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Ivan Basso rides a Raleigh One Way
August 30th, 2008 by Fritz 
We really like the Raleigh One Way bicycle, a sweet steel singlespeed bike with fenders and wide tires that’s great for city riding. Professional cyclist Ivan Basso apparently agrees…
Read more at Raleigh Commuters blog, from where I stole this photo.
August 30th, 2008 at 10:23 am
This bicycle is NOt great for city riding. You need an upright trditional Dutch style bike for that. Ride like 100 mio. Europeans…simply normal people in normal clothes riding on normal bikes…NOT this featured ‘hunched over the handle bar’ type of racing bike
August 30th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
That’s one opinion, Christian. I ride a similar bike–a fixed-gear SE Lager with bullhorn handlebars–and I love it.
Too, this Raleigh reminds me of the Redline 925 single speed (which I saw someone riding down Commonwealth Ave in Boston recently). Other than the dropdowns, it’s outfitted similarly.
August 30th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
There are many different preferences for position on commuter bikes. I personally find the upright position uncomfortable and really dislike flat handlebars for there lack of variety in hand positions. To me, this bike is just what I am looking for in a commuter. It just needs a rack, bags, lights and bottle cages.
To each their own.
Chacun à son goût.
Cada uno a su gusto.
August 30th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
If it’s anything like my Lager, Miguel, I’d recommend it. I think it’s got a flip-flop hub in the back, and I’d recommend fixie–lots of fun.
August 30th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I ride my 925 in slacks all the time, there’s no need for me to be completely upright.
August 30th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Christian: the One Way is definitely not a racing bike, and drop bars don’t mean “hunched over,” it just means more hand positions. Ivan has his bars lower than his seat, but on my One Way the bars and seat are at the same level. There’s nothing to stop you from raising the bars even higher if you want.
And last I checked, Basso’s home country of Italy makes him a European. The photo also doesn’t show him in any cycling clothes.
Miguel: My One Way is equipped with rack, panniers, lights and a bottle cage
August 31st, 2008 at 2:51 am
I love my One Way too… but I loved it even more after I ditched the boat anchor tires (heaviest tire I have ever seen in that width), with some 28c GatorSkins. Unfortunately, I also had to get some narrower fenders because the stock ones act like a sail with 28c tires on there.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Sympathizing with Christian, except that people don’t **need** a European commuting bike… but… where do I put my anything that I’m carrying? Where are the lights? Forget chain guard. And no turn signals, either
- And I bet it comes at a dear price.
Not necessarily hunched over, but I’m also not a dropped-bar girl. It’s got lots of positions - but none of ‘em comfortable as my hybrids… but that’s a personal preference thing.
City riding, perhaps… commuter? Not quite.
August 31st, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Consider the distance. I like the uprights for the easy ride to the grocery around the corner, but give me the drops for my 12 mile forty-five minute commute.
August 31st, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Drops are perfectly good on commuters if that is what you prefer. I happen to prefer ‘flared’ drops, especially with my hilly 10-mile commute. Im sure after decades in the drops, Basso feels most comfortable there as well.
September 1st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Perfect for a quick jaunt down to the good Docter Ferrari’s place
September 4th, 2008 at 11:41 am
To voice another opinion on the whole upright versus aggressive geometry bicycles: I rode a very upright bike, got around, and it was okay. I rode aggressively for what that bicycle was capable of, but I didn’t like riding in traffic or dealing with rain and wind. Then I got a road bike, which I ride mostly in the drops, and that all changed.
Having a bicycle with the option of an aggressive position gives you a whole slew of available options. I can sprint and keep up with traffic in the city, including from a full and proper stop, dodge potholes, hop, lose traction and recover with my low center of gravity. On a MUP I almost never get passed.
It’s a personal preference, sure, but if one has any real desire to go fast (18 - 22 mph cruising speed), a low, aggressive geometry is wonderful for city riding.
Plus good mess bags distribute the weight in a way that is compatible with the hunched over position, not the more upright one.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Bike is fantastic. There are a few great, new bikes from Raleigh but it’s virtually impossible to find a dealer that has any in their store in So Cal. It’s all about the usual brands and carbon this and massive suspension downhill that.