will prefer a fixed gear to single setup
- at the very least the easy possibility of brakes, and hopefully a rear brake mount as well, my intent is to ride fixed with a brake at first, and then go brake less, but if i ever decide to go single, i need that rear brake mount
- quality, if it means it costs a little extra, ill go with that
- this one is complicated, i ride here in Savannah ga, i want this bike for everything, im selling three other bikes to get it, so... i need (or want) a snappy stiff setup ( track like... right) but i want a forgiving front end (for department, do carbon bars help with this?) cobble stone is a *****
sooo.... im really looking to explore the possibility of a carbon fork, adding one that is
- i don't care about fender or rack mounts
- no compact geometry
- don't care about wheel clearance either
- weight, i do like light bikes



so from that point there are two main options (duh)

build

buy

ok, that one is easy, since im on a 500 ball park budget, with a little headroom, im probably going to be looking to buy to get the most out of my money

if i where to build, this thread would be much much longer

moving on, here are my current buying options that i am exploring


-Surley Steamroller complete

https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Bicycle.aspx#

a little above my price range, but im ok with that, i know surley makes great stuff, im not sure if its worth the extra though, because it is heavier that other bikes, other concern is no rear brake, kinda looking for that one,

-Raleigh Rush Hour( 2008)

https://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=426

i didn't even realize that this new years model was out yet, unti i went to link it, this looks very promising, and offers all of the things i want in a bike, my only coscern then being long term holdup, and quality of components, if anyone can remark on that, please do.



Mercier Kilo TT

https://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm

light, snappy, has brake mounts, appreanly this little guy is quite a nice ride, and its dirt cheap, but then again many here have said it has quite poor component quality??, so maybe ill spend all that extra money replacing things, once again, please try and pursuade me on way or the other on this bike, its one of my favorite options right now

IRO - Various bikes, you tell me

https://www.irofixedgear.com/index.as...ATS&Category=2

seem to make good stuff, yet , i dont know apples from oranges when it comes to what bike of theirs is right for me

Bianchi - Pista right... thats the one i might want

https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Bike+07.aspx#

ive seen alot of these, and that kinda makes me not want one, but then again there might be a good reason for their popularity

-Windsor - the hour

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm

pos? kilo better buy?

-motobecane messenger track-

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../messenger.htm

same deal? kilo better buy? it does have brakes, and i like it for that reason, would save me a few bucks on the calipers, levers, bla bla


ok, so those are my options that i have found in the past couple weeks, please please recommend more if you have better ones, and i know you will all fly in here with your opinions so that wont be a problem

im going bike crazy right now, and i need your aid

-thanks

ian

fixedup

If I was you, I would spend a little more and get the steamroller, you'll be happy that you did.

edit: it has a place for a rear brake if you need to add one, they're not expensive.

dewthedew

for the past month or so ive been looking at all of these bikes.. the kilo tt just got back instock today and i gave in and bought one.. its such a great deal. ill have money left over to buy upgrades. For my first fixie i think i really cant go wrong with a kilo tt. how do you like savannah Ga? i want to move there.

kmart

The levers on the Moto Messenger are adequate at best. The brake calipers are quite spongy. If you do wet weather or winter riding down steep hills, you'll wish you had a stiffer brake. The frame has quick handling, although some (me) might call it a bit twitchy.

The LT

what about a jamis sputnik?

huerro

If you are looking for something you can ride the rough stuff with, consider the IRO Rob Roy [edit: or steamroller] or another bike with big clearances. Bigger tires at lower pressure will be much more forgiving on cobbles and fire roads and you can pump them back up for less rolling resistance when you need to.

sfcrossrider

I'd get the Raleigh one way.

134k

I actually went through this dilema this past summer as well. It was toss up between a Paddywagon, a Sputnik and a Pista. I ended up with the Pista. I also thought about the Kilo TT, but I didn't wanna buy/ride a bike that I couldn't test ride and although everyone here had great reviews on it, that didn't mean anything to me. I wanted to see and feel it in person before I dropped some money down. Test ride the bikes, which I did for all 3. For some reason the Pista appealed to me the most, and I liked how my body felt on the Pista after test riding an 07' model. I got the 08' model. It's gonna really matter on how you feel about the bike. Take into consideration everyone's opinion...but make the call on your own, and not on just what everyone has to say about it. It's YOUR bike-

bikesdirect_com

Can I point out - we too sell the Surly Streamroller
with no sales tax and free shipping in 48 states

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...teamroller.htm

If track is your intention; my opinion - you can not beat a Kilo TT
If street only - Messenger is a great value

And of course, I am bais. But I can tell you we sell thousands of track bikes from the 4 we sell - there must be a reason.

But no matter which you get; I know you will love SS / Track -- it is pure fun.

mike

bikesdirect_com

My experience is brake pads make a bigger difference than most realize. We see no issues with these brakes here; but if I wanted more braking power; I would start with the pads.

david3558

Ordered mine a while back, have you guys even shipped them yet? Site says 16th ship date, checked UPS no update.

akaio

The sputnik may be an option too, especially since it comes with a carbon fork (why buy another fork if you really just are thinking of replacing it?). It breaks your price range, but the components on it are pretty good for out of the box. And the new '08s are lookin even more slick than the '07s, and the gearing is more appropriate on them. The only thing you will want to add is a brake/lights and you will be good to go for a long time.

But if price is more of a concern, then prolly go for the kilo or maybe the pista. Test ride anything you can in your area to get a better sense of what you want.

marqueemoon

If you can live with the slightly sloping top tube the Kona Paddy Wagon is a great bike for your application. It comes stock with two brakes, has quality hubs, and a compliant fork (without being noodly).

bikesdirect_com

yes
they have shipped

if you like
please PM me your name and I'll track yours down

bikes went out Thursday I think

i86o

well, thanks for all the responses guys, to start, i do really like savannah, i go to scad ( www.scad.edu)

went to the lbs, picked up a new lock, and talked to the owner for a good while

decided i dont want the pista, to many of them in my area, and i would just rather not have it,

i dont want a paddy wagon, i dont like the frame

the sputnik is awesome, perfect, but just to expensive

not feeling the one way

screw the windsor

screw the motobecane




now its down to the nitty gritty

Kilo TT
Rush Hour 08
Steam Roller
IRO angus or mark V

really, the two most promising are the kilo and the rush hour, kilo + a few bucks of upgrades, mmmm

rush hour is just all around a good buy it seems, the o8 is nice im a fan

hrmmmm

dirtylaundry

don't do it. Stick to your mountain or road bike. Fixed bikes are closed to noobs. Sorry. Goodnight.

i86o

look here *******, get out of my thread, first of all, poor use of noob, second of all, go **** yourself

umarth

What does the man really want? I think you'll probably be happy with any of them- but I'd spring for IRO because they are a small company and their reviews are great. And you can give Tony a call and he'll get you the bike that fits your needs. Otherwise, I've read solid reviews of the Kilo TT and it will save you money.

shakeNbake

It's called satire. Look it up.

Second of all, unless your footing the server bill, lay off on the "my thread" act.

Chill down.

bedian

Cannondale Capo

i86o

satire? what parts of the internets does this satire derive from?

i86o

im a big fan of that one actually

but its to expensive

dewthedew

oh nice you go to scad! thats the school i want to move there for.

ilikebikes

Although Ive never owned one all I here talk of is the Surley Steamroller, Ive heard people in just about every bike shop Ive been to rave about it, I figure if so many people like it why not try it

fixedup

JUST GET THE STEAMROLLER, goddamnit