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Yes, another Kilo TT thread (but with good questions)

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Yes, another Kilo TT thread (but with good questions)

Old 02-13-10, 11:27 AM
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Yes, another Kilo TT thread (but with good questions)

So, I've decided to start from scratch and build from the ground up, starting with a Kilo TT Deluxe frame off Bike Island. Was gonna go with IRO, but honestly just like the looks and color options on the Kilo. I'm trying to stay under $900 for the build, and know I could go with a "nicer" frame on this budget, but would much rather splurge on components. (I may still look at a Mission build, but for now am pretty set on the TT just for the fun of doing it myself....).

Now my questions:

1) Sizing: I know these run big. I'm 6'1" with a 34" inseam, and generally prefer to err on the side of a smaller frame - I hate feeling stretched out. My torso is fairly short. My TCR is a M/L (57cm). The 55cm has a standover of 32 inches, the 57 has a standover of 33 inches. I'm leaning towards the 55, but that seems SMALL! How tall are you, what is your inseam, and what size TT do you ride??

2) Fork: From what I can tell, they only ship with a threadless fork, but say you can have the fork cut and threaded - would I have to go have this machined myself, or will they also ship compatible for threaded headset/stem? (I already asked @ Bike Island, but haven't heard back yet).

3) Build Kit: Debating having a build kit sent out for $320 with the intention of replacing virtually every part eventually. This would give me a bike that's ready to ride while I'm working on the build, and extra components when my build is final to put on a conversion or sell, or whatever. If anyone has used the Bike Island kit - how schwag is it?? Even worth $320?

Gonna pull the trigger on a frame by next weekend, so this is officially my last week for research - hook me up with some info!!
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Old 02-13-10, 11:43 AM
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For Christ's sake, just buy the damn stock bike and upgrade from there. The stock bike is cheaper than a $320 temporary build kit.
I'm the same height as you. Get the 57cm unless you want to run 3 miles of stem spacers.
BTW, threaded forks are inferior to threadless. Stick with threadless. If you have a vintage or NJS frame, then I could understand wanting threaded to match the look. But its just a cheap chromo frame you are building up here. Stick with what works better.
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Old 02-13-10, 12:05 PM
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I know, I know.....only you can't get the stock bike built on the Kilo Deluxe with the chrome dropouts (or at least I couldn't find it built). I do like the looks of the stock kilo tt, but the dark green w/ chrome is hottt. And the frame itself only sells for like another $40 over the standard tt.
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Old 02-13-10, 12:36 PM
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I am 6 foot with about a 33 inseam and I ride a 55cm kilo and it fits perfect. if you wanna run smaller I would go with that. I run threaded. there are an equal amount of ups and downs for threaded and threadless. I like threaded, I like the ease of adjusting height without having to jumble with spacers and readjusting the stem every time I wanna make a few cm change. I had my fork threaded at the LBS for 30 dollars.
if you already have a bike to ride while your building then I suggest sourcing parts yourself rather than dropping cash on parts you will only use for a short period of time. Once you have all the parts and tools in hand it will only take you a few hours to build the whole bike up, unless your wheels are completely not tensioned and unridable.
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Old 02-13-10, 12:50 PM
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I plan on doing most of my work myself, and all (most) of my ordering and wheel build through bikebiz in Sacramento. I don't have a fixed to ride right now, I had to sell mine when I moved this last summer, so I am badly wanting some instant gratification, but don't want to settle for less than I want just in haste. I am planning on riding the Tour de Cure (pretty flat century) on my fixed gear in early may and want to get some good miles in before then. Pretty hard to prepare for 100 on a FG when all you have is a geared bike...Such a dilemma.
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Old 02-13-10, 01:30 PM
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Hell what if you ordered a regular TT complete + the Deluxe frame, swapped all the parts and sold the TT frame on CL. Sure you'll lose a little but it's a lot better starting point than 225+320 if you're planning to replace all the parts anyway.
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Old 02-13-10, 02:09 PM
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Or buytje frame and a cheap beater to ride on CL?
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Old 02-13-10, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by humboldt'sroads
I know, I know.....only you can't get the stock bike built on the Kilo Deluxe with the chrome dropouts (or at least I couldn't find it built). I do like the looks of the stock kilo tt, but the dark green w/ chrome is hottt. And the frame itself only sells for like another $40 over the standard tt.
spending hundreds of dollars extra for that? seriously?
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Old 02-13-10, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by mihlbach
spending hundreds of dollars extra for that? seriously?
Well, that along with nicer looking dark green sparkle paint and no decals....

Originally Posted by preston811
Hell what if you ordered a regular TT complete + the Deluxe frame, swapped all the parts and sold the TT frame on CL. Sure you'll lose a little but it's a lot better starting point than 225+320 if you're planning to replace all the parts anyway.
Hmmmm...a really good point.
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Old 02-13-10, 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by humboldt'sroads
Hmmmm...a really good point.
Plus you can wait to order the Deluxe until you get the TT and make sure it's the size you want. Bonus!

Originally Posted by humboldt'sroads
I'm leaning towards the 55, but that seems SMALL!
They run big because they're measured c-c. Compare the top tube with what you've ridden previously.
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Old 02-13-10, 04:01 PM
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You can get a complete whole other bike for less than the build kit... ebay $200.
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Old 02-13-10, 05:33 PM
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Dude...don't you know you're not supposed to like the way your bike looks? Get a clue if you want to stick around!
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Old 02-14-10, 02:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
Dude...don't you know you're not supposed to like the way your bike looks? Get a clue if you want to stick around!
True. If I don't have any semi-major purchases to justify every 2-3 weeks I'll definitely hate cycling. Sux participating in a sport in which your level of enjoyment is dependent on how quickly you purchase parts you have no real need for....just kidding.........but seriously...

Thing is, I know could be happy on whatever I end up on; my first fixed gear was a 62 cm Raleigh with a bent fork, quick release, biopace no brakes, frankenchain, and a death wish. I survived that bike and the rest of my early 20s but want to finally have that bike that you couldn't possibly want to do more to. I just love the fu_ _ out of riding and I want something that feels really, really good, ya know?
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