Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Kilo TT Pro vs. Pista vs. Mark V ... FIGHT

Hi All,

I am here because this seems to be THE only source for good knowledge on fixed/single speed bikes out there. I am looking to get my first bike, and need some advice. I am 6'4" with a 34-35" inseam. I want this as both a commuter bike, and something i might take on ~15 mile road rides to get some good fitness in. My cap is at around $800. I know some of these are cheaper and less than my limit would be great, but I also want something that I can grow into. Parts will come and go, but the frame remains. Any and all advice is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance.

-Steve

kilo tt for cheapness. where some people have said the kilo is on some levels better than a pista~ but a bianchi is a bianchi~ good =/= cheap, cheap =/= good, right?

I have a Flight 100, Same thing as a Kilo and I love it. I have upgraded pretty much everything but the crank set. I have taken it on 50 mile rides and love it.The only thing I dont like is not bosses for cages, but you just figure out a way around it.

the pista would be my last choice

1. IRO
2. Pista
3. Kilo

Still, based on the kind of riding you want to do, you might also consider looking into bikes with a little more relaxed geometry than the Pista and Kilo, depending on how far your commute is or if you think you'll want to start doing longer rides. The Bianchi San Jose and Masi Speciale Fixed come to mind.

Mark V. You can do a lot with it.
Check out my photo reel of what I've done with it
IRO Photo Set (http://flickr.com/photos/gyeswho/sets/72157604504885885/)

IRO, the design is perfect for commuting and longer rides. You can really do a lot with them.

I really like my IRO Angus, which is the same exact geometry as the Mark V. I have never ridden a properly set up and sized for me Pista, but my IRO's handling is much snappier than the handling on my road bike [which is a moderately aggressive older steel Schwinn]. It is great for city riding, and I really like the simplicity of the Angus. I bought the Angus for the quill stem and Reynolds steel and because I knew I didn't want to ride a SS.

Depending on where you live, at the end of this month, IRO is having a cash only sale where any of their bikes are $500 if you come to their PA shop.

i have both the Mark V and the TT Pro and i'd say go with either or, both great bikes.

mark v

Mark V. You can do a lot with it.
Check out my photo reel of what I've done with it
IRO Photo Set (http://flickr.com/photos/gyeswho/sets/72157604504885885/)


what's the biggest set of tires you've put on your iro? those tires look really big and I'm wondering how big I can go.

what's the biggest set of tires you've put on your iro? those tires look really big and I'm wondering how big I can go.

I'd like to know also. The IRO site says 28c's, but I want to mount cyclocross tires and the smallest I've found are 30c.

i think if i remember correctly he got some 32 cross tires in there.

I just build a Kilo and i will probably go for a Mark V.

They're all great bikes, go for what you can afford and like best cause you can't go wrong with any of them as long as you ride it.

I have a Pista and love it, but the Iro would probably be better for commuting just cause of its versatility.

I'd like to know also. The IRO site says 28c's, but I want to mount cyclocross tires and the smallest I've found are 30c.

I've used 32mm Ritchey Speedmax Cross tires. I'd honestly say you should go with the Surly Steamroller (get it at Universal Cycles.com and use code - VIP15 to get a 15% discount and free shipping) if you want to have large tires without issues. I was actually pushing the limit with those tires on my IRO because the axle bolts on my hubs allowed me to place them a bit further in the dropouts to make rooom for the larger tires. Here's a pic of a Steamroller with 42mm tires
http://forums.mtbr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=409220&stc=1&d=1226882798

or you could use the same code and get a crosscheck and fit 50mm tires with room to spare:D I sold my IRO because of the versatility that can be had with the Surly Crosscheck
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3300511603_443224b394_b.jpg

thank you everyone for the advice! I am not sure if this is an easier decision or not. I think I care most about the frame. Any ideas on which one the Kilo TT pro or the IRO Mark V? Also will they fit the same?

-Steve

the Kilo TT pro and the killo TT are the same frame. the Pro is not a worthy investment to someone who is replacing parts, so eliminate that one. I've ridden both the TT and Mark V frames and I personally really like the way the TT rides and i've had no problem doing 40 mile rides on mine. For commuting the Mark V is going to give you more options for tires as said before. It comes down to preference if you think you will throw a 32 tire in there then go for the Mark V if not I'd go Kilo and save some money and have IMO a better looking frame.

did u get one yet? if so what did you get

so whats the difference between angus and mark v? I know angus has better tubing and is more expensive.
Im thinking angus u get less tire options, no options for SS, less clearance so probably you can't put fenders on an agnus, and a quill stem rather than threadless like mark v. Are those correct?
Their geometry is same right?

I'm thinking I would get IRO over TT. The toe overlap the TT has really kills it for me. Esp if u got fenders on and ur toe overlap keeps hitting the fenders, its annoying. I have an old blue aluminum trek road bike with surprisingly steep HT and ST angles, and my toes are always hitting the fender I mounted on the front wheel for that bike.

i love my kilo ... then again its more expensive than the others when you are sick with upgrade fever.

I'm between a kilo and mark V. I wouldn't be if bike island would have 50cm in stock..(black or white) im almost about to get that orange frame and paint it.. ugh.

I'd choose the Mark V.

I would prefer the Angus with no brazeons though.

Love my Angus. I'd definately recommend IRO.

And for an around town bike, I really love that my toes don't overlap with medium MKS cages.

And I have 25mm tires on it, and there is a decent amount of clearance. Not really sure why you'd really need tires bigger than 28mm, though. 25mm's work fine for me, and I definately do my fair share of riding off small (less than 2 ft.) drops.

Why would you choose the Mark V?