Someone in the ebay/craigslist forum posted a link to a place selling s windsor - the hours for 295..

Ride them all, then pick the most comfortable. You can't go wrong w/ any of them. As for the mtb, put a rigid fork on it. The suspension fork just robs you of power and adds weight.

It sounds like you are going to use this to get around town. My personal favorite out of the ones you listed is the 9-2-5. It is a great commuter.

Here are some threads to check out:
Redline 9-2-5
Cayne Uno

You can find lots of info on the Fuji Track too, but I would use Google to search bikeforums for that (Bikefourms search doesn't like words with four letters or less). There is a lot more information out there about the other two as well. Lots of people here own the 9-2-5.

Thanks for your feed back.

I weight about 240 lbs, I was told that I should stay away from the KHL Track cause of my weight? Was told the frame is to light for me.

I am not crazy about the mustash bars on the 925, I know I can always change the bars, but I am CHEAP and I probably will not, still not sure of anything. But I like the 925 the best of the three bikes. I am leaning towards the 925.

I like the Uno, but I think the 925 has better hubs, but I do like the uno's handlebars.

I plan I using this bike as a commuter and I will be taking it on organized bike trips. I am use to the old style racing handle bars, I like to get streamed lined as much as possibe, I don't know if you can do that with the Mustash handle bars.

Then again, I hardly ride right now and I am just talking SH*T.

Oh yah,

I am also thinking of,

Mercier Kilo TT 2007 Now only $349.95, I don't know how good of a price this is

According to their respective web specs, they each have formula track hubs. Which are always good.

Yeah, bars are easily replaced, but a cool bike shop will take a trade on the moustache bars, especially if they have some old drops laying around.

oh, YAH,

i also forgot to ask you guys about what size I should get. I don't know much.

I use to think I like "small" frames, you know, less light, and easier to manover, but that was my phlosophy 15 years ago....

Well, I am 5'8.5 and I see bikes for sale on the net and don't know exacty what frame sizes I should consider. Is a 53cm to small?



http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

Thanks again.

You should at least sit on (preferably ride) these bikes to get a good grasp on sizing. A shop can size you. There are also internet tools to do this which take your measurements into consideration. Do a search for threads with fitting in the title. A 53 cm probably qwouldn't be too small, but don't hold me to that. Everyone is different.

Usually, you measure by standover height. If you know what your inseam is, the standover height shouldn't be more than that. You want an inch or two clearance bet. the top tube and yourself.

There are a number of bike sizing utilities on the web. Do a search and find a bunch.

Bikesdirect has a good/bad reputation. Saying you get what you pay for is kind of a cliche, but sometimes it is accurate. They tend to be decent frames, but the rest of the parts are usually quickly replaced if you do any sort of serious riding. Wheels especially. If you can get a Redline or the Cayne for within $100 of the bikesdirect ones, you will be ahead of the game on wheels alone.

I like the looks of the Leader 735TR frame a lot, haven't read many reviews of it though. I'll probably get one in December when the 07's come out.

where in boston can you get a 925 for $350? I want!

FYI, it has already been discussed in this thread that the Kilo TT and the KHS Track are the same frame. The new KHS models do have a threadless stem though, for whatever that's worth.

Cayne Unos come stock with large flange Formula hubs (cartridge bearings). People have mentioned in the past the odd seatpost diameter, but at least the seatpost you get with the bike is a decent Thompson rip-off that's micro-adjustable with no setback. If you're just buying the frameset, Kalloy makes a budget post that'll cost you $15-$20.

Hi,

Let me first tell you guys a little about myself, I’m fat, out of shape and lazy ;) Seriously!!!!

I was at REI last night and the bike “specialist” tells me that I am crazy to buy a fixed single speed bike. He tells me I will destroy my knees. He tells me that a geared road bike OUT WAYS the benefits of getting a single speed bike. He calls a single speed bike a bike for a very defined user, such as a bike courier (not for someone who is looking for a comutter or as a recreational uses, such as myself), he also starts saying that it may be desirable to have a single speed mountain bike so your derailleur don’t get broken when you mountain bike.

I considered getting one because I thought it would burn a lot more calories, would be fun to drive, would be faster then most road bikes, cool to look at , hence I would drive it more!!!!

I am really confused, I was thinking of buying a fixed single speed as a commuter bike and going on organized bike trips.


.

All right, enough about prices, I have concerns regarding getting a fixed single speed bike and I would like to have some opinions of what you think I should or should not do.

P.S. If you forgot, I do own a mountain bike.

Thanks again for your inputs.

I think first and foremost you should get out and try a fixed gear bike. It's not a matter of can/can't do it, some people just don't like fixed gear once they've tried it. Hopefully test ride the bike at a shop where someone else there rides fixed so they can head out with you and give you an introduction.

You're going about this w/ the rationale that a fixed gear bike will burn more calories and hence help you lose more weight. Screw that, you'll burn more calories on the bike you like to ride the most, be it fixed/ss or geared.

bah. this guy is just talking bias.

1. you might be crazy, but who cares.
2. you might destroy your knees, but you might destroy your knees doing anything else. bike smart and get fitted on a bike and you'll lower your chances of destroying your knees.
3. a geared road bike outweighs the benefits of a singlespeed bike? depends on your priorities. personally, i'd rather buy a good fixed gear for half the price of a mediocre geared bike, because i'll have more fun and i'll be able to fix whatever breaks.
4. there's no reason that fixed/ss is "better" fo being a bike messenger or not better for commuting or recreation. this is the stupidest sentence i've ever heard. 90% of messengers i see are riding tough mtb's with slicks. this "bike specialist" needs to let go of images in his head.

if you're interested, get one. ride it, and if you have fun, keep it. if you find yourself thinking, "you know, i like this, but i wish i had gears," then get a geared bike if/when you have the $$. but don't listen to people who tell you what to ride.

please ALWAYS listen to your friendly REI employee. i mean they work at REI right?
what a tool.

Did this REI guy have any SS bikes for sale? I think I know the answer to that...

I'm fat, and out of shape, too. (Was ~150 pounds when I was riding hardcore in the mid-1980s, but ballooned up to 220 by last April when I started riding again. I'm down to 194 as of today, shooting for 165 or so.) Most of my riding now is SS, with a little FG, mostly commuting, so I can relate. Simply put: Just don't overgear your bike and you'll be ok.

Lazy? Yeah, me, too. That's why I commute 7 miles each way on the bike. It allows me to make a workout part of my day. (But that's a different forum.) Sounds like you're on the right track. Go for it!

i got my first fixed gear this summer and lost like 20 pounds and i wasn't that fat to begin with (started at ~168). you'll likely loose more weight on a bike that you like riding. of course, i'm putting on my winter weight, so i'm up to around 152 now. oh yeah....i agree with the sentiment above about the rei not having any fixed gear bikes for sale. here's some advice....don't let some bike shop employee tell you what you want or don't want. test ride some stuff and decide for yourself.

Does anybody know the maximum tire clearance on a 9-2-5 with and without fenders?

Thanks

I finally got to see one in person and I have to say the Kona Paddy Wagon is a very very nice bike for the money.

My LBS has them for $650 I think, so not exactly a "budget" model but not *that* expensive.

Wait...did this thread just disappear and reappear suddenly--or am I just losing my mind!??

Hey guys,

So the Kona is nice. Very hot looking!!! I think you are paying a little to much for the name.

What features does it have over lets say the 9-2-5 Redline? Besides, black rims and the Kona name. Is it really worth the extra $$$$.

I am buying my Redline this Sunday, if everthing goes correct. Or maybe not?? Still very confused.

I know people say you should test drive a bike, first... All I care about is that the seat is comfortable, ****... I know once I will get the bike I will be adjusting the seat every 10 minites :).

And if I don't like a fixed wheel, well, I will just use it as a single speed bike, thats fine with me. I do know I like to be very steached out on a bike, I have a bad back and I like to try and put as much weight on my arms as possible. That is my only criteria.

The Kona has the same tubing as the EAI Bareknuckle. The Redline is just listed as double-butted cromo.