steady407

Hey there,

I've been on these boards for a couple of months trying to do research and figure out a good buy on my first fixed gear bike. After reading numerous posts i was set on the Kilo TT Pro. Due to my GF wanting a bike all of a sudden, i had to pay more attention to cost. I began looking on craigslist and i eventually ran into the bike i bought last night, which is a State Bike. I know the rep they have on these boards and i was really skeptical about getting one, but for the price, i had to pull the trigger. What do you guys think of my purchase for $225? MSRP is $649. The specs on the bike are here: https://www.statebicycle.com/ProductD...Code=contender

Here's a picture of the bike before taking it home.





I have yet to ride since it has a bad rear tire and tube. The bike comes with a 700c x 23 tire from factory. What would be a good replacement tire and tube? i ask because most tires that i see online are usually 25's or 28's. The front tire is still good and it's the stock one.

By the way please shoot me suggestions with stuff you guys think i should get and if you can provide a link i'd really appreciate it.

Thank you for your help in advance.

WestPablo

Congrats, dude!

Go to www.biketiresdirect.com and get the Soma Fabrication Everwear 5mm tires on closeout sale

steady407

Thanks you sir.

TranceLov3

Nice! I hope you're happy with it

steady407

Thanks! i'll be happier once its running.

GENESTARWIND

Freedom thick slick is alright I'm currently running then.

50voltphantom

Looks great.

steady407

Thank you for the suggestion. I've seen those around the web. any suggestions on the size? like i said it currently has 700c x 23.

steady407

Thanks!

GENESTARWIND

I run 23 in the front and 25 in the Rear , they are flat resistant, do a good job and look nice just a tad heavy but I wouldn't worry about that just yet.

steady407

Got it. Thank you for the advice.

jhess74

For what it's worth, if you're planning to replace both tires, I'm not sure there's going to be enough clearance for anything wider than a 23 - at least in front. It looks like there's very little extra room between the current tire and the fork. I'd double check that before you drop any money on wider tires.

TejanoTrackie 

Also, if you're only going to have a single brake on your bike, better to put in front, which will mean even less tire clearance.

MattFoley

I have a State and am running 25s (Conti GP 4 Season) with plenty of clearance. FWIW, my State has almost 800 miles on it since mid-February (it's my main commuter) with zero problems.

cobrabyte

try just changing the rear tube first. What's wrong with the rear tire?

rms13

I'm also running Thickslicks in 700x28. I could do without the giant logo on the sides but that's my only real complaint. They aren't light but they are durable and fast rolling for a bigger/thicker rubber.

I second the idea of just replacing the tube unless the tire is worn through from too many sw8 skidz. punctures may be fine with a new tube

europa

It's been said earlier but I'd like to reinforce it - put that brake on the front or, better still, buy another one. The rear is the wrong place for your only brake, it's the front one that does most of the work.

With the tyre, as said, just fix/replace the tube and see how you go. Tyres need only get changed when they're worn out.

Cute Boy Horse

Mismatched rims and a brake on the wrong end of the bike, with the lever on the wrong part of the handlebars. God only knows what that thing suffered before you bought it.

steady407

That’s def something I have to look into. I really don’t want to waste money, but for now I’ll only be changing the rear tire.
Thank you for telling me this. I found it really weird that it was in the rear specially when its set to fixed gear. For now I’ll keep the 23 in the front and check the clearance after moving the break.
This is great to hear! Hopefully I’ll get the first ride in this Monday.
Honestly, the guy told me he pinched the tube and then he immediately told me that it needed a new tire as well. Once I get home ill inspect the tire a little better and if it looks good I’ll try just a tube first. I'll post pictures of the tire later on.
Man I kinda like the logo lol. I grew up around drag racing and I always loved hoosier slicks because of the lettering on the tire lol. BTW a durable tire is what I need; I have no experience with road bikes, so I might just go this route, but first I shall just change the tube.
I’ll be buying just the tube for now. I’ll post pics later on and let you take a look at the tire. I appreciate your knowledge sir.
Lol. It probably did suffer, but I’ll show it much love. Those rims are the same, the back one looks like that because the brake wore the black off the rim.

steady407

Just bought a pump, leavers and a tube.... I'll find out if the tire is any good by tonight...

steady407

I got home late Sunday and attempted to install the tube, but the tube i got had too short of a valve stem. So, on Monday morning i went to another LBS and got the correct tube, they installed it on the "tire that needed replacement" according to the previous owner. The tire ended up being fine and the bike is riding like beaut'. Here's a pic of how she's looking after adjusting the seat post a bit. Any suggestions on my saddle position?

rms13

Maybe more level but saddle height and aft/fore are dependent on your body

steady407

I was thinking of sliding the saddle back a bit. I'll try that tomorrow and see how it feel. Thanks.

bmontgomery87

Also riding on thickslicks. I think they're a good all-around tire for the price. They hold up well when you want to skid and screw around. And they've been a solid commuter tire for me.

If you're just doing one new tire, and have the 23 on the front, I'd go with a 25 thickslick on the rear (it's closer to a 28 of a regular tire IMO).

Flatulentfox

its hard to tell in that pic, but it looks like you also removed the brake? not to open that whole can of worms, but if are just learning to ride fixed, you should probably at least be running a brake until you are more adept at riding without one...