Today, we share an especially unique build. A road bike, stripped of its gears and derailleurs for single speed journeys, with the ability to flip to fixed for days on the track. A custom carbon frame built our Italian friends at Sarto, ready to be ridden in the rolling hills of Northern California.
This bike was based around Sarto's Dinamica model, their stiffest, most responsive offering. Being that every bike is built custom, it was no problem adapting as a single speed. Horizontal track drops, a beefier bottom bracket shell, and fastback stays to give it a unique touch.
The wheels are a custom set of Enve 4.5s. Stiff and aero, but not too deep to be unmanageable in the Bay Area wind. We laced up the rims to a set of Phil Wood track hubs in glossy black. Finishing them off are Continental GP 5000 tires.
Possibly the most simple drivetrain we've ever done, but by no means is it boring. The rear wheel gets both a Phil Wood track cog and a White Industries freewheel, for quick changes between riding fixed or free. The cranks are Sugino 75s, but not the classic square-taper versions of yesteryear. The newer Direct Drive model has an oversized, splined spindle, increasing stiffness and dropping weight. A 48t Sugino Zen chainring is bolted to the 144 bcd arms. Feet connect to a set of track specific Speedplay pedals. Single sided entry, with a low profile aero reverse side, providing maximum ground clearance when riding fixed. Completing the package is a gold Izumi track chain.
While much of the bike is track inspired, it was built to be ridden on the open road, so like a road bike, it's got brakes. In this case, EE calipers actuated by TRP levers.
The cockpit is full Fizik. A custom Busyman wrapped Antares saddle matches the bike's custom paint. At the front, a Fizik R1 stem and a carbon bar, wrapped in classic Microtex, provide the steering control.
There's something deeply satisfying about building up a single speed/track bike. It's always a treat getting to source parts we don't normally use, and see them come to life in the form of a bike as stunning as this.
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