I've been browsing these forums for weeks looking for a bike, but I can't decide on one. I'd like to get one in the next few days so I'm coming to you guys for advice.

I live in a bike friendly college town (I'm sure you can guess which one).

The obvious choice is a Kilo (TT), but they're pretty much sold out in my sizes. I could get a stripper in raw, but I'd really rather have a frame that's painted.

Both my housemates have BD bikes. One has the Motobecane Sprint while the other has a Windsor Clockwork. Both bikes are awesome although they're on different ends of the spectrum. I don't really notice a huge difference though since I haven't had a bike in years.

I was deciding between the Gravity Attack (Swift2??) and the Dawes SST AL. I've read steel frames are more comfortable than aluminum frames, but I'm not a big fan of the huge decals most of the steel bikes have. What do you guys recommend? I'm willing to spend up to $450 (including upgrades). I'd really prefer a singlespeed over a fixed though.

I know you guys get a bunch of these threads, but I've done my research, and I'd really like to hear from you guys before I pull the trigger.

i was gonna say "in before kilo TT".. but OP beat me to it

Yeah, almost every single thread I've searched about this has a mention of the Kilo TT. I figured I'd put it in the OP so people wouldn't mention it.

EDIT: I'm from San Jose as well.

I hear Big Shot bikes are nice.

have you considered the motobecane track? it's steel and the only branding is the head tube badge.
how are the paths/roads on your campus and around town? most college campuses have well paved bike paths so an aluminum frame wouldn't be too bad.

I just ordered a Windsor the Hour today, but that is a fixed gear bike.
BD just came out with a new bike Gravity Swift2 which is priced at 309.95 which can be fixed/ss.
Another option is a Windsor Clockwork. 299.95

in before republic!

Thanks! Ordered 5.

The Track is nice, but it doesn't come with a freewheel (though it does have a flip-flop hub). I would also need to add a front brake. I'm not too familiar with bikes, but I might be up to the challenge (with a friends help).

The paths are pretty good. Roads are very bike friendly.

Menomena <3

Hey you. Yeah, you. Listen up.

Get the raw Kilo. I'm sure you won't mind if it's painted or not. Plus, it won't attract the bike thieves' attention (not that that means anything).

Good luck, kid. Oh, by the way. What size are you lookin' at?

the IMINUSD shop in downtown SJ has a deal on a "build your own" bike for $400.. pretty sure you could put a freewheel on instead of a fixed cog.. not sure if the deal includes brakes or not but you have $50 to spare so you could put brakes on with the extra $

Raw looks cool! Get it.

Squirrelli: Yup. They're awesome.

Pinkbullet: I'm ~5'11" so probably a 58 or 56 (depends on the frame). I got myself measured at the LBS, and the paper I received said ~57 would be perfect.

frantik: Maybe I'll check it out next weekend.

I've read the clear-coat chips easier on the raw frames since there's no paint for it to hold onto. Still not a big fan of the raw look. Brazing(?) on it isn't very attractive to me either.

Let's say I was getting the Gravity Swift/Attack. Would the carbon fork on the Swift2 be a worthwhile upgrade for $30?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...wift_track.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ift2_track.htm

I purchased the raw frame from here and will build my own. https://www.cyclingcloseouts.com/Prod..._frameset.aspx

Components wise, they're both pretty cheap; the brake levers and brakes are no name stuff, wheels are crappy with unsealed Formula hubs.

The carbon fork for $30 is definitely worth the upgrade.

They aren't the same frame at all...

Let's say I bought the Kilo TT (55cm?). A freewheel can be had for ~$20. I've read I can easily put it on myself. Would I need to true the wheel after? And I can buy any 16 teeth freewheel + cog, correct?

Edit: Found some better pictures off of ******: https://knarg.imgur.com/mercier_kilo_stripper_build

you don't have to true your wheel after installing a freewheel. any single speed freewheel will work.

get the kilo.

three best menomena songs in no order: cough coughing, INTL, rotten hell

My three favorite Menomena songs: Muscle N Flo, Strongest Man in the World, INTIL



The Kilo is certainty the best choice in terms of quality, but it's going to cost me ~$400 (after the freewheel), and if I'm spending that much on a bike, I'd like a frame that doesn't look terrible.

I've emailed them so maybe they'll let me know when they restock.

Choices, choices..

Quote:

Originally Posted by menomena

I've emailed them so maybe they'll let me know when they restock.

Choices, choices..

Which frame did you inquire about?

Also, where'd you find these links?:

Quote:

Originally Posted by menomena

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...wift_track.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ift2_track.htm

I looked around BD and I'm still scratching my head. And upvote for ******, lulz.

Edit: I suppose checking their directory would be useful.

I asked about the stripper & original Kilo frames.

The links were sent to me in the BD newsletter these past few days.

Air Aid, Muscle N' Flow, Boyscoutn' for me.

You can get the green TT from bike island for $299. https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=2120

As far as BD bikes, if it were me I'd get the Gravity Swift2 or Windsor Timeline (because lately I've been into relaxed geometry bikes). The Kilo TT (and even the Dawes SST Al) are a bit more aggressive (so get those if you prefer that fit).