The Single Speed Btwin ‘MyBike’: Thrill on a Budget

A few months ago, I was presented with an opportunity to own a brand new bike without paying a dime! Naturally, being a cyclist, whatever the bike is, a new bike is still a new bike. So I grabbed the opportunity and got to keep a spanking brand new bike for almost a month.

Now what actually happened is that a close friend, inspired by my pictures on Facebook and listening to the awesome ride stories, took the plunge and ordered a Btwin MyBike. The buying decision is an altogether another story worth making a Bollywood potboiler so I really won’t get into the details.

Well, now this friend was eagerly expecting to have the bike delivered to him but 2 days before the delivery was due, he was forced to leave town to go to work at a Client’s site for one whole month. And of course he had no option but to sorrowfully ask me to take the delivery of the bike, set it up for him and even do a few test rides, while I was at it. I just could not believe my good luck, since… a new bike is still a new bike.

Finally, the MyBike arrived neatly packed in a carton and I took out the parts carefully and got the bike setup. The bike comes almost complete with only the pedals and the handlebar left to attach and put the wheels on.

I need to mention here for the benefit of the readers, that I have previously owned a Btwin Rockrider 5.0 for almost a year and 2000 kms and hence could instantly relate to the MyBike, which has, though not identical, but similar geometry and ride quality. Having said that, the first ride I took on the MyBike was an absolute pleasure to ride after my heavy Rockrider 5.3 Mountain Bike. I could feel the joy of the riding a much lighter bike with semi slick wheels and have to admit the MyBike was a sheer joy to ride at an amazing price of INR 5999/-.

Let me quickly highlight the important aspects of the Btwin MyBike before we discuss the good and the bad. The MyBike is marketed by Decathlon India, is a rigid fork steel frame bike and is officially sold under the MTB tag, whereas the true worth of the bike can be felt on the bad city roads. The Hi-ten Steel frame and steel fork along with an aluminum steerer and aluminum wheels gives the rider very good stability and a right body posture while riding at the same time promising rust free performance. The Steel frame is powder coated with anti rust paint to make riding in Indian Rainy season, a worry-free experience. The MyBike comes with semi-slick tires that make it comfortable and perfectly suited to riding on tarmac. The front crank chain guard is helpful to keep off dirt and lubricant. I personally found the V- Brake system of the MyBike, the two finger type, very simple and easy to operate with really good braking power.

The Btwin MyBike stayed with me for nearly a month and during the time I had almost given up on riding my Fat and Big mountain bike. During that period, I fell in love with the fact that I was getting the pleasure of a Single Speed bike (no front or rear gears) with the comfort of a hybrid. Meaning I could ride the bike to get a thorough workout on the flat roads with the single crank and no gears and at the same time I could choose to ride to it small trails, gravel paths and country roads with equal ease. This was the first ride impression I got with the MyBike.

The first ride I planned was on the beautiful and lovely Palm Beach Road. At a round trip distance of almost 15 kms with wide open and flat roads, the Palm Beach offers a thrilling experience to cyclists with a Road Bike or a Hybrid and after years of trying to get some speed on my MTB, I felt like I was flying with the MyBike. It was almost to the point where I felt that my speed was almost 2-3 times more than what is was on my other MTB.

The ride quality on the MyBike is quite smooth by city standards due to the semi-slick 26 x 2.0 tires riding on 36 hole aluminum rims. I believe the semi slick has been used thinking of the sad condition of a majority of Indian roads. However, if this was my own bike, I would change the tires to road or slick tires maybe from Schwalbe or Ralson, for a smoother ride. The MyBike offers the simple pleasures of cycling and yet have your legs exercised fully. Contrary to what people might think, riding a single speed bike, maybe once a week with ensure fitter legs and thighs. (Ladies - are you listening)

The other highlight of the MyBike has got to be the Steel Frame. Made up of Hi-Ten steel (Google Hi-Ten Steel…please!) the frame is comfortable to absorb all the shocks and bumps the Indian roads have to offer. This is the special quality of steel and that is why Steel bike frames do not require shock absorbers. I am glad that the Decathlon designers decided to go with a steel frame and in the process making the bike sturdier and in consequence being able to offer a Lifetime Warranty on the Frame. Yes, you read that right, it’s a lifetime warranty (T & C apply). Just like the Rockrider 5.0, the steel frame means that the bike can be used for overland bike touring for multiday trips not exceeding 3-4 days. For longer month long tours etc, bikes with better components etc are recommended. The Steel frame of the MyBike will ensure that tourers can fit racks behind using the eyelets provided and carry loads of up to 10—12 kgs excluding rider weight.

The other components of the MyBike also deserve a mention as the designers have ensured that only universally accepted and recognized parts are used and that will help in reducing the average wear and tear and ensure easy replace ability. The Brakes used are the V-Brake type ensuring very good braking power with just 2 fingers and during my ride I had no problem in stopping in traffic. The Riser handlebars provide a comfortable riding stance for the rider and the Pedals are the Flat type offering a good grip. The handlebars are also made of steel and this allows for added shock absorption. (Tip: It is a good idea to wear half finger cycling cloves with good padding to reduce the stress on the palms while riding longer than 5 kms.) The saddle though not the best in class offers a comfortable ride and is not a pain in the **tt. Although newer rider might want to start riding with a GEL Seat Cover for some time till they get used to the saddle. (Note: ALL Saddles of new age bikes may seem smaller, because they are designed to be so. The saddle pain, if any, for new riders will go away in due time once they start riding regularly)

Finally, here’s the last word on the MyBike. It’s an awesome bike to ride within the city as well as on light trails. The Single Speed factor ensures a decent speed and a complete workout of the legs while riding or commuting on flat roads. The Mountain Bike Hard-tail-ish geometry and semi slick tires ensure that the MyBike can also be used on light trails and country roads with ease. All I recommend changing are the tires to slicker type if you wish to ride more on city roads. The Bike comes backed by the unfailing warranty and superb build quality and after sales service support of Decathlon. The MyBike is highly recommended for those looking to start cycling on a budget with the pleasure of pure cycling on a Single Speed.

(After about a month of riding the MyBike, my friend returned and asked me back for the bike. I told him that the bike was tested, though I omitted to mention that I had ridden it close to a 100 kms. That would break his heart. I sometimes still borrow the MyBike and ride it when we are out riding together.)

[About the Author: The Author is an avid cyclist and rides on an average 100 - 150 kms per week. The Author has not owned the MyBike mentioned in the review and the review is written purely from the joy and wonderful experience derived from riding the MyBike for a month. He owns a Btwin Rockrider 5.3 MTB and looking to buy a Single Speed Bike like the MyBike purely for the exercise and joy of pure cycling.]