Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 2009 Dawes SST-AL?

I am getting back into cycling, and i want a SS. This bike really catches my eye, the geometry...the price...it all looks good.

If anyone rides one, do you like it? Any problems with it?

I would change some things about the bike, like putting hoods on it.....i gotta have those.

I am getting back into cycling, and i want a SS. This bike really catches my eye, the geometry...the price...it all looks good.

If anyone rides one, do you like it? Any problems with it?

I would change some things about the bike, like putting hoods on it.....i gotta have those.

If I were going to buy one of the Bikes Direct SS/FG bikes, I would get that one. It doesn't look the best IMO, but I think its more suited to road riding than the others. It does need hoods however.

The Motobecane Messenger is also set up well for road riding (with hoods even!!), but I don't care for the threaded headset/fork or the cheap looking wheels.

The Kilo TT pro is nice as well, but not worth the additional cost.

Get the Dawes SST AL

The Kilo TT pro is nice as well, but not worth the additional cost.

Get the Dawes SST AL


The additional cost is for parts that most people are gonna buy anyways as an upgrade from the regular Kilo so the extra $130 for better cranks, wheels and a brake kit sure as hell make it worth it.

The Dawes is on my radar for my next bike and I like it cause its geometry is more relaxed. the decals can be removed too, not like BD to put the decals on top for any of their bikes. It does need hoods instead of the cross brakes and I would go with a Carbon fork but for the price it is definitely a steal. On another thread discussing this bike Mike from BD said he was gonna change this bike to offer hoods and a Carbon fork in the near future so I'm thinking of waiting to see what he adds to it before I pick one up.

On another thread discussing this bike Mike from BD said he was gonna change this bike to offer hoods and a Carbon fork in the near future so I'm thinking of waiting to see what he adds to it before I pick one up.

Those are sensible changes.
I'm still waiting to see the Motobecane Pro Track, which is supposed to be available sometime soon.

I would go with hoods, and new fork as well. I may just hold out to see if a newer better model comes out. But at 359.99.....its just hard to pass up...

yeah I wanna get in on it before they upgrade and raise the price but most likely it will still be decent. The only issue with that is it will be hoods and a fork of their choice not mine.

The battle is between this bike and the Phantom Cross Uno now . . . damn choices! :D

I've been eyeing that bike for over a month now and have been going back and forth between that, the windsor, and the kilo tt. Figured with the added accessories (e.g. brakes/upgraded wheels/etc...) it's a better deal. I finally pulled the trigger and bought the bike last week. It should arrive in the next few days. I'll give a picture review once it gets here.

Please do start a new thread reviewing this bike, don't know anyone that has gotten one and I'm sure the forum would appreciate a review of it.

This may be totally stupid, but does anyone use clip-on aero bars on SS's? I am thinking about using some on this bike if i get it.

Keep in mind that i plan on riding a MAX of 30miles per ride (probably keep it to around 10-15..at a high pace).

I wouldn't just cause the position to get into aero bars just isn't very comfy to me but I see no reason why you couldn't just cause the bike only has one gear.

Another dumb question...

Will brakes like ( http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=171 ) work with the handle bars on this particular bike? Or would a different set of handlebars would be needed..

yeah road levers work on those bars.

can we talk more about the motobecane pro track now?

Sounds neat. I would also like to learn more. am i thread jacking?

I just bought Syntace C2 Clip-on aero bars today off Craigslist for my Windsor Hour. First ride was great, I like all the extra hand positions.

Sounds neat. I would also like to learn more. am i thread jacking?

we are unlikely to learn more until the bd guy gets the test sample, makes a complete assessment, and finalizes the order before he'll let any reputable hype out. all we really know is aero tubing, aluminum, light, stiff, and dura-ace level components. we don't know price, shape(though everyone wanted a cutout seat tube and he had said that he was working on/looking at something that looked a lot like the former fuji track pros), weight, sizes, or anything. i just hope it's not:

-weird looking like the new leader 735tr
-a complete knockoff of the old 735tr
-anything like a leader
-too similar to a pista concept
-too dissimilar to a pista concept

i kinda want it to be in between a felt tk2 and a coltello- aero as hell but still a little traditional. that or like a trek t1 but with the concept's wheel cutout.

i'm really just expecting a near clone of the masi coltello with more paint choices, a solid (not color banded like the masi) paint scheme, dura-ace components in some key areas(hubs, cranks maybe? though that would drive the price up and then what's the point?), and some aero road bars with throwaway saddle and pedals... or maybe even no saddle and pedals.

my huge hope is that whatever frame they use, they'll offer it as a frameset through bikeisland to compete or even undercut leader's aero frames. since the kilo frameset is at 200 now i'm not expecting it to be under 300, but under 350 would be nice.

the sst aluminum is cool but it's not a tight clearance aero track bike, and it's not going to pull any business from leader or some of the more serious brands(masi, bianchi, felt, whatnot)

i'd rather it be under 550 complete and come with andel/alien/kazane cranks and vuelta low spoke count wheels than have it be a 1000 dollar bargain with full dura-ace and mavic ellipse wheels. then again i'd probably kill a nun and rob a church to buy something like that. i don't even think that kind of deal is possible. if it's much higher than 550 i'd consider a felt tk3 instead... or a :gasp: leader.

we are unlikely to learn more until the bd guy gets the test sample, makes a complete assessment, and finalizes the order before he'll let any reputable hype out. all we really know is aero tubing, aluminum, light, stiff, and dura-ace level components. we don't know price, shape(though everyone wanted a cutout seat tube and he had said that he was working on/looking at something that looked a lot like the former fuji track pros), weight, sizes, or anything. i just hope it's not:

-weird looking like the new leader 735tr
-a complete knockoff of the old 735tr
-anything like a leader
-too similar to a pista concept
-too dissimilar to a pista concept

i kinda want it to be in between a felt tk2 and a coltello- aero as hell but still a little traditional. that or like a trek t1 but with the concept's wheel cutout.

i'm really just expecting a near clone of the masi coltello with more paint choices, a solid (not color banded like the masi) paint scheme, dura-ace components in some key areas(hubs, cranks maybe? though that would drive the price up and then what's the point?), and some aero road bars with throwaway saddle and pedals... or maybe even no saddle and pedals.

my huge hope is that whatever frame they use, they'll offer it as a frameset through bikeisland to compete or even undercut leader's aero frames. since the kilo frameset is at 200 now i'm not expecting it to be under 300, but under 350 would be nice.

the sst aluminum is cool but it's not a tight clearance aero track bike, and it's not going to pull any business from leader or some of the more serious brands(masi, bianchi, felt, whatnot)

i'd rather it be under 550 complete and come with andel/alien/kazane cranks and vuelta low spoke count wheels than have it be a 1000 dollar bargain with full dura-ace and mavic ellipse wheels. then again i'd probably kill a nun and rob a church to buy something like that. i don't even think that kind of deal is possible. if it's much higher than 550 i'd consider a felt tk3 instead... or a :gasp: leader.

:thumb: Its Creepy how much i liked everything you just said.

I ride a 52cm SST-AL (I'm 5'7", 145lbs) that I got a few weeks ago. I've done a few 20-mile rides, but it's still a little too close to winter around here. So far I'm pretty happy, but I'm still making adjustments to the fit to find the most comfortable position.

I'll confess to replacing the seat with a Fizik Pave that I had lying around, and clipless pedals. I installed the rear brake that was included with the bike and rode with the stock bars (which were 44cm -- my road bike has 38s) and the stock brake levers. I didn't really like going without hoods, and since the bars were much too wide for me, I picked up Nitto Noodle handlebars at 40cm and Tektro aero brake levers. Since I already had the saddle, and got everything else off ebay, I'm in a little over $100 for the bars, levers, tape, pedals, and wireless cycle computer.

I need to put some more miles into this setup to be sure it's right, but I find it more comfortable than the stock parts. I'm a roadie by nature, and most of my rides are 20-40 miles on flat to rolling hills. My only shorter rides are tooling around town with my kids.

Riding and working on the bike has been an education in fixedness. On my road bike my cadence is generally 90+ ... on the fixed gear, particularly on hills or into the wind, I'm forced to generate a lot of force at lower cadences. It's a different kind of workout. I went fixed because I wanted something that would rekindle my interest in cycling. I went cheap (bikesdirect) because I wanted to try a fixed gear without plunking down too much $. Apparently I buy a new bike every 10 years. This one is my 50th birthday present to myself.

So far, so good. I'll be posting a pictorial review on my blog shortly (now that I'm done with my upgrades); I'll post a link.

edit: I need to update my sig

I'll probably do the same upgrades, pedals, hoods, brakes (might aswell pick up some tektro brakes with the hoods...its the same price), and saddle.

Cant wait to see that pictorial...

I'll probably do the same upgrades, pedals, hoods, brakes (might aswell pick up some tektro brakes with the hoods...its the same price), and saddle.

Cant wait to see that pictorial...

Well, here ya go ... for anyone who's interested, the link is to an extensive pictorial review of the Dawes SST-AL purchased from bikesdirect.com, including the unpacking and assembly, first ride, early upgrades, and five-week retrospective.

http://www.trvth.org/2009/03/dawes-sst-al-pictorial-review.html

Well, here ya go ... for anyone who's interested, the link is to an extensive pictorial review of the Dawes SST-AL purchased from bikesdirect.com, including the unpacking and assembly, first ride, early upgrades, and five-week retrospective.

http://www.trvth.org/2009/03/dawes-sst-al-pictorial-review.html

Awesome work on the review, its exactly what this bike needs other than manufacturer's info. If you're looking for a decent and affordable carbon fork look at performance and nashbar, they carry forks under $100 and sometimes you can get take offs on ebay for even less. If I could ask just one favor, could you take a picture of both front and rear brake calipers showing tire clearance, I would very much appreciate it since I kinda want to see how big of a tire one can stuff into this frame. Thanks and :thumb:

Very cool! I'm trying to get a friend to purchase one of these, and your review helps me feel more confident that I'm recommending a quality bike from a reliable merchant. Did you find bikesdirect's weight estimate to be pretty accurate (21 lbs i think)?

The price is right, i like the looks, i am just afraid i will be left wanting gears.....

^ fixed gear bikes are still "trendy", so you can just sell the bike on CL for a good chunk of money to some noob who's willing to pay way too much for a fixed gear, after you ride the crap out of it and realize you want gears of course. Or you might realize that a single speed is enough for your needs, in that case, enjoy the bike.

Well, here ya go ... for anyone who's interested, the link is to an extensive pictorial review of the Dawes SST-AL purchased from bikesdirect.com, including the unpacking and assembly, first ride, early upgrades, and five-week retrospective.

http://www.trvth.org/2009/03/dawes-sst-al-pictorial-review.html

Excellent. You did all the work for me :thumb:. I received my SST-AL last Friday and your review was pretty much spot on. Only difference was that my bike is a 58cm.

Excellent. You did all the work for me :thumb:. I received my SST-AL last Friday and your review was pretty much spot on. Only difference was that my bike is a 58cm.

Don't want to turn this into a twin of the KILO TT thread but about how tall are you and how well does the 58 fit you? Cause I ride a 55cm Kilo that's technically a 58 but their geo measurements for this bike got me wondering if I should ride a smaller frame? Also pics please! :D

Don't want to turn this into a twin of the KILO TT thread but about how tall are you and how well does the 58 fit you? Cause I ride a 55cm Kilo that's technically a 58 but their geo measurements for this bike got me wondering if I should ride a smaller frame? Also pics please! :D

I'm 6'2 with an inseam of 34". The 58cm fits perfectly but I think I can probably fit the next size up if needed. I really wish I could conjure up some sort of size/geo comparison but since this is my second "real" bike, I wouldn't even know how.

A couple of things to note:

1. The crank arm length on the 58cm is 172.5mm.
2. the lockring on the fixed cog definitely needs to be "re-"tightened before riding.
3. I greased up every single moving part on the bike during assembly and would advise everyone else to do the same thing.
4. The stem and pedals are crap. The drops will be replaced shortly, too.
5. The reflectors, pedals, freewheel, and rear brake were not pre-installed on the bike which made assembly a breeze since they weren't going to go on it anyways.
6. Surprisingly, the stock seat is very comfortable. I may just keep it instead of upgrading it right away.
7. Wheels seem to be fairly trued. I was able to take it out on a quick spirited ride immediately after assembly. Unfortunately, I can't say much about the tires.


Here are a few pictures (taken w/ my only imaging device at the time; Blackberry Curve) :(.
http://uploader.ws/upload/200903/d1.jpg
http://uploader.ws/upload/200903/d2.jpg
http://uploader.ws/upload/200903/d3.jpg
http://uploader.ws/upload/200903/d4.jpg
http://uploader.ws/upload/200903/d5.jpg
http://uploader.ws/upload/200903/d6.jpg

Very cool! I'm trying to get a friend to purchase one of these, and your review helps me feel more confident that I'm recommending a quality bike from a reliable merchant. Did you find bikesdirect's weight estimate to be pretty accurate (21 lbs i think)?

Yeah, that 21 pounds is about right. I'm thinking I measured the 52cm at 20.5 pounds with the stock saddle and no rear brake. That might have been without pedals; I'm not exactly sure what state it was in when I put it on the scale.




Awesome work on the review, its exactly what this bike needs other than manufacturer's info. If you're looking for a decent and affordable carbon fork look at performance and nashbar, they carry forks under $100 and sometimes you can get take offs on ebay for even less. If I could ask just one favor, could you take a picture of both front and rear brake calipers showing tire clearance, I would very much appreciate it since I kinda want to see how big of a tire one can stuff into this frame. Thanks and :thumb:

I don't ride big tires, so I'm not sure what size will fit on this bike. The current tires are 700x25, so they're pretty skinny. Here are a couple of quickie shots of the front and rear brakes -- does this show you enough to judge by?

And thanks for the heads up on after market forks. If I stick with this bike I may go that route eventually. My road bike has a steel fork and might get jealous, though!

Thanks again for the info.

That is exactly what I needed to see, thanks so much for the pictures. The reason I needed to see that was that I'm debating between this bike and the phantom cross uno and since it looks like it has clearance for 32s (maybe) I might go with this one. Thanks again.

Hey guys, I am really debating buying this bike. I just have a few questions that maybe someone can help me out.

First, I plan on using this bike on dirt trails that are for the most part, pretty smooth. Do you think the 700x25 tires will be ok for this?

I am looking at a 52cm (I am 5'9), does anyone know the crank arm length for that size? (trvth, maybe you can answer this?)

Is the fork aluminum or steel? To the people that have the bike, how does the frame feel for being aluminum?

Well, I guess that is it for now. I see this bike in my garage in the near future, I just want to make sure it is exactly what I'm looking for :thumb:

Hey guys, I am really debating buying this bike. I just have a few questions that maybe someone can help me out.

First, I plan on using this bike on dirt trails that are for the most part, pretty smooth. Do you think the 700x25 tires will be ok for this?

I am looking at a 52cm (I am 5'9), does anyone know the crank arm length for that size? (trvth, maybe you can answer this?)

Is the fork aluminum or steel? To the people that have the bike, how does the frame feel for being aluminum?

Well, I guess that is it for now. I see this bike in my garage in the near future, I just want to make sure it is exactly what I'm looking for :thumb:

1. I would go with 28s on dirt trails, even if smooth they can get slippery and from the looks of the clearance I would bet this bike can fit those size tires without a problem.

2. BD says the smaller sizes come with 165mm arms

3. BD specs: Chro-moly fork

Don't own the bike so I can't answer the other questions about ride quality but from previous experience with aluminum road bikes, its gonna ride a bit buzzy and harsh over less than perfect roads. Go with a carbon fork and bigger tires for that.