In a time where the hipster/urban/fixie culture is attracting more bicycle companies than moths to a candle, it is interesting when the opposite happens. A well known company in the fixie world comes out with a 29″er. Milwaukee Bicycle Company is their name, and here is their 29″er rig for you to check out.
This model was released in May this year and is made from a special tube set in the U.S.A. by Waterford Precision Cycles. The tube set features Waterford’s exclusive OS2 butted tubes made from True Temper OX air hardening steel alloy. These tubes are manipulated at the junction of the head/top/down tubes to give more weld area and there is also a gusset underneath the downtube at the head tube for strength. Tubeset specifications vary by frame size as well, to offer each frame size the strength and stiffness it needs. (Interestingly, the small and medium sizes are actually 26″ers!) Our review sample is in the 20 inch frame size and also features a stainless steel Milwaukee Bicycle Company head badge.
The Milwaukee Bicycle Company frame can be had alone, but many customers choose to have a build kit sent along with the frame which Milwaukee Bicycle Company can customize to customer preferences to a degree. Our build came in the “Race” build which includes a Manitou Minute 29″er fork, Truvativ Stylo SS GXP crankset with a 32T ring and bashguard, Surly single speed cassette cog and spacer kit, SRAM chain, Hayes Stroker hydraulic brakes, Thomson Elite post and stem, Answer Pro Taper riser bar, and Ergon GX-1 grips.
On the upgrade side we got some WTB Prowler tires, WTB Pure V saddle, Sun/Ringle’ Charger 29″er wheels, an upgrade to a Cane Creek S6 headset, and two King stainless steel water bottle cages.
The build price came to $2566.00 for our machine, but you can spec out yours differently to match a given price point. Milwaukee Bicycle Company can help you figure it out. Or, as stated, you can go with just a frame for $1250.00. Note: I have been informed that the price stated here for a frame is actually for a frame and Manitou fork. The frame alone is $1050.00. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
The bike is ready to roll, so look for a First Impressions post soon. We will also be breaking out some mini-reviews on some of the gear on this bike including the Ergon grips, Manitou fork, Sun Charger wheels, and Stroker brakes. Stay tuned for more!
That is a nice, clean looking frame. I wonder if he does custom variations…say tweaks for a drop bar?
GLG: I’ll be bustin’ out some numbers on this frame in my next post, but for now I’ll tell you that I think you wouldn’t need that extra height on this frame. The bars are higher than anything I’ve yet ridden by at least two inches. If you run a suspension fork like this one, you just might be okay with drops on the MBC 29″er
That looks like a smokin hot good time. I would trade out that hi rise bar for something more appropriate though. Can’t wait to see the numbers.
Yeah, that is a hot frame… Love the headbadge and super-clean graphics. Tiiiiiiight…
I’d ditch those bars too though. A 17 degree Salsa bar would be on there lickity split, and then I’d be happy as a clam.
Enjoy! I can’t wait to hear how it rides for ya’.