Mountain Biking - Roadie looking at buying a Redline

Well, I guess that, considering the local topography, I had to get something close to a mountain bike eventually. I gave my old hybrid to a friend, so now I'm looking for an all-weather bike to replace it with. While I'm not planning on doing singletrack or tearing through thick brush or mud, I've recently been looking at a Redline single-speed.
I ride a 24 or 25" frame on a road bike, so I'm not sure if a 19" frame is big enough for me. Also, does anybody know if Redline makes a larger frame than that?
I'm planning on using this bike for 3 different purposes:
1) occasional rides on packed trails (probably using road tyres).
2) occasional rides on paved trails/roads, most likely on fixed-gear mode.
3) winter riding, on fixed gear mode, with studded tyres.
Does this bike have mounts for fenders? Is there enough room for snow when fenders are mounted?

D*Alex - is the potential purchase the Mono Cog on Sheldon's site?

My MTB is a 19" frame and I'm 6ft, that fit's fine with some seat-tube to spare, but I guess reach will vary between makes.

If you have problems fitting full-length traditional fenders, you might find the 3/4 length MTB ones better than you fear (I get a little splashing up the back, but the front works well).

Now are you sure you don't want to play in the mud? :D

Richard

Alex - the Redline is probably the cheapest complete single speed MTB you can buy. Problem is, a lot of the parts on it are pretty cheap. I had a chance to look at one recently and it was a strange combination of some decent parts and some really cheap parts(rims, hubs, brakes). Something to consider for winter riding.

You may want to consider something used. Quite a few listings here (http://marketplace.consumerreview.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=MtbReview&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=headlines&category=Rigid/Singlespeed+Bike&query=category)

here's some info on the Redline Mononcog.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/redline-monocog.html

As RiderX said the bike does have some cheap parts but then again it is cheap compared to others. It doesn't appear to have fender mounts.

BTW I've been riding my Bianchi BaSS with a Fixed gear for a couple of weeks now. I think I'll leave this way through the winter. It's fun.

One other thought on the Redline. I believe it has a rear hub spaced for BMX frames (110mm?), not MTB or road. Something to consider if you want replace the hub at a later date.

I think single speeds can be alot of fun...and if it's not too hilly where you are (I guess NY is pretty flat!?!) then it's simplicity itself.

Have fun out there!!!

Rich

Well, I finally got the Redline site to load (man, is it SLOW!!! ), and have decided that, while it is a nice frame, since it lacks anyplace to mount a rack, I'm gonna have to pass on it. Also, the nearest dealer is nearly 200 miles away.
BTW, I was considering using a track flip/flop hub rather than a BMX flip/flop, so it wasn't quite what I thought it was, anyway.

Did I read correctly? The velosnob wants a mt. bike? Will wonders never cease? J/K D. I was considering the Mono Cog as well. You can't beat that price. Yeah, some of the parts are crap, but what do you expect. I've also been looking (and leaning towards) the BRODIE UNABOMBER. It comes complete, although it costs a little more, it comes with a much better spec. I was thinking of going used, but since I work at a shop, my price for new is basically the same as a decent bike used. Now if I can convince my wife I need another bike.......it is Christmas.........Hmmmm............I doubt it too.

L8R

Another frame to consider is the Surly 1x1. Nothing fancy, just nice strong 4130 cro-mo. Rack mounts for the rear and huge tire clearance for fenders/winter tires. You can usually find them used for pretty cheap. Like riderx said, mtbr is worth a look.

For more info on the surly
www.surlybikes.com

Cycling Plus (serious UK magazine) reviewed the Surly a few issues back and liked it.

Were you purely looking at single-speed?

Richard

this might be up your alley

http://marketplace.consumerreview.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=MtbReview&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=4379&query=retrieval

After looking at what Redline and Surly had to offer, I decided to go for a used frame. The Redline has no fender/rack mounts, so that was off my list, and the Surly, although it is quite nice, is just too d@mn much $$ (I do have student loans to pay, after all).
In the end, I found a nice Peugeot MTB frame, which had 126mm short-horizontal dropouts. They are just long enough to allow single-speed chain adjustment.
I checked with Sheldon, and he does have flip-flop hubs in that size. Now I've just got to see if a 700c touring rim will fit, or if I have to go with 26" wheels. I'm building the wheelset myself (no offset makes that an easy task).

In the end, I found a nice Peugeot MTB frame

Enjoy - hope to see a pic soon.

Richard

Originally posted by D*Alex
I checked with Sheldon, and he does have flip-flop hubs in that size. Now I've just got to see if a 700c touring rim will fit, or if I have to go with 26" wheels. I'm building the wheelset myself (no offset makes that an easy task). Even if the 700c wheel fits, make sure the brakes can reach the rims if you will be running a freewheel sometimes (don't need to worry about that for the fixed). This seems to usually be the issue when fitting a 700c wheel in an MTB frame.