Kent Thruster/McFixie: Second Look

Alrighty folks, it’s time to take a look back on the Kent Thruster I reviewed earlier. I’m still calling it the McFixie because it looks like something Ronald McDonald would ride. It’s actually gotten worse/better in its recent incarnation I discovered on a trip to Wally World to pick up a spare inner tube.

The new Thruster is a white frame with pink and blue plaid graphics, black rims and pink tires. Aside from the pink tires, I prefer it to the Classic McD’s look. Make the suggested modifications and somewhere a girl with have her very own My Little Fixie.

But back to the point. I now have about 200 miles on the bike and feel I can give it a little more insight into the workings of this bike. Bear in mind this bike is too small for me and generally do not ride big box store bicycle shaped objects.

Firstly, it’s too small for me. I’m 6’1” and right at 200 pounds. It supports me on my rides but it is not a comfortable ride. Think adult in a child’s car seat levels of uncomfortable. Now, if you are in the 5’3” to 5’7” range this will probably be an appropriate bike for you…assuming you don’t mind riding the bicycle equivalent of a jack hammer.

Secondly, the Thruster is an extremely rigid bike. I’m not sure how they did it, but they did. I normally ride steel frame bikes and have never had one ride this stiff. Steel is generally a smoother ride than this. I’d expect this ride quality from aluminum or stone. But this is a blessing and a curse. A stiff bike is responsive, goes where you tell it as soon as you tell it so. A stiff bike will also rattle the teeth right out of your head. You might be able to counteract some of the bone jarring with slightly more voluminous tires. Might. A different saddle is a must. I recently used an Origin8 Classic Lite on a restoration and was impressed with its comfort/price ratio. A little hint: shopping.google.com is a bargain hunters best friend. I found one, shipped, for under $20.

 

Thirdly, the brakes are still shite. The brake pads are the first, weakest link. Almost anything would be an improvement, even the $1/ea generic shoes from your local bike shop. The second weakest link in the braking system is the painted rim. Ride enough and the paint will wear off and the brake stopping power will increase. Don’t just take some sandpaper to the rims hoping for an improvement. This will just ruin your wheelset. Let the paint wear off. A few rides in the rain will speed the process along nicely.

Lastly, the drive train can be improved very quickly with two things: new pedals and a slightly larger track cog. The stock pedals are plastic and I can feel them creaking and flexing underfoot with each turn of the cranks. I’m going to pimp another Origin8 product, the ProTrack Light pedals. They are a good pedal for the price.

For a new fixed gear cog I’d suggest something in a 20tooth size. It should be under $20 and can be picked up online or from your local bike shop. It will limit your top speed but will make your acceleration quicker and climbing hills, and using your legs to stop, much easier. The stock setup is not a bad gear ratio for freewheel riding, assuming you only ride on the flattest of roads. I’d suggest a one or two tooth increase on the freewheel as well (~$20 + labor) to make acceleration and hill climbing easier.

But at this point you have spent an additional $75-$100 in parts to make a $100 bike more comfortable to ride. For not much more you could visit bikesdirect.com and look at their fixed gear track bikes and get one in a size that actually fits you and will ride much better.

Or, just get the Thruster in original flavor Mickie D’s or the new pink/blue plaid and thrash it for the lulz.