INOX NYC

I finished my first build in many years and it came out awesome but I'm too emotionally attached (don't laugh) to chain up at the job. I work overnights in midtown Manhattan. I really wanted to get that Kilo TT to commute with but they stay sold out in my size and color so I'm thinking about the Schwinn Cutter as my commuter. Anyone have any idea how this bike compares to the Kilo? Or if it's even a good bike?
s_12_CUT_WHT_6.jpg

mihlbach

That thing looks like dump.

Why not get one of the other BD offerings. The Windsor Timeline is the most underrated bike on the BD website. Its cheap, sturdy, unobtrusive looking, takes big tires, racks, fenders. What more could you possibly want for a beater/commuter?

EpicSchwinn

I've seen one around campus. They look pretty cheapo. This guy had the lime green and pink one

INOX NYC

So you think the Windsor is better than the Schwinn? I know Schwinn used to be considered good bikes but I don't know how true that is anymore.

INOX NYC

See, this is why I'm here. Any moron can write a review, doesn't mean he knows sh*t from shinola about bikes. I trust you guys more. The guy in the lbs tells me anything I mention that he can't sell me is crap. He raves about the Schwinn and tells me to stay away from Mercier so I don't trust him either.

mihlbach

Its not a question of which one is better. They are both basic TIG welded chromo frames sourced from Asian factories with different assortments of generic parts. Neither are high quality, but they aren't total **** either. They are both durable and will last a long time and are worthy of some upgrades.

If I were in your shoes, looking for a cheap functional commuter that I wouldn't feel too bad if it got stolen, the only real questions in my mind would be (1) cost, (2) functionality, and (3) does it stand out like a sore thumb?

I don't know how much the cutter costs, but the timeline is a steal. The Timeline appears to ber more adaptable and doesn't attract as much attention to itself.

Fit and geometry are also important, but for your intended purposes, I'm sure you can make either fit just fine, and minor handling differences attributable to frame geometry are going to be minor and basically irrelevant.

EpicSchwinn

Back when I was your age, they made Schwinns in Chicago and they were pretty respectable bikes. They do have a couple of halo models, like the Madison which aren't bad but it seems like most of what they make isn't aimed at cycling enthusiasts anymore. The cutter isn't as bad as the Thruster but from the few times I've seen it in person I'd say it's more on par with a Big Shot or something.

mihlbach

Your LBS guy is full of ****/just trying to make a buck. See my above post.

EpicSchwinn

Cutter isn't cro-mo, it's hi ten with a cro-mo fork. It costs $410.

mihlbach

OK...didn't know that. ....but even this doesn't really make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things...just means it weighs a bit more than a 4130 chromoly frame. However I wouldn't pay $410 for it...**** that ****. The Timeline is 4130 as are all the BD framesets (as far as I am aware). Not trying to be a BD shill here, but if you need a good cheap bike, you can't beat em.

INOX NYC

The lbs wanted $380 for the Schwinn but like I said, I don't trust him. He's done some repairs for me which were on the level but when it comes to sales the only good products are the ones he can sell me. The Schwinn does kinda stand out like a neon sign. Thanks for the advice, I think I heard what I needed to.

mihlbach

I understand the the LBS wants to make a sale, but being blatantly deceptive about the relative qualities of bikes they do and don't sell isn't acceptable in my book. Its also a stupid way to compete. Most people aren't that stupid.

xfive

i remember bending and cracking hi-ten frames as a kid, no way its only a weight difference.

mihlbach

I destroyed many 4130 frames too, BMX, MTB, and Road.
Steel frames made of lower quality materials generally use more material. The consequence is similar strength, but with more weight. Thats true of hi-ten all the way to the best (e.g Reynolds 953). So I doubt the cutter is weaker, just heavier.

The frames you destroyed as a kid were probably underbuilt. When I was BMXing in the mid 80s, the frames available at the time were basically designed like race bikes and were underbuilt for tricks, even the high quality ones. I can't even remember how may cro-mo BMX frames I have broken.

jimmytango

I'd go SE Lager if you want new. I've put over 4000 miles on mine. Daily commute through Chicago, centuries on gravel/dirt trails, all day leisure rides through the city... The only things I've replaced have been tape, tubes, and brake pads. That being said, it's a 2010 model, and I'm completely clueless about the new ones.

If I were you, I'd hit Craigslist for a used bike.

INOX NYC

I looked at the Lager but it's almost twice as much. I'm not cheap and I can afford it but where it's gonna be chained the chances of it getting messed with are pretty good. I have a good locking system (Cryptonite and Master) so it probably won't get taken but might get messed with still. I'll check cl and see if I can get it for less but $600 is a little more than I'm willing to chain in midtown at night.

striknein

Timeline++

Just be aware that while you can't make a direct comparison to the Kilo TT, there is a reason it's $60 or so cheaper. The hubs are loose ball with a metal dust cap, compared to cartridge bearings on the TT. The headset also has caged ball bearings. These things will make a difference if you're exposing the bike to the elements on a daily basis.

jimmytango

Wow! I didn't realize it had gone up that much. Mine was $400.

TejanoTrackie 

Only the Kilo TT Pro has cartridge bearing hubs. The basic Kilo TT has the same hubs as the Timeline. And those hubs do not adjust very well either.

markaitch

i like se bikes but they always hoor themselves to online discounters to dump leftover stock & anybody that pays close to msrp for their ss/fg bikes is a fool. if you cant find a lager somewhere online for $350 or less you don't know how to shop on the interwebz. and while its not as low as when they were on bonktown, you can still get a draft lite from dept of goods for $200 if low price is your main qualifier...

vanderhoogta

I have a cutter, the 2009 (so black) and it's a good bike. A little heavier than I'd like, but she gets the job done I paid 250 for mine. I think you should wait out the kilo tho.

INOX NYC

I want to but the site doesn't even list the model anymore. They have the stripper, chrome, custom and geared models but not the TT.

TejanoTrackie 

Huh ? >>> https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm

krustyone

https://www.departmentofgoods.com/com...artmentofgoods

INOX NYC

Yea, they restocked. Up until yesterday that model was removed.