I like my mazda3 it has 115XXX miles in it now and I still love it like the day I bought it

In other words, you love it long time?

OK postscript on the 700x28c tire quest.

LBS offered RiBMos, Marathon Plus, Gator/GatorHardshells, and a couple Vittoria leftovers from stock bikes. After a bit of soul searching I submitted to paying retail+ for the Ribmos. Relative to online offerings such as Scrod's, net donation to LBS for two tires was about $40. Chalk up some positive karma pour moi.

Time will tell, but from the perspective of this fixed gear neophyte's Kilo TT, the initial impression is that these are ideal urban commuter tires. Roll great, grip great, with a subtle sense of invulnerability while riding the kind of 3rd world streets one may encounter in an infrastructure-challenged American metropolis. Probably the 23c Kendas that came with the bike are a little faster on perfectly smooth asphalt, but overall I'm riding with a lot more confidence and comfort now.

I didnt notice you're in NOLA. Ribmos are thick down the center and will serve you well on those god awful roads

Should I just go for it tomorrow?

Should I get a kilo tt pro from bikes direct, or buy the scattante americano 4 from performance bikes?

Sorry.

all day. every day.

Why are you sorry?

Kilo TT Pro gets my vote. Not a fan of scattante.

should i buy a Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno?

Yes. I wish I had one

Yes indeed, although bike activism is on the rise in NOLA. We now have some beautifully resurfaced streets with marked bike lanes -- which is why I held off for a few months on this tire purchase. The daily commute does have a few pretty rough stretches.

Never heard of problems with the skyactiv engine. That's a shame. :(


The stock kenda tires on my windsor hour are dying. Should I go typical 25c rando rear, 23c gatorskin front? Or 23c serfas seca front and rear? I don't skip stop nor do I skid, and I don't ride on questionable terrain. Feel free to post suggestions if my choices suck

i'm going to be buying a bunch of things from treefortbikes soon but i recently got a gift card to rei. should purchase some things from rei even though it won't be as good a deal?

There are a bunch of sites that let you sell of trade gift cards that you may not want. Google it.

Well people generally dislike people asking about what bikes to purchase!

Thanks I took your advice.

Should I upgrade my stock bike or get a road bike? Have been riding my fuji for a year now, no upgrades on it yet. I mostly ride for commuting and some night rides with my friend. I love the simplicity of one gear but i think commuting and riding would be a lot easier with a road. Any advice would be amazing.

Buy the road bike, everyone needs a bike that just sits in the shed feeling unloved

I was gonna give it to my little cousin or girlfriend because it would fit them better. No unloved bike here.

Accidental or deliberate, I'll give you that riposte :D

I meant it'd be the new roadie that'd be left in the shed. ;)

Being serious, having both is a good thing because it allows you to learn the differences and it's only then that you can choose what you prefer. It also allows you to ride how your mood dictates - I love fixed gear but also appreciate having gears sometimes. ;)

Is upgrading a chain going to make a noticeable difference? I have the cheapest kmc chain right now, its on a sugino gigas and messenger set up. Should I go with a izumi eco track chain or is there something better for around that price ($20).

Edit: If it is going to make a big difference I have no problem buying a more expensive one if it is going to be worth the money.

The better chain will run smoother and last longer. It's probably a case of what you can afford - there's nothing wrong with a cheap bmx chain but a better chain is probably as cost effective in the long run because it'll last longer. Ask your budget - which can you afford?

You really can't go wrong with a KMC K710-SL, or a (so I've heard, no personal experience...yet..) KMC Devil 101.

Go on, be a devil and buy one. Give us a purchase to destruction road test. We expect a report in a month - that's long enough isn't it? :roflmao:

The kmc devil looks like a good deal for the materials. Thanks to you both.