Condor has been building bikes for 65 years, which have been ridden by legends of the sport like Tom Simpson and Bradley Wiggins, not to mention the occasional superstar owner like Mick Jagger. Its premium owners are matched by this bike’s comparatively premium price tag and the Condor Tempo is not exception.
Condor Tempo frame and equipment
That’s because beneath the skin of the stylish paint job is a top-end tubeset from Dedacciai.
The frame also features fittings for full cable runs should you want to fit a hub gear system
The Italian steel connoisseur provides its SAT 14.5 high-grade tubing in a svelte-looking diamond-shape.
Those tubes are elegantly welded into a frame that features an oversized front triangle partnered with slender, curved seat stays. The result is a comfortable, compliant ride.
Those explicit highlights are accompanied by the subtler reinforced head-tube cups and forward-facing, sculpted horizontal dropouts. Both are appreciated, especially those dropouts, which make wheel changes a swift exercise.
The dropouts come complete with eyelets for the included guards and a rack, while there’s provision for guards (again included) on the Condor carbon fork in the form of dropout mounted eyelets.
The frame also features fittings for full cable runs should you want to fit a hub gear system (which you can thanks to those rear dropouts).
Condor Tempo ride impression
On the road it’s apparent that this is one classic winter trainer. The geometry is racy and the ride is firm, that stiff chassis making for a pretty nimble machine and one that’s built for urban and training rides in any weather.
The bike comes as fixed only, though the classy Condor Uno wheelset does have a twin-sided rear hub to add a screw-on freewheel for flip-flop versatility.
On the downside, I’d have preferred to see a wider tyre than the 23c Vittorias fitted. While the tyre’s grip is ample, it’s ill-equipped to prevent vibrations from reaching your hands and hindquarters.
It means that on particularly rough stretches of tarmac, the Tempo can chatter. Still, it’s a small minus to the Tempo’s overall charms and is easily fixed, especially as there’s plenty of room under the excellent SKS mudguards for larger rubber.
Throw in the Condor dual pivot brakes that are near comparable with Pinnacle’s excellent discs and you have an impressive bike from one of London’s most acclaimed brands.
Condor Tempo specifications
- Frame: Dedacciai SAT 14.5 triple-butted steel
- Fork: Condor Pioggia carbon
- Wheels: Condor Uno
- Transmission: 48/18 singlespeed
- Brakes: Condor Strada dual pivot
Condor Tempo early verdict
Classy, purposeful ride for fixed-gear aficionados.
