Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - SS or Fixed Mtber's - Post up and be Heard!

Anyone else primarily a MTBer in here?

Just wondering. there isn't mich discussion in here about MTB's. (yes, I know there is an MTB forum here but it is terminally lame)

So post up and be heard off roaders (and post your bikes too.)

where you ride? do you race at all?

I'd like to carve out a little SS/Fixed MTB niche here is SS/FG.

I just got a 1x9 29er a couple of months ago, but I've been, and still am primarily riding SS with a CX bike and a 26" wheel Monocog. I'll post up some pics later. You aren't alone C Law.

Love SS off road. My primary rig is a 29er from Scott Quiring called a Qball. Some pix on my blog of my beloved Qball (http://www.cyclesnack.com/2008/05/bonty-qball-fahrt.html).

Also have a 26er, a Fetish Fixation, which I am in the process of rebuilding into a 1x7 with front Suspension and going to sell. Here it is a fixed commuter (http://www.cyclesnack.com/2008/10/friday-fix-schwarz-und-weiss-ist-geil.html) and an SS 69er (http://www.cyclesnack.com/2008/04/rolling-rigid.html). The 69er config was by far the best but I want to try a steel frame. Aluminum is too harsh.

My next SS/Fixie project is a 1992 Bridgestone MB-5 (http://www.cyclesnack.com/2008/11/1992-bridgestone-mb-5.html) rescued from the town dump. Since it has vertical drops I might try to do a Ghost Chain Tensioner (http://www.cyclesnack.com/2008/05/ghost-chain-on-youtube.html). I have the bike about half way stripped. I am thinking drop bars, just not sure whether to use a flared set, or go with mustache. In order to do so, I need a new quill stem. I also have a Surly Fixer adapter that I am trying for the first time, so it will be a bike of many firsts.

Off road SS is a blast and fixed gear is totally wild.

^ that sounds like a fun project.

i have never seen a ghost tensioner is action. It stays in place through the nasty stuff? seems like it would pop out at some point.

Advantages over the traditional derrailer hanger mounter tensioner?

i have never seen a ghost tensioner is action. It stays in place through the nasty stuff? seems like it would pop out at some point.

Advantages over the traditional derrailer hanger mounter tensioner?

Haven't had the opportunity to try it off road, so that is the impetus. I can always go the tensioner route, however, I have always heard you can't use a tensioner for fixed gear. I have some old deraillers that I might try tinkering with to see if I could use them effectively. Still, it's fun to play and experiment.

Haven't had the opportunity to try it off road, so that is the impetus. I can always go the tensioner route, however, I have always heard you can't use a tensioner for fixed gear. I have some old deraillers that I might try tinkering with to see if I could use them effectively. Still, it's fun to play and experiment.

oh, you are going fixed. Yeah, then definately can't use a tensioner on that.

1/2 link?

here are some pics of the fixed monocog

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/unsuspended/DSC00054.jpg

and the SS Gunnar Ruffian

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/unsuspended/DSC03067.jpg

In the process of swiitching out the cranks on the gunnar. Moving from square taper to outboard bearing cranks, Shimano XT w/ king BB.

The Gunnar is pretty much my 'race' bike or A bike, if you will.

Nice Cog! What size is the frame? Yeah, off road fixed is the bomb, especially in the snow. I started riding that way last winter on fire roads and it rocks. Of course I love fixed gear on the road, in fact that is the only way I will ride roads: Fixed or SS; gears are for ... (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/SRJ83VMf73I/AAAAAAAADmo/50s99nUdEUw/s1600-h/gearsareforqueers.jpg) (on the road that is)!

Was thinking about getting a D440 but I might try a 2007 Kona Unit 2-9 for my next commuter build. I would prefer the Kona because of the paragon styled drops.

That Gunnar is schweet.

I ride fixed offroad several times a week and have become a total convert :) (or is that "pervert"?) . My friends have stopped talking to me and my LBS has barred me but I don't care, it just feels soooo good :love:

Seriously, I had an ally 26" wheel frame with no brake bosses and horizontal dropouts so I built it as a fixed out of curiosity (original Carrera subway 8). With an "Exotic" carbon rigid fork up the front with an avid juicy 5 brake and a Goldtec hub in the rear it's not pretty but it's a lovely ride. Am running a 32/15 on it which equates to about a 55" gear.

JoeFish.

I ride fixed gear when ever I ride with my kids and we do a lot on Rail Trails and greenways.

Nice Cog! What size is the frame?

19'', a *bit* small for me but I wanted it that way.

Picked it up mostly as a snow bike, so I could keep riding through the winter. Hasn't seen much action yet. Can't wait until I get a chance to hit the trails as well. I'm a total MTB noob, though.

http://velospace.org/files/IMG_4914.jpg

i want to buy my brothers monocog 29er that thing is saweeeeeet

Picked it up mostly as a snow bike, so I could keep riding through the winter. Hasn't seen much action yet. Can't wait until I get a chance to hit the trails as well. I'm a total MTB noob, though.

http://velospace.org/files/IMG_4914.jpg

nice bike. Did those Nevegals come stock?

They have super traction but are SLOOOOOW rollers. I usually put them on in winter to grab the wet leaves a bit better.

Is that a cassette style rear or bmx style?

nice bike. Did those Nevegals come stock?

They have super traction but are SLOOOOOW rollers. I usually put them on in winter to grab the wet leaves a bit better.

Is that a cassette style rear or bmx style?

Cassette. It also has a derailleur hanger to make switching to 1x9 as easy as 1-2-3.

edit: And the whole bike is stock, atm.

here are some pics of the fixed monocog

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b336/unsuspended/DSC00054.jpg



Is that Vicious fork really made for a 26er wheel? Looks like it. I did the same thing with my Surly 1x1 fork for my 69er and found the biggest 29er tire I could fit was a 2.1. What's the biggest tire that can fit in that fork?

Is that Vicious fork really made for a 26er wheel? Looks like it. I did the same thing with my Surly 1x1 fork for my 69er and found the biggest 29er tire I could fit was a 2.1. What's the biggest tire that can fit in that fork?

yep

the 26'' version is the same AC height as the non suspension corrected version of the fork. I can fit a nevegal in there barely. 2.1's fit in fine. It depends on the side knobs.

steepens the HT angle a bit.


I actually have a suspension corrected version of the same fork (29er version) to replace the White Bros on my Gunnar when I decide the carbon has run its course

Cassette. It also has a derailleur hanger to make switching to 1x9 as easy as 1-2-3.

edit: And the whole bike is stock, atm.

the reason I asked is that if it was a BMX style thread on I was going to suggest you try and suicide fix it to see how you like it.

With dual hydro's, you take the suicide right out of the suicide fix equation

the reason I asked is that if it was a BMX style thread on I was going to suggest you try and suicide fix it to see how you like it.

With dual hydro's, you take the suicide right out of the suicide fix equation

Yeah, I would probably have given that a shot. Hell, I have a spare 16t cog on the non-DT side of my Angus anyway.

Given the choice, for this particular bike, I think I prefer being able to go SS/1x9 over SS/fixed.

No pics a this time, but I ride a 2000 something GF mamba converted to SS. Was lucky enough chain tension was correct and didn't need a tensioner. Ride some local single track at least once a week, and when the mood fits through some slicks on it and bomb round town.

Also have Surly Pugsley frame laying around I'm thinking of building up for the winter.

Wouldn't mind getting something in 29, maybe after the holidays

The Peyto. Was my geared hardtail for a long time. ~68 degree head angle, room for as big a fatty tire as I'll ever want to run. Very, very fun bike. Ran it rigid for a bit, but was just too uncomfortable for this wussy, so a fork was in order. Now has the stock Pike/Specialized front wheel taken off my squishy bike.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/bike%20shots/IMG_0001d.jpg
Seat is a Selle Italia SLR re-covered in deer hide/fur. A "gift" from my brother-in-law. Surprisingly comfy, despite the lack of padding. Made the most sense to put it on this bike, since I stand way more on it than the others.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/bike%20shots/IMG_0004c.jpg
Slack, tough, still fairly light. 42" wheelbase and chainstays ~16.5" = super fun in the tight twisties and on trialsy sorts of things. The closest thing to a stereotypical XC bike that I have. It's fast and fun. 2.35" Nevegal in back, 2.5" Blue Groove up front.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/bike%20shots/IMG_0005e.jpg
Mish mash of parts. Juicy-3 brakes, Thomson stem, Sunline bar, generic post (turned out to be lighter than the Thomson post I had...) Hugi rear hub with a Mavic 519 rim. Cheapy cranks with a ti square taper BB. Ritchey pedals. Cane Creek S-3 headset. Hope seat collar. 185mm/140mm front/rear rotors. Lock on grips. Surly stainless ring and cog, 32x20 - nice and tight sans tensioner - have had no slippage, and looks like I'll get quite a bit of wear out of things before tension becomes and issue. bottom of the cage is zip-tied on - cage bolt insert ripped out a while back.

once i get money i'll finish converting my mtb to ss.

........ Ran it rigid for a bit, but was just too uncomfortable for this wussy.....

Thats cuz you keep droppin' all those rock ledges.



Seat is a Selle Italia SLR re-covered in deer hide/fur. A "gift" from my brother-in-law......

sweeet....I only get socks from my B law



.
nice and tight sans tensioner - have had no slippage, and looks like I'll get quite a bit of wear out of things before tension becomes and issue. bottom of the cage is zip-tied on - cage bolt insert ripped out a while back.

no half links or nothin'?

just magic gearing?

Scrub, when are you converting the Pitch to SS?:eek:

Thats cuz you keep droppin' all those rock ledges.



sweeet....I only get socks from my B law




no half links or nothin'?

just magic gearing?

Scrub, when are you converting the Pitch to SS?:eek:

Nope. Works great. With some gnurled steel faced bolt on QR ends and a couple mm of space to move things in my dropouts, I'm set.

Pitch to SS? Ain't happening, not to my hardtail either. I like SS riding, but it isn't the be all, end all of my riding experiences.

Nope. Works great. With some gnurled steel faced bolt on QR ends and a couple mm of space to move things in my dropouts, I'm set.

Pitch to SS? Ain't happening, not to my hardtail either. I like SS riding, but it isn't the be all, end all of my riding experiences.

I know, just joshing you a bit.

Your ride posts in the MTB forum are just about the only reason I go over there any more.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/boozymcliverrot/DSC00829.jpg

soon to switch to discs

^how do you like it. LBS has one I've been thinking about for a while. Well, that or a stout

No pics a this time, but I ride a 2000 something GF mamba converted to SS. Was lucky enough chain tension was correct and didn't need a tensioner. Ride some local single track at least once a week, and when the mood fits through some slicks on it and bomb round town.

What's the ratio on the gearing?


The Peyto. Was my geared hardtail for a long time. ~68 degree head angle, room for as big a fatty tire as I'll ever want to run. Very, very fun bike.

This reminds me of the Evil Sovereign/DOC frame that I have looking for. This would make the perfect 69er, I think.

This was a bike I built up over the summer. The monster ring and cog were an attempt to get the On-one other doofer to work, which was a miserable failure. The Height-Rite and bar ends are gone and I'm either going to be buying a Soulcraft convert and trying again or tweaking this frame into a home-bulit extracycle...

http://www.weemonkey.com/images/ss_mtb.jpg

'05 Santa Cruz Chameleon:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/kramonut/MTB/05%20Santa%20Cruz%20Chameleon/IMG_1988.jpg

Unfortunately, don't think I've ridden it in almost a year...been doing a lot of road riding. When I finish my Mark V...it'll probably sit even longer. Great bike tho.

What's the ratio on the gearing?



This reminds me of the Evil Sovereign/DOC frame that I have looking for. This would make the perfect 69er, I think.


nah. i tried an experiment with a 29er rigid fork and wheel up front a couple years back when in colorado, that more or less replicated the geometry of the pike/26er front end angle and height.

the steering with the big wheel blew goats, particularly on the tight and techy trialsy stuff i like. and that was on trails with less of that kind of stuff than around where we live.

no real interest in the 29er thing otherwise anyhow.

what's the ratio on the gearing?


36/19

i am not primarily a MTB'er, but when i do it's always SS.

my current ride is a Giant Two2one
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2882753370_3c267af165.jpg

before that was my Rock Lobster, which i loved dearly, but it never fit me quite right.
it was intended to be a dual slalom frame, and was always too small for me.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/3043929845_4b641ef797.jpg

i am not primarily a MTB'er, but when i do it's always SS.

my current ride is a Giant Two2one
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2882753370_3c267af165.jpg

before that was my Rock Lobster, which i loved dearly, but it never fit me quite right.
it was intended to be a dual slalom frame, and was always too small for me.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/3043929845_4b641ef797.jpg

What size is the lobster? Do yo still have it?

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3006/sidev2ku3.jpg

I cheated

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/172/backwheeldetailrh2.jpg

What are you pushing on that thing 42x16-18?

you pushin that off road or just round town?

16-18 x 42 indeedy. Was towning it mostly, knobbies for the winter, slicks in the summer. It goes on flat rolling stuff quite nicely, great for bangin' over rocks.
I've gotten another XT crank with the inner ring. Once I get the Paul Melvin™, I'll have access to four ratios, then the dirt and I get acquainted, and polo too. I'd like to lose the fork and put a rigid one on in the spring.

'99 king kahuna conversion. 32x17, eno hub, '09 SID. my only XC bike for the past ~3 years, though i picked up an FS geared bike a couple months ago...feels like cheating.

http://middlepath.gotdns.com/bikes/kona.jpg

What size is the lobster? Do yo still have it?

i sold it a couple years ago, sorry!