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Fabike Convertible Road/Commuter Bicycle Enters Production

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Fabike bicycle frame that converts from geared road bike to flat bar singlespeed commuter

Since the Kickstarter campaign, the Fabike has seen design changes at the headtube and seat tube, and the brakes were changed to aero v-brakes. The overall look and geometry have stayed the same. The concept, if you recall, is to provide one bike to handle multiple types of riding. Set it up geared or singlespeed, with drop bars or flats, single chainring or double. The same frame handles it all, and looks good doing it.

The big news is that they’re in production, and they’ve simplified the offering from the original concept of designing virtually every major component on the bike, too. Ambitious, sure, but not entirely practical.

“We still have some components, including the brake levers, flip flop hub, wheels and chainring,” Founder Fabio Putzolu says. “But other parts, like the cranksets, will be coming from SRAM and others.”

Why? Costs for one. But mainly because he found some customers wanted the option of a higher end road group with all 22 speeds, and their original design was only as a single chainring. So, they’ll offer their own chainring for single ring setups, which has a corrected chain line to move the chain line 3.5mm inside so it works correctly with a current 10 or 11 speed cassette.

Pics, video and more below…

The dropouts, which were a highlight of the original design, remain intact. Swap in the one with the derailleur hanger and run it geared, or swap sides to change the spacing from 130mm to a track-ready 120mm. The frame is even belt drive compatible.

Fabike bicycle frame that converts from geared road bike to flat bar singlespeed commuter

The dropouts are a bit thicker than standard, so you’ll need a wider mountain bike skewer to run a geared setup.

Fabike bicycle frame that converts from geared road bike to flat bar singlespeed commuter

Frame weight is claimed at 1.1kg, and a frameset with brakes, fork, seat clamp and headset is 1.9kg. That’s not the lightest “frame” weight, but Fabio says the dropout system makes up 200g of the total. The frames ship with all the spare parts (dropouts, cable routing hardware, etc.) to configure the bike anyway you want.

Fabike bicycle frame that converts from geared road bike to flat bar singlespeed commuter

For those setting it up as a singlespeed, the front derailleur braze on mount is removable. Cable routing is fully internal, even through the bottom bracket shell. Internal tunnels make it so you simply insert the cable and it’ll pop out where it’s supposed to be.

Available for spring 2014, pricing is $2,590 (€2,390) for the frameset. Oh, and that name? It no doubt plays off Fabio’s name, but technically means “Flexibly Adjustable Bike”.

Check out all the details at Fabike.it.

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11 Comments
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M.A.
M.A.
10 years ago

It is a nice idea however I just don’t understand why all these KS bikes are still in the upper thousands. The problem to solve is how do we get more people to cycle. The answer is cost solutions.

Brian
Brian
10 years ago

No disc brake? Forget it…

brian
brian
10 years ago

read that as fatbike convertible road/commuter and got all excited.

travis
travis
10 years ago

They state that the bike is a convertible road/commuter, yet no eyelets on the dropouts or front fork? Not much of a commuter if I cannot quickly mount fenders or a rack.

Why Convert?
Why Convert?
10 years ago

I’m curious as to who the convertibility’s advantage is for. The buyer or the manufacturer?

Why would someone convert his multi-speed to a single-speed or vise-a-versa? Why would anyone go through all the work to make such a conversion when you can buy $500 single speed bikes.

I think it is a great idea for lowering manufacturing costs so different molds aren’t necessary & lower cost of manufacture can be used for competitive market advantage.

mudrock
10 years ago

MA – I can see as a designer he would want to use the most advanced technology. Dropout design is very clever. I assume they’re made in Czech Republic.

professor
professor
10 years ago

I’ve had one of these for the last 10 years, only better. It is called a Surly Crosscheck. It cost 1/2 that and has more flexibility.

Those dropouts will creak when they get gunked up.

Jak0zilla
Jak0zilla
10 years ago

Needs bull moose handlebars and biopace rings to go with the chainstay brakes.

Aaronb
Aaronb
10 years ago

neat looking bike, but I truly don’t get what the benefit to consumers is

BernardS
BernardS
10 years ago

Interesting, clever design, but…………………………… to many compromises to be taken seriously at the price.
Cantilever brakes are an absolute no-no for road racing etc.

not a cost effective solution in any use categories.

why no frame specifications on the web site.

Colin
Colin
10 years ago

They aren’t cantilever brakes, they’re aero v-brakes, and they’re used on plenty of road bikes (see Giant Propel for one..).

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