Is the Takara Kabuto a decent beginner road bike?

[Conner]

I've been riding commute with a Giant Sedona for about 4 years and stopped at the beginning of the school year due to my brother getting a car. I am going to start getting back into cycling. I want to know is the Takara Kabuto a decent beginner road bike? I've never ridden a road bike before and I am kinda new to single speeds, so is it worth it or should I just get a GMC Denali or something of a lower quality but multi-geared. Also has anyone bought a bike from bikes4familes.com? I found the Takara Kabuto for $190 there while on Amazon it's $220. I don't want to be scammed of my money. Thanks in advanced and sorry for being such a newbie. I'm a little rusty on bikes atm.

EDIT: BTW if you haven't noticed I am very low budgeted considering I'm working off of money I get from around the house and I am still $50 short if I choose bikes4families.com. Please keep that in mind if you are suggesting something, I won't be able to pay for a $500 road bike...sadly. Maybe in a couple of years. :I

[guitarmankyle]

lets just get this over with...

Bikesdirect.com

Kilo TT
Windsor Hour/ Motobecane track

[Conner]

lets just get this over with...

Bikesdirect.com

Kilo TT
Windsor Hour/ Motobecane track

I looked at those but the thing is if I'm buying a fixie, I want a flip flop hub just incase I don't like fixie. Thanks though for the suggestion, although it's a little above my price range...

[retrac1324]

The Windsor Hour/Motobecane Track is much much higher quality components. They all have flip flop hubs too. And a lot of people go in thinking they won't like fixed gear and plan on riding single speed, then they realize they actually can't go back once they've ridden fixed.

[TheRealFaux]

There is a reason no one has the Kabuto and everyone has something from bikesdirect. And bikesdirect bikes come with flipflop hubs, but you can mount a freewheel on the fixed-threaded side anyway so it doesn't really matter.

You can't really buy anything else at your price range and chances are anything in that price range is going to walmart/target quality.

[Street rider]

Keep saving, do chores/yardwork for other family and even your neighbors, hustle and flow, and come up with the cash for one of the BD bikes. Much better starting point.

[seau grateau]

No, it is not a decent anything. It is a cheap bike. To get a decent bike, you have to pay decent money. There's no way around it.

[Conner]

No, it is not a decent anything. It is a cheap bike. To get a decent bike, you have to pay decent money. There's no way around it.

I understand that. But is the Dawes SST a decent bike? I saw the thread with the Dawes SST AL, but what's the difference?

[hk1]

I just got my Kilo Stripper yesterday and love it. I planned on riding single speed but now I'm addicted to fixed, even after only 2 days.

[TwoFourOne]

I understand that. But is the Dawes SST a decent bike? I saw the thread with the Dawes SST AL, but what's the difference?

I bought a Dawes SST (not AL) in December and have put over 1,200 miles on it so far with just lubing the chain every few hundred miles. Nobody here will tell you that it's worth the price (they'll tell you to buy a Kilo TT instead), but the bike is serving its purpose just fine for me.

[Sherblock]

I actually saw one of these today. With it's bright yellow wheels/tape, it was almost infringing on Thruster territory. Not a pretty sight.

The frame also looked pretty cheap.

[IvyCap]

unless you want to be pedaling a tank weight equivalent bike then no. A college mate bought one and i rode it. Better off dishing out some more cash and save yourself an utterly disappointing serving of regret.

[Onyxaxe]

Everyone here is going to praise BD quality over Wal-mart without any firsthand experience as to why the Takara sucks. I don't have the Takara or a BD bike but based on pics and specs the BD is a better deal and will leave you with more options down the road. For what it is the Takara is about 100 bucks overpriced. Not to mention a huge weight difference. I've heard mixed reveiws on the Vilano too. I would just get one from BD since alot of people on this forum understand the makings of these bikes and can give you good advice on them.

You might like this one:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm

[JesusBananas]

Everyone here is going to praise BD quality over Wal-mart without any firsthand experience as to why the Takara sucks.

The Takara is listed as 29.5 pounds. As a singlespeed.

The average Bikesdirect SS/FG bike is ~20-21 pounds.

I don't need firsthand experience to tell you that the Takara probably rides like a brick.

However, to be fair, while that bike might be el crappo, it may be sufficient for OP's needs. Although if I were to gamble with $220 (assuming I couldn't spend anymore and was forced to buy a SS/FG), I would pick this ghetto brand cheapo bike over the amazon ghetto brand cheapo bike: http://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/fixed-...rack-bike.html

Realistically, though, I wouldn't buy either of these bikes.

OP, your best bet would actually be to pick up a used road bike from Craigslist. You should be able to find some in the $100-200 range, depending on where you live.

[Conner]

-snip-

My craigslist is extremely ghetto... http://fresno.craigslist.org/bia/ So there is really no luck there unless I'm lucky. I'll look into the bike you recommended. But my needs are just to get some exercise during the summer, I won't really go fixie because, so weight is really no problem for me. Also on the amazon reviews for the Takara, they all seem to be happy. So I might aswell purchase it and then when I feel like I want to continue with singlespeed/fixie road bikes I may just blow all my money on something nice like a Raleigh. For now I am happy with POS as long as it's a nice POS xD.

-snip-

You might like this one:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm

I was looking at the Dawes SST but I am just unsure about it being worth 80 dollars more than the Takara, which I've seen good reviews elsewhere.

[prooftheory]

So much for getting advice.

[Nagrom_]

The only people who would purchase that bike are people who know NOTHING about bikes. Of course its the best bike they've ever had, when they have never had a bike. <--- AKA GOOD REVIEWS

That's not a bike, its B.S.O.

[gigantor]

You can always buy a flying pigeon...

But seriously, most road bikes on c-list for cheap can be tuned up to be pretty nice. I guess that requires some expertise...

[TheRealFaux]

the only people who would purchase that bike are people who know nothing about bikes. Of course its the best bike they've ever had, when they have never had a bike. <--- aka good reviews

that's not a bike, its b.s.o.

qft

i was looking at the dawes sst but i am just unsure about it being worth 80 dollars more than the takara, which i've seen good reviews elsewhere.

lol...

[JesusBananas]

The only people who would purchase that bike are people who know NOTHING about bikes. Of course its the best bike they've ever had, when they have never had a bike. <--- AKA GOOD REVIEWS

Yes. +500

But for OP's purpose this may be enough. I assume that budget is the primary factor.

EDIT: I didn't realize that the Dawes SST (steel) is only $249. Waaaaay better bang for the buck. Not even remotely a question to choose between that and the amazon bike.

[Nagrom_]

Yes. +500

But for OP's purpose this may be enough. I assume that budget is the primary factor.

EDIT: I didn't realize that the Dawes SST (steel) is only $249. Waaaaay better bang for the buck. Not even remotely a question to choose between that and the amazon bike.

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? when'd you sig me?
schweeeeeet.

[jammincakes]

I've ridden one of my friends' Takara. It's really bad. Don't do it. Bikesdirect: yes.

[JesusBananas]

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? when'd you sig me?
schweeeeeet.

April 23rd, evidently.

Yeah, wtf?

BANANAS DIED FOR YOUR SINS!!!!!

Thank you and sigged.

[Nagrom_]

April 23rd, evidently.

Oh, excuse me. My sincerest apologies.

[JesusBananas]

Oh, excuse me. My sincerest apologies.

Silly Nagram.