Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - moving to Stockholm / thinking of a Surly 1x1

1) My move to Stockholm is looking pretty sure at this point and I'm thinking of selling my gem of a road bike, a Cinelli Supercorsa with Campy Veloce parts and replacing it with a more appropriate ss MTB that would work better on the hills, cobbles, and longer winters
2) I'm think of a Surly 1x1 or maybe another Surly SS MTB

Anybody have any thoughts they'd care to share on either of these in combination or singly?

The 1x1s are pretty fun. I think surly got it right with their "How does it ride? It feels like a bike" description.

They're not the lightest things out there, if you care about that sort of thing.

I think the perfect SS bike for Stockholm would be a 70's orange Crescent 531 frame with a flip flop 120 mm rear hub. I got one and they take Nokian 106 studded tires without problems.

The 1x1s are pretty fun. I think surly got it right with their "How does it ride? It feels like a bike" description.

They're not the lightest things out there, if you care about that sort of thing.

I'm not really seeking a performance bike, more of a sturdy commuter. Although I don't want it to weigh a tone either. Would you say that it's more medium weight or a real clunker?

stuff that weighs a tone is horrible. :)

the rat rides (1x1s) are good and durable and can take derbuse (derby abuse) like a champ. Sturdy, heavier than a "performance racing frame," but if you give it TLC and beer, it is your friend for life.

PS - I am coming to visit you and then we need to stop through Helsinki somehow.

I'm not really seeking a performance bike, more of a sturdy commuter. Although I don't want it to weigh a tone either. Would you say that it's more medium weight or a real clunker?

I'd call it more medium-weight - I've seen people get them down to 21 or so pounds, which is pretty freakin' acceptable.

Of course, for a few extra franklins, teesdale will build you something much nicer : http://www.tetcycles.com/Specials/specials.html

']stuff that weighs a tone is horrible. :)

the rat rides (1x1s) are good and durable and can take derbuse (derby abuse) like a champ. Sturdy, heavier than a "performance racing frame," but if you give it TLC and beer, it is your friend for life.

PS - I am coming to visit you and then we need to stop through Helsinki somehow.


Helsinki?... Sure! We'll take the drunk boat.

are you set on a mtb? have you considered building up a single speed 'cross bike? the crosscheck can take HUGE tires. i think a ss cross bike would make a better commuter. or a san jose or il pompino perhaps? just throwing that idea out there.

the 1x1 is a great frame though. it handles nice on the trails.

are you set on a mtb? have you considered building up a single speed 'cross bike? the crosscheck can take HUGE tires. i think a ss cross bike would make a better commuter. or a san jose or il pompino perhaps? just throwing that idea out there.

the 1x1 is a great frame though. it handles nice on the trails.

Yeah, but fatter tires = more fun.

It's a scientific fact.

hahaha true true.

ok, still on the 700c tangent; what about a 29"er?

Like a Karate Monkey?

or a san jose or il pompino perhaps? .

Who makes these? Are they similarly priced?

bianchi makes the san jose, but i don't think you can get it as a frameset. on-one mades the il pompino. 165 has an il pompino. i have their ss 29"er and i absolutely LOVE it. on-one is sort of the british surly; good prices and great steel frames with the same sort of attitude as surly. i sort of think on-one frames are a wee bit nicer.

the karate monkey is indeed a 29er. you could run it with big fat 29" mtb tires or just run big fat 'cross tires. the KM is a tank though. the on-one inbred is a bit lighter.

i'm also super bent on 'cross bikes right now. my geared 'cross bike is the ONLY bike i've been riding for the past few months now.

bianchi makes the san jose, but i don't think you can get it as a frameset. on-one mades the il pompino. 165 has an il pompino. i have their ss 29"er and i absolutely LOVE it. on-one is sort of the british surly; good prices and great steel frames with the same sort of attitude as surly. i sort of think on-one frames are a wee bit nicer.

the karate monkey is indeed a 29er. you could run it with big fat 29" mtb tires or just run big fat 'cross tires. the KM is a tank though. the on-one inbred is a bit lighter.


Have any links to the on one site?

Nevermind. Found it.

Seems they are popular since they're out of stock on complete bikes.

The Il Pompino is by on-one, which might be cheaper for you since they come from the UK. On-One also sells the Inbred SS mountain frame, which is pretty similar to the Surly 1x1.

The San Jose is from Bianchi, and is about the best value in a SS CX bike you can find.

1) My move to Stockholm is looking pretty sure at this point and I'm thinking of selling my gem of a road bike, a Cinelli Supercorsa with Campy Veloce parts and replacing it with a more appropriate ss MTB that would work better on the hills, cobbles, and longer winters
2) I'm think of a Surly 1x1 or maybe another Surly SS MTB

Anybody have any thoughts they'd care to share on either of these in combination or singly?

If the wheels won't be taking the kind of abuse that requires a burly mountain bike wheelset.. like speedy offroad use and jumps, you may want to look into a Surly Cross-Check as well. It can take gigantor tires, as mentioned above, and could swap in standard road tires for summer use. It could be built up as a geared bike or single thanks to its horizontal dropouts, has cantilever brake mounts... I love mine.

you could build up a geared crosscheck using the group from your cinelli.

1) My move to Stockholm is looking pretty sure at this point and I'm thinking of selling my gem of a road bike, a Cinelli Supercorsa with Campy Veloce parts and replacing it with a more appropriate ss MTB that would work better on the hills, cobbles, and longer winters
2) I'm think of a Surly 1x1 or maybe another Surly SS MTB

Anybody have any thoughts they'd care to share on either of these in combination or singly?



hey, i know this is OT but are you moving there from the states or from elsewhere in europe? just curious 'cause my girl and i are considering moving there somehow in the future and was wondering what the process is like, etc. PM if you feel like. thanks.

you could build up a geared crosscheck using the group from your cinelli.


I would feel uncomfortable de-parting the Cinelli. I may consider leaving it here until I'm sure I'm staying in Sweden and buying a Crosscheck.

Know where to get the best price?

Stockholm is pretty flat. I always thought that a fixed gear mtb would be the way to go (in the winter, at least.)


Stockholm...

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/NJP0SnADvStN/__sr_/713d.jpg?tkn=ph09i2FBo5eG9C_7&saveas=074Sweden

Goteborg
http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/NJP0SnADvStN/__sr_/a9bf.jpg?tkn=phwvi2FBeFhB8wTk&saveas=022Sweden

Goteborg

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/NJP0SnADvStN/__sr_/11d2.jpg?tkn=ph09i2FBW7dX_GGe&saveas=010Sweden

the cinelli sounds super sweet. i could see how painful it could be to dismantle it.

when i was shopping for a steel 'cross frame for my wife, i found the crosscheck frameset for 400 from www.webcyclery.com. that seemed like the best deal i could find online and without bugging my friends that work at shops to give me the hookup. webcyclery used to also carry the il pompino's and spot ss 'cross frames as well, but i'm not sure if they still do. they're also super nice guys. they carry great stuff too.

i ended up getting her a soma doublecross, since she definitely wanted gears and i liked the geometry for her specific size a bit better than her size of surly. they were cheapest from www.bikemania.biz. they're like 379 frame and fork... sweet deal.

Hey, I ride around all year here in Stockholm. My winter ride is a Surly Steamroller fixed, with studded tyres, Nokian of course. I think you will love it, the Surly performs wounderfully with 28+ tyres. I have a friend riding a 1x1 and as well loves it, pm when u get here.
Stockholm is a very friendly to cyclist, loads of cycling lanes and tons of people cycle.

Stockholm is pretty flat. I always thought that a fixed gear mtb would be the way to go (in the winter, at least.)


Stockholm...

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/NJP0SnADvStN/__sr_/713d.jpg?tkn=ph09i2FBo5eG9C_7&saveas=074Sweden

Goteborg
http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/NJP0SnADvStN/__sr_/a9bf.jpg?tkn=phwvi2FBeFhB8wTk&saveas=022Sweden

Goteborg

http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/NJP0SnADvStN/__sr_/11d2.jpg?tkn=ph09i2FBW7dX_GGe&saveas=010Sweden


Yea, these rides are a'plenty in Sweden. I think they're retired military issued models. They're good for the cheap cost, I'm sure.

I wouldn't want a 29er for any sort of urban work, stop and go is not where you want the heaviest wheels in teh universe. MTB vs cross I would decide based on preferred riding position and distance to be covered.

Hey, I ride around all year here in Stockholm. My winter ride is a Surly Steamroller fixed, with studded tyres, Nokian of course. I think you will love it, the Surly performs wounderfully with 28+ tyres. I have a friend riding a 1x1 and as well loves it, pm when u get here.
Stockholm is a very friendly to cyclist, loads of cycling lanes and tons of people cycle.

Thanks, I will!

How would a 29er look with 26's?

No clearance issues.

That MonoCog 29er from Red Line.

How would a 29er look with 26's?

No clearance issues.

That MonoCog 29er from Red Line.

It'd probably look kinda pedal-strikey and log-catchy.

I would feel uncomfortable de-parting the Cinelli. I may consider leaving it here until I'm sure I'm staying in Sweden and buying a Crosscheck.
I can store it for you if needed. If not, I can work deals with a few shops around town. I'd be happy to make sure nothing happens to that wonderful bike until you return.

I would go with the Crosscheck idea, skitty. It is nothing but versatile and affordable! But for the ultimate in affordability - go de-geared and free.

Singlespeeds have succeeded in returning to uncool. I am joyful to the point of supersaturation of joyfulness

hey, i know this is OT but are you moving there from the states or from elsewhere in europe? just curious 'cause my girl and i are considering moving there somehow in the future and was wondering what the process is like, etc. PM if you feel like. thanks.

If you are a US citizen, and are not married to a citizen from an EU nation, and you are not sponsored by a company, you can largely forget about it. Most of the rest of the world pays back the US's arcane immigration policies in kind.

I recommend dumping your girlfriend and finding a hot Swede--- and I think they even recognize same sex marriages these days, so you could always switch teams.

I would feel uncomfortable de-parting the Cinelli. I may consider leaving it here until I'm sure I'm staying in Sweden and buying a Crosscheck.

Know where to get the best price?

Here's a Swedish on-line company that carries Surly:

http://www.cyclecomponents.com/

I think they have a shop in Karlstad.

Can't say the prices strike me as stellar, but compared to the prices in Denmark, it's a steal.

If you are a US citizen, and are not married to a citizen from an EU nation, and you are not sponsored by a company, you can largely forget about it. Most of the rest of the world pays back the US's arcane immigration policies in kind.

I recommend dumping your girlfriend and finding a hot Swede--- and I think they even recognize same sex marriages these days, so you could always switch teams.

Well, there aren't many countries (are there?) that will let you move there and live without already having a job lined up, regardless of where you're from (asylum excepted).

But yes, you need to find a job first. This is not that hard if you're in the right field. For example engineers (I'm one) are desirable in Denmark, so not only could I get a job here, but I get a discount on my taxes (from about 42% to about 33%, whoo-hoo!) because I'm in a 'desirable' field. On the other hand, Danmark has no need for more bakers, so don't waste your time trying to get a job as a pastry chef.

You can always find a job teaching English, but the pay will be pittance. But if you're young and looking for adventure, why not? there are also options to study here, but this is easier (I believe) as an exchange student than as a regular student.

What field are you in?

Stockholm (-5 C today) is a great city for riding fixed cyclocross in the winter, as long as your dressed right and a lot of the regular residents are pretty hardcore about cycling everyday. I mean old ladies, parents with kids, etc. are out riding their bicycles and the majority of them are on single speed or 3-speed bikes. Just know that according to the law you should have a forward and back light, and bell at all times on your bike. I have never heard of this being enforced though, but from own experience it can be helpful at times (especially the bell). The roads are also salted in the winter so take that into consideration.

Bicycle theft, like any major city is also around (had two of mine stolen) so be aware of that as it's easy to get used to the safety of the nordic environments.

I can also highly recommend cyclecomponents (http://www.cyclecomponents.com/) for your needs and their single speed / fixed department is growing.

PM me if you like when you get here and we can grab a coffee or something. Otherwise I hope you enjoy your stay.

Welcome to Stockholm, amazing city to ride bikes! World class mtb trails just 15 min from the city, and very few cars and lots of space.

I have rocked different cheap conversions during the winters, the salt, sand, snow and ice tend to get to your bike, and TLC is so much harder to do in the winter, and moving your bike from warm safe storage in the night to cold wet riding is the best recepie for rust etc...

Today:
http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9040/skidstrongbianchiwinterbx4.jpg

Fixed gear in swedish:
http://www.fixed.se

Well, there aren't many countries (are there?) that will let you move there and live without already having a job lined up, regardless of where you're from (asylum excepted).



All the EU countries allow their citizens to move around on that basis. But that doesn't help Americans! I expect Canadians and Americans can cross the border to work more easily than I (a Brit) could go and work in either.

I wouldn't want a 29er for any sort of urban work, stop and go is not where you want the heaviest wheels in teh universe. MTB vs cross I would decide based on preferred riding position and distance to be covered.

Hmmm, my 29er has cross wheels. They are the same. Maybe you were talking about 29er "tires". :rolleyes: My cross/29er wheels can take a 700x30c cross tire up to a 2.5 29er tire (WTB Weirwolf LT). Lots of versatility.

My vote is for a Karate Monkey. Because of the 700c wheels, you can run it as a cross bike, as a MTB, as a fixed gear or with gears, with mtb bars, with drop bars.... the list is endless.

Hej Boe,

Fixed.se? Kul å höra att det finns Fixed kretsar här i stan. Hur får jag mer information?

Sent you a PM about a 1x1 frame. Check my siggy.

Here's a Swedish on-line company that carries Surly:

http://www.cyclecomponents.com/

I think they have a shop in Karlstad.

Can't say the prices strike me as stellar, but compared to the prices in Denmark, it's a steal.

F-ing sweet! Thanks!

Welcome to Stockholm, amazing city to ride bikes! World class mtb trails just 15 min from the city, and very few cars and lots of space.

I have rocked different cheap conversions during the winters, the salt, sand, snow and ice tend to get to your bike, and TLC is so much harder to do in the winter, and moving your bike from warm safe storage in the night to cold wet riding is the best recepie for rust etc...

Today:
http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9040/skidstrongbianchiwinterbx4.jpg

Fixed gear in swedish:
http://www.fixed.se


Tack för välkomnande! Sista gång att jag skrev här och frågor om svenskar, det var bara en svensk här. Jag ska rese till Stockholm och intervyu med flera skola i den sista vecka av mars. Jag ska resa definitiv på sommaren. Vi se oss!

Hmmm, my 29er has cross wheels. They are the same. Maybe you were talking about 29er "tires". :rolleyes: My cross/29er wheels can take a 700x30c cross tire up to a 2.5 29er tire (WTB Weirwolf LT). Lots of versatility.

My vote is for a Karate Monkey. Because of the 700c wheels, you can run it as a cross bike, as a MTB, as a fixed gear or with gears, with mtb bars, with drop bars.... the list is endless.

Have any pics in any or some of these combinations?

Hey! If you do, hop over the bay to Hell! Post your arrivat @ bc-hellsinki.com forum, so I can finally see U.

1 x 1´s are durable and steady, but I´d choose Karate Monkey and set it up with On-One Midge bars, low gear ratio and big ass Schwalbe Big Apple tires : The perfect rig for 99% of riding...

http://www.bikecult.com/works/archive/06bicycles/karatemonkeyMHrv.JPG

F-ing sweet! Thanks!

Jeg b'er. Hvis du køber en cykel fra dem, jeg vil gerne høre om den.

Skal du arbejde i skole? Er du lærer? Forsker?

(Forstår du mig? Jeg kan læse din svenske, så jeg håber at du kan læse min dansk.)

Have any pics in any or some of these combinations?

This is from Shedon Brown... kinda kooky, but shows how all types of setups with work with the Karate Monkey...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-rohloff/index.html

I was in Stockholm for a week in December (had an uncle win a Nobel - yeah, I'm boasting). What a wonderful city! I was amazed by the bicycle friendly-ness of everything! Mostly I saw a bunch of the euro-commuting bikes, 3-speeds, single-speeds, etc. I did see a fixed with skinny tires at the Karolinska Instituit, but it was dark and I couldn't check it out as I'd have liked. As far as reccomendations go, I'd have to second everyone who voted for a cross/touring bike like the cross-check. I've got a Bianchi Volpe which is similar, and I like it a lot. You're definitely going to want >28 tires because of the cobblestones.

oh, and as you're walking around, there's the occasional bright green or bright orange "delivery" / messengers... mostly on mountain bikes, acutally.

Give an update once you're all set up... I think you'd love it, I know I sure would (dreaming... as I'm in the US)

Yeah, but if you are from Poland, for example, you can find a sponsor so you can pick strawberries in Denmark or Norway or wherever... or paint houses... or play the accordion on the sidewalk ;)

If you are from the US, you have to be an engineer.

What cracks me up, being from the US and living abroad--- nobody seems to consider me to be an immigrant.

Jeg b'er. Hvis du køber en cykel fra dem, jeg vil gerne høre om den.

Skal du arbejde i skole? Er du lærer? Forsker?

(Forstår du mig? Jeg kan læse din svenske, så jeg håber at du kan læse min dansk.)

Jag, jag är en lärare och jag hoppas att finna en job nästa månad. Vi ska se....

Jag, jag kan förstår din danske myckett bättre an jag trodde!

Bara "gerne" kunde jag inte förstår.

Jag ska skriva om det om när jag köpa en cykel.

This is from Shedon Brown... kinda kooky, but shows how all types of setups with work with the Karate Monkey...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/surly-rohloff/index.html


Whoa! I didn't think you meant both sets of bars all at once!

Nice ride, though. I'll have to consider it. I really like the idea of a SS with disc breaks. How much do you reackon a full set should cost?...breaks, hubs, etc?

Hey! If you do, hop over the bay to Hell! Post your arrivat @ bc-hellsinki.com forum, so I can finally see U.

1 x 1´s are durable and steady, but I´d choose Karate Monkey and set it up with On-One Midge bars, low gear ratio and big ass Schwalbe Big Apple tires : The perfect rig for 99% of riding...


Bikhu... Where do you buy most of your gear?

I'm starting to think that it may be cheaper to buy it hear and stick underneath the plane when I fly over. Prices are considerably higher over yonder from what I can tell.