On-One: From Singlespeed Roots to Trail and Bikepacking Bikes
On-One is a British bicycle brand whose identity starts with mountain biking rather than road racing. Sold through Planet X, it connects a background in steel singlespeeds with bikes for trail riding, loaded adventures and everyday journeys. Its range makes most sense when compared by intended terrain and carrying needs, rather than by frame material alone.
A brand shaped by the singlespeed experiment
On-One grew from the partnership between bicycle designer Brant Richards and Planet X entrepreneur Dave Loughran. In its account of Richards returning to the business, BikeRadar describes On-One’s beginnings as a direct-to-consumer mountain-bike brand. That sales approach accompanied a willingness to pursue unconventional designs and specialist riding interests.
The Inbred gives this background a concrete reference point. Planet X’s retrospective on the Inbred describes the retirement of the steel hardtail’s 26-inch version and singlespeed 29er. These are historical models, but they explain why steel frames and simple mountain bikes remain central to understanding On-One. The brand’s story is more specific than a general promise to make bicycles for everyone.
Two different ways to leave the tarmac
Scandal: the suspension-fork trail option
The On-One Scandal takes the hardtail idea into an aluminium, 29-inch-wheel trail platform. Planet X describes a 130 mm suspension fork, dropper-post routing and room for larger tyres. Those features make it the more relevant starting point for riders comparing bikes for woodland trails and rougher recreational routes. Its emphasis is trail equipment, rather than the luggage provision that defines the Bootzipper.
Bootzipper: room for bags and broader journeys
The Bootzipper 29er uses a steel frame and rigid steel fork, with bottle-cage provision and fork-bag mounts. Planet X positions it for touring, pannier-equipped commuting and mellower cross-country trails. For someone planning mixed-surface trips, the practical distinction is clear: compare its carrying options and rigid fork against the Scandal’s suspension and trail-focused fittings. Neither choice follows automatically from preferring steel or aluminium.
Choosing an On-One by the ride ahead
On-One’s distinctive thread is the mountain bike as a platform for different kinds of riding: stripped-back singlespeed roots, suspension-equipped trail hardtails and luggage-ready adventure bikes. Start with the surfaces you regularly ride, whether you carry overnight gear, and the exact model’s fit and equipment. Explore our On-One brand page with those differences in mind; the badge connects the bikes, but their purposes deserve separate consideration.