johnbean

Hi guys!

I'm new to the forums and looking to get a new bicycle. Initially I was gonna go the walmart route but decided against it. However, I still have some sort of a budget, so at or under $300 would be best. I realize I'll get what I pay for, but that's just my situation for now.

So, I read some other threads and went to bikesdirect. There aren't a ton of bikes in my price range, so here is what I've cut it down to:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...essenger_x.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cane/track.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm

Color doesn't matter to me. And the prices are similar. I would prefer drop bars but I think the dawes would still be a nice choice. I'll probably try both single and fixed when I eventually get one. Of these 4, which would be best?

I'm just riding it around campus, so take into account that I won't be going on any 10+ mile rides...yet anyway.

Thanks, in advance, for the help.

-John

guitarmankyle

i'd say the motobecane messenger, i've heard some great reviews from them, anothe roption, you can also get a conversion if money is a big factor, a conversion isn't that much of a thief magnet, and is pretty reliable on campus

thirdgenbird

how about the americano?

its $350 and doesnt have drob bars, but you can always change them out. (admittedly not a BD fan)

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...0_20000_400317

TejanoTrackie 

The best value is the Dawes SST, which has much better wheels than the other 3 you listed. Also, the Windsor Clockwork has the good wheels with drop bars instead of bullhorns for the same price. Note that the Dawes SST, Windsor Clockwork and Motobecane Messenger are single speeds (freewheel), whereas the other 2 you listed are fixed gears and don't have a front brake.

vw addict

Kilo, Kilo, Kilo

TejanoTrackie 

Great price, but it looks like they've only got 2 sizes left at this discount price (52cm and 61cm).

thirdgenbird

yeah, i dont know what size he needs (i kinda want a 61)

thirdgenbird

white is still available in 52,54,58, and 61

add some tektro levers and drop bars and you would have a very nice ride

pablosnazzy

if you are going the bikes direct route, i'd get a windsor clockwork

Mr Pink57

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...5_10000_200348
Not terrible and on sale.

Plus until the 5th you can use the coupon code: GET15 for an additioanl $15 off. Plus the hub is flip/flop and set already with both cogs.

EDIT:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm
If you can push it the Uno is nice especially since you can get some bigger tires in there which can soften the road ride and room for fenders or whatever else.

Squirrelli

+1 on Dawes SST and Clockwork.

hpmcardle

All those bikes make me kinda sad 'cept for the Dawes, but there isn't too much choice you'll have with >$300.

I'd go with the Dawes and save up a bit o' change for a cog and lockring just in case you want to flip the wheel for funsies and ride fixed. It has a pretty nice wheelset for the price, like Mr. TT said.

NormanF

I'd get a Schwinn Madison but you can find a good deal at BD!

vw addict

Hey what about the "seconds" bikesdirect had up on ebay? I would check to see if those are up, weren't they like $150 for a complete?

jstewse

Craigslist is your friend. For $300 you can get a nice used fg/ss bike or a pretty sweet conversion if your willing to put in a little bit of time and effort. Also much more low key around campus.

johnbean

First off, all of these responses are extremely helpful. Thank you very much. This forum community seems wonderful compared to other forums (not bicycles) I've been around.

In order to convert this to a fixed gear, how much am I looking at as far as price? Is it just the cog and lockring?

@jstewse: I've tried craigslist around here, and it seems overpriced and I feel my knowledge of bikes isn't good enough to make an informed purchase.

I like the dawes and clockwork and from what you guys are saying, they seem like the best for my pricerange, no? I guess I need to make a decision on the handlebars. Which cost more, drop bars, or the bull horns if I wanted to swap them out? Maybe I'll get the one with the more expensive handlebars so that its cheaper to swap out. I'll keep thinking!

Anyways, if there is anymore input, I'd love to see it. Thanks again for the advice.

-John

jasonnc80

Nashbar usually has deals on their branded bars for less than $20. Be it risers, drops or bullhorns. I got a set of risers from them for my wife and they were nice quality. Coupon codes are posted on their site often as well if they are not on sale.

If you're around campus I'd maybe check out some LBS's in the area. If they are closeby they probably have a shop or two that caters to SS/FG and may have some deals close to what you'd find online. I was about to pull the trigger on a BD bike for my first FG as well but went by the shop here and ended up with a bike for about what I would pay online. Got a fit I needed and it came with a warranty and service that you won't find from an online shop.

Another good idea that may be an option for you would be to see if their are any local bike co-ops by your campus. Usually with those by donating time you earn the option of purchasing a used bike their for either free or a very minimal cost. I didn't know about the local one here before I bought my bike but I wanted to learn more about it so I started donating my time. I went there with absolutely no knowledge at all (I could change a tube thats about it) but after just a few weeks I had built up a nice mixte for my wife from just parts around the shop. I bought some new items from there (tubes, tires, brake pads) and I think total cost for a pretty nice ride was less than $30.

peach-picker

i would stay away from conversions, around here on craigslist people think their hi-ten 80s road bike conversion is worth as much as a kilo! i would say save up another $60 and buy a kilo from bd, they come ready to ride fixed, with drop bars.

FlyingZombo

Hey John - Thanks for posting this question as I'm also in the market and looking at both the Dawes SST and the Messenger. Don't know where you live, but in NYC people think they can charge and arm and a leg for a bike on craigslist - kinda frustrating. A friend of mine is selling a messenger for $200, so even though I like the Dawes more, I might go with the messenger just b/c it's cheaper (plus already assembled, which saves about $40 my lbs would charge), still an ok bike for what I need, and better than what I can find at a store around here. Also looked at the Hounder as well as the SE Draft on PerformanceBike (coupons were getting it down to around $180), but a friend of mine said the Messenger was better than the Draft.

Anyway, I'll let you know what I end up doing and hopefully any feedback can help you out as well.

Happy riding

TejanoTrackie 

Yes, it's just a cog + lockring. Cost for decent quality cog + lockring is about $30. Also, you'll want to get a chainwhip tool for the cog and a lockring tool for the lockring or go to the local coop / kitchen / lbs to do the installation.

riot2003

oooooh, can anyone point me towards this?

TejanoTrackie 

I think he means these >>> https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ROAD-TRACK-B...item20b5622f70 They are lower quality than the bottom of the line bd bikes though. Also, unlike bd, shipping is not free on these.

johnbean

As far as the BD bikes, I think I'm sold on the Dawes and Clockwork. I'm going to go to a couple of lbss and see what they have to offer.

My friend said bull horns are more relaxed if I'm simply riding around with no serious distance. Can anyone back this up?

-John

TejanoTrackie 

There really is no difference between riding bullhorns and the tops / hoods of road drops. Many people who ride road drops rarely or never ride on the drops. If you want the most relaxed position, get risers.

johnbean

I've decided to get the Dawes, and will receive it around Christmas. Thanks for all of the help everyone!

I'm sure I'll have questions to ask later, so until then, Happy Holidays!

-John