Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Help me find a euro-ready single speed

I am moving to Vienna in two weeks and am considering buying my second Kilo TT. It would be mainly for getting around the neighborhood and possibly commuting to work. I'd like to turn it into a commuter and get some tires that will handle cobblestone a little better.

I don't know how to tell the maximum width of tires that will fit onto the kilo TT rims. They are '36H Aluminum Aero Section Track DoubleWall'.

Here are a few other questions as well. (Sorry, I'm a n00b)



Would I be able to mount fenders onto a kilo TT?

Is there a way to make the Kilo feel a little more upright?

If not, what bikes do you guys recommend in that price range that would be more upright?



I am buying my wife's 'Mercier Elle City' from bikesdirect.com, so if you have any recommendations from there that would be awesome.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric

I had a rear 32c on my stock Kilo rim without any trouble but that's about all the clearance I had in the frame.

I had a rear 32c on my stock Kilo rim without any trouble but that's about all the clearance I had in the frame.

Do you think I could get a 32c on the front as well?

Probably not. You may not even be able to fit a 32 in the rear. All Kilos seem to be slightly different.

If you're willing to wait until tomorrow morning, I can measure how much room there is on mine. It's a 2012 TT Pro.

I think you should get a Kilo WT though, room for racks all around, full fenders, and massive knobbies.

BikesDirect is restocking this Fall, so if they are out, and you can wait, it would be a better alternative.

I agree.

I totally would, but I am leaving in two weeks to Austria and need to ship it with me.

You are right though, that is the bike for me.... Damn


If you're willing to wait until tomorrow morning, I can measure how much room there is on mine. It's a 2012 TT Pro.

I think you should get a Kilo WT though, room for racks all around, full fenders, and massive knobbies.

BikesDirect is restocking this Fall, so if they are out, and you can wait, it would be a better alternative.

Are there any other bikesdirect bikes that you guys would recommend for my situation?

I say wait for the WT and find someone to ship it to you (my shop will gladly do it for no more than the actual shipping charge).

They have 49cm WT5's, 49cm, 59cm, and 62cm, WT's left.

So, are you really tall or really short?

Yeah I guess so. Seriously though shipping anything to Austria is outrageously expensive.

I should clarify that I sold my other Kilo TT about two years ago because I moved on top of a huge hill, which kind of ended my SS cycling activity.

Oh, Motobecane Phantom Cross Uno would work for you too. It's pretty similar actually. And they have all sizes in stock if you don't care about color.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm

5'11" haha. My old Kilo was a 55cm.


They have 49cm WT5's, 49cm, 59cm, and 62cm, WT's left.

So, are you really tall or really short?

5'11" haha. My old Kilo was a 55cm.


We have so much in common! I'm moving to Austria too!

What about the Windsor Timeline?

We have so much in common! I'm moving to Austria too!

I'm new to the forum, so I'm assuming your joking. hahah

What about the Windsor Timeline?

Yeah that looks cool and the price is right. How does it compare quality-wise with the Kilo? Does it have a more relaxed geometry?

Sorry for all of the questions, but how big is the difference between a 49cm and 55cm frame size?

If I rode a 55cm Kilo would it be crazy to order a 49cm Kilo WT5?

Sorry for all of the questions, but how big is the difference between a 49cm and 55cm frame size?

If I rode a 55cm Kilo would it be crazy to order a 49cm Kilo WT5?


If you're going to do that, just send your money to me.

Sorry for all of the questions, but how big is the difference between a 49cm and 55cm frame size?

Exactly 6 cm.


If I rode a 55cm Kilo would it be crazy to order a 49cm Kilo WT5?

Very.

If you're going to do that, just send your money to me.

I'm a little desperate...

Exactly 6 cm.



Very.

I thought so, just wanted to make sure. Too bad because I really like that Kilo WT5

Scrodzilla and Nagrom_... You guys are awesome.

I'm a little desperate...

Motobecane Phantom Cross Uno. They have your size in Black and White. It's a pretty good alternative to a WT.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm

Scrodzilla and Nagrom_... You guys are awesome.

Repay us by not buying a 49cm bike. Please.

Repay us by not buying a 49cm bike. Please.

Don't worry.

Since I took a 55cm in the Kilo TT, I'd be a 58cm in most other bikes right? because the Mercier is sized center to center?

Don't worry.

Since I took a 55cm in the Kilo TT, I'd be a 58cm in most other bikes right? because the Mercier is sized center to center?

You'd really have to compare the geo charts. A 55cm kilo has a 55cm seat tube, center to center, but it has a 56cm top tube, which is really what your worried about.

I think the issue is whether the tire will rub on your frame or fork or brakes. MTBs have used pretty wide tires on narrow rims for years.

The Gravity on BD has a sloping top tube and should be much more upright, but why not just get a bike in Austria? You could scout out some sites now. Surely there's a market for inexpensive bikes there as well as here.

I think the issue is whether the tire will rub on your frame or fork or brakes. MTBs have used pretty wide tires on narrow rims for years.

The Gravity on BD has a sloping top tube and should be much more upright, but why not just get a bike in Austria? You could scout out some sites now. Surely there's a market for inexpensive bikes there as well as here.

I have just heard that they are way more expensive there than here. I guess I should look around a bit.

Motobecane Phantom Cross Uno. They have your size in Black and White. It's a pretty good alternative to a WT.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm

What do you think about this bike? http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst_al_carb_x.htm

It would be a lot lighter than any of these chomoly frames.

What do you think about this bike? http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst_al_carb_x.htm

It would be a lot lighter than any of these chomoly frames.

Actually, not by much. They would also be a much better ride. Aluminum is pretty shaky, even with a carbon fork. This one also doesn't appear to have fender/rack mounts or clearance for large tires.


I'd go with the Uno.

I'll be the one to post it... This (http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html) is what Sheldon Brown had to say on the matter.

Repay us by not buying a 49cm bike. Please.

Hey what about a 53cm kilo tt? I found a few on BikesDirect that I like and they have them in 53cm. (My last Kilo TT was a 55cm)

I am 5'11", 170 lbs, regular length arms and legs.

I'm 5'10" and my 53cm Kilo was a little too small. If your last Kilo was a 55 and it fit you, the answer is obvious.

Also, you seem to be missing my point that a lot of Kilos have different tire clearance. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

Good to know. I think I'll stick to the 55cm.

That is so weird that they are so varied. My reason for putting on wider tires would be in case I ever have to ride over cobblestone in Vienna. Are there some like 28c tires that would be good for that kind of riding?

Randos.

Some Kilos I've seen won't even fit a 28 in the front.

Scrodzilla, can you change the title of the thread to something like "Help me find a euro-ready single speed"

Yes.

Yes.

Thanks. Well I'm pretty torn. I like the looks of the Kilo TT's and the Motobecane Track's way better the UNO or the Timeline.

Should I risk not being able to add fenders and wider tires for looks?

Here are the 4 I've narrowed it down to:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_chrome_paint.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_special_chrome.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/timeline.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/track.htm


I'm really torn. I know that the timeline would be the most logical since it comes with wider tires, but I like the looks of the Kilo TT and the Track way better. Decisions, decisions.

Get the Timeline

The TimeLine comes standard with 700x32c tires and can take wide tires up to 700x42c or even some 29x1.75".

Other track and most road bikes will be the wrong tools for the job if you really want wide tires and fenders.

Get the Timeline


Other track and most road bikes will be the wrong tools for the job if you really want wide tires and fenders.

I am new to cycling so maybe I'm not thinking about this the right way. The reason I am thinking about adding fenders and wider tires is:

a) I am thinking that some of the roads in Vienna will be too rough for thin tires 23-25c
b) I will most likely ride the bike to work, so I thought that fenders would be a good idea to keep me clean during the ride.

Do you think these are valid? I've never commuted before, and I've also never rode a bike in Europe. If they aren't, then I have no need for either fenders or wider tires.

I'd say the timeline will work well for your needs, I used to have a Windsor the hour and I felt like was actually a little bit better quality than my current kilo. I actually switched to the crankset off my Windsor once the kilos nb kept creaking, also the tru tactic touro cranks would visibly flex left to right if I was hammering on my bike and leaning it as I pedaled, the cranks off the Windsor have never done this. The moto cross UNO would be good if you were going to encounter unpacked gravel road and things like tht

From what I've noticed in Europe, most people don't really care too much about what bike they have. Actually most people try to ride something as common and undesirable looking as possible so that it doesn't get stolen. If it's going to get locked up outside I would do the same, a flashy bike really stands out here. And yes, get something that will handle wider tires, if you're new to cycling you will hate cobblestones on skinny tires.

I actually switched to the crankset off my Windsor once the kilos nb kept creaking, also the tru tactic touro cranks would visibly flex left to right if I was hammering on my bike and leaning it as I pedaled, the cranks off the Windsor have never done this.

That was the frame flexing, not the crank.

there are bike shops in europe, we even have on-line shopping! these guys (http://www.bike-discount.de/index.php) are good, they even ship into italy, quickly, that is a test. the key to online ordering in europe is, stay within the EU borders and you avoid customs delays and additional charges. the germans are the best, the uk is good but you have the pounds to euro conversion. the Italians make beautiful bikes but are not mentally suited to quick online transactions. if you return to the US and fill a suitcase with new parts, remove them from original packing before checking them as luggage, if your bags are opened at the border, your new items are "used" less import duty. you can not beat customer service from guys like scrod, the prices are tempting also, but the shipping delays and customs hassles and additional charges, make shipping into italy from the US, too much hassle. look towards german online for best parts in europe. scrod needs to open a euro shop, i know a location in rome, hint

That was the frame flexing, not the crank.

But after I switched cranks this went away?

That was your brain flexing, not the frame.

there are bike shops in europe, we even have on-line shopping! these guys (http://www.bike-discount.de/index.php) are good, they even ship into italy, quickly, that is a test. the key to online ordering in europe is, stay within the EU borders and you avoid customs delays and additional charges. the germans are the best, the uk is good but you have the pounds to euro conversion. the Italians make beautiful bikes but are not mentally suited to quick online transactions. if you return to the US and fill a suitcase with new parts, remove them from original packing before checking them as luggage, if your bags are opened at the border, your new items are "used" less import duty. you can not beat customer service from guys like scrod, the prices are tempting also, but the shipping delays and customs hassles and additional charges, make shipping into italy from the US, too much hassle. look towards german online for best parts in europe. scrod needs to open a euro shop, i know a location in rome, hint

That is good to know. I took a look at that bike shop and it does look good. A little pricier than the US, but not bad.

The company I am working for is allowing me a 1500 kg shipping allowance, so there won't be any problems with customs or anything.

Would you still recommend buying in Europe?

I would probably just buy in europe.