Review: Singular Peregrine Mk4

NOTE: Guitar Ted paid for the Peregrine Mk4 out of pocket. Singular Cycles is not paying for, nor has any knowledge of this review, (that is - until Sam reads this post!) All thoughts and opinions are Guitar Ted's.

The Singular Cycles Peregrine Mk4 fresh out of the box

 As mentioned earlier here on the blog, the Singular Cycles Peregrine Mk4 was headed to me here at Guitar Ted HQ. Well, as you can obviously see here, it has arrived. I wanted to give my first impressions of this frame set as I took it out of its shipping box and unwrapped the thing to see it with my own eyes now for the first time. Technical data be damned, at least for now, because all I want to convey with this first post is what I am thinking about this frame set initially. Techy stuff will come later. (Or you could click the link toi the Peregrine Mk4 page above. )

First of all, I want to point out the images here are of the frame and fork directly after unpacking. There was no attempt made to clean up the finish from all the fingerprints, dust, and shipping detritus accumulated since the frame and fork were packed up at Singular Cycles US warehouse. So, no apologies for the dullness of the colors here and there. This will look a lot prettier once I have it cleaned up.

Okay, with this out of the way, this thing is gorgeous. In a very neo-classic cycling way, that is. Sam Alison, Singular Cycles founder, has a way of taking classic bicycle design and paint scheme cues and integrating those within a fully modernized bicycle which makes no compromises, in a general sense, because of those classic influences. 

So here we have through axles, disc brakes, (flat mount, natch!), and accommodation for large gravel tires in 700c or 650B sizes. Full accessory mounts are integrated in a way which seems unobtrusive and does not detract from the classic looks. Of course, the paneled British Racing Green and Ivory only adds to those classic looks leanings. Worth noting is the custom paint option Singular offers, at an up-charge, should this hue just not appeal to you. 

The cable routing is all external, and this may seem, upon first considerations, to be a 'not very modern' way of doing things. Given the hidden cables craze, it would seem very 'retro', but it is by far the most practical and easily maintained way to run cables. I like the removable cable guides in case you should decide to run a single speed/fixed gear set up.

Some folks are surprised to find the Peregrine uses lugged steel construction in several places on the frame. This is a huge attraction for myself, as I love lugged steel frames. Plus, a modern lugged steel frame is a pretty rare thing in 2025. This is also appealing to me.

Look at the head tube! Straight 1 1/8th as it should be with a standard external cup Chris King headset installed. Obviously classic, and easily maintained for the foreseeable future. 

I mean, a 'clean' looking integrated headset can be okay, but those are not 'classic', and many have parts not easily obtained in case of a need for replacement arises. This Chris King head set will likely outlast me!

Besides, a straight steer tube gives a bit, which enhances comfort, and this will be plenty strong enough. So stiffer is maybe okay for Pro roadie sprinters, but this is not what I am looking for in my gravel bikes. I have always thought tapered steer tubes were overkill for road and gravel for the vast majority of the riding public. 

Standards for this frame are all pretty basic. Flat mount brakes, 27.2mm seat post, threaded bottom bracket. the aforementioned head set, standard through axles. Nothing proprietary or odd here. 

These are all things I like to see. These are the things which make building up a bicycle like this far easier.

 For instance, my Twin Six Standard Rando v2 has a port through the front fork for the brake hose. To get this out, or installed, one has to disconnect the hydraulic hose from the lever and thread the hose through the fork, reattach the hose with a new barb and compression nut, then bleed the system. 

What a hassle! Just to switch components in or out from the fork.  This is something which I find irritating. Your mileage may vary. The Peregrine has a much easier set up and ability to swap components. 

Of course,it wouldn't be a true Singular unless you could run it as a single speed bike! Sam Alison usually integrates an eccentric bottom bracket into his designs which allows for an easy way to go single speed/fixed. Not all Singulars were made this way, but I appreciate this feature in the Peregrine Mk4.

In my opinion, a single speed option is critical for any self-supported type cycling. Having this option could help you pedal home in case of a catastrophe regarding the rear derailleur. So, as a cyclist who spends a lot of time alone in remote county areas, I desire this sort of "bail out" option in my bikes. 

Another, less considered feature of the eccentric bottom bracket is the ability to alter your effective bottom bracket drop. Of course, this only applies if you are running a geared set up, but where you place the eccentric will affect your seat height slightly, and with big tires, I probably will set my eccentric at the "six o'clock" position to accommodate for this. 

I know some folks are down on eccentric bottom brackets due to rumors or old experiences with these making noise. I have had several eccentric bottom bracket bicycles and I can report this has never been an issue with any of those bicycles so equipped. 

I said I wasn't going to get all techy, didn't I? Oh well! These are things I see when I look at a frame and fork. So, forgive my more "mechanic's viewpoint", but again, this bike is just really good looking. Sam knocked it out of the park with the Peregrine Mk4 as far as the aesthetics go. 

I mean, just look at the fork crown! If you do not find this part of the frame attractive I have no words for you. 

Okay, enough of this! I have to quit writing and start turning wrenches!

I'll be posting a build series around this bike in the next few days and then, hopefully, a first ride post. In case you missed it, I plan on putting on a 2X GRX Limited Silver group with my GRX wheel set and those Schwalbe G-One Overland tires I introduced the other day. 

The plan after this is to use the Peregrine Mk4 as my main bicycle for gravel travel for the remainder of the gravel riding season of 2025. This should provide a good basis for giving a final verdict on the Peregrine Mk 4 as a gravel riding platform. 

Thanks to Sam Alison for getting the frame and fork shipped out so promptly and for the excellent customer service. Look for more on the Peregrine Mk4 coming soon!