chiefdolo

All,

Appreciate the feedback and info on these forums. I've done many searches and have read about 10 hrs of stuff. My challenge lies in getting ramped up on the diction, bike anatomy and key things to know and focus on. I'm trying - but apologize in advance. I also thank everyone in advance.

Question (1)
I'd like to convert the Kilo into a Single Speed bike. It comes with the Flip Flop hub (which is required for SS correct?) but do I also need to purchase a free wheel? OR does the bike have everything it needs to be converted directly into a SS? (I know I will have to purchase brakes separately.) The net/net question becomes, what else do I have to buy if I want to make the Kilo TT a single speed bike out of the box?

Question (2)
I know for sure that sizes of bikes all differ. The torso of the bike itself seems very short (I guess that's the top tube length.) Does that mean that the bike itself will be very uncomfortable because I will have to hunch over alot when I ride?

Is it safe assumption that if I was going to buy a 49cm Dawes SST, that I should get the 47cm Kilo TT?
Additionally, if I was going to buy the 52cm Dawes, I should purchase the 52cm Kilo? Is there a general rule of thumb in conversion from a Dawes to a Kilo?

I am 5'7 but have a short torso and short legs (inseam is 29") Belly button to my groin is oddly longer than average, that's where I'm making things up. The stand over height on the 47cm Kilo is 29" on the money. With sneakers on I'll have an 1-1 1/2 clearing room. Some argue this isn't a big deal, but others say you absolutely should have clearance to protect the jewels. I'm open to feedback.

I am going to buy a Kilo. Question is 47 or 52. Thanks again everyone and please try to provide an answer to both (if possible.)

Regards,
CD

xxxfattonyxxx

Good luck

chiefdolo

Anything else you could add besides the good luck?



Regards,
CD

jakerock

I think the jist is....please do not start any new threads about the kilo TT, as there is already a 300 page thread with 700,000 views going. Believe me, your questions have been answered MANY times over.

Welcome to the forum, but please be aware that if you do not try to answer your questions by searching, people are gonna jump all over your 'ass!!!

TempestRS4

1. Out of the box, the Kilo TT comes fixed gear only. You will have to buy a freewheel yourself and put it on the other side of the flip flop hub. You will also need to buy brakes.

2. Since your inseam is 29", I would go with the 47 cm Kilo TT. My dad is 5'6" and I got him the 47cm. Fits him perfectly. If you need to adjust your reach, you can always get a longer stem. If you are still unsure about what size to get, do not get anything larger than the 50cm Kilo TT.

joker8baller

Wow, that's a crappy welcome. It's a good idea to search, but yeah...

Are you buying the bike off BikeDirect? For your first question, you will need to buy a freewheel as they do not come with one. You may need a chain breaker if you decide to get a different size freewheel and your preference on your drop outs.

On your second question, I'd get the 50. I run a 49 Dawes and fit my friends 50 just fine. 5'6, short legs. The Kilo 50cm seems a tad too small?

Be forewarned, the Kilo @ 50CM has a good deal of toe overlap @ slow speeds.

chiefdolo

Tempest - thanks so much for the reply. that helps tremendously. It looks like I need to get a freewheel the same size as the one that comes and I should be good. Brakes I seem to be wicked cheap. Found a set for $15 that I will buy.

Regarding bike frame. Tempest - your profile of your Dad sheds alot of light.

Joker8baller - when you say you fit your friends 50 fine, are you able to stand on your feet over the top bar with space between your "nuts" and the frame? I am biking in NYC - so I will be on and off depending on "scenarios." This is important for me.

I went to wrench science, this is what I came up with after all my measurements:
Frame Size center-to-center: 50 cm
Frame Size center-to-top: 51 cm
Overall Reach: 70.04cm
Saddle Height: 67.28 cm
Handlebar Width: 46 cm

Here are specs for the 47 and 50cm Kilo TT:
Seat tube length: 47cm / 52cm
Top tube length: 51.3 / 52.3cm
Standover Height: 29" / 30.4"
Head tube angle: 72.5 / 72.5
Seat tube angle: 75 / 75
Chainsstay Length: 403 / 403
BB Height: 282 / 282

Here are the specs for the Dawes 49 and 52cm(Also considering, but that grape soda...is too damn pretty)
Seat tube length: 49cm / 52cm
Top tube length: 539 / 545
Standover Height: 29.6" / 30.1"
Head tube angle: 72 / 72
Seat tube angle: 74 / 74
Chainsstay Length: 409 / 409
BB Height: 282 / 282

What do you guys think based on that?

Thanks again. I will swear that I've spent HOURS reading through this forum. Maybe my search queries aren't good enough yet. They will get better as I learn more lingo, etc.

Zachee

The Kilo TT doesn't have cable stops, so I wouldn't want to do SS on it just cause of that. I think the SST or or the Jury would be a much better choice for you depending on what type of geometry you desire.

And regarding frame sizing, you shouldn't reference the stand over height when trying to find a frame for you.

TempestRS4

I am 5'6" and usually prefer a bicycle with a top tube of around 52.5 cm. If I were to buy myself a Kilo TT, I would still get the 47cm instead of the 50 because of the standover height even though the top tube is 1cm shorter. I would then compensate with a 1cm longer stem to make up for the slightly shorter top tube. The 47cm Kilo allows me to have a respectable amount of seat post showing as well as an appropriate saddle to bar drop. The dawes 49 and 52, for me, would make me feel too stretched out because of their longer top tubes. Getting shorter stem for those would make the handling more twitchy. Its really up to you. Do you have a good fitting road bike to base your reach off of?

Retem

You will need no more than brakes levers cables and a free wheel

also use the fit calculator at competitive cyclist dot com have a friend measure you

frymaster

well, if there's one thing i've learned from searching these forums it's that for any given question, the first four posts are always people sniffing down their nose at the op and telling them to search. after that the real answers start rolling in.

tmh657

You might be referring to cable guides, or lack of on the Kilo. The fact that they don't exist is not a problem if you want to run a rear brake. You can get good looking metal cable clamps to hold the brake cable on the top tube.
30 years ago high end race bikes didn't have cable guides or DT shifter braze ons so they used the things in this pictures.
FWIW I hardly ever use the rear brake on my geared bike. I am so used to the front only on my FG that I forget it's there on the geared bike.

chiefdolo

Tempest RS4 - Very helpful thanks. No fitting ever done. Only the results of the Wrench Science test which I posted on this thread.

Retem - short and sweet. Perfect. I'll keep a front brake likely to start...I'll try the fit calculator there and see if results are any different from the wrench science one. I'm still figureing out how to use the wrench science info to find the best fitting bike. I get that some of the metrics are associated to bike configuration (seat height, etc.)

Frymaster - I won't comment. I'm part of a ton of other unrelated forums. It's par for the course everywhere. It was also expected.

TMH - that is exaaactly what I would get.

chiefdolo

btw - The fit calculator on the competitive cyclist dot com is awesome. Blows the Wrench fit calculator out the water.

chiefdolo

Hey guys (and gals) -

I wanted to let everyone know that I ordered a Dawes SST today. I thought this through quite a bit and the Mercier is an unreal beautiful bike, but for a NYC slug like myself, the Dawes seems rugged, strong and a more "comfortable" ride overall. The fit calculator was an awesome help.

Thanks again to everyone.

Now I go to search the best way to cut my Dawes handlebars

Regards,
CD

oneangrytoast

if you dont want to be uncomfortable and bent over, maybe you shouldnt get a racing bike? just my two cents.

DIRT BOY

Good luck and finding some in the 31.8 size needed for the Kilo TT. Almost IMPOSSIBLE!

joker8baller

Haha. Hope you like it! Def. loved mine, and am continually upgrading it...

I find a hacksaw works wonders on a risers. Might be true on the Dawes bars?

rustbelt

Please post a review when you receive the SST. I'm thinking about buying one and would love to hear your thoughts.

chiefdolo

This is my first bike, so I won't necessarily know what is good or bad. I will definitely share some thoughts though. I'll continue it off this thread - don't know enough to start a new stand alone thread.

I have a new stem coming that I ordered. Once I install it I'll update. It's set to arrive on Wednesday of this week.

Regards,
CD

keepitclean_

i'm workin' on my first bike in general. does anyone know if the kilo tt can hold dia-compe brs 100 caliper brakes? i believe the reach is 36mm-50mm. thanks guys, i appreciate it.

Zachee

Yes that reach should work. my brakes are set somewhere around 40 mm I believe.

keepitclean_

sweet. thanks a lot dude. life saver. i'm thinking about throwing on a pair of gold ones on my kilo.