The Joker’s geometry and build are optimized for velodrome track racing.
Joker riders appreciate the reliability, smoothness, silence, greaselessness, and low-maintenance requirements of a Gates CDX carbon belt and drivetrain.
Owners say this belt retains tension well, even after back-pedaling and skid-stops.
At a “heavenly” 16lb, the Joker’s a featherweight.
The Joker is shod with lightweight, aero, 60mm-deep carbon fiber rims.
The Joker comes fitted with a carbon fiber fork and seatpost.
In the velodrome, a tester says the Joker’s double-butted 6061 T6 aluminum frame proves stiff and fast on straights, and stable while cornering.
A tester says the Joker’s “gorgeous” track geometry is spot-on for crit and general fixed-gear riding.
Riders say the Joker’s ratio is “great for the street”.
With this geometry and its compact drop bars, a tester says the Joker is “aggressive but comfortable”.
A massive 70-tooth sprocket mates to a fixed 22T cog, giving an 84 gear inch ratio.
For attaining and maintaining high speeds, a tester says this ratio is “plenty potent”.
A tester says the Joker is “really really ridiculously good-looking”.
Let’s be honest, owners get a kick out of folks’ reaction to that 70T sprocket.
For this weight, and the carbon parts, owners are chuffed with the price.
A tester describes Goodyear Eagle F1 tires as “sleek and grippy”.
The Joker’s frame and fork are drilled to attach caliper brakes.

5 reasons not to buy

A tester felt challenged on climbs, with the Joker’s geometry and steep ratio.
The Joker’s carbon rims can not be used with brakes.
There ain’t no mounts to mount nuthin’ on the Joker.
For recreational fixed-gear riding, the Joker is expensive.
A wise tester notes that descents are complicated, with a fixed cog and no brakes.

Bottom line

Is it April fools – or is this one villain's Gotham City revenge-ride? Riders confirm that the Joker is a high-speed hoot in velodromes and on New York City streets. It’s belt driven, with a 70/22T ratio that, along with the bike’s track-specific geometry, makes it less-than-optimum for climbs. But get out of the saddle and you’ll be rewarded with plenty of momentum.

It weighs only 16lb, as it should. This is a single-speed track bike without brakes (and the carbon rims aren’t brake-compatible), but the frame and fork are drilled to mount calipers. It’s seen as good value for an innovative lightweight track bike, but priced just for the pundits, as a fixed-gear road bike.

Expert Reviews

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Gear Patrol

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Like Biking Fast? This 16-Pound Joker’s Speed Is No Laughing Matter

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The effect is what happens with any fixie — a desire to ride in a fashion where you never have to, zigging and zagging, strategically skidding, dodging between cars and zipping through lights of all hues — but multiplied. It absolutely rips on the track… it really, really doesn’t want to stop. I wouldn’t dare recommend this bike to most people.

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Gear Patrol

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