Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Singlespeed???

after 15 years of building xc racing mountain bikes, i'm thinking of building a singlespeed. the main thing I would like to know is, what would be a good frame to build on? It has to be able to do trails.

people say surlys are "burly as hell"
or check out the IRO rob roy for XC
or Iro Mia for a fork and droupouts that has disc "break" compatability. :)
its all the search function my friend.

www.vailcycleworks.com

Best I've seen---JJ

Lots of good MTB SS makers out there, and 29's are getting real popular which widens the field somewhat.
Kona is a good standard SS foundation if you wanted to try one without breaking the bank on a custom job

MTB singlespeeds are the hot new thing. Here's a few models you'll be able to get ahold of pretty easily:

Surly 1x1: Steel, and can handle fatties real well. Horizontal drops.
On-One Inbred: Steel, fancy stays and fork, sliding dropouts. Has a der hanger for going geared.
Kona Unit/Explosif: Steel, sliding dropouts. Explosif has a der hanger for going geared.
Bianchi **SS (SASS, WUSS, PUSS, etc.): Steel, horizontal drops.
IRO Mia/Highlander: Steel/AL, horizontal drops.
Cannondale 1FG: AL, EBB.
Gary Fisher Rig: AL, EBB, 29'er.

Thats off the top of my head. Check the mtbr.com reviews under singlespeed for more ideas.

The Bianchi M.U.S.S. is looking pretty good. The 3.7" tires Surly is proposing looks awfully tempting, although I think a German manufacturer makes a 2.5" slick (which wouldn't be any good in snow) I'm tired of disassembling and cleaning my 27speed every winter and spring. I saw some awesome fat tire bike going through a parking lot by the metrodome in Minneapolis. Do they make singlespeed 29'ers? I knew there was something wrong with riding a full-on X-country race bike in the snow. All I know is, the ability to ride 365 days a year is the only way to live. Thanks for the input.

Hahahah. Bianchi REALLY needs to come up with some better names.

Bianchi San Jose. Happy now?

warning on bianchi though!!

I test rode a Bianchi SASS not too long ago. Let me tell you that this frame is hella stiff. My Kona Aluminum frame feels cushy in comparison.

or you could use a frame you may already have, with a white industries ENO hub.

The Bianchi M.U.S.S. is looking pretty good. The 3.7" tires Surly is proposing looks awfully tempting, although I think a German manufacturer makes a 2.5" slick (which wouldn't be any good in snow) I'm tired of disassembling and cleaning my 27speed every winter and spring. I saw some awesome fat tire bike going through a parking lot by the metrodome in Minneapolis. Do they make singlespeed 29'ers? I knew there was something wrong with riding a full-on X-country race bike in the snow. All I know is, the ability to ride 365 days a year is the only way to live. Thanks for the input.

The awesome fat tire bike was the Surly Pugsley - specially made to have clearance for the 3.7 tires.

There are lots of 29er single speeds, here's a few:

Surly Karate Monkey
Voodoo Dambala and Aizan
Niner One-Nine, Sir 9
On One Inbred 29er
Kona Unit 2-9
Soma Juice
Fisher Rig
Gunnar Ruffian 29er