First off, let me be the first one to just say it: Kilo TT. AAAAND now that we've got that out of the way.....
Hey everyone. I joined the forum just last week or so, and have been trolling the net for a couple of months doing research on what the best bike for a noob such as myself might be. I'm on a budget, and I'm after something of a beater bike, possibly even a $200 job from Amazon. I've narrowed the list down to four bikes, possibly three, if I'm right about what I'm just about to say, which is:
Even though the Kilo TT Pro is highly recommended, I'll be riding in NYC (those nasty potholes and such). My commute to work would be about 20+ miles round trip, (sometimes 6 days in a row) not accounting for just pleasure riding after work and on my days off. I might need larger tires, and the Kilo might not be so accommodating in that area, correct? My next choice then, was the Kilo WT. Up's the price a bit, and I'm not totally against spending $450, but if it gets stolen, I'll kick myself just a little bit more, as will my wife I suppose. I guess the good thing about a $200 beater, is that you don't care AS much if it is stolen or trashed.
Third choice is the Windsor Hour/Plus. This one is priced $100 cheaper than the Uno, but if the parts are significantly worse, and are going to wind up costing me more down the road anyway.. then what would the point be, I suppose?
My fourth and final choice, is the Motobecane, Fantom Cross Uno. Price point seems reasonable if the parts aren't going to need replacing right out of the box, and allows for wider/better tires. But if I AM going to be replacing the tires, then logic says to get the Windsor (if the frame and all else is worth it) and get tires which I'd have been getting for the Uno, right? But is the FCU just that much better of a complete bike than the Windsor Hour out of the box that the $ is worth it, even after possibly spending more on tires? And another big but.. what about the tires that come stock on the Kilo WT? Would those be a better bet over all? OYE.
Thanks!
Doug