I'm looking to get a SSFG in the $400 range. This bike would be a commuter bike to and from school with the occasional ride to the store on the way home. The thing is, I want something that'll stand out when I'm fighting traffic with 20,000 undergrads fighting for parking, but I don't want to stand out to the point where I'm a thief magnet. I'll be carrying a Kryptonite NY lock and a cable lock but you don't want your baby to be a target on a huge campus.

And while I'd love performance, durability is top priority. I want it to last me 4 years of college at least, 7 years hopefully through law school, with new parts here and there but not an overhaul every 9 months.

I've been thinking about the Kilo TT in purple, but I'm also considering a Leader build. However, I have a hard time thinking I'll be able to stay under $400 with a frame and wheels, let alone getting all of the parts (my other bike is not really an option for donations).

What do you think guys?

Building, as a general rule, tends to turn out more expensive than incrementally upgrading components on a complete bike. I'd suggest the latter for you.

an older frame (if you can find one that fits) from CL that you build up would probably stand out more and be less of a thief magnet. But then it's a matter of trolling CL for exactly what you want (might not happen).

/thread

I Kilo TT is the perfect $400 budget candidate. Use the extra $40 on new pedals and/or bars.

get a KILO or an HOUR they are both good bikes and cheap too then look at upgrading the wheels with something inexpensive like the WABI GXs or some dp-18

also look at getting a proper cog and lockring right off the el cheapos that come standard aren't very good