| Independent review of the Fixed Gear Gallery |
For many cyclists, the ultimate bicycle starts
with a high quality steel frame, using low
temperature brazing and lugs to
join the tubes. This approach offers
a road feel unlike any other design.
But not all lugged steel frames
are created equal. It's important
to use high end tubing with
high quality lugs, investment
cast being the standard,
and most importantly, the
correct building technique.
The Wabi Special uses a
fully hand brazed frame,
built by specifically trained
frame builders in Taiwan.
The difference in the Wabi
Special is that these builders
are trained by one of the top
hand built frame builders from
Japan. The workmanship (clean
joints, mitering of the tubes, drop outs
seamlessly integrated into the stays) is
outstanding, and the resulting ride is buttery smooth, with amazing stability.
However, the Special is not just a trip down memory lane. The goal was to combine the best of old and new, so, for example, we use the Reynolds
725 oversized thin walled tubes and 1 1/8" aheadset type steerer tube/headset/stem system to increase the integrity and efficiency, while
optimizing the ride characteristics by using the tried and true low temperature brazing technique for joining the frame tubes. For more details on this
frame, click here.
All bearings on the Special are sealed, so just keep air in the tires, add a little lube on the chain from time to time, and ride. Note that the bike is
supplied with a fixed cog only, but the flip- flop style hubs allow a freewheel (can be purchased separately) to be installed on the opposite side of
the hub.
There are many other options in how to set your bike up as well. To see those options, and for ordering information, please see below.
with a high quality steel frame, using low
temperature brazing and lugs to
join the tubes. This approach offers
a road feel unlike any other design.
But not all lugged steel frames
are created equal. It's important
to use high end tubing with
high quality lugs, investment
cast being the standard,
and most importantly, the
correct building technique.
The Wabi Special uses a
fully hand brazed frame,
built by specifically trained
frame builders in Taiwan.
The difference in the Wabi
Special is that these builders
are trained by one of the top
hand built frame builders from
Japan. The workmanship (clean
joints, mitering of the tubes, drop outs
seamlessly integrated into the stays) is
outstanding, and the resulting ride is buttery smooth, with amazing stability.
However, the Special is not just a trip down memory lane. The goal was to combine the best of old and new, so, for example, we use the Reynolds
725 oversized thin walled tubes and 1 1/8" aheadset type steerer tube/headset/stem system to increase the integrity and efficiency, while
optimizing the ride characteristics by using the tried and true low temperature brazing technique for joining the frame tubes. For more details on this
frame, click here.
All bearings on the Special are sealed, so just keep air in the tires, add a little lube on the chain from time to time, and ride. Note that the bike is
supplied with a fixed cog only, but the flip- flop style hubs allow a freewheel (can be purchased separately) to be installed on the opposite side of
the hub.
There are many other options in how to set your bike up as well. To see those options, and for ordering information, please see below.
| Click to see other color |
| 888.732.7030 |
| Click on various parts of the picture to see more detail |
| Color shown: Champagne |
| Hand brazed, lugged Reynolds 725 steel fixed gear |
Info center:
• Want to know more about this frame? Click here
• Want to know what the default sizes for each component are for each frame size? Click here
• Want info on how to choose the size of frame or components? Click here
• Want info on our bike, frame or wheel design philosophies, or how we choose components? Click here
• Want to know more about this frame? Click here
• Want to know what the default sizes for each component are for each frame size? Click here
• Want info on how to choose the size of frame or components? Click here
• Want info on our bike, frame or wheel design philosophies, or how we choose components? Click here
SPECIFICATIONS
• Frame: Hand built using seamless heat treated, double butted oversized Reynolds 725 cromoly steel with forged track style rear drops. Braze ons for one bottle cage
on down tube. For more details click here
• Fork: Hand brazed tapered cromoly steel with investment cast crown, 1 1/8" steerer and forged fork ends. FSA Orbit X headset with cartridge type bearings
• Wheels: Sealed bearing hubs, 32 hole 14/15 DB stainless, 3 cross lacing, 19mm depth aero section rims with CNCed braking surface, 18T, 3/32" fixed cog
• Crank/BB: Cold forged aluminum, 170mm, with CNCed 7075 chainring, 46T, 3/32", sealed cartridge type BB
• Tires: Kenda Koncept Kevlar bead folding 700x23
• Brakes: Cold forged alu F&R with cartridge type pads, ergonomic drop style levers
Weight, Complete bike (55cm): 18.6lb
Weight, frame/fork only: (5.9lb)
• Frame: Hand built using seamless heat treated, double butted oversized Reynolds 725 cromoly steel with forged track style rear drops. Braze ons for one bottle cage
on down tube. For more details click here
• Fork: Hand brazed tapered cromoly steel with investment cast crown, 1 1/8" steerer and forged fork ends. FSA Orbit X headset with cartridge type bearings
• Wheels: Sealed bearing hubs, 32 hole 14/15 DB stainless, 3 cross lacing, 19mm depth aero section rims with CNCed braking surface, 18T, 3/32" fixed cog
• Crank/BB: Cold forged aluminum, 170mm, with CNCed 7075 chainring, 46T, 3/32", sealed cartridge type BB
• Tires: Kenda Koncept Kevlar bead folding 700x23
• Brakes: Cold forged alu F&R with cartridge type pads, ergonomic drop style levers
Weight, Complete bike (55cm): 18.6lb
Weight, frame/fork only: (5.9lb)
| Need some pedals? We offer several options. Click here for technical and pricing information |
NOTE: Each size of bike is spec'ed with a particular size for each component that determines fit (click here to see chart). And
others can be modified to suit your needs. Here is the list of components with size options (click on appropriate INFO link to get
more info on the item):
• handlebar type and width
• stem type and extension
• brake lever type
• saddle type and color
• crank arm length
• chain ring size
• rear cog type and size
(Please note that you can spec a freewheel either in place of, or in addition to, the fixed cog)
others can be modified to suit your needs. Here is the list of components with size options (click on appropriate INFO link to get
more info on the item):
• handlebar type and width
• stem type and extension
• brake lever type
• saddle type and color
• crank arm length
• chain ring size
• rear cog type and size
(Please note that you can spec a freewheel either in place of, or in addition to, the fixed cog)
Placing an order
You can either place an order on-line, below, or call during our normal business hours, 9-5, M-F, Pacific time to:
USA: 1.888.732.7030
International: 1.818.237.9496 (or via Skype at rsn_ok)
You can either place an order on-line, below, or call during our normal business hours, 9-5, M-F, Pacific time to:
USA: 1.888.732.7030
International: 1.818.237.9496 (or via Skype at rsn_ok)
| We also carry spare cogs and freewheels that can be purchased separately. Click here to see the component listings |
| Home About Us FAQs Returns Information Warranty Information Privacy Policy Contact Us Sizing Information Technical Information Shipping Information |
Want to see the
Special frame in the
raw? With lugged
frames it's useful to
see under the paint
to get a sense of
the quality of the
frame build. These
are some pictures
taken at the
builder's facility that
show the clean
detail of the work
done.
Special frame in the
raw? With lugged
frames it's useful to
see under the paint
to get a sense of
the quality of the
frame build. These
are some pictures
taken at the
builder's facility that
show the clean
detail of the work
done.
Beautiful
brazed cro-moly
stem is available
as an option for an
additional $100
brazed cro-moly
stem is available
as an option for an
additional $100