I've seen the listing for the new Dawes MTA on ebay and am interested in hearing from anyone who's bought one. I know it's a low low-end bikesdirect POS, but for $250 shipped, it's hard to pass up. I'm not interested in hearing a debate on the vices and virtues of bd in general. Curious that bd isn't listing it on their website yet. Before anyone says shell out a little more for a Windsor the Hour or Dawes SST, I'm interested in the Dawes MTA because it comes with both front and rear cross levers already installed and the price is $50 cheaper than any other bd single speed. I prefer cross levers -- they are just more comfortable for me. Don't really care about the cable guides, though I'm sure they offend some people's aesthetic senses -- just not mine. Also like how they kept the decals to a minimum and put them on top of the clear coat.

I'm not mechanically inclined, so don't really care to buy one of these bd other bikes, remove the stock brakes and buy and install cross levers. The caliper brakes look like junk, so I figure I'll use them until they finally give out and buy some affordable cantilever brakes. I know bd's Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno is a single speed with both front and rear cross levers factory installed, but I don't really want to spend the extra $150 upfront. From the pictures, the crankset doesn't seem to be much, but I'm not looking for performance, just something I can commute ten miles roundtrip on to work everyday. I figure if I like the bike enough, when the cog and other parts give out, I can eventually upgrade. What do people think about the frame and fork? Similar build quality to other bd single speeds? Did they manage to wring the extra $50 in savings on cheap brakes and wheels, or are the frame and fork considerably chintzier than their other single speeds? I've got no idea what a "durafort" frame is. Also, anyone know how heavy the bike is and if it seems to have more of a road or track geometry?

I appreciate the help with this.

Dawes MTA

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=150303283425

Frame: Urban Single Speed Design, DuraFort, Water Bottle & Fender Mounts
Fork: DuraFort UniChrown w/ Fender Mounts
Headset: Tange 1-1/8” Threadless
Handlebars: Drop Bar
Stem: Aluminum 10 Degree Drop
Grips: Cushion Wrap Foam
Brake Lever: Radius 2 Finger Alloy, F & R
Brake(s): Radius Alloy Caliper F & R
Seat: Dawes Super Light
Seat Post: Alloy Straight Post 27.2
Crankset: 3-pc Alloy, Euro Cartridge BB, 42T
Chain: KMC Z410
Pedal: FPD Resin w/ Alloy Cage
Rim: Weinmann CN-520, 36H, Stainless Spokes
Front Hub: High Flange Alloy, 36H, Nutted
Rear Hub: High Flange Fixed/Free Alloy, 36H, Nutted, 16T Freewheel & 15T Fixed Cog
Tires: 700 X 28c
Extras: Front & Rear Fender Mounts, Removable Brake Cable Clips