Nashbar hounder for $200?
 

Is this bike worth $200? Its got a ChroMo frame, formula hubs, and both fixed and freewheel hub.
http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...1_10000__10001
Looks pretty decent, but I want to know if I'd be wasting my money. They also have the SE Draft lite for $225.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=138524

• Frame Urban Single Speed Design, Cro Mo, Water Bottle & fender Mounts
• Fork: Triple Butted Cro Mo w/ Fender Mounts
• Headset: Tange 1-1/8" Threadless
• Handlebars: 1.5" Riser Bar
• Stem: 10 Degree Drop
• Grips: Velo Diamond Cross
• Brake Levers: Tektro, F & R
• Brake(s): Tektro Dual Pivot Alloy Caliper F & R
• Seat: Velo Black
• Seat Post: Straight Post 27.2, 250mm length
• Crankset: 3-pc Euro Steel, 42T
• Chain: KMC Z410
• Pedal: Wellgo Platform
• Rim: Alex DC19, 32H, Stainless Spokes
• Front Hub: Formula 32H, Nutted
• Rear Hub: Formula Single Speed 32H, Nutted, w/ 16T Freewheel, 16T Fixed Cog
• Tires: 700c X 28

http://i48.tinypic.com/2mpivtc.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/i1y13n.jpg
http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...1_10000__10001

SE Draft is also $200
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?storeId=10052&langId=-1&catalogId=10551&productId=1073274&cm_mmc=$%28referrer%29$-_-Bikes/Frames-_-SE%20RACING-_-30-1215-BLK-056&mr:trackingCode=1E17BC46-A681-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

I would go with the Nashbar since it's got crmo frame rather than HiTen Steel that the Draft has.

Both are around 27lbs, probably bomb proof, but not light.

i know this is a cookie cutter response but... you cant just save 80 more dollars and get a windsor hour?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm

^ Yes.

If that thing is weighing in at 27 lbs, I'm thinking it's hi-ten. The Dawes MTA (which looks amazingly similar to both that Nashbar bike and the SE Draft) was commonly mislabeled as cro-mo when it first hit the market.

Thats heavy cromo. Maybe only one pipe is crmo, like, the rear brake bridge or something.

two quality locks, using proper locking technique, and your bikes probably wont get stolen.

If wider tires is what you want, the Timeline is the obvious way to go. And yeah, what Dinosaur said. Lock you bike properly, damnit!

I used a U-Lock to a thick bike rack going through the front wheel and the frame. What's the correct locking method?

With mini U locks
lock the front rim to the frame with a U lock
lock rear rim, through the triangle, to whatever rack or pole.

with a big U lock you can lock the chain stays, rear rim, and front rim to whatever

don't leave your bike out for very long, lock next to a nicer bike. Ask your professors if you can bring the bike into the room.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/images/locktechnique1.jpg
..

That's damn heavy.

Yeah. No way it's cro-mo (unless the tubes are filled with sand).

what kind of u-lock? it wasn't an old kryptonite was it? so the lock must have been cut? was it broad daylight?

Uh, where's that video of the guy hacksawing through the rim and tire in about 15 seconds and ripping it off the u-lock, leaving the u-lock intact on the bike rack or post? The bike wasn't rideable, but he just ran off with it.

This method is best if you have nice wheels. Why would the thief want to destroy a good wheel since it's probably the easiest thing to sell? They're probably the most valuable parts of a bike as well. But crummy wheels...

Not a worry of mine. The inside of my tires are lined with explosives.

I would have guessed some sticky buds...

:lol:

I always use sheldon's method but the trick is to have multiple locks on as well.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/...69246cdf_b.jpg
yeah I use 2 locks on my 3rensho^^

ok for reals not my 3rensho haha but seriously I have an onguard bulldog mini tc that I got for $20 and use for errands; I'm thinking a 2nd one could be the money if I got a job or something and started commuting. they're light, secure enough, and cheap

I use a Bulldog Mini and a cable through my front wheel. I don't live in a high crime area though.

Hmm so no one has bought this bike here? I know the windsors and dawes are a lot better, but they cost $100 more. Do you think i could fit 700x32c cyclocross knobby tires on this bike? I have a set lying around.

I think I'd only run cyclocross knobbies if I was going to be riding in the dirt or grass a lot. Skinny knobbies on pavement are really unpredictable in the corners. I love my cyclocross bike. I ride it on mountain bike trails with 38mm knobbies and do centuries on the same bike with 28mm road tires but knobbies on pavement are sketchy especially if it's wet (I'm in FL, there's a good chance it's wet). For pavement, a good quality compound road tires almost always has better traction than any knobby. I ride my SS/Fixed road bike across the grass on campus all the time with no problem and I have 23mm road tires on that bike (I try not to do it if it's wet though cause it leaves ruts if it's muddy and tends to slide if it's just damp).

So I ordered the Hounder on Friday and it got here today on Tuesday! Some people have complained that Nashbar is very slow at shipping but this is pretty quick IMO. Once I put it together when I get home I'll post up some pics!

Sure if you live in the same state as their shipping center which is Ohio i'm sure you have no problems with their speed. They're awfully slow for me with the standard shipping.

Anyway, enjoy your new bike. I'd like to see some pics of the frame.