A background without riding clipped/clipless? Read the previous posts and you'll see he already has foot retention, he just doesn't seem comfy with it yet. Regardless, the "notoriously terrible" parts on the kilo seem to work fine for plenty of people, and I'm bewildered by the endless threads asking what parts need to be replaced on BD bikes. This isn't about the OP in particular, but if you don't know something's wrong with the bike, why replace it? If something's dangerous, that's different, but you'll have to elaborate.

By all means, I'm all for investing in good parts, I just think it makes more sense to find out for yourself what matters to you rather than getting too wrapped up in what other folks think is wrong with your setup.

Who said anything about clipped or clippless?? I am only talking about the quality of the pedals, not technique. And if you actually read other threads on here you would know that I am not alone on the upgrades. Besides, I speak from personal experience about the parts and things on these "BD" bikes with my friends and myself, if I was talking out my arse thats one thing, but I am not alone in my opinions. If you want to start a debate about this start a thread on its own, otherwise speak when you know something. Just because peeps don't post it doesn't mean it doesn't happen (BTW, many have posted that these parts need changing, read other threads)

Calm down tiger -- people are allowed to disagree. Sounds like he's riding on the underside of the pedals based on earlier posts. So he does already have foot retention, and it sounds like he's not accustomed to it. But maybe we can let the OP weigh in on that if he returns to this thread.

I know full well that other people recommend various upgrades to the BD bikes. Others miraculously ride the stock components. As I mentioned, safety is a different issue, and I agree it comes first. Which is why a front brake is the first sensible purchase for anyone new to fixed. If the other components comprise enough of a safety issue that they come ahead of a brake, that requires some explanation.

^^ I agree. Why upgrade all these components when OP isn't even comfortable riding the bike to begin with? He should get a feel for riding fixed before he decides to start throwing money into the upgrade hole. A front brake is the only thing he should be investing in just so he doesn't hurt himself or someone else.