I just got this bike and have been whippin' around the streets of Grand Rapids, MI and I gotta tell ya, she handles like a dream. It's super light and fast, agile and responsive, and very sexy. Ever since buying this bike, I have gotten 12 girlfriends each week, made LOTS more money, and the instant I ride by a homeless person in the city, they become not homeless. I'm pretty sure all of this ties back to the bike, It changed my life, it could change yours too. Love State, love the bike, the price and service have been amazing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go save more homeless people and cure all diseases known to man -all with my bike.

Out of the box the Black Label v2 is a beautiful looking bike. Clean paint job, low-key branding and unified design. Very impressed. The build was easy too. Everything needed was in the box and it was all carefully and thoughtfully packaged for shipping.

As other reviewers have noted, the stock tires are garbage, narrow and cheap. The tan sidewalls look great, but not even racers are riding 700x23c tires anymore. They really detract from the overall impression and are an immediate, necessary upgrade as nothing about them feels useful. Lots of other things can be upgraded when ordering, the tires should be an option too. Or just make a reasonably sized tire standard. Additionally, and this is a small quibble because most people will probably ride this bike without brakes, but if you're going to make brakes available, include cable guides on the frame. Having to tape or zip tie the rear cable to the frame ruins the aesthetic and again, detracts from the overall, finished impression.

Finally, the front wheel needed truing and tensioning. It had all types of hops in it and the spokes were incredibly loose. Not a problem if you're having a shop build it but because it's an online order, lots of people might choose to assemble the bike themselves and getting the wheels tensioned and true is a big ask.

First few ride impressions are positive once I put some decent tires on the wheels. The bike is comfortable, confident and nimble. Really enjoying it and happy with my purchase. Would definitely but again and recommend.

Love it! Great bike so fun to ride!

First off I love the bike. That’s the most important part. Although the rear wheel came with a tiny cosmetic dent, it’s not a huge deal. My issue was that i was confused by the purchasing process, because although I did order the flip flop hub extra, the description of the product kind of implies that it comes with it included.(it says in the Details: “Hubs: sealed low ****** flip flop hub- easy to ride fixed or single speed”— It should say here “flip flop hub is available as an add on” or something to let the buyer know it’s not included)
Additionally, when you select the flip flop hub as an add-on, it’s says “add free wheel,” which to a biking novice like me, can be interpreted differently. It should instead say “ add free wheel flip flop hub” or something like that. Also it should be More prominent in the item description to state exactly what the bike comes with, because the picture shows it without pedals and without brakes, so as a buyer that would lead me to believe it doesn’t bring those things. Thank you!

3 year review and a boat load of miles later. Bike has held up to everything I've thrown at it out in Virginia (mostly fair weather riding). Mainly 20 mile mixed hill rides about 3 to 4 days a week and the occasional longer ride when I want to go jonesing. You will not go wrong with this bad boy. The aluminum frame is solid and feels crisp under load. The forks feel stable at speed and the geometry of the bike works well on slow and fast paced road rides.

Stock parts were good. I changed out parts to my liking only because of sizing and personal preference.

I did go after the Essor wheelset just to see what was up with it and I wanted a lighter set for the road. Approx 9k miles so far and still no issues.

Overall, the bike is solid as a complete setup. It feels lighter than advertised. 3 years and no serious gripes just a minor headset creeking a few times, easily fixed with a cleaning and fresh grease.

I get a kick out of taking it out. It makes for conversation and good times.

I got this bike a while back, after drooling at the v1's for a couple years. Been riding to work, short commute, but hot as fuck here in Arizona.

Made a couple alterations; swapped the wide risers out for bullhorns, ride felt a little rough on my neck, flipped the stem, feels like a dream now; swapped pedals for wide flats, cause they're far more comfortable for my giant fucking feet; brakes lines were short for bullhorns, but they didn't offer bullhorns, so it's tough to hold that against them.

My commute just got a lot shorter, and I swapped from riding freewheel to fixed. Got a set of toe straps, pulled brakes off completely, and it's like falling in love with the bike all over again. It's snappy as hell to get up to speed, no frame flex, all energy goes to the wheels, and as 250 lbs dude, that matters. It's my favorite bike, hands down. Easy to maintain, easy to ride, easy on the fucking eyes. I'm in love with it, and I can't wait to take it to a state where I can ride it without a 3 liter hydration pack.

Photo is after bullhorns and pedals, before toestraps and fixed.

I haven't been a serious bicyclist since my younger BMX days, but recently got the itch to get back into it for exercise and commuting purposes. I live in the middle of a small, flat town so I opted for a single-speed, straight-forward setup. After a lot of shopping around, I landed on the Black Label and I'm very satisfied with my choice. It's a fun, light, snappy bike and the army green + gumwall tires is always a winning combo. I added a brown saddle, brown handlebar tape, and upgraded my pedals. It didn't take long to realize the fixie life is not for me (no shame), so I later purchased the freewheel option that State offers for the BL's flip flop hub. I'm enjoying it.

This is my second bike from State. The first was a Matte Black III. That one's been great, but my new Black Label v2 is much lighter and rides really smoothly. Love the Army Green too. I added a freewheel as I'm not much of a fixed rider. I swapped my bullhorns over. Just like the look better. If you are thinking about ordering, go ahead. Good company, good bike.

Overall the bicycle was well packaged and the shipping was really quick. Great looking bike and quality components. The only reason I'm giving it a four star is because the bike didn't come with bar tape! I can't wait to take it out for a zip in the summer. #bikegang

Love everything about this bike. Can’t get enough of it. Swapped out the standard pedals and made some other modifications but overall can’t beat the bike.