Torker InterUrban
When most bike companies develop their line of commuter bikes, they assume that most people want a single speed or an upright bike with an internally geared hub. And while that may not be entirely untrue, there’s a significant portion of the community that appreciate a traditional road bike. I’m talking about an affordable, steel-framed bike with drop bars and gears.
Enter the Torker InterUrban. At just $569 retail, the InterUrban is one of the most affordable road bikes on the market. And unlike a bike purchased from an online retailer, a Torker bought from a brick and mortar bike shop comes with an added level of service and security.
Appearance wise, the chromoly frame is attractive yet subdued. The graphics are simple and tasteful and the one-color metallic blue paint job is rather elegant. The welds are reasonably clean and the straight blade steel fork makes the bike look sleek and contemporary.
The bike ships with entry-level Shimano components, but I’m pleasantly impressed with how well they work. And the frame is certainly worthy of upgrading with better parts as the original equipment eventually wears out.
I’m also pleasantly surprised at the quality of the rest of the components—Tektro dual-pivot brakes, Alex rims, Kenda tires, FSA cranks and house brand stem, bar, seatpost, saddle and hubs. Everything on the bike is perfectly functional, and in the case of the saddle, especially nice for the price.
One thing that may throw some people for a loop is Torker’s geometry. Essentially, their bikes are long and low, meaning you’ll ride a much smaller labeled frame than normal. For example, the 44 cm frame I’m riding has a 527 mm top tube, which is comparable to a 48 or 50. In fact, I ended up swapping the stock stem for a stubby 70mm.
So, how does it ride? Like a bike. Thank you and good night…
Seriously, though, it’s really kind of unremarkable, but in a good way. The steering isn’t twitchy like a racing bike, and it’s not overly flexible like a lightweight steel bike. The 28mm tires smooth out rough pavement nicely, and the steel frame, cushy cork bar tape and perfectly padded saddle take care of the rest. The bike isn’t a featherweight, but it doesn’t feel heavy on the climbs, or carrying it up and down the stairs.
Check out www.torkerusa.com