Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Got $450 to drop on a new bike/build new bike.

I have $450 to spend on a new bike either parts or to build one. These are the bikes I have in mind. Kilo TT: http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm Kilo TT PRO:http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_pro_xi.htm PhantomCross: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm Dawes: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst_al_carb_x.htm (Will this bike be better since its aluminum?)
Can someone explain the difference between the kilo tt and the kilo tt pro? So any suggestions?

Is it bad practice to get a white bike? I heard that white bikes often symbolize ghost bikes.

All of those are good choices. Is this a commuter bike? If so, I'd go Phantom Cross... cause they're kinda awesome.

Nothing wrong with a white frame. It's a ghost bike if everything else on it is white also.

TT PRo

All of those are good choices. Is this a commuter bike? If so, I'd go Phantom Cross... cause they're kinda awesome.

Nothing wrong with a white frame. It's a ghost bike if everything else on it is white also.
Yup it's going to be a commuter, any reason to get the Phantom Cross over the TT Pro which I am leaning towards?


TT PRo
I am leaning towards it haha

I would think the Phantom Cross has more comfortable geometry for longer rides (sure, that's subjective) and clearance for larger tires and fenders should you desire them at some point.

i just bought a fantom cross for my commute and so far i love it. i specifically got it for its tire/fender clearance and rack mounts. in terms of frame geometry though, it's still basically a track frame

if you don't want to use fat tires i think you should get the kilo. what is your "commute" like?

i've worked my way through 2 kilos and a khs flite 100 (same frame as kilo) and i still find myself wanting another one.

just through and about campus, however I want to use it for city riding and just cycling for fun.

where r u located?

a rural area

if you are commuting in a rural area id get the kilo WT if yr going for a BD bike

if you are commuting in a rural area id get the kilo WT if yr going for a BD bike

what benefits does the WT have over the TT?

what benefits does the WT have over the TT?

And what does this have to do with commuting in a rural area?

The WT has room for wide tires and less twitchy geometry.

In a rural area, there may be more dirt roads/paths than in the city - which is why the wider tires and less twitchy geo would make more sense.

so on the other side, what benefits does a TT have over a WT in general. Even though the area is rural there is alot of smooth pavement here.

i think the TT will be more fun.

i went to school in central illinois, so it was pretty rural once you got off campus. fat tire bikes are fun, but in reality a place like that has a lot more smooth pavement riding opportunities than off road gravel/dirt paths.

so on the other side, what benefits does a TT have over a WT in general.

None at all?

Yup it's going to be a commuter, any reason to get the Phantom Cross over the TT Pro which I am leaning towards?


I am leaning towards it haha

Wider tires, room for fenders.

I think the definition of "commuter" hasn't been established in this thread (or maybe the entire forum).

I commute on my Rush Hour, meaning sometimes I ride it to work and back home. By no means is it a typical "commuter bike" with racks for bags, panniers, fenders, etc.

It's only a commuter in the sense that I ride it to work. And when I ride it, it's only comfortable when I ride at a higher speed. If you're gonna be riding fast and you have some distance to ride, maybe the TT or Pro would be better. But if I'm riding a shorter distance at a more moderate pace, I like my Leader with wider tires and risers (which can still move when necessary).

I'd go with the bike that gives you the most options.

In a rural area, there may be more dirt roads/paths than in the city - which is why the wider tires and less twitchy geo would make more sense.

Man, the wider tires and less twitchy geometry makes sense all over the place.

Man, the wider tires and less twitchy geometry makes sense all over the place.

i think it depends what you want to use the bike for...

Man, the wider tires and less twitchy geometry makes sense all over the place.

Looks like mihlbach's been eating Dick Flakes for breakfast again.

Not that it's even relevant anymore because the OP said there's plenty of smooth pavement where he lives but are you really saying you'd rather ride a bike with "track" geo and 23c tires than one with more relaxed geo and clearance for wider tires on gravel roads?

Of course you are.

I think I'm going to go with the Mercier Kilo TT pro, thanks for the input guys! I thought about it again, commuting from class to class won't be most of the riding, riding with other riders is where most of the riding is going to take place, on the streets.

I give up.

If i get a kilo tt pro, what are some upgrades worth looking into?

None. Ride the damn thing first.

haha yeah, i am getting a bit carried away. Just don't want it to be a downgrade from my giant Reign, even though they are two totally different bikes.

Looks like mihlbach's been eating Dick Flakes for breakfast again.

Not that it's even relevant anymore because the OP said there's plenty of smooth pavement where he lives but are you really saying you'd rather ride a bike with "track" geo and 23c tires than one with more relaxed geo and clearance for wider tires on gravel roads?

Of course you are.

Get off the drugs...it will make you less angry. What I mean was, big tires and slack geo can make sense in lots of places, not just rural areas, depending on what you want/how you like to ride.

Actually in rural areas I am most familier with (mostly central IL) fat tires and slack geo don't make much sense. Most places are separated by long distances, and there aren't a lot of dirt or gravel roads that go anywhere. Everything rideable is mostly paved. A good pair of 25s or 28s work just about everywhere.

Get off the drugs...it will make you less angry.

Being "angry" is for suckers.

Upgrades for your new kilo would be a nice set of tires, best money you can spend on a bike

Upgrades for your new kilo would be a nice set of tires, best money you can spend on a bike

The absolute best thing you can do for your bike is to wear something out :love:

call me a dummy but what frame size do I get for the kilo tt pro if I'm 6ft tall and usually rides a 58cm frame?

"55cm (c-c) is 58cm(c-t) with TT of 560mm and standover of 32 inches"
I'm a little confused about this, does it mean I should get a 55cm frame if the c-t is 58cm?

Measure your top tube and find the closest match based on that.

Don't forget to pick up your cash after you drop it.

upgrade the pedals and tires, everything else is fine until your find out it isn't

Measure your top tube and find the closest match based on that.

Thanks