Mountain Biking - First ride with the 1x1

Since Speedgoat kicks serious ass, the Surly 1x1 rigid fork I ordered saturday was here yesterday using Speedgoat's free shipping. So, after I cut the steerer and swapped the starfanglednut and crown race, I out the whole thing together to do some hill climbs. Here are some impressions:

-The bike is remarkably lighter, as in about 3 pounds. The weight loss is obviously in the front, so the front end is lighter and handles way more crisply

-The ride is remarkably more harsh, I did some stairs after all of the 1000 feet of climbing and was surprised how much the suspenson soaks up. I adapted to this by riding with less tenson in my grip and elbows, and it took a lot of the jarring away. With a rigid, it seems hat you need just to let the bike do its thing. I can't wait to take it through a rock garden.

-Somehow, my brakes are stronger. I think it has to do with the fork being stiffer, and/or not diving when the brakes are pulled.

-The 1x1 is not as tall as the Judy TT that I had before, so the front end rides slightly lower. No big deal, just a little adjusting needed.

I think that this fork will be the ticket to an awesome summer of riding, and my vision of the perfect bike is finally there, in the garage. I love making things bare bones, kind of like the old chopper and hot rodder guys used to do when they would take off parts until it quit running, then put the last one back on. This is just making it simpler so that I can ride more and fix less. My wrists will hate me though. I am taking on one of the most rocky, technical trails Cleveland has to offer on saturday, so we'll see how it goes.

Get some oury grips if you don't already have them. They soak up a lot of the harshness.

I got this off of a website dedicated to Single Speed, just can't remember which one. But anyways, to help with the harshness of riding fully rigid, go with a larger size tire.

I just picked up an old Chromo Kona Hahanna. I plan on putting something in the 26x2.3 range on it. Pics will come when I am done with the build. I already have 2.20's on my other SS.

I have 2.35" Tamashi DH tires on it as we speak.

I have 2.35" Tamashi DH tires on it as we speak.


ahhh, I didn't want to assume. You know what can happen there.

I would go with Jim-bob's suggestion. I am going to try out the Haro "stripes" grips. Reminded me of the old ODI mushrooms. I don't remember having sore wrist BMXing. Of course that was like 20 years ago. http://www.harobikes.com/parts/detail.php?group=grips

I adapted to this by riding with less tenson in my grip and elbows, and it took a lot of the jarring away

Thats the technigue. On fast descents, you want to keep your grip loose. Not too loose, just loose enough that your fillings don't get rattled.

Three more suggestions;

1. Get a carbon bar if you don't have one

2. Throw a 2.7'' tire up there in front :D

3. Run at the lowest pressure you can without problems. The absolute highest I run on my 2.24 Mutano Raptors is 40.

I agree 100% Speedgoat kicks ass.

so you gonna post a pic of your new setup ?

Yeah, I haven't seen pics of this thing since you went SS and now you got a new fork? You're leavin' us in the dark. :D

Make sure you get the Oury or ODI LOCK ONS... the standard Oury's have a tendency to slip on the bar and twist. Also, a carbon riser takes some edge off the bumps and vibration. But, you already found the key, stay loose on the bike.

So these lock on grips are way better than the Oldskool grip and hairspray technique? Or is it just the ease of installation and removal that make them better?

They don't budge once they are on (in my experience), and are quick and easy to change. Especially good on some carbon bars where the grips tend to slide. The problem I've had with hairspray is it leaves a residue that eventually looses its grip, and then you are left with hard shiny surface (the bar) on a hard shiny surface (the hairspray) and the grips slide around. To put on conventional grips now I typically use something like Brake Part Cleaner that dries almost instantly and leaves no real residue.

It's tricky braking while going down a rocky hill... you kind of need a tight grip with the fingers that aren't braking so it'll vibrate you a bit :P

Of course, you could just pretend you don't have brakes, and have more fun (until you crash).

Yeah, I haven't seen pics of this thing since you went SS and now you got a new fork? You're leavin' us in the dark. :D

I don't have a digial camera, but I can get ahold of one. I'll try this weekend if I have time.