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Bicycling members from across the continent logged hundreds of miles to test State Bicycle’s Core Bikes. Here is what they had to say.
When riding a fixed-gear commuter bike, you expect a smooth and easy ride, allowing you to experience the joys that come with getting around by bike. I put the State Bicycle Core-Line through my regular paces for the launch of Bicycling’s Field Test by enjoying short rides to the coffee shop (to satisfy a matcha craving), running to the pharmacy, and taking breaks from work to get a bit of sunshine along the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia. Eight Bicycling members also tested the Core-Line, covering a range of different activities in their cities and towns.
Starting at $400, the State Core-Line embodies many of the things that make fixed-gear bikes great. It’s inexpensive, and you can easily order one on State’s website to have it delivered to your home (or have it shipped to your local bike shop and pay for professional assembly). Available in seven different colors (I tested “Rigby” blue), it’s stylish without being showy. And with nine options for customization at additional cost—like handlebars, saddle, and pedals—you can tailor the State Core for your real-life needs. I added a front rack for errands. Other testers added fenders to stay clean on wet roads.
Several testers noted how easy it was to switch the rear wheel from freewheel to fixed-gear. Others commented on the comfortable ride quality, the good gear ratio, and how well it handled uneven surfaces.
There was, however, some debate about whether the stock tires actually measure 28mm in width. Our staff mechanic measured them at 26mm wide at 80 psi. Wider tires would add more confidence and versatility to the Core-Line’s ride.
Testers agreed that while it wasn’t the lightest bike, its looks, ease of use, and price make this State a great option for anyone on a budget or just looking for an easy, low-maintenance bike. I recommend upgrading the pedals as a couple of testers and I found they didn’t match the rest of the bike’s aesthetic.
Almost anyone can build this bike at home with basic mechanic skills, a lock-ring tool, and a chain whip. However, you may want to have a bike shop inspect your build and validate the warranty.
‣ Height: 5’7” ‣ Bike Size: Small ‣ Color: Delfin ‣ Avg. Weekly Milage: 125 ‣ How I Tested: Monday, I rode it to pickleball and then to spin class. I noticed the bike—the tires, the steel frame, and the comfortable seat—absorbed all the bumps along the way. With its 44x16 gear ratio, somewhere around 20 mph, you’re turning the pedals about as fast as you want to. The local elementary school radar speed indicator clocked me at 23 mph one morning when I was running late. Of course, that was on a downhill stretch. Best for relatively flat settings, this bike is ideal for modest commutes of several miles to activities, light shopping, work, etc. It asks nothing of the rider other than that you hop on and pedal. Kind of like being a kid again.
‣ Height: 5’8” ‣ Bike Size: Medium ‣ Color: Rigby ‣ Avg. Weekly Milage: 50+ ‣ How I Tested: The good looks make you proud to show off this bike around town, but the low cost makes you feel relatively safe locking it outside. I love the navy blue color I got. The flip-flop hub is handy and easy to understand. Calibrating the brakes was really finicky and annoying, and they seem to need frequent adjustment. This could be a non-starter if you never want to mess with components like that. For this price point, you usually get stuck with an unattractive big-box hybrid bike or a clunky mountain bike. Here you get a clean, attractive-looking bike that works great for riding around the city. Low cost and good looks combine to make this the bike I want to ride to the grocery store or to meet friends.
‣ Height: 5’11” ‣ Bike Size: Medium ‣ Color: Rigby ‣ Avg. Weekly Milage: 120 ‣ How I Tested: I rode my usual singlespeed routes—New York City streets, the bikeway on the West Side, and Central Park. This bike passed with flying colors, smoothing out the bumps and holes for a very comfortable ride. I was upright enough to see traffic, and the bike’s agility and narrow handlebars allowed me to easily negotiate the tightest spaces, and start and brake with confidence. In the Park, certain hills provided a big test, but again, the gearing is such that I could climb without losing too much speed or power. My initial impression was very positive, with a lot of incredulity: How could this bike feel so good and perform so well, at this price point?
‣ Height: 5’5” ‣ Bike Size: Small ‣ Color: Ghoul ‣ Avg. Weekly Milage: 38 ‣ How I Tested: The day I received and assembled the Core-Line was a gorgeous day with highs in the 60s. I took the bike on a nice test ride through our neighborhood, on some back roads, and along our paved multi-use path, with a little trip downtown through the local university. I really enjoy the look and feel of this bike. I love steel frames and the smooth, welded look they provide. This is the classic grown-up bike I dreamed of owning when I was little and riding a banana-seat rainbow-bright bike and saw the older kids on their “cool” bikes. I love the “Explore Your State” on the headset top cap. It’s great to look down and have a little fun motivational statement!
‣ Height: 6’1” ‣ Bike Size: Large ‣ Color: Wulf ‣ Avg. Weekly Milage: 75 ‣ How I Tested: This is a no-thrills bike. I love that this bike is made for you to just get on and ride. No need for a computer, or all the other gadgets you would normally put on a road bike. Just hop on, and head out. I also like how easy it is to flip the wheel around and go from fixie to freewheel in minutes. Pro tips: Use rubbing alcohol to install the grips onto the handlebars. And, if you don't own a bike repair stand, use the bike box to prop up the bike while installing the handlebars and other components. When it's all put together, take the bike out of the box and make your adjustments.
‣ Height: 5’7” ‣ Bike Size: Medium ‣ Color: Ghoul ‣ Avg. Weekly Milage: 50 ‣ How I Tested: I used the State Core Line Bicycle to ride my daily commute, which is 9 to 12 miles and mostly on flat and urban roads. The bike is nimble and comfortable, but a little stiffer than I imagined it would be for a steel frame. That said, it wasn't long before the machine felt like it was an extension of my body—a good fit for me. The saddle was much more comfortable than it looked, which was a pleasant surprise.
‣ Height: 5’10” ‣ Bike Size: Medium ‣ Color: National Parks Edition ‣ Avg. Weekly Milage: 50 ‣ How I Tested: At the age of 56, I took up riding on a regular basis in 2021. I was excited to receive this test bike as this would be my first brand new bike since I was 13 years old when I bought a new 10-speed bike with my paper route money. I've ridden this bike on city streets, rail paths, and open roads. The National Park Edition is beautiful with a dark green frame and white highlights. I rode this bike on a local group ride and had a lot of comments on how great it looked. Many seemed surprised that my singlespeed could keep up with their higher-end road bikes, at least on the flats. It's a great bike to ride around town with.
‣ Height: 5’5” ‣ Bike Size: Small ‣ Color: Delfin ‣ Avg. Weekly Milage: 90 ‣ How I Tested: For a relatively inexpensive bike, the frame is really nice. I was expecting something of less quality, but all the parts were decent. The 24mm tires are a bit harsh—I haven't had a bike that has needed tires pumped to 100psi in a long time. I will eventually switch these out for wider tires. The 50cm size fits me well, and I found it very comfortable to ride—even the saddle. The reach to the handlebars was comfortable, and the Van grips are great! Being a steel frame, it is a little heavy, but the nice thing about steel is the smooth ride. It would be smoother if the bike actually had 28mm width tires on it.
For more Field Test insight and to learn how you can be a tester, head to bicycling.com/field-test