I pre-ordered a kilo tt pro in sept.

I never checked the gearing until today. apparently the rear cog is a 16t and the front chainring is a 48t, per the skid patch calculator in the gearing supplement sticky thread this combo of 16t and 48t results in a whopping 1 skid patch!

Not that I am skidding at every stop, going for super long skids on my commute nor am I not aware that you can easily change out the rear cog for a 17t etc, however it just boggles my mind why bikesdirect bikesdirect.com would choose this gearing combination? Also, I am kind of irritated that I will sooner than later have to spring some more $$$ for another rear cog, and knowing myself I'll probably go out and get atleast a soma or surly which is ~$30 after shipping.

summary: kilo tt pro only has 1 skid patch!!!!!!!!!!! spend mo money for a another cog

I dont think BD had skid patches in mind, stop complaining.

48 16 is pretty much stock on everything.

Qq

awesome.

No but OP is right, 48x16 is stupid gearing. It's probably too heavy for riding in a city for a beginners (yes, who else would buy their bikes from BD anyway...), plus the lack of skid patches.

What is this skid patches? The bike comes with a brake. Save your tire!! lol

I guess they got a really good deal on 48t chainrings and 16t cogs.

You're already saving a ton of money by buying from BD, quit being a cheapskate and just buy a new cog!

Right, 17t cog would be more expensive because you need more metal to manufacture it.

48x16 has been an industry standard gear ratio on entry-level track bikes for years. Why wouldn't BD follow suit?

You have to remember, although most people with Kilo's don't ride track, the bike is an entry level track bike, and nobody needs to skid on the velodrome. 48x16 is also used on many entry level-rental bikes at velodromes for first time users.

Furthermore, you're getting a complete bike for 350-480 bucks. You have to assume some components will be crap (like the cog). How do you know the gearing that would come on the bike is right for you anyway? Buying/trying new gears is part of the game.

Maybe you should rely on a brake to stop (like 99% of the other people on bicycles).

dude 48/16 is like stock on 98% of the over the counter "track" bikes. quit whining like a b.itch.

Probably the bike was intended for someone who was going to spend the majority of their time pedalling, not skidding

lol, mah man

yes you're missing something, it's common sense.

so if your not interested in "skidding" why would you care about skid patches, or even go through the trouble to calculate it? Re-read your post and ask yourself, how valid is my argument?

you should ask bikedirect for a refund.

It does make you wonder though why more companies don't offer these bikes in more useful gearings like 48x17-19 though

Because useful gearing for one person could be horrible for the next. Either way people have to find their own gearing preference.

Kilo tt pros are for skidding amirite?

Try my bikes originally gearing before you complain, 42/16...

Just to keep this going on, show me a person who is going to ride Kilo TT at a velodrome. I dare you.

^ right. Nobody.

This is truly the internet at its best!