State Bicycle Co. Core-Line Wulf – Matte Black Fixed Gear / Single Speed Bike

State Bicycle Co. Core-Line Wulf — matte black, flip-flop hub, built to be ridden every day

Some bikes ask to be admired. The Wulf asks to be ridden. Its matte black steel frame and blacked-out components make no attempt at spectacle, and that restraint is exactly the point: this is a bicycle that looks as good chained to a lamp post in the rain as it does in a stairwell in Meppel. The Core-Line has been State Bicycle Co.'s foundation since the beginning, and the Wulf is its purest expression.

Built around a durable steel frame with seat stay rack mounts, fork eyelets and cable stops, it is a genuinely versatile machine. Ride it fixed on a clear morning, flip the wheel and freewheel home through traffic. Add a rack and a set of panniers and it becomes a commuter. Strip it back and it is a track-inspired city bike with nothing to spare.

A frame that grows with you

The steel frame is forgiving over cobbles and tram lines in a way aluminium rarely is, and it accepts modification without complaint. Seat stay rack mounts and fork eyelets mean a rear rack, mudguards or a front basket can be added later. Horizontal dropouts with integrated chain tensioners make wheel alignment straightforward — a detail you only appreciate the first time you remove a rear wheel on a wet pavement.

Fixed or freewheel, decided by one wheel

The flip-flop hub carries a 16T freewheel on one side and a fixed cog on the other. Riding fixed teaches a smoothness and a connection to the road that no other drivetrain gives you. Riding freewheel lets you coast home after a long day. Turning the rear wheel around takes a few minutes and one spanner. Most riders start on the freewheel side and find their way to fixed within a season.

Choose your cockpit

Three handlebar options, each a different bike in character. Riser bars with Cult x Vans waffle-pattern grips give an upright, confident city position — the standard build, and the right choice if you are unsure. Bullhorn bars pull you forward for a faster, more purposeful ride. Drop bars with bar tape suit longer distances and riders coming from road cycling. Front and rear caliper brakes are fitted on every build.

Specifications

• Frame: durable steel, seat stay rack mounts, fork eyelets, cable stops
• Fork: steel, with eyelet mounts
• Dropouts: horizontal, with integrated chain tensioners
• Wheelset: 40 mm Deep V rims, high-flange sealed-bearing hubs
• Tyres: 700 x 28c (maximum recommended 28c; up to 32c fitted by some riders, clearance varies)
• Hub: flip-flop, 16T freewheel and 16T fixed cog included
• Gear ratio: 44 x 16
• Handlebars: riser bars with Cult x Vans grips (standard), or bullhorn / drop bars with bar tape
• Brakes: front and rear caliper hand brakes
• Saddle: synthetic leather with steel rails
• Pedals: platform pedals included
• Sizes: Extra Small (46 cm), Small (50 cm), Medium (54 cm), Large (58 cm)
• Weight: approximately 11 kg (54 cm frame, as pictured)
• Finish: Matte Black with all-black components
• Warranty: 5 years on the frame, 1 year on non-consumable parts

Frequently asked questions

Which frame size should I choose?

As a guide: Extra Small (46 cm) suits riders of roughly 152–163 cm, Small (50 cm) suits 163–170 cm, Medium (54 cm) suits 170–180 cm and Large (58 cm) suits 180–188 cm. Inside leg length matters as much as height, and riders near a size boundary often prefer the smaller frame for a more agile city feel. If you are between sizes, send your height and inside leg measurement to L'Hirondelle Bike Shop in Meppel and we will confirm the right frame before you order.

Do I have to ride it fixed?

No. The bike is supplied with the freewheel side of the flip-flop hub set up and ready to ride, so you can coast from day one. The fixed cog is already fitted on the opposite side of the hub — when you want to try it, the change takes a few minutes.

How is the bike delivered, and does it arrive assembled?

It ships directly from State Bicycle Co.'s European warehouse to your address, around 90 percent assembled. The final setup — handlebars, front wheel, pedals, saddle height, brake and drivetrain adjustment — must be completed by a qualified mechanic before the first ride. Any bike shop can do this in under an hour. If you are near Meppel, we can build it for you at L'Hirondelle Bike Shop by appointment; contact us before ordering and we will arrange it.

What does the 5-year warranty cover, and what do I need to keep?

Five years on the frame against manufacturing defects, and one year on non-consumable components. Wear items — tyres, brake pads, cables, chain, grips and bar tape — are not covered. Important: State Bicycle Co. requires proof of professional assembly for the warranty to be valid, so keep the invoice from whoever builds the bike. That document is what supports any future claim, and a claim can be refused without it.

Can I fit a rack and mudguards?

Yes. The frame has seat stay rack mounts and the fork has eyelet mounts, so a standard rear rack and full-length mudguards fit without adapters or P-clips. Tyre clearance is the limiting factor: with 28c tyres and mudguards fitted, the setup is tight but workable. It is worth having them fitted at the same time as the initial build.

Where are these bikes made?

State Bicycle Co. is based in Tempe, Arizona, and designs its bikes there; frames are manufactured in Asia to the brand's specification. European stock is distributed from State Bicycle Co.'s EU warehouse.