Tradarcher

Hey evereveryone looking for a single speed somewhere around the $300 range which of these would be a better bike? I've narrowed it down to the Mercier kilo tt the retrospec mantra or the Windsor the hour any recommendations on one of these bikes?

AristoNYC

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...s.net&safe=off

Tradarcher

Thanks guy. So I take it the retrospec mantra is not even worth considering?

veganbikes

I see the search function is broken again, JUST KIDDING, IT WORKS FINE!

GhostSS

I used to own a Retrospec Mantra. It's on ok starter bike but has it's drawbacks:

-Seatpost cannot be swapped out
-Stock freewheel is a strange proprietary component that cannot be removed with normal means
-Heavy hi-ten steel
-Press fit bottom bracket type makes for changing cranks and BB difficult/impossible (stuck with square taper only)

Just get the Kilo TT if you can find it in your size and for that price.

j_e_r_e_m_y

I've got a Windsor Hour - not a bad bike for the $189 Bike Island charged (I think they still have more in 61cm). But if you get one, plan on making some immediate upgrades before you ride it, as the drop bars, tires, and stem have no business being used in anything other than photo shoots. Tires are pretty bad too. Aside from that, the frame is pretty light and of decent quality (looks a lot like a Fuji Feather), the wheels aren't the boat anchors I was expecting, and the cranks are actually fairly decent.

rex615

What is wrong with the stem and handlebar?

j_e_r_e_m_y

Horrible quality. The bars were bent (one drop flared out to the side) and poorly designed - the flats are oval shaped, with the narrow end pointing up into your palm. The stem has cheap bolts that will likely strip easily, and it just feels flimsy. Both are parts you'd expect on a walmart bike.

Tradarcher

So the retrospec is out. Since the kilo comes stock as a fixed only and is heavier and no brakes I think I'm leaning more towards the Windsor. I will be using this bike as my road bike as I live in a relatively flat area. From what I have read the Windsor is more of a road bike geometry and the kilo is more track style.

AristoNYC

The steels are similar between the two, the geos look similar (I don't know the headtube length. They don't list the rake for the windsor fork either). The kilo & windsor come with a flip flop hub; you'll need to purchase and install a freewheel on either bike if you want that. Kilo also comes w/ a rear (which should be changed to front) brake. I'm not sure were you are getting the weights from, those should also be similar. I think the components are a bit better on the kilo.
I own both bikes (the kilo is a PRO) and I would recommend the Kilo over the hour any day of the week. The windsor is nice but the finish and feel (Again I own the pro) on the kilo is nicer.

Figure out what size you are and buy a bike based on that,

hairnet

#kiloTT