When summer rolls around and the weather turns nice, the idea of exploring your city or cruising the boardwalk on a sleek bicycle sounds dreamy. The only problem is, most bikes are more functional than fashionable. They‘ll get you from point A to point B, but won‘t earn you any style points along the way.
That‘s where Sole Bicycles comes in. This Venice, California-based brand set out to combine high performance with head-turning good looks in their line of city bikes and beach cruisers. Sole made a splash by collaborating on a signature bike with electronic duo Sofi Tukker, and has been featured everywhere from HypeBeast to the Chicago Tribune.
As tempted as you may be to buy a Sole bike based on looks alone, it‘s important to kick the tires and do your research first. In this in-depth Sole Bicycles review, we‘ll take a close look under the hood to help you decide if these bikes are really worth your hard-earned money. Let‘s take this baby for a spin!
The Sole Bicycles Story
Sole Bicycles was founded in Venice Beach in 2009 by a group of friends: Jonathan Ross Shriftman, Jacob Medwell, Brian Ruben, Jimmy Standley, and Ben Petraglia. Their goal was simple but ambitious: to create a bicycle that perfectly married style and function.
Drawing inspiration from the colorful beach cruisers and sleek fixies ridden all over Venice, the Sole crew got to work designing their dream bikes. They obsessed over every detail, from the gloss of the paint to the leather of the handlebars. At the same time, they chose materials and components that could stand up to daily riding and abuse.
"We knew there was a hole in the market for high-quality, great-looking bikes at an accessible price," said Sole Bicycle co-founder Jimmy Standley in an interview with LA Weekly. "Starting out, we were just five friends who loved to ride. But we believed that with a lot of hard work and a little luck, we could bring something completely new to the bike world."
Sole hit the market in 2010 with their first three models: the Overthrow, a classic fixie with a flip-flop hub; the Foamside, a vivid turquoise beach cruiser; and The Duke, a regal white and gold ride. All three epitomized Sole‘s ethos of "Bikes That Look as Good as They Ride."
Over the years, Sole has grown beyond its Venice roots. The company now has additional stores in Los Angeles and Dallas, and distributes through a network of dealers across the US and Canada. Through collaborations with bands, fashion brands, and visual artists, Sole has further staked its claim as one of the coolest names in bicycles.
Overview of Sole Bicycles
So what is the Sole Bicycles lineup all about? Let‘s take a quick tour:
Sole Fixies and Single-Speeds
Sole‘s bread and butter are its iconic fixies and single-speed bikes. Geared toward urban riding, these models have a streamlined look and feel. Standouts include:
- The Overthrow: Sole‘s flagship fixie with a lightweight steel frame and flip-flop hub for fixed or freewheel riding
- The Foamside: A statement-making fixie with deep dish rims and turquoise tires
- The Duke: A sophisticated ride with a white frame and brown leather saddle and grips
Sole City Bikes
For riders who want a few more features, Sole makes 3-speeds and Dutch-style city bikes. These are perfect for longer commutes or leisurely rides around town.
- The Dutchie: A classic step-through frame bike with a chainguard, full fenders, and a rear rack
- 3 Speed City Cruiser: Just like the name says, a 3-speed version of Sole‘s signature city bike
Sole Beach Cruisers
Sole also pays tribute to the SoCal beach bikes that inspired the brand‘s founding. Their cruisers have extra-cushy seats, wide handlebars, and balloon tires for a smooth ride in the sand.
- The Hoover: Sole‘s take on the classic beach cruiser, with a sturdy steel frame and comfy perks
- Coastal Cruiser: A laid-back ride with a rust-resistant frame, ideal for salty ocean air
Construction and Materials
Now that you have a sense of the Sole bicycle lineup, let‘s dig into the nuts and bolts. What are these bikes actually made of?
Frames
Sole frames are constructed from durable, lightweight hi-tensile steel. This material is stronger and more resistant to stress than aluminum, but not quite as featherweight as carbon fiber. That makes it a perfect middle ground for daily commuter bikes.
The welds on Sole frames are cleanly and skillfully done. The tubes are subtly tapered and butted for an ergonomic, comfortable ride feel. And they‘re finished with rustproof paint in your choice of matte or glossy colors.
Components
Sole decks out their bikes with well-made parts from a mix of their own proprietary line and trusted third-party brands. Here are some of the highlights:
- Handlebars: Sole‘s custom-designed riser bars are made from lightweight alloy and have a gentle back sweep for better posture. Some models feature cushy faux leather grips.
- Saddles: You‘ll find a mix of Sole-branded saddles and seats from WTB and Serfas with extra gel cushioning. All of them provide a comfy ride, even without padded bike shorts.
- Pedals: Sole outfits most of their bikes with sturdy nylon pedals with a grippy nubbed tread. A few models have alloy pedals instead.
- Tires: Standard tires on Sole bikes are the puncture-resistant, 700×28 ThickSlick model from WTB. Beach cruisers swap these out for beefy, 26-inch balloon tires.
- Brakes: The fixies and single-speeds use trusty Promax brakes, while the city bikes and cruisers feature no-fuss coaster brakes.
Overall, these components are several steps up from the cheap, flimsy parts you often find on budget bikes. They may not be artisanal or bespoke, but they get the job done – and they do it well.
Sole Bike Sizing
Like a bespoke suit, a bicycle should be tailored to your proportions. Ride a frame that‘s too big or small and you‘ll end up with a sore back and achy knees. Fortunately, Sole makes it pretty painless to find your perfect fit.
The Sole website has a handy size chart that lists the rider height range for each of their four frame sizes. Here‘s the breakdown:
- 46 cm: 4‘10" – 5‘1"
- 49 cm: 5‘1" – 5‘4"
- 52 cm: 5‘4" – 5‘7"
- 55 cm: 5‘7" – 5‘10"
- 58cm: 5‘10" – 6‘2"
Sole recommends sizing down if you‘re between two sizes. They also suggest checking the stand-over clearance. To do this, straddle the top tube and plant your feet on the ground. There should be about an inch or two of space between your body and the frame.
If you have any trouble choosing a size, Sole‘s team is happy to help. Give them a call or shoot them an email, and a sizing specialist will point you in the right direction.
Sole Bicycle Reviews
By now you should have a solid grasp of what Sole bikes are all about. But one final piece of the puzzle is how they actually perform in real life. To find out, I combed through dozens of reviews from verified Sole owners. Here‘s what they had to say:
Let‘s start with the Sole Foamside, the brand‘s blingy, bright turquoise fixie. An owner named Danny raved about its curb appeal: "This bike is even more gorgeous in person! I get compliments everywhere I go. Haven‘t ridden in years but this got me excited to cruise again."
For long-distance commuters, the 3 Speed Dutchie earned high marks. Emily in Chicago wrote, "I bike 20 miles round trip to work, and this is the perfect set-up. The internal hub is super low-maintenance, and the fenders and chainguard keep me clean. It‘s a real Dutch-style bike that actually holds up."
A San Diego customer named Robert took his Hoover cruiser for a whirl and reported back: "Such a chill, comfortable ride. It‘s heavy and sturdy but glides so smooth. I swapped out the stock seat for a cushier one and now it‘s like riding a cloud down the boardwalk!"
The most common refrain in Sole bike reviews was about the brand‘s superior customer service. Take this story from Bill in Denver: "I somehow lost a pedal on my morning ride. Sole overnighted me a replacement set free of charge. Who does that?! They‘ve got a customer for life in me."
Were there any dings in the Sole bike reviews? A few people mentioned the stock tires and tubes weren‘t the greatest. "Swap them out ASAP," advised one rider. Some taller folks also griped that the biggest 58cm frame was still a bit too snug.
But the vast majority of Sole owners seemed thrilled with their bikes. The phrase "love at first sight" came up over and over to describe the unboxing experience. And once they took them out for a spin, that love seemed to grow even deeper.
Sole vs. the Competition
Sole Bicycles isn‘t the only player in the stylish city bike game. To see how they stack up against the competition, I took a look at two other leading brands: Pure Fix and Linus.
Pure Fix is a budget-friendly bicycle brand based in Los Angeles. Like Sole, their bread and butter is colorful fixies and single speeds. You can score one of their basic models for just $325 on Amazon – a solid $150-200 less than a comparable Sole bike.
But you tend to get what you pay for. Pure Fix bikes aren‘t quite as meticulously crafted as Sole‘s. Some owners complained about shoddy welds and components that failed within the first year. They also don‘t come with Sole‘s generous 5-year warranty and crash replacement policy.
Linus falls on the other end of the spectrum. This SoCal company makes European-inspired city bikes with a timeless, "cycle chic" look. They use premium materials like chromoly steel frames and hand-stitched leather saddles and grips. Of course, those luxe finishes come with a higher price tag. Most Linus bikes run in the $1,000+ range.
So where does that leave Sole? I‘d say smack dab in the middle. You get more for your money than a barebones Pure Fix, including better quality and customer service. But the prices are far more approachable than precious, high-end brands like Linus.
The Bottom Line: Are Sole Bicycles Worth It?
We‘ve picked apart the Sole Bicycles lineup from every angle. But the key question remains: should you hand over your credit card and make one your own sweet ride?
If you‘re looking for a stylish, well-made bicycle and have a budget in the $300 to $600 range, I say go for it. Sole hits a real sweet spot in terms of looks, performance, and bang for your buck. The attention to detail in the frame construction and componentry definitely shines through.
I was also impressed by Sole‘s generous policies and customer service. The 5-year frame warranty and crash replacement show they stand behind their product. And it‘s clear from reviews that Sole goes the extra mile to keep riders happy.
That said, Sole bikes aren‘t necessarily for everyone. If you‘re a hardcore cyclist looking to shave ounces and seconds, you‘ll probably want to invest in a carbon fiber racing model. And if your idea of cycling is occasional jaunts to the farmers market, a $99 big box bike will likely do just fine.
But if you want a head-turning daily driver that makes riding a breeze, give Sole a spin. With their curated lineup and knowledgeable crew, you‘re bound to find a bike that suits your style and rolls smooth.
Where to Buy Sole Bicycles
Ready to saddle up on a Sole bike of your own? You‘ve got a few different ways to buy:
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Order online at SoleBicycles.com. Ground shipping is a flat $30 fee, or free for orders over $150. Sole typically processes and ships bikes within one business day.
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Visit one of Sole‘s retail showrooms in Venice, CA or Dallas, TX. There you can take a test ride, get fitted by a pro, and ride off into the sunset.
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Stop by one of Sole‘s authorized dealers across the US and Canada. The Sole website has a full directory sortable by state and zip code.
Sole Bicycles Promotions & Discounts
Now for the part you‘ve all been waiting for: how to score a Sole bike for less! The brand doesn‘t do a ton of sales or promotions, but there are a couple ways to trim the cost:
- Sign up for the Sole newsletter and get a coupon code for $25 off your first purchase.
- Follow Sole Bicycles on Instagram for occasional flash sales and limited-time deals.
- Take advantage of Sole‘s Refer a Friend program. Once signed up, you‘ll get a unique referral link to share. For each pal who buys through your link, you‘ll bank $30 in credit toward your next Sole purchase.
The Full Scoop on Sole‘s Warranty and Policies
To wrap up this epic review, let‘s quickly touch on the not-so-fun but oh-so-important stuff:
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Warranty: All Sole bikes are backed by a 5-year warranty on the frame and fork. The brand will replace any frame that fails due to a manufacturing defect for the original owner.
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Crash Replacement: Wrecked your Sole bike in a crash? They‘ll help you get back on the road ASAP. Just pay 30% of the original MSRP and they‘ll ship you a replacement frame or bike in 2-4 days.
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Returns: If you change your mind, Sole accepts returns within 30 days of delivery. Shoot them an email and they‘ll send you a prepaid shipping label. Note there‘s a $45 return shipping fee for bikes and $15 fee for parts.
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Shipping: Sole charges a flat $30 shipping fee for bikes, or $15 for small parts orders under $150. They typically process and ship orders within 1 business day, and delivery takes 3-8 business days depending on your location.
And that‘s a wrap! Whether you‘re a fixie fanatic, beach cruiser buff, or somewhere in between, I hope this Sole bicycles review helps you navigate your next two-wheeled purchase. See you in the bike lane!
