Name: Retrospec Beta Series
Brand: Retrospec
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 77 (101 reviews)

77/100

BikeRide Score

Users (101 ratings)

Experts (0 reviews)

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Facts

Gender

Men, Women

Type

Beginners, Commuter, Single Speed - Fixed Gear, Teenagers, Non-Electric

Release Year

Brand

Wheel Size

Number of Gears

Gearing Type

Weight

25.5 lb

Suspension

None

Brake Type

Rim: Caliper

Frame Material

Steel

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Retrospec Beta Series. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

15 reasons to buy

For many owners, the low price of this rig was a sign of great value.

Several buyers said that the Beta Series rode smoothly.

Delighted riders found the Beta Series to be fast.

The Beta’s flip-flop hub comes with both a freewheel and a fixed gear cog.

A number of buyers reported no damage on arrival of their new Beta.

Many owners found the Beta Series quick and easy to assemble.

For numerous owners, the Beta Series came across as light.

25c tires offered more compliance than the standard, skinny 23c size.

A great-looking appearance garnered attention and compliments.

The 48 x 16t gear ratio was a good middle-ground for moderate hills and urban use.

Buyers were pleased to receive two brakes.

Several buyers remarked on the manufacturer’s level of customer service.

The manufacturer offered options to customize colors of frames, wheels etc.

Bar-spin clearance aided fixie tricks and locking the front wheel, turned 180°.

Unbranded caliper brakes functioned “properly”.

15 reasons not to buy

Some buyers received a bike with a different frame from that pictured.

Parts were sometimes lacking grease.

Owners often said that pedals, straps and saddles needed upgrading.

Screws were poor quality and stripped easily.

One rider’s seat-clamp bolt sheared off, leading to a crash.

Bent, misaligned and non-functional forks were sometimes an issue.

Wheels could be deeply out of true.

Sizing was misleading, with Betas being larger than expected.

Break pads were not great, wore fast and needed replacing.

Buyers lamented the poor quality of stock tires.

Owners said that the manufacturer shirked responsibility for flawed products.

Incorrect sizes as well as frame, wheel and saddle colors were received.

An owner's brake arm snapped while riding.

The Beta Series does not feature bottle bosses to attach a bottle cage.

Small parts were sometimes missing, including crank bolts and wheel nuts.

Bottom line

The Beta Series is a great bike if you’re on a strict budget but are prepared for minor damage, repairs and upgrading from new. Beta Series frequently arrived scratched, but a number of five-star reviewers expected this for the price. Other buyers were more concerned by component failures that led to safety issues. One owner, who had a brake-arm snap on them, commented that, “I would have rather spent more money on the front end and received a higher quality product then have to have the thing in the shop as often as I have and play this incremental upgrade game.” Sizing was misleading, with owners advising new buyers to choose a size smaller than their standard. A decent buy if you’re beginning a project.