My first fixed gear, help me decide!
04-03-09, 12:35 AM
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My first fixed gear, help me decide!
My budget is at around 350, I'm a minimum wage making college student so I'm looking for the best bike to start off with without many upgrades necessary off the back. I've checked all around and I'm in a toss up between the Mercier TT and the Windsor The Hour.
Which one do you guys recommend? In terms of the size of the frame I'm around 6'1-6'2 so what size should work for me? Around 58 cm or 60cm?
Thanks ahead!
Which one do you guys recommend? In terms of the size of the frame I'm around 6'1-6'2 so what size should work for me? Around 58 cm or 60cm?
Thanks ahead!
04-03-09, 10:37 AM
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I'm 6'2" and got the Mercier Kilo TT (pro) in a 60cm size. Probably could have gone with a 58cm without a problem, but now I don't need my seatpost jacked up 12" or a stem like a boat tiller either. Good bike, rideable out of the box (might want to dig out a spoke wrench for some _minor_ truing), so upgrades can be done when/if you feel like it later on.
No exp. with the Hour, though I considered it also. The geometry is slightly more relaxed... it's 4130... there seem to be alot of variables where you're not sure exactly what you're going to get. In the end, the TT was the better bike, at least on paper.
Oh... and make sure to put aside a little $ for when/if you feel like changing the gearing. The stock 48:16 is a little tall for some places.
No exp. with the Hour, though I considered it also. The geometry is slightly more relaxed... it's 4130... there seem to be alot of variables where you're not sure exactly what you're going to get. In the end, the TT was the better bike, at least on paper.
Oh... and make sure to put aside a little $ for when/if you feel like changing the gearing. The stock 48:16 is a little tall for some places.
04-03-09, 11:04 AM
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Kilo TT....used to have a fuji track, which is the same thing as the hour. I bought the TT frame and I like it much more. Much smoother ride
04-03-09, 12:25 PM
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thanks for the responses! I think I am going to roll with the TT, what are some essential upgrades you guys think I should change right off the back?
04-03-09, 12:38 PM
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After that, pretend you haven't read anything about others' experience with the bike, then decide based on your experience what needs upgrading. You'll get a lot of advice about what "needs" to be replaced, but unless you feel the need firsthand, you could be wasting what sounds like precious cash. You'll be kicking yourself if you splurge on a non-critical upgrade, and then something else blows out and you can't afford to replace it.
04-03-09, 12:39 PM
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like sunset said the gearing is pretty steep for a first bike if you live in a hilly area. so depending where you will be riding you may want to change that.
04-03-09, 02:45 PM
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I'm 6'2" and got the Mercier Kilo TT (pro) in a 60cm size. Probably could have gone with a 58cm without a problem, but now I don't need my seatpost jacked up 12" or a stem like a boat tiller either. Good bike, rideable out of the box (might want to dig out a spoke wrench for some _minor_ truing), so upgrades can be done when/if you feel like it later on.
No exp. with the Hour, though I considered it also. The geometry is slightly more relaxed... it's 4130... there seem to be alot of variables where you're not sure exactly what you're going to get. In the end, the TT was the better bike, at least on paper.
Oh... and make sure to put aside a little $ for when/if you feel like changing the gearing. The stock 48:16 is a little tall for some places.
No exp. with the Hour, though I considered it also. The geometry is slightly more relaxed... it's 4130... there seem to be alot of variables where you're not sure exactly what you're going to get. In the end, the TT was the better bike, at least on paper.
Oh... and make sure to put aside a little $ for when/if you feel like changing the gearing. The stock 48:16 is a little tall for some places.
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