SSMTBs

They’re all 29ers right?

Earlier ones were. I think they're 29+ now.

I never looked into them too much, as they were only available in one size.

One frame size? Bit strange.

I'm hoping to try out SS trail riding at Haldon Forest over Christmas:

https://www.moredirt.com/trail/South-West/Challenge-Trail---Haldon-Forest/1335/

and have all the bits together to build up 2 bikes for me and son- one 29er and other 26", both steel hard tails with solid forks.

Question: what would be suitable novice MTB gear ratios for Devon hilly terrain? (we're both daily road cyclists). I was thinking 32/16 but some of the bikes on here appear to have smaller chainrings?

I have 16t sprockets for both but yet to get the chainrings.

I canny ride off road on 32:16. I’m currently riding 36:22 but I do spin out on descents. Being that my bike is rigid though I’m not too fussed about getting max speed on the descents anyway.

Easy answer - experiment

Haldon Forest is pretty steep in places, so I certainly couldn't manage 32x16 around there; definitely not on a 29er . You might weigh 60kg and be an XC machine though :-)

Maybe start around 50gi and see what works for you.

start at 32:18 and see what it's like

if your bike is heavy or it's really hilly, you can try 32:20

I ride 32:18 for loaded bikepacking and unloaded trailcentre fun, find it the perfect compromise on my decidedly notlight bike

Thanks for replies, presumably i'll need to adjust 32/18 for the 26"er?
Would 50gi be something to aim for on both ?

I'll be driving there so no real need for road gearing.
I'll buy some bigger sprockets and have a play.

32:18 on 29er = 51.6 GI

32:16 on 26er = 53.02 GI
32:17 on 26er = 49.83 GI
32:18 on 26er = 47.18 GI

I would go for 32:17 or 32:18 on your 26'.

Perfect, I'll get a 17 and 18 sorted

Can't remember if I asked but anyone used a singulator - any good for serious mud? Curtis returning from respray and tempted to go single speed but vertical drop outs and standard bb.

Have used but not in mud. I'd avoid external tensioners if possible.

Any chance of magic gear with half link or grinding dropouts or something?

In my experience, it copes better than a derailleur. Works fine in the mud, but can still get the occasional bit of undergrowth stuck in it.

That makes sense - there's less 'stuff' to hookup in.

Could look out for an excentrikiser (or however it's spelled) bottom bracket adaptor.
I used one for running a geared softride frame as a fixed. Unfortunately the constant back /forth pressure of brakeless fixed caused the occasional readjustment to be necessary... But on single speed it would work well.

ENO rear hub for a clean back end. Well not clean if you're riding in mud but you know what I mean...

If you can get it to push your chain upwards, so it's compact with the chainstay and increases chainwrap around the sprocket, you should be fine.

I've still got the spring from one of these to swap the tension direction.

Dewit!

Edit:

I did a similar thing with one of the cheap, rattly, 10buck jobbies. Took the spring out and just zip-tied the fucker to the chainstay. Worked fine for Polo. Removing the rear wheel proved quite a mess though.

And reader's

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Flat pedals? I didn't expect that.

SPDs and shoes are at my parents' house. Flats were quite fun though.