The Dee-1 is a sleek, durable bicycle in a class of its own. Borrowing features from both city and off road bicycles, the Dee-1 combines “best of both worlds.” At first glance, you will notice that the frame is most similar to that of a mountain bike, not so much a low road bike. This provides a more upright position that many people find more natural and comfortable. It also has high-volume tyres, which you wouldn’t normally find on a road bike either. This allows for you to ride safely in different weather conditions all year long and doesn’t affect efficiency that much.
Despite the features the Dee-1 has resembling a mountain bike, this bike is really made for city riding. The reason why this is considered a great city bike is because it is tough yet lightweight, practical yet stylish. It is made from sturdy, lightweight alloy that makes you feel like your energy peddling isn’t being wasted on lugging around the bike itself. It also has a single gear which makes it even lighter, as well as easy to pedal and maintain. Single-geared bikes are generally lower maintenance because there are fewer parts that could potentially break down on you. The Dee-1 also uses disc brakes for optimum breaking capacity. Disc brakes are generally heavier than caliper brakes, but the frame of the bike is light enough to offset that. This bike is truly versatile and can be used by almost anyone for city riding, whether you stick to bike paths or like to jump curbs.
1. Frame
Let’s begin with the frame of the bicycle. Think of the frame as the structural component in which you add other features to. Your frame must also fit the requirements for what you want to do. The Dee-1 frame has a mountain bike shape upon first glance. It also is made of very lightweight, long-lasting Vitus alloy, perfect for casual city riding. Having a light frame is great for easy trips around town and makes the riding experience easy and enjoyable. Because of the shape of the frame plus the lightweight materials, this bike is somewhat of a hybrid. You get the best of both worlds which makes this bicycle truly versatile as well as unique.
2. Forks
The fork of the bike determines how smooth or how bumpy your ride is. They are put under a lot of pressure so it’s important for your own safety to have ones that are sturdy. The Dee-1 is equipped with forks made of steel – one of the strongest materials in the game. Snapping your forks is one of the most common breakdowns you may face when riding a bicycle with rigid forks, like the Dee-1. Having being made of steel, you can ride with peace of mind that you probably won’t face plant after jumping a curb.
Another advantage the Dee-1 offers regarding the forks is rigidness. When you are riding on a smooth road, you want all of your weight to go to pushing the bike forward, not expending energy pushing the bike vertically into the ground, which is what would happen with non-rigid forks. You would typically have non-rigid forks for off road riding to smooth out many bumps you encounter. If you are not riding over rocks or holes, you don’t really need compliant forks. A rigid fork reduces the energy absorbed in the downward motion so your energy will go towards pushing the bicycle forward. The Dee-1 is made more for city riding on level surfaces, so rigid forks are perfect for that. Because of this, riding off-road might make this bike a bit more challenging.
3. Handlebars
The Dee-1 Vitus Riser Bar is made of light-weight alloy and is somewhat modelled after handlebars commonly seen on mountain bikes in order to achieve ultimate strength as well as comfort. They are flat with a certain bend in the midsection to handle extensive pressure while providing an aesthetic not found in many mountain or road bikes. The grips on the handlebars are made of Vitus Lock-On that is a no-slip grip, great for wet weather. You will have a more stable, comfortable grip that will keep you steady all year long.
4. Gears
Or rather, gear (no s). This bicycle has one single gear. What are the benefits of a single-geared bicycle? For starters, they allow for a lighter bicycle. Single-geared bicycles are lighter because you don’t have to bother with shifters, cassettes, or derailleurs. One gear makes for a simple, no-fuss system that is easily repairable on your own. Typically, single-geared bikes are made for mostly flat city driving. The Dee-1 can handle moderate hills sometimes, but it certainly is not made for them. The ideal place for a single-geared bike is in a city or town. The Dee-1 will get you where you want to go efficiently, comfortably, and without much “work” pedaling.
5. Tyres
The Dee-1 uses tyres manufactured by Kenda Tires, which makes tyres for cars, trucks, and motorcycles as well. It is a trusted name with a reputation in quality durability. The tyres have a higher volume than you would expect for a city bicycle, which means that they are wider than most city bicycles. Thin, or low-volume tyres, give you more speed because there is less rubber contact with the road thus causing less friction. Wider tyres can sometimes make you feel like you are losing power because they grip the road with more force, thus taking force away from your forward motion. The reason the Dee-1 uses high-volume tyres is to give you more grip on the road, making this a bike for all four seasons. A road bike with thin tyres doesn’t do well in rain or snow as it has less grip on the ground. The volume in the tyres of the Dee-1 isn’t that high, but it does provide more grip and stability on the road than a typical road bike.