Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - noob question Dawes sst vs. SE Draft

I recently decided to buy a SS to be used as a commuter bike in Boston. I went to my LBS and bought a SE Draft. Before I bought the the SE Draft I thought I had done a lot of research and well it turned out I had not because I then found BD. After searching on here and reading many threads on the BD bikes I'm not sure what to do. My question is for a budget/entry level bike would you return the SE Draft and purchase a Dawes SST or the Windsor Clockwork. Im leaning towards the dawes. Since I bought the SE Draft at a LBS there is service that is included in w/ my purchase there (I believe for one yr) and the draft is warrantied through them. This is the main factor in keeping the draft. sorry to be asking such a noob question.

I would return the draft, you would be happier with the dawes or windsor.
The draft is there cheapest ss model with a one piece crank.
The dawes has nicer components and will probably be easier to tinker with when it comes time to change out parts.

Yeah seems to be what I have been told from various ppl.

thanx for the response

How much can you spend on a bike and what are you using it for?
The kilo tt is a nice ride too, also on BD.
It goes for 350.

I am going to be using the bike to commute into boston for school in teh fall. Im just looking for a simple SS to get to and from school ~4miles each way (mainly city riding). Isnt the kilo a FG? I don't think Im ready for an FG in the city, maybe in the future, but not now. I could spend up the $350 but the $319 is a little more attractive. Is there a big difference between the the Dawes and the Kilo? TIA

The difference between the kilo and dawes is the geo, the kilo has steeper angles and a tighter wheelbase and can be set up for ss if you wish. It sounds like the dawes or windsor will suit your purposes perfectly. You could always try riding fixed later on too by throwing a cog on there.
Have fun~

cool thanks. I appreciate you help

Actually the new SE Draft has a 3 pc crank and Euro BB now. The old models had the 1 pc.

Here are the specs compared to the Dawes. Almost the same geo's.

Seat tube length Top tube length Head tube angle Seat tube angle Chainstay Length BB Height
Dawes SST 49cm 539 72 74 409 282
SE Draft 49cm 539 72 74 415 282
Dawes SST 52cm 545 72 74 409 282
SE Draft 52cm 546 72 74 415 282
Dawes SST 54cm 555 72 74 409 282
SE Draft 54cm 555 72 74 415 282
Dawes SST 56cm 559 72 74 409 282
SE Draft 56cm 560 72 74 415 282
Dawes SST 58cm 563 72 74 409 282
SE Draft 58cm 563 72 74 415 282
Dawes SST 61cm 570 72 74 409 282
SE Draft 61cm 570 72 74 415 282

I got the Dawes SST-AL and couldn't be happier. Crankset is FSA, comes with front and rear brakes and a ss freewheel. I never installed the rear brake or the freewheel, but they are included. I'm pretty sure that neither of those things are included with the Kilo TT.

Looks a little diff now, but you get the idea...

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs102.snc1/5012_91948428140_507013140_1978902_8127383_n.jpg

dawes - 4130
draft - hi ten

nuff sed.

The Dawes is a fine commuter. I commute 8 miles each way to work every day on mine. I threw on some commuter-friendly parts that I had sitting around, but all the major parts are stock. The brake levers that come on the bullhorns felt cheap to me, but worked fine. I'm happy with it.

cool thanks for all the answers and pics (bikes look sweet). I'm going to return the draft tomorrow and order the Dawes. Thanks again

The Draft is utter garbo all around. If you're going to get that and upgrade it, it loses the only thing it has going for it, a bargain basement price.

well I returned the Draft last night and should be ordering the SST this weekend. Is it hard to convert the SST to FG if I want to go that route in the future?

ordered the Dawes SST 56cm in Flat Black on SAT can't wait to get it! Thanks for the help and I will prob have more questions in the future....

Naw it's easy kapfive. Buy a cog and lockring and throw em on the fixed threaded side. Use a lockring tool! or you can do it with a chain...

Actually the new SE Draft has a 3 pc crank and Euro BB now. The old models had the 1 pc.



This. The Draft is unfortunately hi ten steel, which may or may not be damning (I'm pretty new to bikes). I'm in roughly the same boat op, although looking more to try fixed--have you looked at a Torker U District? I'm not sure how well it compares to BD, but I've only heard good things about it.