Retrospec Mantra Fixie Bicycle Review

Are you interested in getting a fixed gear bicycle? Are you new to single speed bikes and want to try it out? If so, then the Retrospec Mantra Fixie Bicycle is for you. Even if you’ve been riding fixed gear bikes, you can still get a lot of enjoyment out of the Mantra.

However, this model is really designed for those who want to crossover into the single speed world. Today I’ll be showing you why the Mantra is the bike to get if you’ve ever been interested in riding a fixed gear, and why this bike is ideal for almost anyone.

Handlebar Brakes

Fixed gear biking enthusiasts will tell you that you don’t need to have a braking system for your ride. However, newbies just starting on their first fixie may not adjust that quickly to having to reverse pedal just to slow themselves down.

For that reason, the Mantra comes with handlebar brakes so newcomers won’t be struggling to stop and potentially help them avoid a collision or accident. That being said, however, you can still slow yourself by pedaling backward, so the Mantra works for both beginners and experts alike.

Flip-Flop Hub

Another significant change that newbies experience coming from a multi-speed bike is the fact that they can’t coast anymore. Since the gear is designed to move the wheel with the pedal, that means that you have to keep pumping your legs at all times.

For novices, this feature can take some getting used to. For that reason, the Mantra comes with a flip-flop hub so you can ride either fixed gear or freewheel, meaning that you can coast.

Multiple Design Options

One major selling point of fixies is the fact that you can customize so many parts of your bike relatively easily. Thus, the Mantra comes with a variety of colors and design options so you can get your bike to look and feel just the way you want it.

Kenda Kwest Tires

In addition to the frame, the most important components of a bike are the tires. You don’t want to have the wrong tires for your commute, so the Mantra comes with high-quality Kenda Kwest tires.

These wheels come with smooth rounded edges and high volume water displacement grooves. What that means is that these tires are ideal for street riding and commuting, even if it’s pouring rain.

Pros

• Durable construction
• Lightweight design
• Ideal for beginners and experts
• Handlebar brakes for safety
• Flip-flop hub for convenience
• Kenda Kwest tires for traction and control
• Customizable design options

Cons

• Not all components are created equally
• Not ideal for hardcore bikers
• Pedals may break down quicker than normal

FAQs

Q: How tall is this bike?

A: You can get it in multiple sizes, from 43 cm to 60 cm, so you should be able to find your size without any problems.

Q: Can you change the handlebars?

A: I believe that if you order from Retrospec’s website, you may be able to get different handlebars.

Q: Does this bike have front and rear brakes?

A: Unfortunately, it only has brakes on the front, not the back.

Final Verdict

When I first heard about fixed-gear bicycles, I was skeptical as to why anyone would ride one. However, a friend of mine told me all about his “fixie” and how he loved it so much better than a multi-speed bike, so I decided to try it. At first, I had a hard time adjusting to the different mechanics of it all, but after a while, I got the hang of it.

I still wasn’t fully convinced, however, so that’s why I got the Restrospec Mantra. I like the fact that this bike still has some features of a traditional multi-speed, so I can still ride like I always have, but I can switch to single-speed if I want to get some exercise. Overall, I like the look and feel of the Mantra, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get into fixed gear biking.