Looking to buy a bike for commuting; need opinions
 

Hey guys, my knowledge is very limited on bicycles, but I wanted a daily commuter to work to save money and simply because it's fun and refreshing to ride a bike.

I'm looking for an entry level single speed/fixed. Here are the ones I was looking at.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...kwork_plus.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst_steel.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...trackbikes.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Takara-Kabuto-...d+gear+bicycle

So after my research it's been narrowed down to the clockwork plus, the sst steel, the motobecane fixie record, or the takara kabuto. Please give your opinions about these bikes or reccommend a different one in the price range. Thank you and I appreciate any help.

Oh and if someone knows the actual weight for any of those BD bikes, that would help my decision greatly.

First, don't buy a bike on Amazon. Second, don't buy anything with colored deep Vs. The Dawes looks like it has a really cheap seatpost. I kinda like the look of the new Moto Fixie Record, so maybe that one. Don't worry about weight.

Ok, thanks.

But what's a colored deep V? Is there any reason you preferred the motobecane over the others besides the look? Or did you mean it looks like its not a cheap one? Couldn't tell.

It's a rim with a deep V shape painted in cute colors to attract people with a low IQ. It trades off basic quality for looks. The Moto is a good quality bike at a modest price.

For $300 it would be hard to beat that Moto with anything that I know of. It might just replace the Kilo TT as a stock SSFG answer.:p

It is amusing that BD calls it the "Motobecane Fixie Record" yet the component descriptions say "16T Freewheel (1/2*1/8) Does NOT come with fixed gear cog".

Go figure!!!

Does the fact that it doesn't have a fixed option make the motobecane any worse of a choice for me?

Nope, cogs are cheap. Likely as not, you would want to change the gearing anyway.

I'm looking for a similar purpose, but want something with braze-ons for a rear-rack. Most of the SS bikes on BD seem to have the top rack braze-ons (near the seat-post) but lack the bottom braze-ons (near the rear axle). Why include one but not the other? Don't really want to put scratch-risky adaptors on the frame for the rack. The Dawes seem to have the bottom braze-ons, but more for fenders I think (unless the would hold the weight of a rack).

Any recommendations? I like the Moto otherwise...

I have used these scratch free. They work fine and were problem free. You can save bucks by getting P-clamps and hardware at HD or Lowe's but how much do you intend to save on a $6 kit?? I can't see it being worth the trouble.

A search search should turn up racks that have legs that go over the axles. I have never used or paid any attention to that style.

The bike I am using a rack on now had bosses at the top of the seat stays, but I am using this seat collar. On this bike, with the rack that I have, using this collar just made everything look more "sanitary".

Those are not "braze-ons", but instead simply threaded holes in the dropouts themselves that are quite capable of supporting a rack.

Most people here seem to agree that the motobecane is the best bang for the buck out of the ones I listed. Could you or anyone else explain why that is? What is it about the motobecane that makes it the best deal?

We've already given you a multitude of reasons. You said you wanted a commute bike, so that means to me something practical and reliable. That bike seems to best fit the bill of the choices you've listed.

Hmm.. No..

I don't mean any disrespect but no one explained WHY the moto was the better choice. You simply said that it is. I was asking if I could get a more detailed explanation of why.

For example, for just a "commute" bike, all of the bikes above would do, even a wal-mart bike would do, because I can commute on any of them. Thing is I wanted to get the best bang for my buck. So what I'm asking is, what is different in the moto that makes it better from the rest?

OK. Go buy a Wal-Mart bike then, because it is definitely cheaper. Never mind the fact that you will spend a lot of time walking it when it breaks down. Capice ?

**** just got real up in here.

I don't trust cheap aluminum bikes. The aluminum bike MIGHT be lighter, but it's gonna be a harsher ride. I like the windsor.

Looks like you still misunderstand. I appreciate your help. I'll wait for someone else to answer that doesn't have a temper.

Actually, this is one of the reasons I wanted to hear more about the moto, because the other options are steel and I wasn't sure how reliable the aluminum frames are. Would love more opinions.

i highly doubt anybody here wants to write you an essay giving you a crash course through how to choose a bike with decent components. also, asking for opinions on an internet forum (especially this one) usually won't make your decision for you. Everyone has wildly different experiences with bikes, especially from BD

Lol, I do the same thing on forums about computers. Giving advice to people on computer builds. There's no way that bikes are more complicated than computers.. and I never have to type up an "essay" to explain why something is better than something else. That's ridiculous lol. Thanks anyway.

make sure it fits. :innocent:

What size of bike do you need?

If you want a bike with decent components go 105/Tiagra

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ntnoir_xii.htm

Is that you? I see the problem. Your hand is covering your eyes. If you moved that, you could be able to read my posts and respond accordingly.

I think it'll be 54 or 56cm. Just need a good reliable one in the 300 price range. Nothin fancy.

That's a sweet looking bike, but unfortunately out of my budget :\

..

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