new2fix

I'm in the market for buying a new bike and i've been searching ebay day and night, how does this bike look for a good first one to pick up?

https://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Mercier-Kil...3A1%7C294%3A50

a_elephant

The Kilo TT is a cheap bike. The frame is nice, but a lot of the components will need to be swapped out eventually.

I'd double check that there is a new lockring with that 18t cog, since the lockring that comes with the bike is notoriously flimsy.

I had trouble with the pedals and clips that came stock with the bike and swapped them out almost immediately.

The wheelset is cheap.

Depends what the auction goes to. Stock from BikesDirect this bike is $350.

Johnny Nemo

"Reason for selling is because I am being activated and won't be able to use it"

Is he is a sleeper agent for the CIA?! A Terminator who has suddenly discovered the whereabouts of John Conner?!

SpaceFace

I almost want to say he wants near to new price. Watch the auction, but if it seems to gets close to 300 i would rather just buy it new.

new2fix

thank you for your help, i'm gonna watch the auction and hope for the best

Aged Bike Fixer

So this guy ran his front brake off the right lever? Weird.

dsh

I run my front brake off the right lever. I didn't know that was weird.

the_don

thats normal, oh hang on. yanks reverse them for some weird reason

PedallingATX

ON every road bike I've ever seen: left brifter goes front brake and front derailer, right brifter goes back brake/rear derailer

dsh

I figured if you've only got one brake and one lever, your one brake might as well be controlled by your dominant hand.

But I'm probably weird too.

hnsq

I would second this. When I got mine, the only thing I immediately added to it was a brake. Eventually I started to replace things, but nothing major. In two years I have gotten new tires, larger cog (run 18t fixed, 17t freewheel), bullhorns and a new seat. I ran it stock (plus a brake) for over a year without problems.

the_don

yeah, as far as I can tell, only the US has the left as the front, the rest of the world is right hand front, to match the convention with motor bikes.

the_don

i found this nugget of info

"After some research I've found that it's the CPSC that has mandated that the front brake be on the left in America. The only reason I can think of as to why they would think this is "safer" is that since the early part of the last century most mass market American bikes had coaster brakes acting on the rear wheel and this was considered the primary brake. Since we drive on the right and use the left hand for hand signals, it makes sense to have the right hand available for the brake. That's fine with me, because the front brake is my primary brake. Interestingly, my parents told me that coaster brakes were the norm in continental Europe also, but I never encountered any in England. However, the "great unwashed", who watch reality shows and drive SUVs probably prefer the rear brake. From the safety standpoint, the result of a panic stop locking up the front wheel or the rear wheel, going over the handlebars is probably more dangerous. However, I think that one would have to develop a really educated left hand to modulate the front brake safely."

adriano 

i prefer the front on the right and so did sheldon!

new2fix

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...%3DI%26otn%3D2
so update on the auction, it's only at 220 and with 2 days to go, bid on it last second or keep looking???

i was also looking around for a bike for my girlfriend, she loves the color(girls! lol) of this one, would this bike be good for fitness/QT while i'm on mine? does anyone else ride with their significant other? thanks again for the help

https://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Motobecane-...3A1%7C294%3A50

devilshaircut

If you can get it for $220, I'd take it. The bike is $350 new and it wouldn't come with a brake, which would set you back another ~$40.

PedallingATX

I personally wouldn't pay more than 200 for a used kilo. They are so cheap you might as well buy a new one.

As far as riding w/ the GF----It's GREAT. I bought my girlfriend a road bike for Chanukkah this year and she got really into it. Now she has a new, nicer road bike and a fixed gear bike. I have road and fixed gear also. We ride around town, going out to dinner, hanging out w/ friends on our fixed gear bikes which is great. Then, on weekends, we will go get lost somewhere on our road bikes

I think it has improved our relationship a lot. Getting that kind of regular exercise makes us both a bit happier. Plus it's something to have in common. The downside is that now she's on the forums...haha jk.

queerpunk

They are so cheap you might as well pay another hundred and fifty bucks?

It's gonna wind up used anyway...

PedallingATX

yes, exactly. I follow the 50% rule when buying used bikes. I won't pay more than 50% of what the bike originally cost. For example, I will pay 450 for a 900 dollar bike.

You don't know where a bike has been or what it's been through...so why risk it? Random stuff can happen when you buy a used bike. Pretty much every part of the bike is a possible point of failure and it's impossible to tell which parts have been compromised when you're just looking at a pic on ebay.



If you don't know what you're looking for, you could miss some serious problem. This guy is new, so I wouldn't suggest that he buy used for his first bike. Especially a bike that comes w/ cheap components like the Kilo. What if the previous owner was adusting his handlebars and stripped the stem bolts? Just an example of one of the many things that could be wrong w/ a used bike. ESPECIALLY on ebay where you don't get to actually ride it or see it first.

Also, sizing could be a problem. When buying used, you may compromise on what size you get. OP might not even really know what size he needs, so that is also an issue.

Plus, most fixies on ebay are overpriced. You can get much better deals on CL

Have I given you enough reasons yet?

queerpunk

You make good points, but to me that's reason not to buy things one doesn't know about, rather than all used items.

PedallingATX

yeah I mean these are all just general rules I have about making purchases. Ebay to me is a little sketchy for used, complete bikes b/c you don't get to actually inspect them. The combination of this guy not knowing much about bikes and buying used off ebay doesn't seem wise, IMO, and with a relatively small difference in total price, I think it's worth it to buy new.

If the price of a brake lever is his concern, he should know that it will be way less than 40 bucks to get a brake. Ask anyone who rides a bike if they have a spare brake lying around. Then just get a $10 lever, and a few bucks for cable/housing. A lot of shops will give you this stuff for free/really cheap.

devilshaircut

I think 60% is more the generally accepted resale value on a used bike. But anyhow even if you think that eBay bike is only worth $150, it doesn't change the fact that it'll be hard to find one for that. Worth is ultimately determined by the availability, and I don't often see this bike being sold that low. Personally, I wouldn't pay any more than what is being asked though, because BD offers free S+H and the auction wants $40 for S+H.

serac

I do too. I can signal left turns and brake at the same time.

bikeybikebike

I run my lever on the left -- consistent with all of my geared bikes.

Signal? what's that

667

Are you older than 4? If not, don't buy a fG.