How different are the BD offerings?
09-28-08 | 11:20 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
How different are the BD offerings?
I'm looking for a singlespeed bike for around $400. It has to be a freewheel, have hoods, and a gear ratio around 70in.
The Fantom Uno is appealing and I wanted to try a cyclocross but it's the most expensive, has a slightly short gear ratio, and cross levers. There's not much discussion on this, so I don't know how the build quality compares to the other bikes.
The Messenger is very nice out of the box, but the ratio is too high for my tastes. I'd have to get a smaller chainring (would I need a new chain if I went down to 42t?). The Windsor Hour won't save me any money by the time I add brakes and a freewheel.
The Kilo TT is the same situation as the Hour for $50 more, but people on here seem to like them a lot. I'm not sure if the track geometry is a good thing or not. I usually take ~15 mile leisurely trips. The Dawes SST has more lax geometry, looks the most comfortable, and is the cheapest.
I don't think the bikes are all that different, but I want to make sure before buying my first 'real' bike. Also, I didn't think I could get a decent geared bike in my price range, but the Wellington 3.0 looks pretty good. I don't have a strong preference either way, but the Wellington has a carbon fork. Is it made better than the singlespeeds I'm looking at? This probably isn't the best place to ask, but the answers will be just as biased anywhere else.
The Fantom Uno is appealing and I wanted to try a cyclocross but it's the most expensive, has a slightly short gear ratio, and cross levers. There's not much discussion on this, so I don't know how the build quality compares to the other bikes.
The Messenger is very nice out of the box, but the ratio is too high for my tastes. I'd have to get a smaller chainring (would I need a new chain if I went down to 42t?). The Windsor Hour won't save me any money by the time I add brakes and a freewheel.
The Kilo TT is the same situation as the Hour for $50 more, but people on here seem to like them a lot. I'm not sure if the track geometry is a good thing or not. I usually take ~15 mile leisurely trips. The Dawes SST has more lax geometry, looks the most comfortable, and is the cheapest.
I don't think the bikes are all that different, but I want to make sure before buying my first 'real' bike. Also, I didn't think I could get a decent geared bike in my price range, but the Wellington 3.0 looks pretty good. I don't have a strong preference either way, but the Wellington has a carbon fork. Is it made better than the singlespeeds I'm looking at? This probably isn't the best place to ask, but the answers will be just as biased anywhere else.
Last edited by jromano; 09-28-08 at 11:43 PM.
09-28-08 | 11:34 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
09-29-08 | 12:12 AM
#3
freelance gangster
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
I posted some impressions of the Dawes SST vs Hour vs Kilo TT in this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/467386-kilo-tt-vs-hour-vs-lager.html
If you want a summary, the Kilo TT is tighter/more aggressive and the Hour and SST are similar to each other in respect that they both have a more relaxed geo. The SST is a better value than the Hour, IMO (has brakes, bull horn bars, forumula hubs and alex wheelset).
Most people highly recommend upgrading the stock cog and lockring from the get-go, as they're cheap and might not be the gear inches you're looking for anyway. I wouldn't choose a bike based on the stock gearing because you should probably replace the rear cog/lockring anyway.
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/467386-kilo-tt-vs-hour-vs-lager.html
If you want a summary, the Kilo TT is tighter/more aggressive and the Hour and SST are similar to each other in respect that they both have a more relaxed geo. The SST is a better value than the Hour, IMO (has brakes, bull horn bars, forumula hubs and alex wheelset).
Most people highly recommend upgrading the stock cog and lockring from the get-go, as they're cheap and might not be the gear inches you're looking for anyway. I wouldn't choose a bike based on the stock gearing because you should probably replace the rear cog/lockring anyway.
09-29-08 | 07:30 AM
#4
Pants are for suckaz
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 1
From: Mt. Airy, MD
Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike
This would get right at 70 gear inches and you don't have to get a new chain or anything. If you are running freewheel, the 3 skid patches with this gearing won't matter, and even if you are running fixed, you can always rotate the tire to even out the skid-wear.
Messenger - $350
New 18T freewheel - $25
Sell the stock 16T freewheel on the interwebs - $-5
Wheels trued at bike shop - $30ish
Total - $400ish
