The Bike Geek

About me: I’m an avid cyclist, I ride road, mountain and I commute to work on a bike. I’m 5′7″ and about 170lbs.

My commute: My commute varies from 30 miles to 8 miles roundtrip. I ride the streets of Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, South Gate and Downey. I also use the San Gabriel River Trail to ride to work. My commute is 99 % flat, just a few underpasses and a couple of small rollies.

The Bike: 2007 Raleigh One Way 55cm
The Specs:
Sizes:50,53,55,57,59cm
Frame:Reynolds 520 Butted CROMO w/CNC dropouts, Canti bosses
Fork:4130 Chromoly Classic Cross
Crankset:SR Suntour Single Speed w/CNC Guard, 42t
Bottom Bracket: Sealed Cartridge
Brake Levers:Tektro Road
Brakes:Tektro Oryx canti
Cog Set:16t Freewheel, 15t cog
Rims:Alex AT-400, 700c, alloy double wall,machined side
Tires:Vittoria Randonneur Cross 700×35c w/reflective sidewalls
Pedals: Road Pedals w/clips and straps
Handlebar:Alloy Road
Stem:Alloy Ahead
Seatpost:Alloy Micro adjust 27.2mm
Saddle: Raleigh Road
Headset:Ahead 1-1/8
Colors: Black
Chain:KMC Z-82
Hubset: (F) Alloy Sealed 32h, Track (R) Alloy Sealed 32h, Track
Spokes: 14g Stainless Steel
Grips: Raleigh
Extras: SKS Fenders, Rack Mounts, Cateye reflector set, Clear Coat, Owners Manual, Bell

MSRP Price Range:$400-$700

Bike Highlights:The Raleigh One Way is very well equipped with extras that makes it a very desirable singlespeed/fixed gear commuter. The fenders, flip-flop hub, reflective tires, bell and pedals with straps are the little extras that matter to me as a commuter. The 520 Reynolds Cromo frame is smooth and it does a great job dampening most of the road vibration. As a new fixie rider, I kept the brakes and the dropbars. The brakes do an awesome job slowing down the bike and the dropbars give you that aero position for riding fast on the flats. The selection of tires is great, they handle great on dry and wet pavement. As far as looks go, I dig the black color and retro look of this bike. I’m a big fan of fenders, so I keep them on all the time. They are easily removable if fenders are not your style.

Bike Lowlights:None.

My opinion:Nick and RL really liked riding a Fixed gear bike. In fact, riding a fixie is sort of a ‘bike cult’ thing. When I received the Raleigh One Way, I approached reviewing it in a different way, the coolness factor would be secondary, the practicallity and functionality would be primary. My first ride was a 20 miler, I decided to go with the fixed gear. It was weird at first, but I got used to it after 5 miles. As my focus shifted from the fact that I was riding a fixed gear bike, I then began to notice how smooth the bike rode. As a roadie, I’m used to a consistent fast cadence, a huge plus while riding a fixed gear bike. The One Way’s 42X16 gear combo is an excellent choice to achieve that smooth high cadence.

So is riding a fixie a practical choice for commuting? For my type of commute, it is an awesome choice. The bike is low maintenance, fast on the flats and riding a fixed gear makes the commute more challenging and fun. For those who are looking for a nice fixed/singlespeed bicycle to commute or to have fun with, The Raleigh One Way is a bike that I highly recommend.

For more information on this bike, visit www.raleighusa.com