Charge Grater 5 (2017)

A titanium thoroughbred perfectly built for the city

Pros

- sweet titanium frame
- full fenders
- all-weather kit

Cons

- big pricetag for a commuter
- will attract thieves from neighboring towns

Review

Commuter bikes are generally thought of as functional machines, relegated to picking up groceries and schlepping to the office. The Charge Grater 5 is technically in this category, but shame on anyone who thinks this titanium beauty belongs in a bike cage in an underground carpark with all the other weary workhorses. This is an urban thoroughbred, a lightweight masterpiece that is gracious enough to hang out with the regular folk.

The gorgeous raw titanium frame is double-butted for extra strength and ultra-light weight, and it pairs up perfectly with the lightweight carbon straight blade disc-mounted front fork.

The frame and fork might be straight from the lightweight pro ranks, but the wheels and tires are legit inner city tough. The double wall WTB SX19 rims and rugged puncture resistant 700x32c Continental City Ride II tires can handle crumbling concrete, potholes and gutters with ease, and their awesome traction ensures you stay upright to enjoy the silky smooth ride.

SRAM’s Rival 1×11 drivetrain delivers a wide gear range in a lightweight, streamlined package, specifically tuned for city riding without sacrificing range or functionality. Shifting is fast and precise, and each gear change is accompanied by the reassuring ratchet-like click, SRAM’s trademark audible guarantee of quality. The SRAM 40-tooth single front chainring also eliminates the clutter of a front derailleur and goes nicely with the overall streamlined appearance of the bike.

On the back wheel, the Custom Black 11-36 tooth SRAM PG-1130 11-speed cassette integrates perfectly with the SRAM Rival 1 Type 2 rear derailleur.

The shifters are SRAM S700, but the brakes are courtesy of Shimano in the form of their BR-M445 hydraulic discs with Shimano SM-RT54 160mm rotors. They provide stopping power worthy of a bike this fast and nimble, and work perfectly in sunshine or thunderstorms.

Speed is one thing, but comfort is often something else entirely. Not with the Grater: despite the slightly abrasive name, this is a machine built for comfort and speed. The Fabric Scoop Radius Elite saddle is a delight to sit on, and will cradle your anatomy in style all day, every day without complaint or compromise. It’s held in place with a simple two-bolt seatpost from Charge, who also make the 660mm handlebars. What, only 660mm you say??? Too narrow? Hey, this pony is not designed for hitting the singletrack or battling up forest trails, it’s a city bred race horse that is at home weaving through narrow laneways and slipping between parked cars. They have to be narrow – end of story.

Finally, the full-length, suit-saving, change-of-clothes-at-the-office-avoiding fenders come standard. It might be a minimalist bike, but the design team at Charge seem to know what we can’t do without.

Color choice? Zero. This baby comes in all its raw-titanium glory, and it would be a travesty to paint it. If you have the cash and truly appreciate the finer things in life, reward yourself with this beautiful bike from Charge.

- Review by Marcus Speed.