New Surly 650 bay"B"!

[jenbenmueller]

Hey all, I have been a long time lurker on this site:) It is a wonderful local resource.

This year I have gotten into the single speed thing and have been thoroughly enjoying myself. Hope you enjoy the pictures of my new bike I have been riding exclusively this year. My Giant MCM 990 has been hanging around in my garage biding its time before I sell it for something different...

Few details:

18" Surly 1x1 frame I picked up from one on one. They hooked me up with what I wanted and were very friendly :) The guys at the "other" LBS looked at me like I had another hole in my head when I asked them about a single speed ridged mountain bike...

34-18 gearing - Perfect for Murphy, river bottoms, and all the Wisconsin trials that I rode over the 4th. I will try my hand at Leb tomorrow if the trails are dried out.
Velocity 650B rims
Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.3"tires
Avid BB7 Brakes
FSA V-drive cranks - Pretty nice although they have developed a creaking in the BB...

This bike is a testament, to myself, that a high buck ride is not needed to have fun on the trails. Although I do lust after those titanium hardtail 29er frames... Vassago Optimus Ti anyone?

For now this is an absolute blast and reminds me of my first BMX bike from my child hood. Haven't had that feeling on a bike in a looong time.

Hope to see you on the trails!

Ben

[soupboy]

Nice bike. Curious as to how the higher BB impacts handling on a pretty neutral stock set-up with 26" wheels.

[9GUY9]

Looks like a nice bike. If I could have found the rite deal on a 1X1 this time last year I would have one too.

I was just reminded today how much fun a single is. I took a co worker for a ride this afternoon. I let him ride my "nice" fully suspended geared ride while I rode my ow dollar rigid single. I had a blast and never felt like I was held back by the lack of gears or susp.

[jenbenmueller]

Looks like a nice bike. If I could have found the rite deal on a 1X1 this time last year I would have one too.

I was just reminded today how much fun a single is. I took a co worker for a ride this afternoon. I let him ride my "nice" fully suspended geared ride while I rode my ow dollar rigid single. I had a blast and never felt like I was held back by the lack of gears or susp.

Thanks,

That was the exact feeling I got my first time out on the single speed. Nothing but me pedaling and picking my line.

The guys down at One on One made me a deal on the frame and fork I couldn't resist. I had walked in looking for a Bianchi single speed frame. Glad I chose what I did. Canti brakes or disk and the option to run those 650b's with room to spare.

How much more of an oddball bike could this be? SS, fully ridged, and those crazy 27.5" tires...

[jenbenmueller]

Nice bike. Curious as to how the higher BB impacts handling on a pretty neutral stock set-up with 26" wheels.


Well I rode the bike several times on a 26" wheelset before switching the 650B set. My impressions are that the handling seem unchanged. The jury is still out but I am just as confident in the handling with the 650b wheels as I was with the 26's. It does feel a little "different". Cant quite put my finger on what it is but I can certainly tell I am running a larger tire.

What I do notice is that it does roll over rocks and roots noticeably easier now.

[gtbikes]

Ben,

Nice wheels! How about becoming a member of MORC and help us continue to help you with even better local resources (and trails, dangit). A yearly membie is dirt cheap (less that abstaining from 1 fufu coffee per month for a year) and helps not only support the running/upkeep of this site, but also all that new cool trail being put in at Leb, hillside, etc.

See out on the trails!

[charliebrown]

I just sold my 1x1, it was a great bike, but I had to thin out the herd. Yours is fine looking. Hope to see you out on the trails.

[jenbenmueller]

Ben,

Nice wheels! How about becoming a member of MORC and help us continue to help you with even better local resources (and trails, dangit). A yearly membie is dirt cheap (less that abstaining from 1 fufu coffee per month for a year) and helps not only support the running/upkeep of this site, but also all that new cool trail being put in at Leb, hillside, etc.

See out on the trails!

Just did :) I guess that is one less fufu coffee drink a month for me :eyeroll:

[jenbenmueller]

Just rode all loops at Leb yesterday. Was impressed with the bikes handling and feel through the technical sections.

The 34-18 gearing will stay :)