A single speed is all you need

Since the beginning of Urban Bike Wear, we have maintained that single speed and Fixed gear are optimal for shorter commutes* and that is a fact.

We have previously built a couple of Fixed gear bikes for this customer. Fixed gear is not for every cyclist; it’s a completely different kind of muscle-powered pedal machine. You either love it or hate it, roughly like that, but you have to try it! When the owner of this Allday had a longer distance to work, a freewheel was needed to be able to ride more relaxed (with brakes). *What counts as short and long cycling distances is very personal, but if you ask us, it’s relatively short if you commute less than 10 km one way.

We add a disclaimer here: when the bike was photographed, we did not have the customer’s saddle height, so it was clamped higher than necessary since marks can appear on the seatpost when it is raised and lowered and clamped. If your bike looks like this, we would probably recommend a larger frame size. Anyway, we think the monochrome theme works: silver can be seen on the fenders, pedals, and headset. There’s nothing wrong with an all-black bike, but doesn’t it also get a bit boring? We’re happy to act as style advisors, but "the customer is always right, in matters of taste."

It’s extra fun to build bikes when no expense is spared. Here we have the best crankset for SS/Fixed on the market: Sugino 75 Direct Drive with the matching ZEN front chainring. With standard Hollowtech II bottom brackets, it’s easy to service and cheap to maintain. Upgrade to a Chris King bearing if you want, but we didn’t do that here. The charm of these mechanically simple bikes is that they always work and require minimal time for maintenance. Remember to, for example, change the chain once a year.

The Tune and Enve components were dropped off by the customer from a previous build. When someone brings such exclusive goodies, we don’t say no. Carbon fiber handlebars cost a bit and are not the first thing most of us think of for a commuter bike. However, when it’s cold, carbon fiber doesn’t get nearly as cold as metal, a detail worth considering for those who easily get cold hands. V-brakes from Dia-Compe stop the bike regardless of road surface. They also don’t suffer from the same problems that disc brakes do during the winter months. No option is perfect, but rim brakes (preferably V-brakes) continue to be the most reliable and simplest form of brake, delivering power for all types of road cycling. Note the wording, we mean all types of roads but not trails and all kinds of MTB disciplines. #savetherimbrake and so on.

Specifications:

• Frameset: Brother Cycles The Allday (58 cm)
• Stem: Tune
• Handlebar: Enve
• Grips: Oury Clamp-on (Black)
• Brakes: Dia-Compe BA85 (silver)
• Brake levers: Avid Speed Dial 7
• Headset: Dia-Compe CB-2 (silver)
• Seatpost: Tune
• Saddle: Brooks Cambium C17 Carved
• Chain: IZUMI Super Toughness Kai
• Crankset: Sugino 75 Direct Drive
• Bottom bracket: Shimano HT2
• Freewheel: White Industries
• Wheelset: Halo Aerotrack (Black)
• Tyres: Continental 4-season 32 mm
• Pedals: MKS XC-III
• Mudguards: Velo Orange 700c 45 mm (Stainless Steel)
• Bell: Crane E-ne (Stealth Black)