Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Big Tires on Dawes SST AL

Hey guys, long time lurker here. I've been into bikes my whole life and switched to fixed gear about two years ago. I just recently switched the wheel to single speed and love it. So, I feel it is time for a new build. I'm basically looking to buy a bike complete for around $400 and then looking to buy some 700x40 tires for it. This leads me to my next question, will the Dawes SST AL fit 700x40 tires?

What other $400 wide tire friendly bikes are available? The ones I know of so far are:

Windsor Timeline
Motobocane Fantom Cross Uno
Torker U District

Out of all of these choices I would take the SST AL by a long shot. I just want to make sure I'm not missing any other bikes in the $400 range, and also want to make sure the AL will take 700x40 tires (with both brakes) before pulling the trigger on it.

Thanks guys.

Don't forget the Mercier kilo wt. I got 50mm tires in between mine
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/5155147149_2190744aa9_b.jpg

Also a Mercier Kilo OS fits wide tires

from this pic of the dawes, i'm not sure you'll be fitting any 40mm tires on it
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/images/sst_al_carb_x/images/fork.jpg

My friend has the newer SST AL with the carbon fork, I assembled it for her; the clearance is very small both height and width wise for the new carbon fork, you can try 28c but 30c would definitely be pushing it... even a slightly untrue rim with a 28c tire would cause some slight tire rub on the edge of the fork.

If you got the older SST AL with the steel fork last year, fork clearance wouldn't be a problem..... :lol:

In my opinion if you want to a bike that run wider tires; the SST AL is not the bike to choose. The kilo WT (pictured above) would be the one to choose.

Mine has a 36mm gap on the carbon fork, also i 2nd the mercier wt. Thats probably your best bet

Kilo OS is out of the question because I dislike the double top tube. I don't want the WT either because I would like to stick to one speed, more motivating for rides. I either need to man up or get off and walk the bike with one-speed.

I am looking at the 2011 Torker U-District, but I'm not sure where I can order the 2011 model (silver).

I don't want the WT either because I would like to stick to one speed, more motivating for rides. I either need to man up or get off and walk the bike with one-speed.



Err the kilo WT is single speed/ fixed....

Oh wow, I completely missed the WT, I only saw the WT5.

I also noticed the Kilo WT comes with nicer components than the regular Kilo. This might be the bike I'm going to order. Is the geo any different than the regular Kilo? I'm not sure how much I am going to like tight geo with a lot of toe overlap.

Oh wow, I completely missed the WT, I only saw the WT5.

I also noticed the Kilo WT comes with nicer components than the regular Kilo. This might be the bike I'm going to order. Is the geo any different than the regular Kilo? I'm not sure how much I am going to like tight geo with a lot of toe overlap.

Haven't ridden a regular Kilo, but toe overlap will be adaptable with the WT. If you're going to ride freewheel then it will almost be non-existent

I also noticed the Kilo WT comes with nicer components than the regular Kilo. This might be the bike I'm going to order. Is the geo any different than the regular Kilo? I'm not sure how much I am going to like tight geo with a lot of toe overlap.

The Kilo WT is a totally different frameset from the Kilo TT. Much more relaxed and stretched geometry with room for wide tires (WT = wide tires), fenders and much less toe overlap than the Kilo TT. It is based on the Surly Steamroller; actually they have simply copied its geometry. The componentry on the Kilo WT is comparable to the Kilo TT Pro. I have a Kilo WT that is set up totally for general transportation.

Exactly what I wanted to hear! Ideally I would love to build up a steamroller, but I just can't spend that much on a bike that isn't my main source of transportation.

Tejano, I must have your panniers; what're their make and model? :love:

Tejano, I must have your panniers; what're their make and model? :love:

You'll need to get into your time machine and go back to the 1970s. All I know is that they were made in France in the 1970s, and imported to the USA by Mel Pinto, which was sort of a Velo Orange type of operation. Similar types of saddlebags can be found today like these >>> http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/toursacks-rear-panniers/20-215

No i have the same frame but for a road bike. I have 28cc tires right now and its pretty full. I thnk you can get some 32's thats it.

Gyeswho, or whoever else can answer this, do the brakes on the Kilo WT also clear big tires? Are those the stock brakes on the one with 50c tires?

That question may get answered better by somebody from bikesdirect. However, Im sure if you can fit the 50mm tires that are pictured between the stock brakes even if you have to hit the brake release just to get the tire in. (which you should have to do anyways.)

Gyeswho, or whoever else can answer this, do the brakes on the Kilo WT also clear big tires? Are those the stock brakes on the one with 50c tires?

yes the brakes are stock. Here are some clearance pics
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/4555446721_8dcc2ae177_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/4556075466_f6c24206fc_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/4555447537_c718ff5edf_b.jpg

i dont see the appeal of smooth tires wider than 35mm.

i dont see the appeal of smooth tires wider than 35mm.
there is a difference felt (pros/cons), but it's up to the rider if they like it or not

Tejano, I must have your panniers; what're their make and model? :love:
Try an army surplus store. The last time I visited the local one they had some nice saddle bags, they didnt have all that leather but they looked nice enough.

You'll need to get into your time machine and go back to the 1970s. All I know is that they were made in France in the 1970s, and imported to the USA by Mel Pinto, which was sort of a Velo Orange type of operation. Similar types of saddlebags can be found today like these >>> http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/toursacks-rear-panniers/20-215

Darn, wasn't even alive back then. :innocent:;)


Try an army surplus store. The last time I visited the local one they had some nice saddle bags, they didnt have all that leather but they looked nice enough.

Will try, san diego is a military town afterall.

there is a difference felt (pros/cons), but it's up to the rider if they like it or not

it seems like the point of diminishing return as there is a lot more resistance to decrease pressure a bit.