Hi All.

First off...... Thanks to all those who offered sound advice on the recent purchase of my Colnago from the Ukraine.

I am now in the process of finding a single speed to ride for the winter. I have been following the classifieds and craiglist, but also come across a three new SS at a low price. Granted they are not a Bianchi Piste or Specialized Langer, but for $300, they might do the trick. I see that Mercier Kilo TT, Windsor "The Hour" and Motobecan
"The Messenger" all offer SS/Fixed Gear rides for around the same money. The Motobecan is the only one of the 3 that comes with brakes, the others are drilled for them, but not included.
Wonder what peoples thoughts are for this.I will be looking to ride 40-60 miles a week through the winter and don't want to use my road bike when sloppy and salty and such.
Appreciate the help.
Best covrc

They're all nice...I'd go with the frame that has the clearance necessary to mount bigger than 28's on it, which can be a major factor in snow and such.

The all look interesting although the Windsor looks to be a completely different size.

If you're looking to ride during the winter and anticipate sloppy conditions where you are, I would look for a frame which has the clearance for you to mount fenders (mudguards). You might give some thought to buying a beater frame, not necessarily track, and building it into a fixie.

If you're not worried about spraying slop all over, I'd get whichever of the Mercier or Motobecane are made from steel as the ride will be better. After that, which ever is more appealing.

And the advice about clearance for wider tires than say 23's is good. I ride 25's on my fixie but others I know use 28's during the winter.

Hi All.

First off...... Thanks to all those who offered sound advice on the recent purchase of my Colnago from the Ukraine.

I am now in the process of finding a single speed to ride for the winter. I have been following the classifieds and craiglist, but also come across a three new SS at a low price. Granted they are not a Bianchi Piste or Specialized Langer, but for $300, they might do the trick. I see that Mercier Kilo TT, Windsor "The Hour" and Motobecan
"The Messenger" all offer SS/Fixed Gear rides for around the same money. The Motobecan is the only one of the 3 that comes with brakes, the others are drilled for them, but not included.
Wonder what peoples thoughts are for this.I will be looking to ride 40-60 miles a week through the winter and don't want to use my road bike when sloppy and salty and such.
Appreciate the help.
Best covrc

[posted at dave hickeys request]

The Hour and The Messenger are both made with frames from Maxway, who also makes frames for Fuji and Bianchi. These two frames are exactly the same as the Fuji.

The KILO TT is made by UEC who owns KHS and the frame is the same as the KHS track.

We have sold out quickly of all three track bikes in the last 3 years. This is the first year where we have had stock during the busy winter months {bikes are slow in winter except Track and Cyclo Cross}

We purchased enough Hours to put them on sale at $299 delivered - which I think is a really great deal. Bike shops pay wholesale $260 to $310 for equal track bikes to the Windsor Hour and retail them at $500 to $600. This bike is easy to see the value in, I think.

thanks for your interest

mike

[posted at dave hickeys request]

The Hour and The Messenger are both made with frames from Maxway, who also makes frames for Fuji and Bianchi. These two frames are exactly the same as the Fuji.

The KILO TT is made by UEC who owns KHS and the frame is the same as the KHS track.

We have sold out quickly of all three track bikes in the last 3 years. This is the first year where we have had stock during the busy winter months {bikes are slow in winter except Track and Cyclo Cross}

We purchased enough Hours to put them on sale at $299 delivered - which I think is a really great deal. Bike shops pay wholesale $260 to $310 for equal track bikes to the Windsor Hour and retail them at $500 to $600. This bike is easy to see the value in, I think.

thanks for your interest

mike

Does anyone of the three have more room for larger tires than the others?