Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - First SS question.

Hey im new to the forum. Looking to buy a first roadbike. Im debating between the motobecane track and the windsor hour. I also wanted to know the the public census was on the unmarked vilano bikes with the flip flop hubs: http://www.vilanobikes.com/fixed-gear-bikes/fixed-gear-single-speed-track-bike.html.

These seem to be a bit lower quality than the other two bikes listed above. Im just looking for something to start out on and not spend a ton of cash.

Thanks a lot.

If you are looking at bikes Direct then take a look at the Kilo TT

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

hey thanks for the response. i was looking at that, but 400$ is more than i want to spend. Is there a huge quality jump between the kilo tt and the motobecane track?

I wouldn't call it a huge jump, but I'm not a big fan of the Kilo anyway. If I were you I'd look at the Windsors on clearance sale. BD is trying to move the old models and they're really cheap right now. A good choice if they're available in your size.

hey thanks for the response. i was looking at that, but 400$ is more than i want to spend. Is there a huge quality jump between the kilo tt and the motobecane track?

I would say check the Windsor too if there is one in your size still available.

right on, i think a 52 should fit me. And as for the this bike: http://www.amazon.com/TRACK-FIXED-FIXIE-SINGLE-SPEED/dp/B004WA67HE/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1357861577&sr=1-3&keywords=fixed+gear. Is it just a total waste of cash/POS?

i think you know the answer to that

i think you know the answer to that

+1

so its good then?

psych!

....well never mind then...


edit: psych!

Oh, man. We sell those unmarked Vilanos at our shop. They suck so hard. Do not buy one. The variation among component spec varies with each batch, and even among color for some odd reason (ex: all the red ones we got had cartrige BBs, while others had adjustable BBs). The biggest weakness with those bikes is the cheap single-pivot brakeset matched to crappy levers; they don't stop worth a lick. The wheelset is also quite crappy, with awful tires. AND the bar tape is some weird rubbery crap... Seriously, don't get one of them.

Seriously, don't get one of them.

Get two.

Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate it. In addition to looking on BD ive been searching around craigslist. Im very new to bikes, and have little to know knowledge on components, so apologies for the many questions. I was wondering if anyone had heard anything about a company called virtue? I found this: http://ventura.craigslist.org/bik/3465541927.html. and its kinda everything im looking for, just dont know if its good quality or not. Thanks.

For some reason I've always loved the Dawes Alum bikes in the SS section of BD, seems like a great cash to bike value too...

A little research determined that the Virtue is one cent cheaper if you buy it new. http://www.roadwarriorbicycles.com/virtue1.html

I'd pass.

i appreciate all the help from you guys. I think im gonna go with the windsor hour. Hopefully this is my last question for awhile: I wanna throw a freewheel on there in addition to the fixed. Ive never really done anything on bikes and wanted to know if anybody had a reccomendation of one that was a good price to quality ratio. Not looking to spend a lot of money on it, but don't wanna just throw a cheap piece of crap on there. Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

You really cant go wrong with a Shimano freewheel but they do go out and for a few few bucks more you can do a White Industries and never have to worry again about your freewheel.

i appreciate all the help from you guys. I think im gonna go with the windsor hour. Hopefully this is my last question for awhile: I wanna throw a freewheel on there in addition to the fixed. Ive never really done anything on bikes and wanted to know if anybody had a reccomendation of one that was a good price to quality ratio. Not looking to spend a lot of money on it, but don't wanna just throw a cheap piece of crap on there. Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

Any freewheel will do, ideally it'll have slots so you can take it off without destroying it. Figure on spending $15-25 for a decent freewheel.

Does that bike come with brakes on it? Might be back to the drawing board.

E: the Hour doesn't come with brakes, but the Hour PLUS comes with free (for $20 more) brakes. Spend the $20, take them off, whatever, but HAVE the option of brakes.

They included a free rear brake with my order, schweet. Also a 16t 1/8 freewheel is what will fit right?

If you're going to run a freewheel, you'll want to have both front and rear brakes. 1/8 will fit if your chain is also 1/8.

I ended up deciding to go against the windsor. I got this bike thats super underground instead. I dont think anyones heard of it. Its called the takara kabuto. I scored a sweet deal from a buddy for 250$.

pretty stoked!

I ended up deciding to go against the windsor. I got this bike thats super underground instead. I dont think anyones heard of it. Its called the takara kabuto. I scored a sweet deal from a buddy for 250$.

Not much of a buddy. Sold you a piece of ****, and even charged you nearly double.
http://www.amazon.com/Takara-Kabuto-Single-Speed-Road/dp/B004W8LG1S



Might want to rethink that friendship, and might also want to take the advice you ask for next time.

You got ripped off, should have stuck with the windsor.

I ended up deciding to go against the windsor. I got this bike thats super underground instead. I dont think anyones heard of it. Its called the takara kabuto. I scored a sweet deal from a buddy for 250$.

:wtf: Alright, where's the hidden camera? What the Christ man.

Is the fork on backwards?

I ended up deciding to go against the windsor. I got this bike thats super underground instead. I dont think anyones heard of it. Its called the takara kabuto. I scored a sweet deal from a buddy for 250$.

successful troll is successful.

I lol'd