Is it even feasible to SS a full suspension bike?

Some frame designs could accomodate it, if the distance between the bottom bracket and rear hub does not change as the suspension cycles. Otherwise you would have to use a chain tensioner, which with enough slack would work on any design.

I've seen a couple of SS DH rigs, I have seen photos of SS Brooklyn Machine Works.

So you could do it if you wanted, just make sure to put a chain tensioner on it.

Kona made one called the A (pronounced Ahhh). The pivot is around the bb shell. With a chain tensioner of some kind and enough chain you'd have no problems. I've seen it done a time or two. This is the best I could find as a link:

https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2003_ful...t_121201.shtml

what does SS stand for?

Single Speed

You'd need a good strong tensioner. Mael said he had seen some in his travels, either on the North Shore or at Whistler maybe?

Super Sport













jkjk Single Speed

hehe...super sport. that's a good one

when i see SS, the first thing that comes to mind for me is Super Sport because ive always loved chevelle ss's

Not to get off topic here, but I agree about the Chevelle's. My buddies dad has a '68(?) SS Chevelle that he has had since high school. Custom paint (he used to own a body shop for years) with a 427 block, Hurst 4 on the floor, and to top if off true dual exhaust (3 1/2" all the way back from manifolds with Flowmasters inbetween), headers, eldebach carbs. Oh yea, and no power steering or A/C, takes away power .

Thats what we build all day at work

There is a little product called a Singleator(I think Surly made it) that bolts on in place of the deraileur and takes up the slack. You want to stay away from the High-pivot designs especially, unless you have a tensioner, as these designs are made to 'stretch' the chainstay as they compress. The pedaling force would then pull the suspension back up. Most designs have this effect to an extent because it makes a better sprinter. There have been several designs out there that are drop in for SS. Usually in FS/DH it is not a SS hub, rather an internally geared hub, which is externally the same.

sounds like a beautiful car. what size carbs? i still prefer the '71 SS 454 big block. my other favorite is the BOSS 427 Mustang

Kona still makes the A, look in their frame shop.

the president of the Cleveland Area Mountain Biking Association rides a full suspension single speed. It is a Schwinn S-10 with a Deore rear derailluer providing the tension.

That's awesome. I was hoping they did. It's nice to see a big company try something so different. I read a Dirt Rag test from a while back the other day so the A was fresh on my mind. I was bummed when I didn't see it on their website, but I'll give it a closer look.

ayup. i've seen a few SS fullys. most will require a derrailleur type tensioner with two pulleys, as the simple single pully tensioners ala surly and so on won't be able to take up near enough slack to account for the chain grown as the suspension cycles through its movement. the two pully systems keep tension on, and keep the chain in better contact with the rear cog vs. the single pulley versions.

what'll work here:
your old rear mech, or a new one if you want, as these will take up the most slack of the suspension movement.

these two may work well too. at least i know the rohloff one does; i've seen it in use with a few of their hubs.
https://www.paulcomp.com/melvin.html
https://www.rohloff.de/index.php?lang...ttenspanner&d=

or, its doable on a fully frame with no chain growth if you use a singleater style tensioner.

i'd think it'd work on many fully frames, depending on the length of travel, and leverage ratio. only so much slack the things will take up. you would probably have to run an outer bash ring, and something inside of your front ring at the minimum to prevent derailment up front.