Fixed gear bikes hold a certain allure, a connection to cycling in its purest form. For me, this fascination began in 2008 when I first witnessed a friend effortlessly gliding on a fixie. Finally, in May 2010, I acquired my own, a Redline 925, which I affectionately named ‘The Bulldog’. This bike became my constant companion, racking up thousands of miles, including my inaugural Tour of Nilgiris in 2011. Even after getting a road bike in 2012, ‘The Bulldog’ remained a staple, especially for my daily commute. There’s just something special about the chromoly steel frame, its ability to absorb road vibrations and deliver a remarkably smooth ride, making even the grueling 15km commute enjoyable despite the chaotic traffic.
So, when Gokul from TBA, representing the Indian brand Astr Bikes from Hyderabad, contacted me to test ride and review their new fixed gear offering, the Astr Sidewinder, I eagerly accepted. The prospect of experiencing a new bike is always exciting.
The Astr Sidewinder, in a striking chrome finish, arrived at Crankmiester Bicycle Works. After they expertly set it up, I took it for a ride home, leaving my trusty Bulldog behind for the time being.
| Picking up the Sidewinder from Crankmeister for test riding! |
First Impressions
My initial encounter with the Sidewinder was overwhelmingly positive. The gleaming chrome finish immediately caught my eye. Its classic aesthetic resonated deeply with my appreciation for traditional steel bikes. The elegantly angled chromoly fork, coupled with a classic threaded headset and a polished alloy quill stem holding the handlebars, exuded a timeless charm.
The frame design is minimalist, devoid of unnecessary bosses, save for those for brake calipers. Purists might balk at the idea of brakes on a fixed gear, but for those opting for a rear brake in addition to the front, like myself, cable management requires zip ties due to the absence of cable guides. The frame itself is a testament to simplicity and craftsmanship, constructed from neatly hand-welded chromoly 4130 tubes, forming a beautiful track silhouette.
| Commuting on the Astr Sidewinder and crossing railway tracks at KR Puram. |
Geometry and Ride Quality: A Unique Blend
One of the first things I noticed was the Sidewinder’s distinct geometry compared to my own bike. This Indian brand bike features a more aggressive track geometry, characterized by a shorter top tube and a steeper seat tube angle. The wheelbase is also slightly more compact, approximately 4cm shorter than my usual fixed gear. These design choices contribute to the bike’s nimble and highly responsive nature. Typically, aggressive geometry translates to a harsher ride, sacrificing comfort for responsiveness. However, the Sidewinder frame defies this expectation, surprisingly forgiving and effectively dampening road vibrations. It achieves a rare and commendable balance: a responsive yet remarkably smooth ride, a significant advantage in my book.
The bottom bracket height is also noteworthy, positioned a couple of centimeters higher than on ‘The Bulldog’. This seemingly small change makes a noticeable difference. Over time, I’ve experienced pedal strikes on speed bumps and road imperfections with my Bulldog. The Sidewinder’s elevated bottom bracket alleviates this concern, removing the constant anticipation of pedal hits.
Nimble Handling in Urban Traffic
The Sidewinder arrived with a default setup including straight/riser handlebars, a 42-tooth chainring, and an 18-tooth fixed cog. While I’m accustomed to a more challenging 15-tooth cog paired with a 42-tooth chainring on my Bulldog, I decided to test the default configuration for a few days.
The initial ride felt slightly unfamiliar as I adjusted to the geometry and straight handlebars. By the second day’s commute, the ride became enjoyable. However, it was on the third and fourth rides that I truly began to appreciate the bike’s capabilities. The combination of narrow straight handlebars and the frame geometry made navigating through dense traffic remarkably easy. I felt an unprecedented level of ease and control during my commutes with this Indian brand bike. Although the 18-tooth cog necessitated more frequent braking on downhills due to quickly spinning out, it proved ideal for stop-and-go traffic. It allowed for effortless restarts after stops, and on numerous occasions, I could maintain balance and ride at a snail’s pace, almost track-standing, amidst slow-moving traffic. The narrow handlebars effectively carved out new pathways in traffic, allowing me to safely squeeze through tight gaps with confidence and good judgment.
After a week with the default setup, I opted for a larger gear, switching to a 16-tooth cog, and changed the handlebars to bullhorns. The 16-tooth cog improved downhill riding, reducing the need for constant braking. It remained sufficiently easy for uphill climbs. Visually, the bike arguably looks more appealing with bullhorn bars, perhaps due to my familiarity with this setup on my Bulldog. However, in terms of handling, I preferred the straight handlebars for traffic navigation. This might be attributed to the weight distribution, with straight bars potentially shifting the center of gravity slightly forward. Adjusting the height of the straight handlebars improved balance and handling considerably. I grew so fond of the narrow straight bars (approximately 40cm) that I’m now considering switching from the 44cm bullhorn bars on my Bulldog.
| The Astr Sidewinder with bullhorn bars, showcasing its classic aesthetic. |
Potential Areas for Improvement
If I could suggest one refinement for the Sidewinder, it would be the brake calipers. While chosen to complement the bike’s classic aesthetics, these older style calipers were reportedly challenging to set up, according to Riyaz at Crankmeister. Even after setup, the brake pads didn’t contact the rims entirely symmetrically. However, I must acknowledge that the stopping power proved adequate during my rides, effectively handling sudden stops in traffic. While fixed gear purists might dismiss the mention of brakes and their performance, for riders who prefer brakes on fixed gear bikes, like myself, upgrading to more efficient brake calipers could be beneficial. Additionally, refining the logos and branding could further enhance the visual appeal, matching the exceptional ride quality this Indian brand bike delivers.
Final Verdict: A Solid Choice
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the Astr Sidewinder and its urban commuting prowess. The smooth ride it provided on less-than-perfect city roads was remarkable. The wheels felt robust and durable. Throughout my three-week test period, I intentionally rode through potholes and rough road sections to assess ride quality and wheel integrity, and they remained perfectly true, demonstrating their resilience. The tires also impressed, offering good rolling performance and reliable grip even on sandy road shoulders. The bike weighed 10.4 kg with pedals. By removing the brakes or using only a front brake, it could potentially weigh under 10kg, quite light for a steel/chromoly bike.
During the review period, I alternated between the Sidewinder and my Bulldog, and also test rode a Pixel fixed gear bike from Fixation (another Indian brand) in a similar price range (around 35,000 INR). Riding these three different bikes in quick succession highlighted even subtle nuances between them. In my experience, the Sidewinder offered a ride as smooth as my Bulldog, but with superior responsiveness. While the Pixel is also a commendable bike, I found the Sidewinder to excel in both ride smoothness and responsiveness. This difference could be attributed to the Sidewinder’s full chromoly frame compared to the Pixel’s tensile steel rear triangle, as well as slight variations in frame geometry.
| The Astr Sidewinder in black, a personal favorite from the available color options. Image courtesy of Astr Bikes website. |
Note: This bike was provided for review and feedback. After a three-week test period of daily riding, the Sidewinder has been returned to Crankmeister, where it may be available for test rides.
