Bike Review: Simpatico N1 Tested

‘Likeable and easy to get on with.’

That’s the meaning of ‘Simpatico’, a word of Italian and Spanish origins with obvious links to its Latin roots.

It was also the name perfectly etched into the downtube of my personal ‘people’s choice’ nominee at Spoken, the major bike show held in Sydney in mid-2025.

Spotting a series of glorious titanium bikes with the unusual name ‘Simpatico’ etched on them, I was fascinated. The overall theme of the Simpatico’s on show in Sydney was versatile, all-road, go-anywhere, do-anything machines. As a big fan of the one-bike solution and also increasingly wary of road riding, my interest was piqued – I was instantly hooked.

A month or so later, a large box arrived at the local bike shop and inside it was the bike we are reviewing today – Simpatico’s perfectly named N1.

At home off road and surprisingly capable on roads and in more urban areas, the N1 proved itself as an impressive all-rounder.

Yes, N+1 has always been the answer to one of life’s most important questions – ‘how many bikes should I own?’. Whether intentional or not, Simpatico’s N1 solves that universal dilemma with ease and simplicity – through the test period, this bike has taken pride of place as numero uno, Number 1. In short, it’s proven itself as a one-bike solution – buy a second wheeleset and it’ll do the lot.

Who Are Simpatico?

Before we delve into the nerdy details of the N1, who exactly are Simpatico and why haven’t we heard more about the brand?

Based in Victoria, the low key company is the product of two friends, Jeff Servaas and Brandon Stewart, whose combined experience spans from the dusty trails of Kinglake to the workshop floor of the local bike shop.

For Jeff, the journey began with a humble second-hand cyclocross bike in 2017. With 40mm knobbies fitted, he quickly discovered the gravel trails of the Dandenongs and beyond. That Focus became the gateway to experimentation—swapping tyres from 28mm to 48mm, studying how traction, comfort, and geometry intersect. In 2021 he designed Simpatico’s first prototype and has been refining it ever since, putting down thousands of test kilometres. The result, he says, is a “sweet spot” that balances agility and stability for Melbourne’s gravel, while still leaving clearance for bigger tyres on rougher adventures.

Attention to detail and the overall finish of the review bike were superb.

Brandon brings a different but complementary background. With over two decades of bikepacking under his belt, bikes have always been both a tool for exploration and a source of fun. A trained bike mechanic with more than 10 years of industry experience, he has honed the skills to make a bike “sing.” When Jeff invited him to join the project in 2022, Brandon embraced the chance to help shape a machine that could handle varied terrain and remain a delight to ride.

To The Ride

As touched on earlier, I’ve become very selective about which roads I’ll ride across greater Sydney – it’s seriously Russian roulette out there!

That first ride on the N1 was a hybrid urban 60 kilometre loop that involved a mix of bike paths, connecting trails, quieter roads and bike lanes.

The test bike came fitted with smooth-rolling 48mm Gravel Thundero tyres.

Rolling on whopping 48mm Gravel Thundero tyres, the setup felt absolutely invincible. Combining that massive amount of rubber and cushioning with the titanium frame, carbon bars, deep Zipp 303s wheels and a quality Repente saddle, the ride comfort was bordering on luxurious.

Early on in the ride, I could definitely feel the weight of the XOS wide tyres through the steering, but it didn’t take long to become acquainted with the heavier front footprint and extra inertia through the bars. The tyres would roll over anything, and that massive width proved useful on several occasions, such as bunnyhopping a gutter and making a snap decision to go cross-country through parklands.

To the build, and the finish of the test bikes – just like the sister models on show at Spoken, was first-class. Attention to detail and a spectacular finish is clearly one of the brand’s unique selling points – the bronze and grey highlights over the brushed titanium frame look absolutely stunning.

Like all other Simpatico models, the N1 features a T47 threaded bottom bracket, a universal derailleur hanger, an ACR compatible headset, and 27.2mm standard-sized seat post. There’s also a semi-internal cockpit with the cables very neatly routed under the stem where they disappear into the head tube.

The stem – along with the front badge and seat post clamp – is coated with bronze-coloured Cerakote, a thin ceramic-based coating known for its exceptional durability and protective qualities. This completes the stylish and classy titanium finish that’s enhanced by the frame’s meticulous welds.

The N1 was perfect for urban sorties around Sydney, especially on the mix of paths, roads, gravel and single trail used to keep off the main roads.

Summing Up

The N1 is a beast of a bike that’s built tough but manages to retain a high level of sophistication. The ride is incredibly smooth. Once up to speed, it feels surprisingly effortless to propel, and it’s a beautifully balanced bike. Gearing – with SRAM’s wide-ranging 13-speed 10-46 cassette – is spot on and it’s a bike that’s just crying out to be ridden.

Talking of crying, the weather was atrocious for much of the test period—I just couldn’t bring myself to take the N1 out in cold, wet, miserable, and slippery conditions. Now, yet another life decision looms—to permanently add the N1 to the stable? It’s certainly an incredibly impressive, super versatile, and very appealing bike.

The Simpatico N1 retails for around $10,000, depending upon components and finish.

More at www.simpaticobikes.com