Dawes Mono review

The Dawes is simple, reliable and tough and has a very composed ride. If you're thinking of trying one-speed riding then the Dawes is a great choice. As the name suggests, the Mono is a singlespeed/fixed gear bike that comes complete with quality mudguards and a full complement of brakes. So unlike most fixed wheel bikes it's ready for the rigours of winter.

The other big difference is the geometry – this is no short, whippy, track-derived one-speeder. It's much more akin to a classic British audax bike. A more stretched-out position and sensibly trailed fork makes for a smooth and stable ride. We were initially sceptical of the 48x18 gearing, which seemed light for fast cruising on the flat. That said, the gear offers enough leverage to conquer most climbs. We did spin at a high cadence on the flat but, as most track riders will tell you, you've got to spin to win.

The relatively budget price belies the fact that the Dawes has a decent Reynolds 520 steel frame, matched to a carbon legged fork. The ride isn't up to that of a quality steel lightweight, and it certainly isn't aided by the hefty wheels with Alex rims and high flange track hubs, but it's smooth over broken surfaces and it's nerve-free stability is perfect for greasy, wet or icy roads.

We put most of the stability down to the sorted ride position, long wheelbase and good wide bar. The solid wheels and bigger tyres give you plenty of confidence when changing direction on slimy ground, but the downside of what has proven to be a tough and durable wheelset is a hefty 16kg overall weight. We could certainly feel this when the road started to rise and it meant plenty of out-of-the-saddle efforts when we'd normally remain seated. But then again, this is a winter trainer and as with any training it's no pain, no gain.

As a workhorse for winter commutes and for grinding out the miles on wet, wintry days, the Dawes is an eminently suitable bike and one we like a lot. Ask any rider from the old school and they'll regale you with tales of fixed gear winter training to teach you how to spin and give you stronger legs come the start of the season. That may well be true, but what we've found with the Mono is a bike with a stable ride and a good level of components, from the basic but adequate Tektro brakes to the highlight of a classy Japanese-made Sugino Messenger chainset, plus secure, rattlefree mudguards, those hardy wheels and tyres and, of course, the added simplicity of a single-gear setup. Including a fixed sprocket as well as a freewheel is also a good value addition.

Add in the fact that, as with any singlespeed, the Mono needs little maintenance, it all makes for a workhorse that'll do everything you need and come out next spring still intact.

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus

By: BikeRadar.com Road Bikes & Gear