Pinnacle’s range is designed under our very noses by UK riders, for UK riders. They consider riding conditions, uses of each model, geometry, tubing and the needs of cyclists in the UK. With loads of bikes in their range, you are bound to find what you are looking for. We tested their singlespeed/fixie bike, the Bachelor No1.

Frame

Horizontal dropouts

The Bachelor’s custom-shaped a7 alloy frame is designed with steel insert reinforcements on the horizontal dropouts. The top tube is sloping for plenty of stand-over room. The horizontal top tube length is 520mm for the small frame so even small riders aren’t expected to stretch to the handlebars.

Pinnacle Top Tube System is utilized to maximise strength at the front end however I found it to be a little more weighty than I expected. The paintjob is not quite my cup of tea, however it hides the mud and has an individual streak.

The frame and fork are designed to allow clearance for mudguards, which is great for the UK weather. Another handy attention to detail is the rubber brake cable covers, small rubber attachments that prevent cable rubbing on the frame.

Horizontal dropouts

Pinnacle’s P-Fit Sizing System allows customers to select their initial bike size based on their height and they claim that it will always fit on their given size. I tested the Small which suits people of 5ft3″- 5ft6″ height and it did fit me just fine at 5ft4″. The Bachelor also comes in medium, large and extra large sizes, suiting most height ranges.

Components

With FSA bottom bracket and crankset and Tektro R358 Long Reach Brakes you are guaranteed a reliable ride and braking. The crank length at 170mm is slightly longer than I am used to (165mm)particularly given the fixed wheel option and, even with seat height adjustment, it did compromise my comfort slightly. The gearing is 70.9″ (42T 16″) and with a Shimano flip flop hub you can freewheel it or ride the fixed sprocket. I found that the 70.9″ gearing as the freewheel option is perfect for London’s flat terrain, however as a fixed wheel gear it is slightly too high at slow speed.

Horizontal dropouts

Pinnacle use a P-Fit ATS Stem system which allows quick and simple adjustment of handlebar heights with the use of an Allen key. Basically an oversize sleeve wraps around the steerer. It works really well as you can be precise with height, especially once you have shortened the steerer tube. The oversized Super Ergo handlebars were comfortable, even in the drops; however, the brake hoods were too wide and hard making them uncomfortable after a while.

Alex R500 Rims and KT DP6 sealed Track Hubs make for a sturdy ride and will withstand potholes, curb hops and pretty much anything else you throw at them. Not particularly expensive to replace if you do chop them up. Selle San Marco makes some beautifully comfortable saddles. However, while the Ponza Lux on the Bachelor looks great it is not for me.

The ride

At £349.99 the Pinnacle Bachelor No 1 is an affordable and comparatively priced bike compared to what is on the market. It is solid and reacted well to being ridden hard. It handled very wet conditions giving 100% riding confidence and, fitted with mudguards, keeps you relatively dry and definitely clean. The stem felt a little short at first, 100mm, but any longer could hinder with front end control. Being slightly on the weighty side makes it a great training tool and doesn’t cause problems with keeping up in any pack (depending on your max cadence of course).