D0ug

First off, let me be the first one to just say it: Kilo TT. AAAAND now that we've got that out of the way.....


Hey everyone. I joined the forum just last week or so, and have been trolling the net for a couple of months doing research on what the best bike for a noob such as myself might be. I'm on a budget, and I'm after something of a beater bike, possibly even a $200 job from Amazon. I've narrowed the list down to four bikes, possibly three, if I'm right about what I'm just about to say, which is:

Even though the Kilo TT Pro is highly recommended, I'll be riding in NYC (those nasty potholes and such). My commute to work would be about 20+ miles round trip, (sometimes 6 days in a row) not accounting for just pleasure riding after work and on my days off. I might need larger tires, and the Kilo might not be so accommodating in that area, correct? My next choice then, was the Kilo WT. Up's the price a bit, and I'm not totally against spending $450, but if it gets stolen, I'll kick myself just a little bit more, as will my wife I suppose. I guess the good thing about a $200 beater, is that you don't care AS much if it is stolen or trashed.

Third choice is the Windsor Hour/Plus. This one is priced $100 cheaper than the Uno, but if the parts are significantly worse, and are going to wind up costing me more down the road anyway.. then what would the point be, I suppose?

My fourth and final choice, is the Motobecane, Fantom Cross Uno. Price point seems reasonable if the parts aren't going to need replacing right out of the box, and allows for wider/better tires. But if I AM going to be replacing the tires, then logic says to get the Windsor (if the frame and all else is worth it) and get tires which I'd have been getting for the Uno, right? But is the FCU just that much better of a complete bike than the Windsor Hour out of the box that the $ is worth it, even after possibly spending more on tires? And another big but.. what about the tires that come stock on the Kilo WT? Would those be a better bet over all? OYE.


Thanks!

Doug

AristoNYC

I live in Manhattan and ride a Kilo TT with no problems. I also ride my aluminum Cannondale CAAD10. Unless you aim for potholes you'll have no problem with the bike. NYC streets aren't that bad. Get the pro as the upgraded parts are worth the money. Get a set of 25c tires which will make the ride easier and call it a day. 28c is also an option.... if they fit.

If you're worried about having the bike stolen then get 2 u-locks, one through the rear frame & wheel, one through the front wheel & downtube.

WT is nice but will be heavy because of the larger tires.

The Windsor is nice, I owned it but the Kilo TT (especially the pro) is a much nicer bike. better components, better steel, etc.

The Fantom UNO will be good since you're commuting with it and it has more relaxed geo & accepts wider tires, but if I'd still go with the TT PRO.

When you get whichever bike you decide to get, upgrade the saddle to something that fits you and upgrade the pedals to something with either a strap or cages.

Most important of all, get a bike that fits.

MattoftheRocks

Kilo wt seems great.
A professor at my school has been using a fantom uno year round in syracuse since he got it ~'07

The components (tires too) are all about equal - don't replace them till they go bad

It's reliable transportation, not some crackerjack toy.

$450+assembly labor+quality lockset = ~120 hot n ready pizzas from little ceasar's
Pretty good deal.

Bakersb

I would just get a xc bike, but i like the kilo wt as well!

D0ug

Could you possibly expand on what you said about the relaxed geometry of the Uno? Because if that translates to a more comfy ride for a 42 year old guy with a crap back, then I'm all about that! I also like that you're giving the Uno a positive nod, and wonder what small factor would still push you towards the TT? Have you also ridden the Uno? Thanks a lot for the saddle and pedal advice, too. I've got my eye on a few of these:

Amazon.com: Planet bike men's ARS


All of that sounds great, thank you. But, you lost me at Little Ceasars! Eating that stuff in NYC should be against some kind of law or something...lol. If I go for corporate pizza, I go Two Boots. Not sure they're actually corporate though.
too heavy. I'd be lugging my bike up 3 flights...technically 6 (2 for 1).

I guess the WT would be overkill, thanks. Looks like it's down to the Pro or the Uno. if the Uno is going to be a more comfortable geo for me, I'll go that route. Is there a "tell" specific to body types and geometry?

Doug

cosmicwheelie

Two Boots is slammin..... if its corporate, i dont wanna be underground


i'll just chime in to second not worrying too much about the pot holes. you can easily dodge anything as long as you're safe about it and are aware of cars/peds

25's are great in the city IMO, until you get into the winter slop, but then maybe you will be riding the subway/bus.

D0ug

Well. Looks like none of the bikes in my size are in stock, which means I get nothing. Guess that solves my problem?

d.

D0ug

Agreed on all counts. Here's another question about tires. Are there tubes that I should get to replace the ones that come stock which will last longer? I don't want to have to go changing tubes every couple of weeks.
Re: Two Boots... Back in the day man, a really good day was getting some vinyl at Tower Records and then heading up to boots for some Cleopatra or Night tripper slices. Hell, I used to live on third street bet 1st and A, right across the street from a TB. Pretty sure I was fatter then.

D.

MattoftheRocks

Yeh, I was just saying that it's really not much money in the big picture for what you get for the extra hundo. Strange about the pizza shop names though, the good place up here is Twin Trees.

cosmicwheelie

tubes are tubes, and they are probably all coming from the same factory in taiwan anyway. with a good set of tires on there i wouldnt worry about the tubes

D0ug

Cool, good to know, cosmic.

Now I just have to wait until something (leaning towards the Uno) becomes available. Matt, the FCU is only 4 bills btw. I wonder if I can get an 2013 or even a 2012 model for cheaper. email'd BD for a time frame, should probably ask about that too.

Wspsux

It ain't the potholes that freak me out but the seams around the giant steel plates on the streets

D0ug

Oh yeah I forgot about those. So every single bike that I'm interested in is out of stock,and I emailed bikes direct and was told that the Uno wouldn't be in until 2015 because they are redesigning it. I'm going to take it that the same goes for all the other bikes I'm interested in. Great, so that's quite a dilemma, no?