Here are the things that set the Wabi fixed gear/single speed bikes apart from the others:
1. Frame design: Although it's popular and stylish to design fixed gear frames in the track style (upright angles, short wheelbase) regardless
of their intended use, Wabi frames are designed for being used on the road. They can be ridden on the velodrome, but they are not the most
efficient designs for that use. Like SUVs that never go off road, most fixed gear bikes will never see a velodrome. Why road design? Comfort,
efficiency and predictable handling are a few reasons. And built correctly, using high quality tubing, a road frame design is quick, agile and
fast.
2. Frame materials: Most commonly, fixed gear bike frames are made of some variant of 4130 cro-moly. It may be called Reynolds 500 or
520, or it could be a "proprietary" tubing design, but it's all pretty much the same. This is the lowest level of high quality steel tubing as used
in cycling frames. And it could be either double butted or not. If it is, it will say so. I spec the Reynolds 725 double butted tubing, which is a
higher quality, and more expensive, grade of steel. This steel has been alloyed with other metals, and been through treatments that
increases its tensile strength. What does this mean for you, the rider? It means that thinner walled tubing can be used to build a frame of
similar strength as compared to a lower level of steel, which results in two very pleasant upsides: a lighter and more resilient, nicer riding
frame. That's part of what imparts the so-called lively feel of a good bike, along with the build quality. Until you get well over $1000 in price in
a bike shop supplied fixed gear, you will not see anything under 21 lbs. The Wabi Special and Classic models both weigh in at about 18.5 lbs,
in a 55cm size, and the scandium tubed Lightning tips the scales at 16.3 lbs in a 55cm. And if you want to spend the money on high end
goodies, you can knock another 2.5- 3 lbs off of any of these.
3. Wheel design: It's popular these days to use the deep V rim design, or Aerospokes on fixed gears. Depends on what you plan to do with
your bike. For short rides, tricks, etc. that's fine, but if you plan to ride any distance you'll find the higher weight and the rough ride of these
designs to be less than ideal. I designed the wheels for the Wabi bikes to be light, responsive and comfortable. At about 1750g/set, these
may be the lightest set of wheels to come standard on any fixed gear that doesn't cost $2000 or more. And for general riding, they are
plenty strong enough.
4. Customizable component specs: You can choose the stem type and extension, and bar type and width to get the best fit, which is the
most important aspect of a bike. I can even cut the steerer tube to achieve a specific bar height (see the fit page for more details).You can
spec different crank lengths, chain ring sizes and rear cog size, and even choose between a freewheel or fixed cog or both, to get the drive
train you want. There's even a choice of saddle design and color. In addition, Wabi offers a choice of pedal types, at great prices, in the
event you don't have a set already that you plan to use.
5. Customer service: Every company says it, and many try hard to provide it, but I will do everything I can to make sure that every
experience you have with Wabi Cycles is a positive one. I understand that most of you are taking a risk to buy a bike you can't see, from a
company that you can't necessarily visit in person, and so I will try to make sure you have the info you need to comfortably make a decision,
and I will provide you with the best service, before and after the sale, that's possible.
6. Business model/lower pricing: I buy my bikes directly from the factories. So, it's a classic case of eliminating the middle man, which
lowers my costs tremendously. If any of the brands you see in the shops offered models with the same specs as the Wabi bikes, they would
retail for hundreds more. That's the obvious benefit to you. However, the other benefit to you is that I am much less constrained by price
competition to use lower level components (or frame materials...) to meet a specific price point. If I want to use a higher quality headset, or
hub set, or crank set, or wheel set, or drop outs, I can do that. So you end up with, for example, a $695 steel framed fixed gear (the Classic)
that I would put up against ANY other steel fixed gear- it will be lighter, usually by 3 lbs or more, it will ride better, and it will have a higher
level frame and parts than any of its competing models. No one else uses scandium on a fixed (Lightning), it's too expensive. But wow, what
a bike. Light, fast and unlike typical alu frames, very nice road manners with minimal road vibration. And a hand built, beautifully done
brazed, lugged fixed gear (Special)for $950? Hard to find a similar quality frame set at that price- impossible to find another bike of this level
at this price.
7. My personal goal: My goal is for you to be as happy with your Wabi bike as possible. This is more than just a business for me. I love the
bicycle, especially light responsive road bikes, and it's a real pleasure to me to be able to offer these bikes. And it brings great satisfaction
to hear back from people who are happy with their bikes.
If you have any questions about the bicycles or Wabi Cycles, please contact me.
Richard Snook
1. Frame design: Although it's popular and stylish to design fixed gear frames in the track style (upright angles, short wheelbase) regardless
of their intended use, Wabi frames are designed for being used on the road. They can be ridden on the velodrome, but they are not the most
efficient designs for that use. Like SUVs that never go off road, most fixed gear bikes will never see a velodrome. Why road design? Comfort,
efficiency and predictable handling are a few reasons. And built correctly, using high quality tubing, a road frame design is quick, agile and
fast.
2. Frame materials: Most commonly, fixed gear bike frames are made of some variant of 4130 cro-moly. It may be called Reynolds 500 or
520, or it could be a "proprietary" tubing design, but it's all pretty much the same. This is the lowest level of high quality steel tubing as used
in cycling frames. And it could be either double butted or not. If it is, it will say so. I spec the Reynolds 725 double butted tubing, which is a
higher quality, and more expensive, grade of steel. This steel has been alloyed with other metals, and been through treatments that
increases its tensile strength. What does this mean for you, the rider? It means that thinner walled tubing can be used to build a frame of
similar strength as compared to a lower level of steel, which results in two very pleasant upsides: a lighter and more resilient, nicer riding
frame. That's part of what imparts the so-called lively feel of a good bike, along with the build quality. Until you get well over $1000 in price in
a bike shop supplied fixed gear, you will not see anything under 21 lbs. The Wabi Special and Classic models both weigh in at about 18.5 lbs,
in a 55cm size, and the scandium tubed Lightning tips the scales at 16.3 lbs in a 55cm. And if you want to spend the money on high end
goodies, you can knock another 2.5- 3 lbs off of any of these.
3. Wheel design: It's popular these days to use the deep V rim design, or Aerospokes on fixed gears. Depends on what you plan to do with
your bike. For short rides, tricks, etc. that's fine, but if you plan to ride any distance you'll find the higher weight and the rough ride of these
designs to be less than ideal. I designed the wheels for the Wabi bikes to be light, responsive and comfortable. At about 1750g/set, these
may be the lightest set of wheels to come standard on any fixed gear that doesn't cost $2000 or more. And for general riding, they are
plenty strong enough.
4. Customizable component specs: You can choose the stem type and extension, and bar type and width to get the best fit, which is the
most important aspect of a bike. I can even cut the steerer tube to achieve a specific bar height (see the fit page for more details).You can
spec different crank lengths, chain ring sizes and rear cog size, and even choose between a freewheel or fixed cog or both, to get the drive
train you want. There's even a choice of saddle design and color. In addition, Wabi offers a choice of pedal types, at great prices, in the
event you don't have a set already that you plan to use.
5. Customer service: Every company says it, and many try hard to provide it, but I will do everything I can to make sure that every
experience you have with Wabi Cycles is a positive one. I understand that most of you are taking a risk to buy a bike you can't see, from a
company that you can't necessarily visit in person, and so I will try to make sure you have the info you need to comfortably make a decision,
and I will provide you with the best service, before and after the sale, that's possible.
6. Business model/lower pricing: I buy my bikes directly from the factories. So, it's a classic case of eliminating the middle man, which
lowers my costs tremendously. If any of the brands you see in the shops offered models with the same specs as the Wabi bikes, they would
retail for hundreds more. That's the obvious benefit to you. However, the other benefit to you is that I am much less constrained by price
competition to use lower level components (or frame materials...) to meet a specific price point. If I want to use a higher quality headset, or
hub set, or crank set, or wheel set, or drop outs, I can do that. So you end up with, for example, a $695 steel framed fixed gear (the Classic)
that I would put up against ANY other steel fixed gear- it will be lighter, usually by 3 lbs or more, it will ride better, and it will have a higher
level frame and parts than any of its competing models. No one else uses scandium on a fixed (Lightning), it's too expensive. But wow, what
a bike. Light, fast and unlike typical alu frames, very nice road manners with minimal road vibration. And a hand built, beautifully done
brazed, lugged fixed gear (Special)for $950? Hard to find a similar quality frame set at that price- impossible to find another bike of this level
at this price.
7. My personal goal: My goal is for you to be as happy with your Wabi bike as possible. This is more than just a business for me. I love the
bicycle, especially light responsive road bikes, and it's a real pleasure to me to be able to offer these bikes. And it brings great satisfaction
to hear back from people who are happy with their bikes.
If you have any questions about the bicycles or Wabi Cycles, please contact me.
Richard Snook
There are lots of good fixed gear/single speed bikes out there- why should you consider a Wabi Cycles bike?
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I'll let my customers speak first. Here is a sampling of unsolicited comments in e-mails I have received (starting with the very first bike I sold,
a Classic) from my customers. Below this is my design philosophy, but these are cyclists' comments, talking about the results of that
philosophy. Here you go:
"I think the details on it, the quality of the welds and paint would be expected on a bike costing over three times as much."
"The Classic blows the Langster away in ride and fit and finish Hee Hee!!!"
"The quality of the Lightning was far above my expectations and it is very evident that every component was selected with great care (& IMHO far
above my well- regarded Swobo Sanchez)".
"The Lightning handles just like the Solo Velo but rides more smoothly. It is much lighter, of course, and accelerates in a more sporting fashion."
"This bike rides better than my 3500 dollar carbon road bike. The fit, finish, color, comfort, performance etc. has exceeded my expectations. What a
great bike!!"
"It seems to literally jump when I stand up on the pedals. Can't believe how light it is. Fit and finish is very impressive."
"It reminds me of a mint-condition late 50's VW Bug - so perfect, so beautiful."
a Classic) from my customers. Below this is my design philosophy, but these are cyclists' comments, talking about the results of that
philosophy. Here you go:
"I think the details on it, the quality of the welds and paint would be expected on a bike costing over three times as much."
"The Classic blows the Langster away in ride and fit and finish Hee Hee!!!"
"The quality of the Lightning was far above my expectations and it is very evident that every component was selected with great care (& IMHO far
above my well- regarded Swobo Sanchez)".
"The Lightning handles just like the Solo Velo but rides more smoothly. It is much lighter, of course, and accelerates in a more sporting fashion."
"This bike rides better than my 3500 dollar carbon road bike. The fit, finish, color, comfort, performance etc. has exceeded my expectations. What a
great bike!!"
"It seems to literally jump when I stand up on the pedals. Can't believe how light it is. Fit and finish is very impressive."
"It reminds me of a mint-condition late 50's VW Bug - so perfect, so beautiful."
1.888.732.7030
