Hi everyone. I'm new here and new to everything about bikes. Other than the bikes I rode as a kid, I know nothing else.

So I'm looking in buying a Kilo TT from bikesdirect to commute to and from school.
I've been reading a lot on the forums and I think that's the bike I'm gonna choose for sure.
Also, since its a center to center measuring, it's a little different.
I'm 5'7 and was wondering what size I should buy. I narrowed it down to 50cm and 53cm. Most likely 50cm.

Since I'm on a college student budget, can anyone recommend some cheap brakes and other accessories. that I would need for my bike? (tools, brake lines, brake handles.. just name anything i would need)
$350 for just the bike itself is already hitting my wallet HARD.

This bike is going to be my first real bike and I plan on just riding it with stock parts as long as possible until I get money to start swapping in some better parts.

And before anyone starts flaming me, I have been searching and reading the forums.

Thanks!

I think the Stripper, Pro, and WT come with brakes/levers... also the Pro and WT have some upgraded parts, cranks, rims, etc... (in black if it suits you). As far as the size, do the hardback book shoved as far up in the crotch as you can... back against a wall and measure (as if its your bike seat), to get an accurate "cycling" inseam. See if it gets you closer to a sizing decision. Compare it to the standover to make sure you don't get a frame that is to big at least. Give yourself an inch or so... maybe more since it has a long stem on it that will stretch you out a bit over the bars.

47cm (c-c) is 50cm(c-t) with TT of 513mm and standover of 29 inches
50cm (c-c) is 53cm(c-t) with TT of 523mm and standover of 30 inches
53cm (c-c) is 56cm(c-t) with TT of 548mm and standover of 31 inches
55cm (c-c) is 58cm(c-t) with TT of 570mm and standover of 31.7 inches
57cm (c-c) is 60cm(c-t) with TT of 575mm and standover of 33 inches
60cm (c-c) is 63cm(c-t) with TT of 606mm and standover of 34 inches

from: https://bikesdirect.com/products/merc...t_stripper.htm

Or you can use some of them fancy sizing measurement/calculators out on the web...

Tools... chainwhip, lockring spanner, multi tool, tire levers, patch kit, pump... you'll need to keep the wheels, cog, and pedals on tight, make adjustments, and fix flats.

Accessories... sturdy lock, bottle cage, water bottle, baggage (wedge, backpack, messenger bag), lights, fenders, etc...

Hmm... what did I miss?

^^^ I'm in the same boat as the OP and that info helped out a lot.

Thanks

Give the others a look too, they have brakes as well... beware the Kilo TT sizing is different than these others.

Motobecane Messenger w/flip and freewheel included (fixed cog and freewheel)
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../messenger.htm

Dawes SST w/flip and just a freewheel (no fixed cog included)
https://bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm

Windsor Clockwork w/flip and just a freewheel (no fixed cog included)
https://bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/clockwork.htm

hmmm the kilo pro and wt are a bit out of my budget.. 350 for the kilo tt was already pushing it.
i was only planning on spending 300 max, but it seems like the kilo tt is much more worth the money than the $300 windsor, so thats why i decided to choose the kilo tt.
but then the fact that it didnt include brakes came into the picture x_x
i think if i remember correctly, i read somewhere that brakes should only cost about $40?

get the stripper. it has brakes. and no-decal-goodness.

and why not the motobecane track for $279? it has better hubs (formula hubs). also says it comes with brakes (maybe only 1 brake). link

x_x white stripper is sold out =[

Some use this I believe... on fixed for just a front brake.
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1569

I would get an opinion from someone who has the Kilo TT to verify the fit on that fork. I have the Dawes SST and it's stock brakes front and rear.

Most here agree that both a front and rear brake are the best idea for fixed (commuting around cars can get you killed) even if you just use it till you're comfortable using your legs as the rear brake. Both front and rear are pretty necessary for a singlespeed/freewheel setup.

These guys (Bikeisland) are the parts/accessories business of Bikesdirect, and have some parts in common to the bikes they sell, decent prices, free shipping, no tax and such.
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...:%20Brakes-Rim

My Dawes SST came with Formula hubs too and both brakes!

Motobecane Track and add a front brake... a lil less cash. Seems the hubs are ball bearings and not sealed if I'm reading that right. Commuting may want sealed bearing hubs. You gonna commute in the rain?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cane/track.htm

is it just me or are kilo tt, windsor hour, dawes sst and motobecane messenger/track all are the same frame? (also khs flite 100, etc, and maybe different forks)

Hour and SST are from what I heard the same frame. Not sure on the Moto, but the Kilo is definately different. Rack and fender mounts all over the Kilo, even a chainstay bridge... great for a commuter.

My SST has no chainstay bridge to locate the front end of a full fender.

can anyone here confirm which brakes work best for the Kilo TT?
If the brakes arent too expensive, I would get a TT and brakes and just call it done for now lol.

Tekro are cheap and good quality.

so theres this economy set one for the front..
https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1569

what about the rears?

On your budget, you should definitely get the new Motobecane Track from BD. Only $279 shipped as long as you like white or black. It comes with a rear brake setup, so just get a longer problem solvers bolt, and you can run it on the front instead. Done. Then upgrade/replace parts as they break. Seriously, it's a no brainer. If this bike is up to the quality of BD's other bikes, this kills the hi-ten SE Draft & Schwinn Cutter.

How's the motobecane frame compared to the kilo tt frame quality wise?
I like how it looks and I love the price.

wait... the motobecane track 2010 is not a fixed gear. wouldn't it cost me another expense to make it fixed instead of just buying a kilo tt?

nah dude just buy a buncha superglue and ****ing clog the cog up and you got a fixed gear.

wait, what do you mean its not a fixed gear? im seeing that its running a fixed cog in the back.

"Cassette/Freewheel 15T Fixed Gear (1/2 x1/8) and LockRing or Flip/Reverse the wheel to add your own Freewheel (freewheel not included)"

yeah i just saw that.. sorry im new and dont know what more than 90% of the stuff means.
i just read the description of the bike and it said Single Speed. so thats what i went with.

so what are you going to get?

im gonna go with the motobecane track for 280.
seems like a good starter bike for me until i have money to fix it up a little.

This bike has it's own thread already. You may have noticed it. All 300+ pages of it.

yes.. i know.
love how ppl like to flame instead of help someone out.