I'm thinking about getting either:

an Origin 8 Uno https://www.origin-8.com/product_deta...o&cl1=BICYCLES
or
a Mercier kilo tt

My only problem is I live in Monroe, LA. I have no way of test riding either of these bikes.

There is a plethora of info about the mercier, but I can't find hardly anything on the Origin 8 Uno.
I'm leaning more towards the Uno because it looks like it comes with slightly better components and I like the bullhorn handlebars. It also "looks" like I'll be less likely to fall over because of toe overlap.

Does anyone out there have the Origin 8 Uno?

For the past 2 years I've been commuting to work on a Trek 7100 and I've been waiting for the funds to get a fixed gear. With the help of my tax refund I'll be able to afford a $500 bike. The Origin 8 is just that $500. I'm definitely going to buy a bike (even though my wife insists we put that money towards a car. She has a car and I have my bike. I'm more than happy with the bike.) I just need to decide which one is best for me.

Any advice would be a big help.

p.s. This will be my first fixed gear in about 20 years. The last time I had one I was in 1st grade.

I'd vote for the Mercier. My buddy has one, and the toe overlap was nothing that was too terrible. Yes, there are some components that aren't super great, but you will save money to upgrade if needed.

I like the look of the Mercier better anyway.

I think you're confused as to what a fixed gear is. That bike you had in first grade had a coaster hub, which has a built-in freewheel. Thus you can coast. On a fixed gear, you cannot. Your legs are constantly in motion.

As for your original question, the Kilo TT is a fine choice for a first fixed gear. Just remember that their sizes tend to be a bit wonky. I can't remember what it is; if a 53 cm fit more like a 50 cm or if a 50 cm fit more like a 53.

Kilo tt runs large^

Kilo tt gets my vote. How long is your commute? Hills? Flats?

Uno is 24lbs, that's kind of heavy by itself.

I've been told back in the day many kids bikes were actually fixed, cheapest option, and most kids don't really care.

And +1 for the Kilo

My commute is 14.7 miles one way and it's completely flat. I've actually been looking at the kilo for a while. The only reason I even mention the uno is because that's what the owner of my lbs suggested.

The bike I had when I was younger was definitely a fixed gear. I distinctly remember riding down a hill and the pedals getting away from me. My shin took a pretty hard bang.

+1 for Kilo TT
Looks a LOT better, and probably rides better too.

I'm probably going to get the kilo. I just don't want to have to replace a bunch of parts shortly after buying it. I'm going to be putting some miles on whichever bike I buy (at least 30 a day). I've scoured the mercier thread. It seems like a lot of people replace the bb and the hs. I'm not really digging the handlebars or the pedals. But, like xavier said, I will have some extra money to replace whatever goes to pot. It would just be a bummer to have to push my bike 10+ miles.

and thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it.

Get the kilo, and gradually replace parts with ones that appeal to you more, or wear out. While you are doing that, you could potentially be getting a better concept of an ideal frame/parts that you "really" want, and eventually get. In my case, I started with a stock fuji track (~'05), swapped out the saddle and bars, rode it for a year or so, and developed a liking for vintage track bikes. I eventually sold the fuji, and now have 2 vintage track bikes (a '76 fuji and a '79 raleigh) built up with mostly vintage parts. The pursuit of the old frames and parts is almost as much fun as riding them. You may find your kilo (or whatever) suits you fine and leave it at that, or you may prefer something else eventually. But getting a basic track bike and working on it yourself is a great way to learn about bikes and develop preferences based on your tastes and less so based on internet consensus of what you should like/get. imo.

If you are worried about the toe overlap issues and are pretty used to road bike geometry, I would suggest the Widsor Hour over the Kilo.

#1 it has less chance for toe overlap in the smaller sizes due to more lax geometry.
#2 it has more lax geometry so it will be a little more stable and less twitchy.
#3 its cheaper at $280 which leaves more room to change a few things up front.
#4 everyone and their grandmother has a Kilo.....shouldnt matter but hey.

my 2 pennies

[QUOTE=Deshi;10510717]
#4 everyone and their grandmother has a Kilo.....shouldnt matter but hey.
/QUOTE]
Probably more of a reason to get a Kilo, tried and true but then again the Windsor has a reasonable following as well though not as large.

I have a Kilo Stripper 53cm and its literally impossible for my feet to touch the front tire at any angle. This is with cage+straps, not sure how my clipless setup will work but I'll report any problems once I get it on Friday.

those are things many people replace anyway on their bikes. The BB and HS, well I don't know about that.

If you're commuting, also check out the Redline 925 at your LBS. I've got one, and with the touring geometry and the space for fenders, it makes for a GREAT commuter!

What size cages do you have?

The Redline 925 show iz purty!!!

commuting w/ a ktt i love the tight geo. I'd vote for that. It's twitchy at times compared to my old Jury, but adaptable.

I commuted almost all winter on my Dawes SST, its a little different now but essentially the same setup

I think they're the stock ones that came with the Kilo, all I did was buy new straps.
I think they are relatively small though as far as cages go.

Hey gecko, i like your dawes

Thanks post winter and flood changes to my fixie