Hi. This is my first post here, so no hate please. I'm 16, and I live in NYC. Over the summer I rode my friend's bike nearly everyday, and decided I would really like to buy a bike to ride to school (people tell me its faster as well).
Little background information:
-Plan to get a bike that I can ride daily for around more than 40 city blocks from 100th to 58th.
-Not looking to spend more than 600 for a bike
-Not looking to have to invest a lot of money the course of 3-5 years I hope to ride it in repairs or replacements (need a solid bike0.
-Has to last me around 3-5 years
-Looking for a fixed gear/singlespeed, not a heavy mountain bike
Where to begin. Basically, I know absolutely nothing about bikes. I don't know what material I should be looking for, what weight, what size (i'm 5'7, expect to grow at least a tiny bit in the next couple of years), or basically how to know that any bike I look at is worth my money. Basically, I'm just looking for some help into any good bikes that would fit my price range and are of great quality for the money. Also, I know its really picky, but i'm looking for something cool looking (lol). Essentially, I have looked through a lot of bikes and judged them based on reviews, weight, appearance, etc. After looking through a bunch of fixed gear bikes, I have found 2 that I think might be pretty decent to buy. The first is the Aventon Mataro (Aventon Mataro Fixed Gear Track Bike), and 6ku track bike (Aventon Mataro Fixed Gear Track Bike). Both are within my price range, and look good, but I do not know anything about them that constitutes whether they are good or bad (especially the 6ku bike, brand new and the company just released news of it a few weeks ago, don't think anyone has it yet).
Essentially, I'm just looking for anyone to help me out, give me any tips, and point me into any directions towards a decent bike that I won't waste up to 600 dollars on. Also if you could tell me if any of those bikes are decent that would be great.
Sorry If I left anything out, if theres questions as to what I'm looking for or anything please comment.
PLEASE HELP
-Thanks

Let's see....https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...cky-index.html

Or, the ever popular #kilott

Obligatory #KiloTT

#kilott

he said he has $600 right? #kilottpro

I am not real familiar with NYC... so I got on google maps and did a real-image street view trip on 3rd Ave from 58th up to 62th street. I had wrecked twice and was badly beaten up... so I parked my imaginary fixie... to post here.

Go as cheap as possible! Buy old 10 or 12 speed steel bikes (not classic bikes just old ones).... the streets looked flat to me. You'll be plenty fast. And... the bikes will be stolen as fast as you can replace them anyway (basicly).

Don't give looking cool a second thought! The girls go nuts over sweaty guys riding bicycles.

It's a shame there are no bicycle shops in New York City.

The Kilo has aggressive geometry and toe overlap. Might consider something a bit more relaxed.

Search for a bike coop in your area and find a scrapper to save....invest the extra money in mustache wax and trendy beer.

The OP is 16 years old. Will prolly only be able to buy root beer.

Lol, since when did 16 stop anyone from getting beer?

#McLovin

I declare you the winner of this thread. You can collect your prizes of a wallet chain and beard groomer from the front desk.

I suppose the velcro pants strap was discontinued when skinny jeans became the thing?

Definitely the Kilo TT. Solid bike for your price range. Maybe look around on craigslist, you could probably find a Bianchi or even a Cinelli in your size on there

i just had arroz con pollo for dinner and a caramel flan for desert.

While you're on the Bikesdirect.com website, scoping out the Mercier KiloTT, go ahead and check out all the other bikes on that site.

Another great information site is : Harris Cyclery-West Newton, Massachusetts Bicycle Shop

Articles For Beginning Cyclists
Articles about Fixed Gear Cycling and Equipment
Singlespeed Bicycle Conversions

I highly recommend getting a flip-flop hub so you can run both singlespeed(allows you to coast) and fixed(no coasting). Also get at least a front brake; I have both front and rear brakes.

I'm not sure, but there may be bike shops in NYC that sell used bikes. The guys that work in those shops may be able to help you on what size bike to get. The Kilo will still probably be cheaper, though.

Bike shops and used bikes are a funny thing. Typically here, no-one sells used bikes, it's just not worth it apparently (stops some sucker buying a new bike) yet when my son's gf went looking for bikes, she found a good deal on a second hand bike in a bike shop that is your classic boy racer money pit. If looking for a bike, I think it pays to look around just in case/ And ASK too, the shop may not have something but sometimes they know someone who is selling off a bike (I nearly got a frame that way, fortunately for my pocket, it was too small)

Toe over lap sucks balls. Tight twitchy geo is fun. The kilo/flite 100 has both. Why is a bike with toe overlap recommended to beginners?

Desperate need, really?

Dude, it's a total emergency!

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