Singlespeed mountain riders?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz, CA
Singlespeed mountain riders?
I'm new to this forum and I just wanted to get an idea of how many singlespeeders ride in the dirt? I've read a lot of post by fixed gear and track riders, and I just wanted to know if I was alone with my IRO Highlander mountain bike.
Around town here in Santa Cruz I see what seems like dozens of fixies and track bikes everyday, but I rarely if ever see another guy on a one speed with some knobby rubber and maybe a suspension fork.
Post some pics of your ride if you feel inclined to share.
Here is my bike. I just built it in September 04.
Around town here in Santa Cruz I see what seems like dozens of fixies and track bikes everyday, but I rarely if ever see another guy on a one speed with some knobby rubber and maybe a suspension fork.
Post some pics of your ride if you feel inclined to share.
Here is my bike. I just built it in September 04.
#2
I've ridden my SS on dirt, quite fun. Currently she is built up as a bar cruiser. I'll try to dig up a pic.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 706
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
I ride a singlespeed offroad. Mtbs led me to road bikes and ss mtbs led me to fixies. Unfortunately, I don't have time to ride offroad as much as I'd like. Here's a pic. It's a Bianchi DISS with a SID Race fork, a rasta King headset, a Thompson seatpost, and a Flite. The suspension is nice, but I think I'm going back to rigid for a little while.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: SoCal - 909
Bikes: IRO Jamie Roy (fixed-gear commuter), Gary Fisher Rig 29er SS, Trek Madone 5.5, Specialized Allez Comp, Marin Mt. Vision Pro, Specialized M2 Hardtail, beater Nishiki fixed-gear conversion, Gary Fisher Rig 29er SS
Originally Posted by PhattTyre
I ride a singlespeed offroad. Mtbs led me to road bikes and ss mtbs led me to fixies. Unfortunately, I don't have time to ride offroad as much as I'd like. Here's a pic. It's a Bianchi DISS with a SID Race fork, a rasta King headset, a Thompson seatpost, and a Flite. The suspension is nice, but I think I'm going back to rigid for a little while.
Then came my Surly 1x1 (the geared mtn. bikes have mostly been collecting dust since.), which led to an interest in fixies and my first beater fixie build about two years ago, which got upgraded to an IRO Jamie Roy a year ago in March. I'm on track to have over 3k mi. on the IRO before it's 1st birthday. I'm only 133 shy of that now, and I've got a 15 mi. commute 2 - 4 times/week + grocery/coffee-shop runs averaging 10 mi./week. You do the math...
-Trevor
#7
Wood Licker


Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 16,966
Likes: 2
From: Whistler,BC
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
I have a mtb ss but its for park and djing. I am definately not in the shape to conquer the surrounding mountains on SS (let alone gearing sometimes)
As long as I live here I doubt I will ever make the full jump to fixie or even all my bikes being SS
As long as I live here I doubt I will ever make the full jump to fixie or even all my bikes being SS
#10
Originally Posted by ndelaude
I'm new to this forum and I just wanted to get an idea of how many singlespeeders ride in the dirt? I've read a lot of post by fixed gear and track riders, and I just wanted to know if I was alone with my IRO Highlander mountain bike.
Around town here in Santa Cruz I see what seems like dozens of fixies and track bikes everyday, but I rarely if ever see another guy on a one speed with some knobby rubber and maybe a suspension fork.
Post some pics of your ride if you feel inclined to share.
Here is my bike. I just built it in September 04.
Around town here in Santa Cruz I see what seems like dozens of fixies and track bikes everyday, but I rarely if ever see another guy on a one speed with some knobby rubber and maybe a suspension fork.
Post some pics of your ride if you feel inclined to share.
Here is my bike. I just built it in September 04.
#13
Mines curretly at the top of Fixed Gear Gallery, at least until the next batch gets logged.
Built more as a winter commuter but I bet it'll see a lot of action out amongst the rural farmland.
Built more as a winter commuter but I bet it'll see a lot of action out amongst the rural farmland.
#14
shoot up or shut up.

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs, co
Bikes: yes please.
road bikes lead me to fixies, which lead me to mountain bikes... now i'm building a trials bike. hahaha when i first built up my mountain bike last summer i had it as a rigid single speed. that was great for around town and some trails through town, but i found i was way too much of a sissy to ride single speed in the mountains. i also wrecked a lot. i was running 32:16, but i wish i would've done 32:18. i think once my strength and handling skills are up to what they should be, i'll build up another single speed. i'm thinking of a 29"er. but for now, i'm happy with my geared hardtail norco.
#15
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland, OH
Bikes: 2004 Trek 4600 SS, 2016 Cannondale Cujo 2 SS
I just converted my mountain bike to single speed, after the shifting was going downhill and I couldn't afford to fix it. Now, both my rides are one-gear steeds.
#17
Here's my ride conquering the world.


Closeup if you're interested.
https://www.zweknu.org/uploads/fixed_mtb_1024.jpg


Closeup if you're interested.
https://www.zweknu.org/uploads/fixed_mtb_1024.jpg
#20
legalize bikes

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: bucks county, PA
Bikes: too damn many
bostontrevor-- this summer you should bring down your SS MTB for the 'one gear good beer singlespeed rally.' and anyone else who wants to make a long haul for one day of drinkin' and ridin'
#21
Originally Posted by Feltup
Mine.
I have the same frame, what gearing are you running? I can fit a 44/16 with no tensioner but that is too aggressive for dirt.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#23
Bike Dork

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, Pa
Bikes: Independent Fabrication steel delux(my baby), Raleigh Highlife (Single Speed Cyclocross), Surly CrossCheck (commuter.work bike when I was a courier), 1957 Schwinn Panther, Bilenky, Surly Karate Monkey Single Speed 29er, Specialized Stumpjumpper 29er,
I ride a single speed on the road and in the woods. My SS MTB is a voodoo bizango with horizontal fork ends. I have a surly rigid fork, surly rear hub, and race face cranks. I really like not having to worry about gears, or some wimpy chain snapping. I still do love riding my geared Indy Fab though!
#24
Survival of the Fitest

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 4
From: PDX
Bikes: 198? Univega Custom Maxima, 2009 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno
Awesome rides guys. I'm totally stoked, my GT Backwoods frame is on its way. Won it off ebay. Triple Triangle baby, yeah! I'm looking forward to making it an ss.
#25
Pain Cleanseth

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 1
From: The only drug in me is beer.
Bikes: On*One Imbred (commuter), Specialized Rockcombo(commuter)
Originally Posted by trekkie820
How are you getting chain tension on that bad boy? Filed dropouts or magic gear?
I am running a 36x18.




