DNytAftr

Hi everyone Just joined the forum, been looking around for a few days and thought i would join the community.

Last few weeks i been looking into the possibility of using bike to commute a few times a day to campus (parking permits are getting expensive ); ill admit im not to experienced with bikes but from looking around here it seems that the Mercier kilo TT is recommended as a good starter fixed gear cycle.

I been looking into a Mercier Kilo tt stripper and just had a few questions.

- From what ive read it seems that its best to change out parts as they wear out over time, would there be any parts that should be changed relitivaly soon or is recommended to be changed out?

- Would there be a recommended chain guard? (Gets very cold in winter, heard that chain guards are good to prevent pants from getting caught, other then using a tie around the leg)

- I been a bit interested in the possibility of adding a disc break (front or rear?), and noticed there are disc break mount adaptors, would one of these be required or what would be the best way to mount a break?

Thanks for the help, really appreciated!

chantymac

The only thing that I would change relatively soon is the saddle and maybe the handlebars depending on what you find comfortable.

My kilo tt stripper came with a cheap plastic chain guard so you can probably use that and see if you like it or not before purchasing another.

ddeadserious

Many people change the pedals and saddle soon after purchasing, but your mileage may vary.

You could have a chainguard installed, but in my experience, it's not particularly helpful. Just roll your pantleg up, or get a leg strap thing.

The stock brakes work fine. Short of replacing the front fork, I'm not aware of any way to fashion up a disc brake setup on a bike not meant for discs. I wouldn't bother.

Spoonrobot 

Go ahead and bin the idea of mounting a disc brake. It's either going to be expensive or dangerous. The adapters are for forks already designed for discs or MTB frames. Not butted track frames.

DNytAftr

Thanks! good to know, prob have to give them a try and see by the sounds of it

Thanks for the reply
hmm so seems the saddle is something to really look at changing, any recommended brands for saddles?

Ah okay so prob not worth it, heard that discs tend to wear less, less/easier maintenance over time, so thought it would have been a good investment

Edit:
yeah haha, def doesn't seem like a good idea, thanks!

JDMKidBill

Maintenance on caliper brakes are not that difficult. Just make sure you get a dual-pivot caliper brake with proper brake reach. The brake pads will last you quite a long time, and changing them out isn't a tedious process.

Scrodzilla

Someone should make a thread about Kilo TTs.

GENESTARWIND

edit:
running a front disc setup should be fairly simple, maybe a bit pricey for the gear but.
cyclecross forks have disc caliper mounts in 1" and 1 1/8th

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...5&category=704
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...5&category=704
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...0&category=704
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...5&category=704
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...5&category=704

all youd need is a fork with mounts and proper lever for running cable or hydraulic.

the dimension fork is fairly cheap but i couldnt tell you how much cable/levers cost...

GENESTARWIND

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...92&category=10
here is a rather cheap hydraulic disc lever.

you can go cable as well but im assuming hydraulic is better