europa

I don't know why people get so obsessed with track geometry. Both my bikes have 80's road geometry. I can't fault either of them for agility, even if it's having to dodge something I've suddenly noticed about to go under my front wheel.

But yeah, although we joking suggest the KiloTT for everything from touring bikes to bike gloves, there are plenty of serious suggestions for just your needs.

Besides, it's cheap and in 12 months, you'll want another bike and will then be in a position to really understand your needs. It's a good, safe choice. Go for it ... then wear it out.

GENESTARWIND

Go with the lbs buy rush hour, lbs support from them and you, help with proper fitting, possible discounts on other items, its a good bike and it won't have issues like the kilo tt like things not being to the same spec or installed dry, if you're lucky.
Great buy sure, having no two kilo forks the same? Varying tire clearances or the other random problems that have been discussed about the kilo. Brake hole drilled wrong.

If you're just getting back in to cycling having lbs support right out of the door is going to be immensely helpful

GENESTARWIND

Besides i don't think I've heard anyone here have anything negative to say about the rush hourand you won't have to disassemble it and check to make sure everything is good or take it to a shop and have it done.

TaylorFade

So, life distracted me and I kind of lost steam on finding a bike. I checked in periodically on the Kilo TT pro and it is NEVER in stock. It's like a unicorn!

I'm still wanting a bike, but the fact that I went 4 months without logging on here has me wondering if I should drop $500+ on what might become (and it pains me to say it) a dust collector.

With that said, let's drop the budget one step to say... $300ish? What's the go-to for that budget? The Moto fixie record? Is it 50 bucks better than the Dawes? Is it a personal choice between the Moto and the other $299'ers or is it flat out "better"?

Thanks for all y'all's help so far. I'm gonna get a bike, by golly!

bmontgomery87

For 300 dollars, if you have no used market, the best thing you can find would probably be:

New 2014 Windsor The Hour Plus Single Speed Track Bike 56cm Jet Black | eBay

300 dollar bikes are going to suck. If you're somewhat serious about getting into this (4 months seems like a while to sit on an idea personally) then get the Rush Hour. It's a solid bike and will resell if needed. (PS. if you get one and sell it, let me know, I miss mine)

Jared.

Not necessarily. I rode a Motobecane Messenger around for 4 years and really liked it. No major issues with it. Just swapped some parts around and gave it to my sister. While it won't get as many miles on it, it still rides just fine.

bmontgomery87

^^I didn't realize they were right at the 300 dollar mark. That doesn't look too bad for the budget.
I've ridden some low-end bikes, (still kind of do) and they work but I feel like you can't expect a lot out of anything under 500ish.

The raleigh was the cheapest bike that I felt I could keep riding on a regular basis and put significant mileage on.

Jax Rhapsody

All the bikes these guys are talking about, OP, are crap. What you need to do is get you a Thruster. It even sounds bad ass, and it has that 15 year old technology you would be used to; single wall rims, paper thin side pull brakes, mtb style 1" quill stem, the works.

I'm joking, seriously, there are good choices, I havn't heard anything bad about the Beatnik either which is a entry level bike, nor it's slightly higher level brother the Sputnik. Obviously everyone likes the KiloTT. Get that, and if you don't like it, it'll sell. And guys, don't give him too much trouble, he hasn't asked about a Pure Fix yet. lol

Dixie Gentleman

Where in Louisiana are you at? I drive from Arlington, TX to houma every two weeks. Would be willing to help you out if you find a craigslist bike in the Dallas area.

rms13

I'll say it one more time: kilo TT. There is a reason that everyone suggests that for a $400 bike. But at $300 I think the Hour or Messenger or Record will all be good enough for your purposes

NormanF

I bought a 1998 Bianchi Trofeo in a FG configuration. Its 54 cm. From my experience with being 5'7" with a 30" inseam, a 55 cm just feels a tad too big but I'm at home on a 54 cm and in other brands I would ride a 52 cm - definitely the latter size on a CX bike.

NormanF

A FG is great with a road geometry! Dude - if you're not racing in a velodrome, there's nothing sacred about track geometry. A good old-fashioned road steed will be far more comfortable.

NormanF

Dude you can even do it for $200. And save megabucks on your fixie.

noglider 

Sorry, but I don't get it with SS freewheel bikes. I think you might as well go fixed. It's more fun and a better workout.

905

I'll bite.

I ride SS not only because I don't need the other gears, but because it's easy to maintain; it ended up being like a gateway drug, giving me the confidence to do almost any repair.

I ride freewheel because, to me, it's more fun than fixed (shakes fist ineffectually at the late Sheldon Brown for starting or at least popularizing the "more fun" meme). As to which is a better workout, I suppose it depends how fixated (see what I did there?) you are about pedaling.

Whatever you decide TaylorFade, it's time to pull the trigger on that unicorn.

noglider 

905, I'm fine with different strokes for different folks. SS is more fun for you, so it's right for you.

kscott

Everyone is suggesting the Raleigh Rush Hour if the OP goes to a LBS.

If you had to decide between the Raleigh Rush Hour (Raleigh Bicycles - Rush Hour) and the Fuji Classic Track (Fuji Bikes | ROAD | TRACK SERIES | TRACK CLASSIC) with price difference being minimal, which would you do? I like the store selling the Rush Hour better, but can't tell if there is a real difference between these two? In either case, I will need to switch out track bars for drop road bars . . .

Thanks, K