Narrowing It Down.
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Narrowing It Down.
Hey my names Josh. Ive been looking at bikes on bikesdirect (go figure ) and i am having trouble picking the right bike. Maybe i should list my criteria and uses for the fixie I want.
I have 400 dollars to spend. However I do plan on doing a little upgrading. I will probably replace the saddle and the pedals, maybe get a carbon fiber fork if i dont get one from the start. So if a bike is in the 550 range that will require no upgrading i could go for that. I do mostly in town riding, no further than 5-6 miles and would like to have the bike geared to around 2.8. I dont need a freewheel necessarily and would like to have decent tires and wheels to start.
I've looked at the variations of Kilo's but dont like that they are one inch steers, limiting me a little, but maybe i could get over that. Also the whole "aluminum vs steel" debate is in the air for me. Ive also looked at the Dawes, Windsor, IRO, and Gravity Attack bikes.
I guess i need advice in which would be the best bike to get for a frame, crankset, stem, tires and wheels, along with a smooth and decently comfortable ride.
$550 no upgrading, or $400 replacing the saddle, pedals, and having a carbon fiber fork.
All helpful comments are appreciated.
I have 400 dollars to spend. However I do plan on doing a little upgrading. I will probably replace the saddle and the pedals, maybe get a carbon fiber fork if i dont get one from the start. So if a bike is in the 550 range that will require no upgrading i could go for that. I do mostly in town riding, no further than 5-6 miles and would like to have the bike geared to around 2.8. I dont need a freewheel necessarily and would like to have decent tires and wheels to start.
I've looked at the variations of Kilo's but dont like that they are one inch steers, limiting me a little, but maybe i could get over that. Also the whole "aluminum vs steel" debate is in the air for me. Ive also looked at the Dawes, Windsor, IRO, and Gravity Attack bikes.
I guess i need advice in which would be the best bike to get for a frame, crankset, stem, tires and wheels, along with a smooth and decently comfortable ride.
$550 no upgrading, or $400 replacing the saddle, pedals, and having a carbon fiber fork.
All helpful comments are appreciated.
#4
Swollen Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ames, Ia
Posts: 518
Bikes: Scrambler, Pake, Sirrus, Aerosprint
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I haven't ridden it but have heard very good reviews for the Dawes SST. Has the carbon 1/18 fork that you're looking for. At $369 you would have $180 left for upgrades. MKS pedals/clops/straps @ around $60. see if you like the stock saddle and spend the extra $120 on some super dope tires. Done.
Last edited by stillanimal; 06-14-11 at 11:57 AM.
#5
:)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: duluth
Posts: 3,391
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
What kind of riding do you do? Rain or shine? Haul cargo? Winters? Need room for wide tires/fenders? Need rack eyelets? Relaxed/tight geometry? Tossing a cheap road carbon fork can mess up your handling depending on what the bike was built for.
#8
GONE~
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,747
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I haven't ridden it but have heard very good reviews for the Dawes SST. Has the carbon 1/18 fork that you're looking for. At $369 you would have $180 left for upgrades. MKS pedals/clops/straps @ around $60. see if you like the stock saddle and spend the extra $120 on some super dope tires. Done.
Made of 7005 double butted aluminium and have a road-oriented geometry.
#9
Senior Member
IRO gives you several options for customization. That should preclude you from having to upgrade anytime soon.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm in California. Its mostly hot where I'm at. I'll be riding it when it rains as well, as long as its not storming. Dont need to haul anything just my backpack. I dont need wide tires or fenders. Dont need rack eyelets. I usually ride relaxed, but i'd be down for one that is tighter, but doesnt have to be super aggressive. Also i could always have a frame with tight geo and raise the stem up. I was thinking a kinesis carbon fiber fork if i end up getting one, but its not a necessity.
Last edited by jibberishballr; 06-14-11 at 03:56 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: State College, PA
Posts: 812
Bikes: Caad9, Fixed gear, Hardrock beater, 3 speed cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The front wheel kicks up water too, and then your shoes get soaked
#15
So tragically hip.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MASHboro, NJ
Posts: 364
Bikes: 2009 SE Premium Brew, 2001 GT Interceptor, 2010 Motobecane Fantom 29
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#18
%#&*#%>?%
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mass
Posts: 845
Bikes: Pake,Shogun,Nishiki,Motobecane
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have the Windsor Timeline. Its a single speed from the start but cogs and lockrings are horribly expensive and you get two brakes if you want them. I got it for my daily commute of 14 miles r/t in Oregon weather. So fenders and wider tires for our ****ty streets and rain was a necessity. The pedals are **** with plastic cages, upgrade for sure. I replaced the saddle because the one it came with wasnt wide enough for my riding position. The stock freewheel went to **** kinda quickly in the rain, so i bought a White industries and its perfect now.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: State College, PA
Posts: 812
Bikes: Caad9, Fixed gear, Hardrock beater, 3 speed cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well thanks to the few people who stayed on topic and weren't trolling. Anyways I'm down to either the Gravity Attack when it comes back in stock, or getting one of the IRO's. Fenders aren't playing a part in my decision.
#22
Kilo TT
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 741
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have the Windsor Timeline. Its a single speed from the start but cogs and lockrings are horribly expensive and you get two brakes if you want them. I got it for my daily commute of 14 miles r/t in Oregon weather. So fenders and wider tires for our ****ty streets and rain was a necessity. The pedals are **** with plastic cages, upgrade for sure. I replaced the saddle because the one it came with wasnt wide enough for my riding position. The stock freewheel went to **** kinda quickly in the rain, so i bought a White industries and its perfect now.