Single Speeders

[Ogre]

I would like to get a single speed soon.

I'm looking at Surly 1x1, Gunnar (853 steel), Spot (853 Steel).. others?

or buy complete Bianchi SISS or Kona Unit


Any opinions or lessons learned on equipment and frames?

It will be mainly used riding Lebanon Hills and Terrace Oaks.

[bkyatty]

Here's a great link that someone else put up a while back. http://www.bontrager.com/keith/rants.asp?id=8&ck=0&fl=1 I did it this way with an old bike and i love it. If I have the cash you might get a surly. they seem pretty nice

[Ogre]

Although I have a "spare" bike I could convert. It's an AL frame and I greatly prefer steel or Titanium. I don't mind spending the cash for a dedicated SS.

But I forgot to add a couple points I'd like other opinions.

Steel SS
Avid mech disc brakes vs normal V-brakes
29er vs 26" wheels

[pmschwei]

visit one on one
honest guys that ride and know tons

[martini]

Steel SS
Avid mech disc brakes vs normal V-brakes
29er vs 26" wheels

You kinda opened pandora's box there. Of course there's the KM from surly, or if you're into a bit more money, Voodoo can set up w/the Dambala. Or if you're ready, you can go custom from a few smaller builders and spend about the same as a Spot(also do 29")/Voodoo. Of course this all depends on if you want to try out the big wheels. Personally, I think they're the bees knees, but then I am 6'5" tall. The big wheels fit me well. I've been on them for three years now w/o a hitch. There's actually a few riders on the board here on bigwheels that can fill you in too.

I love my Avid discs. I see no reason to go back to v's.

Steel of course. But Gary Fishers new Rig is lookin' pretty damned sweet if you want simplicity.

[cockleburr]

Thanks for the props Peter. You too Marty!
So here is my 3cents.
Mech. disc or V brakes? Disc's are great if you wack the wheel out of true, it still rolls, mud clearance is really good too.. They are also a more expensive set up due to you have to buy disc hubs. V's, especialy parallel push work great if set up properly. My Avid Arch Rival's work as good as my Avid mech disc. On the down side you still have to change the cables on both. With a hydro brake you do not have to this.

Steel is the deal for the money. Spot and Soulcraft seems to have the tubing mix down but this is a personal opinon as I own both. Surly 1x1 hands down is the best deal(about$350-400) for a frame/fork and the Bianchi SISS or SASS (2005 GUSS is aluminuim, but the SASS will be a 2005 model also) as a complete bike is is a great parts spec for the price($777-850). I rode a stock(except for pedals&saddle), out of the box SASS at most of the Buck Hill Thursday races and most of the shop rides on Sat. Solid performer.

I refer to Marty on the 29'er, but I will add that I think the KM is the best singletracker out there due to the shorter 17" chainstays.

later, Yafo and I are going riding to beat down the Wirth trail now, maybe do some raking too.
GO

[nigel]

Thanks for the props Peter. You too Marty!
So here is my 3cents.
Mech. disc or V brakes? Disc's are great if you wack the wheel out of true, it still rolls, mud clearance is really good too.. They are also a more expensive set up due to you have to buy disc hubs. V's, especialy parallel push work great if set up properly. My Avid Arch Rival's work as good as my Avid mech disc. On the down side you still have to change the cables on both. With a hydro brake you do not have to this.

Steel is the deal for the money. Spot and Soulcraft seems to have the tubing mix down but this is a personal opinon as I own both. Surly 1x1 hands down is the best deal(about$350-400) for a frame/fork and the Bianchi SISS or SASS (2005 GUSS is aluminuim, but the SASS will be a 2005 model also) as a complete bike is is a great parts spec for the price($777-850). I rode a stock(except for pedals&saddle), out of the box SASS at most of the Buck Hill Thursday races and most of the shop rides on Sat. Solid performer.

I refer to Marty on the 29'er, but I will add that I think the KM is the best singletracker out there due to the shorter 17" chainstays.

later, Yafo and I are going riding to beat down the Wirth trail now, maybe do some raking too.
GO
Ahhh the Soulcraft......I forget the name (guy at County Cycles) of the guy that bought mine when i was in a money pinch, but ya better be treatin it right as im sure you are! Damn i miss it!

Steel for sure, V's work great but if you go disc go hydro and you wont regret it!

[el gueche]

i saw the new bianchi g.u.s.s. at one on one and i gotta say, i want one - el

[thebionicman]

http://www.bianchiusa.com/593.html

I like the comment on the page, any chance that is a reference to Geno @ one on one?

[soupboy]

If you are 5'10"+ I highly recommend the full turgid KM. Oh yeah, and get it from Gene-O. One On One knows their SSing and their Surly bits and can pull stuff together for you quickly at a fair price ta boot. Just don't make Reed mad!

I had two SSs before my KM (a 1x1 and an On One Inbred) that we both 26ers. Nice bikes both, but once I hopped on a KM the 29er wheels feel "just right" for me - 6'3" clyde. My FS bike is still 26" but after riding my KM I feel like I stole my little brother's bike and took it for a ride.

You can't go wrong with either the 1x1 or KM. They're relatively cheap and if you don't like them or want to upgrade to something higher end there is a ready secondary market for them.

--Sean

[LightWeight]

once I hopped on a KM the 29er wheels feel "just right" for me - 6'3" clyde.

Sorry to hijack... What size of KM did you end up getting? I'm going to try to build one up this winter (if the $ comes through) and am wondering what size I should get. I'm 6'4" with a 34" pants inseam.

[transplant]

I will state time and time again, I love my Redline Monocog! It's inexpensive, fun to go blasting around on and a great way to determine if SSing is your bag. Now in aluminum, too! Mine's steel and a bit on the burly side (my Superlight might be a bit lighter), but there are a lot of things I could do to lighten it up. Just need the disposable income.

[crux]

SSin at Leb and terrance really makes the trails a whole different ball game. There some obvious differences riding a 29er over a 26" wheeled machine. As always this is a mixed bag of opinions with no clear cut answer.

Personaly I love the way my El Toro and IF rides, but they both have their place.

Think that Gene at One on One is a very good place to start your search for the anti-geared individual followed up by Kenwood cyclery if your intent is to stay local. If you'd consider expending your search check Larry at mtnhighcyclery.com to see what he can hook you up with. If your in need of a Ventana, IF, or PhilWood send me an email.

[soupboy]

Sorry to hijack... What size of KM did you end up getting? I'm going to try to build one up this winter (if the $ comes through) and am wondering what size I should get. I'm 6'4" with a 34" pants inseam.

with a 24.3" eff TT. I'm 6'3" with a 34" pant (or 36" "bike" inseam) and run a 100mm stem and straight post.

The XL is a HUGE bike with a lot less standover than the L and it is heavier. I think people up to 6'6" could fit reasonably well on a L KM. Fit issues fore or aft could be resolved with slightly longer stem or layback post.

Love it.

Sean

[stoneage]

"Gunnar (853 steel)"

"Big Pink" is almost 5 years old now, and is almost the only bike I ride on the dirt. I dragged "Old Blue" (Gunnar cross/853 - over 6 years old) out recently and have been using that on the trails of late. Go see John at Kenwood, if Waterford (Gunnar) is your choice.

[Summerinside]

http://www.bianchiusa.com/593.html

I like the comment on the page, any chance that is a reference to Geno @ one on one?
The name of the bike is Gene-O's Ultimate Single Speed.