Who makes single speed MTBs?
Who makes single speed MTBs?
Author
Discussion

Herman Toothrot

Original Poster:

6,702 posts

227 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Spent an hour or more internet trawling looking for single speed i.e. Slot dropout frames and to say it appears choice is limited is an understatement, almost all seem to be jump bikes whereas I am liking the idea of a super light weight XC type bike.

Where do I need to be looking? On One seem to be there every trail leads to but they don't make quite what I'm after either 650b is my preference.

Gren

2,030 posts

281 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
On One / Planet X or possibly my dream rigid SS the Niner One 9 RDO http://www.ninerbikes.com/one9

Either end of the price spectrum there

chrisispringles

893 posts

194 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
The only one I'm aware of is the Soma B-Side, but being steel I'm not sure that it's quite right for an ultra lightweight build.

The other option would be to get hold of a 26" frame with horizontal dropouts and squeeze a 650b in the back with a fairly narrow tire.

torres del paine

1,588 posts

250 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Herman Toothrot said:
Spent an hour or more internet trawling looking for single speed i.e. Slot dropout frames and to say it appears choice is limited is an understatement, almost all seem to be jump bikes whereas I am liking the idea of a super light weight XC type bike.

Where do I need to be looking? On One seem to be there every trail leads to but they don't make quite what I'm after either 650b is my preference.
Off the top of my head, Surly 1x1, 650b I think, expensive though compared to On One.

wobert

5,571 posts

251 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Orange P7 has horizontal drop-outs for SS conversion, just not available new anymore1 :-(

richardxjr

7,561 posts

239 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Or just use a tensioner on any frame.

anonymous-user

83 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Cotic Simple was singlespeed, lovely looking bike

Rob_T

1,916 posts

280 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
changing the subject slightly, can someone explain the point of a single speed mtb?

with different gradients (up and down) to encounter, and a wide variety of ground conditions, surely a single speed is the last thing you want.... where exactly would you use one?

Gren

2,030 posts

281 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Rob_T said:
changing the subject slightly, can someone explain the point of a single speed mtb?

with different gradients (up and down) to encounter, and a wide variety of ground conditions, surely a single speed is the last thing you want.... where exactly would you use one?
Cheap, simple maintenance I guess. Not my bag, I'm seriously unfashionable with 30 gears

richardxjr

7,561 posts

239 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Simplicity & fitness for me. No mechs, cables, pivots or seals to gunk up, get noisy, clog or fail.



Martyn-123

655 posts

214 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
I have been thinking about a inner gear hub sustem on my next build, no rear gears hanging down, change gear when stationery and hopefully less maintenance.

Could this be a altertnative for you ?


Martyn

anonymous-user

83 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
cheap to build, simple to maintain, if you get the gearing right and you can ride up almost anything that you could with 30 gears... The one thing I can not stand about mountain bikers is how slowly people go up hills....


dudleybloke

20,553 posts

215 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
The Identiti Dr Jekyll has an adjustable dropout system but its a solid lump of a frame.




Edited by dudleybloke on Monday 10th November 16:04

Soov535

35,829 posts

300 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Google for Dialled Bikes.

Mr E

23,041 posts

288 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Rob_T said:
changing the subject slightly, can someone explain the point of a single speed mtb?

with different gradients (up and down) to encounter, and a wide variety of ground conditions, surely a single speed is the last thing you want.... where exactly would you use one?
Straight simplicity.

My frame has a single speed option. Nice standard hardtail in steel or aluminium as suits you.

http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/products/decade/virs...

Mine is steel, and 30 speed. On 26" wheels. I am such a luddite...

Herman Toothrot

Original Poster:

6,702 posts

227 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Cheers all, interest started as yesterday did 95km almost all off road over the Wessex downs / Ridgeway and the other person who did it with me did it on a single speed and he kept saying how once use to it how easy and more efficient it seems than a geared bike. Got me thinking as I'm a real one for sit down and spin up gradients - he just attacked and went up considerably quicker than me. Thought it maybe a good technique training tool and fun but one of the benefits no mechs / shifters cables and possibly full rigid was low weight so may as well try and be as low weight as possible. It's always going to be light duty use XC seems an opertunity :-)

Yell_M3

389 posts

229 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Rob_T said:
changing the subject slightly, can someone explain the point of a single speed mtb?

with different gradients (up and down) to encounter, and a wide variety of ground conditions, surely a single speed is the last thing you want.... where exactly would you use one?
London. A trend. Yawn.

richardxjr

7,561 posts

239 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
Spot on Herman. Bloke that just did the first Ridgeway Double did it ss, and the record for the SDW double on ss is around 19hrs I think, unfathomable!. Lots of endurance mtb riders choose ss.


anonymous-user

83 months

Monday 10th November 2014
quotequote all
hmmm, does anyone/did anyone make a single speed frame that would fit 1 1/8 non tapered steerer forks?....