Spot Brand

Ajax - Belt-Drive

Spot Brand isn't the oldest company in the bike industry. It has, however, been around long enough to make a name for itself with intelligent design, quality workmanship, and a pioneering spirit when it comes to bicycle innovation. The designers at Spot Brand aren’t at all afraid to embrace new technologies, but the technologies they embrace always make sense from a functional standpoint. The Spot Brand Ajax Belt-Drive bike is a perfect example of this philosophy of improved function through innovation.

The first thing we noticed about the Ajax was its unique frame shape. Spot painstakingly shaped the butted 7005 aluminum to give the bike the perfect blend of comfort and nimble handling necessary in the urban environment. The flattened, curved seatstays give the bike enough vertical compliance to absorb some of the fatiguing road shock and vibration without allowing the rear triangle to flex laterally. The custom shaping of the top and down tubes across the size range works in harmony with the geometry of the Ajax for a smooth and stable feel with no compromise.

The next obvious difference between the Ajax and conventional commuters is the drivetrain. The Gates Carbon Drive Belt System has a few distinct advantages over a standard chain drive. The first, and most important, is the lack of maintenance required. Belts don't stretch, so they don't need to be re-tensioned. They also require no lubrication. Lack of lubrication also means that the drivetrain generally stays cleaner. The one-piece belt results in smoother operation and decreased friction for greater pedaling efficiency, and near-silent operation. While most belt-drive systems are single-speed, Spot outfitted the Ajax with a Shimno Alfine 8-speed internally-geared hub for more comfortable commuting, especially in hilly areas. Braking is taken care of more efficiently than most commuters as well with Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes that offer plenty of power, rain or shine.

Spot started from scratch when designing the carbon fiber fork. Designers analyzed the added stresses caused by disc brakes and countered them with dropouts designed to compensate for directional braking forces. The designers didn't slip up and let the fork throw off the overall aesthetic of the bike, either. The matte black finish of the frame ties everything together nicely for a clean, unique look.

Spot rounds out the build with a slew of tough, reliable components that can stand up to years of city abuse. Durable Shimano hubs with Alex disc-specific rims are shod with WTB Ryder Elite 32mm tires with Urban Armor Casing and reflective sidewalls. The saddle is a WTB Street Smart Rocket V, also with reflective accents. Headset duties are performed by Cane Creek's tried-and-true 40-series, and the stem, seatpost, and handlebars are all proprietary Spot Brand aluminum.

The Spot Brand Ajax comes in 42 (step-through), 49, 52, 55, 57, 60, and 62cm sizes, and it's available in Matte Black.