Narrowing It Down.
 

Hey my names Josh. Ive been looking at bikes on bikesdirect (go figure :p) and i am having trouble picking the right bike. Maybe i should list my criteria and uses for the fixie I want.

I have 400 dollars to spend. However I do plan on doing a little upgrading. I will probably replace the saddle and the pedals, maybe get a carbon fiber fork if i dont get one from the start. So if a bike is in the 550 range that will require no upgrading i could go for that. I do mostly in town riding, no further than 5-6 miles and would like to have the bike geared to around 2.8. I dont need a freewheel necessarily and would like to have decent tires and wheels to start.

I've looked at the variations of Kilo's but dont like that they are one inch steers, limiting me a little, but maybe i could get over that. Also the whole "aluminum vs steel" debate is in the air for me. Ive also looked at the Dawes, Windsor, IRO, and Gravity Attack bikes.

I guess i need advice in which would be the best bike to get for a frame, crankset, stem, tires and wheels, along with a smooth and decently comfortable ride.

$550 no upgrading, or $400 replacing the saddle, pedals, and having a carbon fiber fork.

All helpful comments are appreciated.

**** bikeforums, man. **** this place. I'm tired of these threads.

Errr...I meant to say Kilo TT Pro.

Leaning towards the Mark V Pro out of everything i've looked at.

I haven't ridden it but have heard very good reviews for the Dawes SST. Has the carbon 1/18 fork that you're looking for. At $369 you would have $180 left for upgrades. MKS pedals/clops/straps @ around $60. see if you like the stock saddle and spend the extra $120 on some super dope tires. Done.

What kind of riding do you do? Rain or shine? Haul cargo? Winters? Need room for wide tires/fenders? Need rack eyelets? Relaxed/tight geometry? Tossing a cheap road carbon fork can mess up your handling depending on what the bike was built for.

I'd get the Iro

I'd order the pastrami on rye, but then what kind of mustard?!?

This.

Made of 7005 double butted aluminium and have a road-oriented geometry.

IRO gives you several options for customization. That should preclude you from having to upgrade anytime soon.

I'm in California. Its mostly hot where I'm at. I'll be riding it when it rains as well, as long as its not storming. Dont need to haul anything just my backpack. I dont need wide tires or fenders. Dont need rack eyelets. I usually ride relaxed, but i'd be down for one that is tighter, but doesnt have to be super aggressive. Also i could always have a frame with tight geo and raise the stem up. I was thinking a kinesis carbon fiber fork if i end up getting one, but its not a necessity.

Rain - Fenders = skunk stripe up your back

clip on fender.

The front wheel kicks up water too, and then your shoes get soaked

Full fenders or nothing if you ride in the rain a lot.

THIS.

So what'd everybody have for dinner tonight? I enjoyed some leftover baked ziti.

in my experience from the last two winters, even with a full front fender shoes will get soaked riding 20 minutes across town in rain

The Kilo OS has a leather saddle.

Long front fender + spray flap = dry feet

I have the Windsor Timeline. Its a single speed from the start but cogs and lockrings are horribly expensive and you get two brakes if you want them. I got it for my daily commute of 14 miles r/t in Oregon weather. So fenders and wider tires for our ****ty streets and rain was a necessity. The pedals are **** with plastic cages, upgrade for sure. I replaced the saddle because the one it came with wasnt wide enough for my riding position. The stock freewheel went to **** kinda quickly in the rain, so i bought a White industries and its perfect now.

My duct tape spray flap got the job done, I commuted every single day this winter, regardless of the ice/snow/freezing-rain

Well thanks to the few people who stayed on topic and weren't trolling. Anyways I'm down to either the Gravity Attack when it comes back in stock, or getting one of the IRO's. Fenders aren't playing a part in my decision.

A Surly cog costs 20$

My guess is that he meant to say "aren't horribly expensive".