 Urban dreams |
 Pleasing detailing abounds |
Racing cyclists, look away now; Fixie Inc’s Betty Leeds is not really for you, despite its svelte racer looks and fancy paint job. Instead, it is probably best suited to the urban cyclist looking for a serious style statement without compromising on performance. RCUK designer Michal Tuszynski is just such a person and is, thanks to his passion for single-speed urban cycling and steel frames, ideally placed to offer an informed riding impression:
‘Geared it may be, but the Betty Leeds from Fixie Inc. will not disappoint you. This beauty is all you really need to get out there and have a snappy and fast lap of the city. It feels very rigid, giving a surprisingly high riding confidence.’
 If that doesn’t make you pedal harder… |
 Just for the record… |
‘The SRAM Rival shifting technique takes a few minutes to get used to. Once you get that, you realize how much fun you can have on this black and white beast. DT Mon Chasseral wheels are the usual high quality, with a nice no-flex feel and very new and eye catching design. Due to its steel frame the Betty Leeds isn’t the lightest road bike out there. However, it’s pretty light for a steel machine and, lets face it, it gives the ride quality only a steel frame can deliver.
‘There is one more thing about Fixie’s Betty Leeds; it’s an absolutely great looking ride. It can be clearly seen that it is coming from a fixed wheel background, it’s just crazy trendy, with asymmetrical graphics on forks and matching white wheels and bar tape. Betty is simply a very pretty bike.’
 New dropout makes life easier |
 Painted fork looks great ‘in the flesh’ |
Available in the UK through Mosquito Bikes, Fixie Inc. first established a reputation based on single speed cycles but has branched out into derailleur gearing with the Pure Blood and Betty Leeds. The Karlsruhe firm uses custom-drawn TIG-welded 4130 ‘aircraft steel’, a chromium-molybdenum general purpose alloy steel. Its frames are notable for their individual styling and immaculate detailing, and the Betty Leeds is no exception. Weight is around 1600g depending on size. The example tested is a pre-production model. The drive-side rear dropout design, which makes wheel removal awkward, is substantially changed for production and includes a CNC-machined 7075 aluminium alloy replaceable gear hanger.
The fork is a custom-painted Reynolds OUZO Pro full carbon; finishing kit is provided by Truvativ and finished to a high polish by Fixie Inc. Size options run XS to XXL. Price as ridden is £2775; frame and fork £1120.00.
