BodiesOfLight

I have a Raliegh M20 MTB Ive been using on trails, but I'm going to be turning it into a communter (putting slicks, fender, etc on it) and just get a better MTB for trailin' it up. I don't do crazy jumping or anything like that, but I would like it to be sufficient for fairly intense trails. I'd like it to be as light as it can be, but still solid. I read that suspension isn't always needed, plus it adds weight and another component that could fail, so I'd like to get another [better] MTB bike with no suspention. Also, is there model of MTB that as just two gears, a high and low? I would like the stock components to be good as well because I don't want to have to put more money into it right out of the gate. I don't know ALL that much about bikes surprisingly enough (but I'm working on it), I just like to ride (heh) Any recommendations would be awesome. Oh, and budget of about $500-$600 is what I'm looking at spending.

BodiesOfLight

I'm looking at this on Craigs List.

Here are the components he upgraded (from his email):

"I bought the bike for $1000. It had primarily LX
components, so I got a new wheelset (XT hubs and the
best Mavic rims at the time). I also threw on an XT
rear derailleur, some Avid 2.0 v-brakes, and a Control
Tech stem. I purchased a seatpost more recently (I
lost a binding bolt for the original one when I was
doing some work on it and I couldn't replace that for
some strange reason), "

It has suspention, but I guess the best thing to do is go check it out for myself. Anything I should be sure to check out on it if I go check it out?

Minesbroken

you could get a low end but brand new rockhopper for between 5 and 6 hundred or a high end Hard rock for same price I would suggest looking at those bikes rather than buying a 9 year old bike for a hundred dollars less. Just a thought.

Chone

I don't know of many manufacturers who make rigid MTB bikes stock now, maybe you can get something cheap like a 3500 (with rigid fork) or something a lil better and get a travel corrected rigid fork for it.

BodiesOfLight

Alright, new would probably be a better way to go.

Which would be better overall, low-end Rockhopper or high-end Hardrock?

Also, how is Bianchi? I'm looking at this.

roadfix

What you need, my friend, is a single-speeder.....

dminor 

If you want fully rigid and just two speeds on a budget, I'd say a Redline Moncog and set up the crank with an inner granny ring and a spring-loaded tensioner.

BodiesOfLight

I'll look into that if I can find a bike shop that deals Redlines.

We have one here (Newark, Ohio) that sells mostly Raleigh and Bianchi MTB and the other Trek and Specialized. I'm moving to Columbus Ohio here pretty soon where there are more LBS that I could look into.

EDIT: looking more into the Monocog I'm liking what I see. They don't have a price on their site though.

BodiesOfLight

I'm a little confused with single speed bikes. So you can set it up so you have two speeds on a single speed? How does that work?

dminor 

I'm not positive about the crank on the Monocog, but it appears to be a four-arm mountain crank. In that case, you can bolt on an inner "granny gear" ring with a little bit longer chainring bolts. "Shifting" would then be a mater of stopping, grabbing the chain and dropping it down to the smaller ring (or installing a front derailleur/shifter). You would need a spring-loaded tensioner, though to take up the chain slack.

As far as Monocog prices, they should be undr $500. Any shop that buys from SBS (Seattle Bicycle Supply - - a large wholesaler that IS Redline) can get one for you.

BodiesOfLight

Cool, thanks. I will def look into that. I'll probably install that front derailleur/shifter to make shifting easier. That sounds like exactly what I need though.

roadfix

Yep, you could set up the Monocog in that fashion. You can also use White Industries' dual freewheel cogs (not flip-flop)

BodiesOfLight

Is it called "DOS"? I guess that would mean I would need a rear derailer. Would I use this as an alternative to the granny gear ring?

roadfix

No, you would run a double crankset and the DOS, no derailleurs. Your fingers will do the shifting. Of course, you would still need a tensioner to take up the slack.

BodiesOfLight

Gotcha.

BodiesOfLight

I called around to some local LBS and I found one that carries Redline and they only have a Flight Monocog in stock size medium and aluminum. I just want to have one to ride and get a feel for. What size exactly is medium, 17''? Will Aluminum ride 'bout the same as steel? They said they could get both in. Also, which would be better aluminum or steel? I'm not sure if I want to go with the step up and pay a little more (Flght Monocog) or just have them order the Monocog, but I would like to ride it first as well.

It's kind of hard to find SS MTB here, this palce seems to be the only palce (they sell alot of bmx stuff) =-( They did say they had more, but they sold them, so maybe I could just wait to see if they get anything else in stock.