SE Bikes Draft Coaster
Simplicity is a common theme amongst many urban cyclists—a good part of the popularity of single speed and fixed gear bikes come the reliability of not having a bunch of shifting bits. And then there is the much sought after clean aesthetic of track bikes and their bare handlebars and lack of cables. The SE Bikes Draft Coaster is spec’d in this vein, but with a coaster brake that makes some of us instantly go back to about 12 years old and want to lay down a big skid. For others the $330 Draft Coaster represents a no frills, easy to understand and ride entry-level bike that looks the part of the cool-guy bikes outside of the coffee shop.
The Draft Coaster is built on the same high-tensile steel frame and straight leg fork as the popular Draft, with only real difference being a Shimano coaster brake rather than a fixed/free rear hub. The bike rides fairly well, with short 410 mm chainstays, 72/74º head/seat angles and wheelbases from 1000-1035 mm throughout the 700c size range. The bike ships with 28c tires, but has clearance for ones a size or two larger at least, with fender and rear rack braze-ons making it as commuter friendly as you’d like. Some are quick to point out the hi-ten steel frame and write the bike off—aside from some extra poundage around the middle there is nothing wrong with hi-ten steel for an entry level bike. With a steel bar, stem and post my 61 cm test bike tips the scales at 27.5 lbs.
The story with the Draft Coaster isn’t the frame however, it’s the coaster brake. Other than some select people out there, coaster brakes are largely overlooked for adult bikes, or pushed aside for beach cruisers. It’s a shame really, for experienced riders they can be quite fun and for people getting on their first bike since childhood it doesn’t get much simpler. Ripping around town on a coaster brake is a blast, though it takes some getting used to at speed—between pedal positioning for maximum power and pumping the brake to prevent overheating and fade on long downhills there is a learning curve to riding one in traffic. The fork is drilled for a front brake, but I’d like to see the Draft Coaster actually come with one—a coaster brake and fixed cog have the same ultimate braking power (even if a coaster brake has better modulation and is far easier to brake with), and the same potential pitfalls in the case of a dropped chain.
The Draft Coaster is available in seven sizes between 47-61 cm with a 650c wheeled 43 cm version also available.
Check out www.sebikes.com