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Yet another noob looking for suggestions. But hear me out...

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Yet another noob looking for suggestions. But hear me out...

Old 01-16-14, 01:00 PM
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Yet another noob looking for suggestions. But hear me out...

Hey, guys. First post here. Hopefully the first of many for years to come.

I'm an avid forum goer and a mod on my home forum so I know ALL about redundant posts and people asking the same questions over and over ad nauseam. So I apologize for what's to come, yet hope someone is like I am and will spoon feed a noob who's spent many hours searching and reading already.

I'm 40. I haven't owned a bicycle in 15 years (and my waistline shows it). I live in the flattest state (Louisiana) so I've decided on a single speed to get my feet wet. But at the same time, I'd like to be able to progress as a rider since I need a goal to keep me motivated- faster times, longer distances... 100 miler?

I must have looked at every SS on the internet by now and read all the reviews an my head is spinning. A lot of the threads and reviews seem outdated which is why I'm posting.

I've decided on a soft $400 budget, but willing to spend more if its warranted. I'd like a complete bike. I went to my local and rode the Retrospec and didn't fall in love with it. My other local sells "SE". I'm convinced I want a more track style geometry or aggressive riding position than the Retrospec had. I don't care about weight or color or anything that doesn't matter. I just want a great bike out of the box that will make me fall in love with biking.

So, tl;dr. Spoon feed a noob budget SS suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
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Old 01-16-14, 01:04 PM
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#kilott get the pro version, buy a freewheel if you don't like fixed.

Last edited by prooftheory; 01-16-14 at 01:07 PM.
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Old 01-16-14, 01:09 PM
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kilott why the hell not

srsly though - get a bike and ride it. Stop thinking about it.
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Old 01-16-14, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Bat56
kilott why the hell not

srsly though - get a bike and ride it. Stop thinking about it.
This is what I want to do! If my wife has to look at or hear about one more bike, she's going to disown me. Lol.

KiloTT to the top of the list.
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Old 01-16-14, 01:35 PM
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https://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott_pro.htm
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Old 01-16-14, 01:56 PM
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kilott!
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Old 01-16-14, 02:08 PM
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Wow. (4) in a row for the KiloTT. I don't think I've ever seen it be unanimous on such an open ended question. Lol.

I like that.
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Old 01-16-14, 02:42 PM
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If your only two local options are Retrospec or SE Lager then yeah, it's time for internet purchases. $400 is a great price point for an entry level bike, and as others have suggested, the KiloTT is a solid choice in that category. You might also look at State Bicycle, or the Fuji Track. There is a lot of competition at a $400 price point with lots of great options to be had.
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Old 01-16-14, 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by iTripped
If your only two local options are Retrospec or SE Lager then yeah, it's time for internet purchases. $400 is a great price point for an entry level bike, and as others have suggested, the KiloTT is a solid choice in that category. You might also look at State Bicycle, or the Fuji Track. There is a lot of competition at a $400 price point with lots of great options to be had.
I'm glad you brought up the local thing. Like I said, I haven't had a bike in umpteen years and there were only two bike shops in the area at that time so those were the ones I called. More digging today unearthed two more shops.

One carries the Raleigh Rush Hour and the other has the KHA Flite 100. Iirc, they are $550 and $600 respectively. This is getting out of my comfort zone on first bike purchase, but I'm willing to pay a small premium to shop locally and build a relationship *if the bikes are on par with* the KiloTT.

Some cursory searches indicated that both bikes are track geometry (which I want).

Thoughts on the new wrinkle?
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Old 01-16-14, 03:40 PM
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Welcome back to cycling.

Check out this thread for us old guys: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ed-Gear-Thread

If you don't plan to ride on the track, then a road geometry will suit you better being that you will be riding on the road especially if you plan on riding longer distances. If you are uncomfortable, then you will not ride as far as you would if you are comfortable.

"Track" geometry isn't better, it's just different.
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Old 01-16-14, 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by TaylorFade
I'm glad you brought up the local thing. Like I said, I haven't had a bike in umpteen years and there were only two bike shops in the area at that time so those were the ones I called. More digging today unearthed two more shops.

One carries the Raleigh Rush Hour and the other has the KHA Flite 100. Iirc, they are $550 and $600 respectively. This is getting out of my comfort zone on first bike purchase, but I'm willing to pay a small premium to shop locally and build a relationship *if the bikes are on par with* the KiloTT.

Some cursory searches indicated that both bikes are track geometry (which I want).

Thoughts on the new wrinkle?
If it serves my memory correctly the Kilo TT is just a rebranded KHS Flite 100. Save yourself some money, just figure out the right size frame you need. There's a fit calculator sticky'd if you need it.
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Old 01-16-14, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by TaylorFade
I'm glad you brought up the local thing. Like I said, I haven't had a bike in umpteen years and there were only two bike shops in the area at that time so those were the ones I called. More digging today unearthed two more shops.

One carries the Raleigh Rush Hour and the other has the KHS Flite 100. Iirc, they are $550 and $600 respectively. This is getting out of my comfort zone on first bike purchase, but I'm willing to pay a small premium to shop locally and build a relationship *if the bikes are on par with* the KiloTT.

Some cursory searches indicated that both bikes are track geometry (which I want).

Thoughts on the new wrinkle?
fify.

As you have been out of the game so long, if you can swing the slight increase in budget to allow one of the locally sourced options, then do so. Much easier for the staff at the LBS assist you in determining what size you need, make (any) adjustments, and show you how to remove the rear wheel to fix a flat if necessary.

Btw, welcome to the Forums
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Old 01-16-14, 05:01 PM
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$400? No brainer. You are perfect Kilo TT candidate. That is the only answer you will get on this forum so just buy one. But first spend proper time making sure you get one that fits you right:

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/St...ulatorBike.jsp
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Old 01-16-14, 07:54 PM
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all these people are obsessed with the internet.
go and buy from a bike shop please!!!

or get this if you're a tall guy:
https://lafayette.craigslist.org/bik/4279283067.html
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Old 01-16-14, 07:55 PM
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what @no1mad said
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Old 01-16-14, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by TaylorFade
I'm glad you brought up the local thing. Like I said, I haven't had a bike in umpteen years and there were only two bike shops in the area at that time so those were the ones I called. More digging today unearthed two more shops.

One carries the Raleigh Rush Hour and the other has the KHA Flite 100. Iirc, they are $550 and $600 respectively. This is getting out of my comfort zone on first bike purchase, but I'm willing to pay a small premium to shop locally and build a relationship *if the bikes are on par with* the KiloTT.

Some cursory searches indicated that both bikes are track geometry (which I want).

Thoughts on the new wrinkle?
As mentioned, the KiloTT is the same bike as the KHS Flite 100. The Rush Hour is also a good choice so I suggest you visit both shops again and arrange test rides for both. This will accomplish two things - 1, you get to know the shop staff, which will be a factor in your purchase decision and 2 - you will be able to choose the bike you are most comfortable with. Remember - there are no wrong answers here - go ride and try to fall in love with a bike. Then go for it.
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Old 01-17-14, 12:09 AM
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You Better off with the rush hour because you're buying from a shop and can get fitted and possible deals on other stuff
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Old 01-17-14, 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by GENESTARWIND
You Better off with the rush hour because you're buying from a shop and can get fitted and possible deals on other stuff
I agree here.
I just picked up a rush hour and I'm really happy with it so far.

I wanted a kilo but they are rarely in stock, and I wasn't waiting for my size to become available. Plus if your LBS carries the Rush Hour you can have it fitted, take it for a spin, and see how you feel about it.
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Old 01-17-14, 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by GENESTARWIND
You Better off with the rush hour because you're buying from a shop and can get fitted and possible deals on other stuff
Yes. And support your lbs!
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Old 01-17-14, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by TaylorFade
Wow. (4) in a row for the KiloTT. I don't think I've ever seen it be unanimous on such an open ended question. Lol.

I like that.
Lol, I have.

Every thread actually.
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Old 01-17-14, 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by TaylorFade
I'm glad you brought up the local thing. Like I said, I haven't had a bike in umpteen years and there were only two bike shops in the area at that time so those were the ones I called. More digging today unearthed two more shops.

One carries the Raleigh Rush Hour and the other has the KHA Flite 100. Iirc, they are $550 and $600 respectively. This is getting out of my comfort zone on first bike purchase, but I'm willing to pay a small premium to shop locally and build a relationship *if the bikes are on par with* the KiloTT.

Some cursory searches indicated that both bikes are track geometry (which I want).

Thoughts on the new wrinkle?
Don't feel guilty about not shopping locally unless they earn your business. The LBS' in my area do not, the customer service absolutely sucks. And, if you buy on the internet you'll probably go to your local LBS to get tubes, tools, clothes; they'll likely get you as a customer on the backside.
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Old 01-17-14, 10:02 AM
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I got a Rush Hour as my first bike and I loved/love it.

It has a more relaxed geometry than the Kilo/KHS which is conducive to what you will probably doing for the majority of your riding.

https://www.cyclesmercier.com/geometry_tt.html
https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-road-race-rush-hour
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Old 01-17-14, 11:18 AM
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I certainly understand supporting the LBS but I was this guy 2 years ago and I wish I got a Kilo TT back then. Sorry but buying a fixed/single speed over the internet is not rocket science. I have bought misfitting bikes from an LBS. Especially if you are a noob buying a cheap bike they might not spend much time or effort in the fitting. They give you bikes to try and let you decide what feels right which is not what is right. I have bought my last 3 bikes/frames on line and used the competitive fit calc and they fit me perfectly. Fitting the bike is not rocket science if you can read instructions and measure yourself. If the "noob" were buying a multi geared road bike then yes going to an LBS might be a good idea. Getting a bike on line and having to set up derailleurs etc might be too much for a noob but getting a Kilo or other single speed/fixed on line involves very minimum set up and I think it's pretty stupid for someone who doesn't even know if they will get into cycling to spend an extra $200 plus tax on the same exact bike they could get for $400 on line with different decals.
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Old 01-17-14, 11:56 AM
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I really appreciate all the replies.

The road vs. track geometry is more of a mindset thing. When I rode the Retrospec, it just felt... Nerdy. I want to *feel* like I'm more centered or in touch or... I don't know how to describe it.

My neighborhood is almost exactly one mile around it. For the time being, I'll be ripping off laps around the neighborhood. The roads here are very dangerous and have no bike lane so I can't see taking it to the gym or going on scenic rides unless I load it up and bring it somewhere. Perhaps this is why I want a more "track" style bike. Because it'll be like doing laps.

The locals that carry the Rush Hour and Flite 100 both only have big bikes on the showroom floor. So going there to ride one would be useless unless they have a similar bike in my size. Which will be between 52-54cm most likely. I'm 5'7" with a 29" inseam. I have short, yet powerful legs from gymnastics in my youth and powerlifting later in life.

The rebadged issue is of particular interest to me, but one of the LBS' offers one year free fitment/maintenance and that's got to be worth another $100. Outside of supporting locals. The one with the Raleigh really took time to talk to me and seemed very knowledgable.
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Old 01-17-14, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by TaylorFade
Which will be between 52-54cm most likely. I'm 5'7" with a 29" inseam.
I'm about the same size and I suspect a 54cm bike might be too big. Of course, a 54 in one brand/style is not the same as a 54 in another brand/style.

Anyway, follow the link to competitive cyclist that rms13 provided above. It'll give you a pretty good idea where you are like to be, size-wise.
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