Where to begin? Buying a complete bike
 

Hey everyone,

I'll start by saying I have 0 experience with fixed gear bikes and really 0 experience with bikes in general. I made sure to do the right thing and read through all the forum stickies and even do forum and Google searches.

What I'm looking for is recommendations on decent quality, reliable fixies under 1000 dollars. I would say under 500 dollars but I am assuming most people here might say there is nothing worth getting at that price point. I've looked into a lot of companies that make bikes in this price range like: PureFix, Retrospec, State Bicycle Co, Strada, Surly, Mercier, Fuji etc. I'm not really able to distinguish between which are respectable companies and which are just trying to cash in on the trend with super colorful, customizable bikes.

I'm a complete novice and know nothing about building bikes or what to even look for. I'm just finding out about terms like hi-ten and chromoly. Eventually if this becomes something I want to dedicate more time and money to I'll gladly put in the time to researching individual parts and doing more customization.

I'd love to get a few recommendations so I have some options. Aesthetics are important to me but getting something that isn't trash is more important. I want start off on the right foot and I think this place will have a ton of knowledge to give.

Thanks!

If you have read the forums at all, you would know that's not true. Everyone is going to reply "get a Kilo TT". And that's under $500

Where's a good place to read up why the Kilo TT is the best choice. Doing a Google search just gives old reviews from like 2010. Also what is the absolute best place to buy one. Will local bike shops carry it or is it better to look online.

Thanks for the replies.

Kilo TT is only sold through Bikesdirect, there are a few different versions. The pro version is a little more money but you get some better components and for $50 it will cost less then upgrading them yourself.

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

You might find a used one on your local craigslist

It's an inside joke here because the standard answer to every noob with your question is "get a kilo tt". But with good reason, the bike is actually a really good value for $400 and the frame is good enough quality that is worth keeping the frame and upgrading everything else down the road. If you just search kilo on this very forum you will find endless discussions about it. The next level up for a complete would probably be one from Wabi cycles and if you want an aluminum track bike maybe a Leader complete but then you are closer to $1000

Look for good bike shops in your area.

VERY easy to find used. Should have no trouble finding a good one under $500. These bikes have less components (IE gearing) so they usually do not carry the same cost as the usual roadie.

I'd save up a little more and get a Wabi Classic complete for $250 more.

http://www.wabicycles.com/classic_bike_spec_11.html

You can also find pretty good deals on craigslist around your area. Or just Kilo TT on Bikes Direct.

You pretty much got all the good suggestions you can get. Search the forum more if you need more info on the Kilo TT. Size is just as important as finding a good bike, make sure you use the fit calculator in the sticky section.

I did some more searching and came across this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=kilo

I apologize for reposting a similar question so soon. Does anyone have any additional thoughts on the Raleigh Rush Hour, Wabi Classic or Kilo TT. Are these fairly similar bikes? Thanks for all the suggestions!

I wish everyone would shut up about the kilo tt. Buy a bike from your local bike shop, they'll be able to fit you to a size that is right, and if anything goes wrong or even if you need help with anything they'll be much more willing to help you out. As a beginner cyclist, I would say going with a steel frame will be more fitting but if I were buying a new frame I would get this: http://www.pinarello.com/en/bike2014/track/pista

Are you in a decent sized market w some craigslist traffic?

if not, kilott then report back after about 500 miles.

dude. This is perfect. OP asks about a $500 bike and you sell him an $800 frame. That's one way to do it.

Here's how you fit yourself to a kilo tt: Measure from floor to your ballsack. Round down to the nearest inch and buy the kilo with that number as it's standover height. Done.

Have you measured yourself to see what size bike frame you would use? For me, since I'm on the small size, some frames aren't made in for me, so it allowed me to narrow down my choices.

Link included:
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/St...ulatorBike.jsp

People still give this advice?

How is the kilo tta good suggestion? He said he has zero experience with bikes so the first thing he would have to do is takeit to a bike shop and have them go over it and make sure everything that needs grease or a torque spec is done right and then instal the rest of the components, if there is any problems and if there are box it up and send it back.

Seriously stop with the kilo tt crap.

Op check out your local bike shops and see what they have to offer first. Raleigh, specialized make fixed gear bikes and both can be ordered through a shop that carries those brands among others and have them fit you too.

He's asked on this internet website, so there's a chance he might have the internet.

OP, do you have an internet? If you do, you might be able to find out how to screw a bike together on there.

I don't have an internet, so I might be wrong. Maybe nobody on the internet knows how to do that.

Yeah, but is there information about bikes on the internet?

thats not the point, a kilo tt may be an amazing budget bike but it is far from friendly when it comes to inexperience. Especially when op stated he doesnt know anything "which there is nothing wrong with". No two kilo tt's are the same, op doesnt know yet if he wants to run larger or smaller tires which factors into buying a kilo because of the varying clearances, no two kilo tt's are the same. the fact that allot but not all BD bikes tend to be installed dry and for a beginner that could be overwhelming. Im not trying to jab at BD

he should just head towards his LBS. he has questions, he wants to buy bike, Shop helps fit him, shop answers questions on the spot without having to wait for a reply on the internet. OP builds rapport with shop. possible discounts and an endless supply of help and information without having to wait for replys on a ****ing forum. YES a kilo tt is a budget friendly bike, but for someone who just wants to get into ss/fg and is inexperienced. LBS is the answer. yes you may pay more but with that you get allot more. You dont get anything from buying from an online vendor except if there is a defect send it back and he will replace it.

im not knocking bikes direct, they offer a good service but for you chodes to constantly say "kilo tt" to ****ing everything... ..|..

If he's willing to spend a few hours on youtube and the internet (he's on a forum so that's probably not beyond his capabilities) I'd say he'd be just fine buying a complete bike off the net. He isn't going to the track or bombing hills without brakes, so I don't think the bike has to be perfectly dialed for him to enjoy it.

That being said, if I'm willing to drop upwards of 1000 dollars on my first bike, I'd probably head to the LBS and make sure I get one that is suitable for the riding I plan to do. He could probably get on a Raleigh Rush Hour without spending much.

Another vote for Wabi, I got the Classic last year and really like it. The geometry is designed to be comfortable on all day rides. Call Richard and he'll get the fit right for you.

I love my Rush Hour so far. Only had it for a little over a month, but I'm happy with every aspect of it.

Thanks for all the replies, I really do appreciate the varied opinions.

Luckily I do have the internet and have been trying to do as much research as I can. But I will admit that buying from an LBS is sounding a lot safer at this point because of my inexperience. I know there's a shop just minutes away from me that sells Raleigh bikes, however, online they didn't seem to have the Rush Hour in their catalog. Hopefully if I go there to be fit they would be able to order it.

I'm curious, if the Kilo TT is such a popular bike why don't bike shops offer them? I understand that holding onto inventory would cause prices to go up but they could even offer buying it off of BD and checking it out for the customer for a premium. Maybe that defeats the purpose, a good bike for a good price. At this point I didn't even see anything on BD that might fit my size (basing sizes off of simple height charts I've seen online). I'll have to keep an eye out for when the get more in stock.

At this point I think the first thing I need to do is get measured at a LBS and ask if they offer anything that fits my needs. I mostly just wanted to start out commuting to work, which I'm only a few miles away from, and then take things from there.

Again, thanks for the great discussion, no matter what I end up doing I plan on reading/watching as many tutorials on building/maintaining bikes as I can. I do want to become competent enough to service my bike and eventually buy new parts and install them myself.

Bikesdirect.com only sells... Direct. That's their business model. There is an lbs by me that sells Raleigh but they don't stock Rush Hours because most people that shop there are looking for a hybrid/fitness bike. Any Raleigh dealer can order a Rush Hour for you. The lbs by me will order one for me but their policy on special orders is you pay in advance and you can't return it so if it doesn't fit your out of luck. That's why I won't buy a bike there, defeats the purpose