SSMTBs

Flex stem fun like you have mentioned.

If you look for an old DMR bolt FS frame, they pivot around the BB so you can run Singlespeed without any tensioner.

Or try and pick up an old Orange X1 with a steel URT suspension setup and put some track dropouts on it

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I think the flex stem is the way to go. Maybe paired with a better shape of handlebar, the one I’m using now is very straight, think I’ll make one with more back sweep.

Annoyingly I had an X1 a few years ago which I chopped up thinking I’d build a full sus bmx frame out the parts but that never happened and I think all I ended up using of it was the dropouts!

I’d like to avoid too much weight. My Stooge isn’t exactly light and my Schwinn is a bit of mud splatter away from having its own gravitational pull!

Another route I thought of going was looking for something like a carbon singlespeed frame as doing a weight weenie build could be fun (if not particularly sensible since I’m a not particularly gentle, 95kg rider).

Kona A is SS

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16279274/

Yeah, there’s a pre-disc one on eBay that has ugly af dropouts. I think there’s a sliding dropout disc version that I’d be into but finding one is probably going to be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Maybe a better build would distract from the dropouts on the eBay one…

There you go, dropouts on that looks much better.

Did you like it as a bike/concept?

Yeah, it had sliding dropouts. I never rode it "in anger" but that's how all my MTBs are ridden. I thought it was a cool little bike but not super useful in London (same thing applies to all SS MTBs though).

This is Hippy’s Kona, still stuck in Eastbourne

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The thing with flex stems are that the shorter they are, the less ‘travel’ you get!

If you wanted to do a cheapish carbon SS build, an early Cadex would work, they have replaceable dropouts both sides on the rear, so it’s easy to carve some horizontal ones from a sheet of alloy and bolt them on.

I had one back in the 90s just like that for XC racing. It was pretty fun!

Pretty much a parts bin build but its so much fun to ride :)

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Yes yes yes, this is exactly what I was going to build. Looks like a lot of fun.
Due to shortages and wait times etc, I ended up building this, which is also very fun, but perhaps much more silly.

How are you finding it?

So far only managed to ride it in Peaslake and it was so good; I took a run or two to get used to how long it is and I've never used a dropper before, but quickly made a lot of sense for that terrain and it just barrelled through any mistakes I made. Confidence inspiring for sure, and climbs much better than expected.

Moxie looks great and has a much nicer build than mine :) SC wait times are stupid, I cracked this Chameleon frame and tried to get a replacement but ended up getting it welded instead because of the lack of availability :/

A feeling the deposit on my flat was less than that.

bang

This one is soo good. Saw that on eBay the other day. Unfortunately a bit over my budget for a 26" SSMTB

Can I ask what size your Honzo is and what height you are? There’s a large for sale near me but dunno if I’d be better with an xl at 6’2.

@Josh that DeKerf is lovely

This was one Ebay recently too and was the bike that made the marin single speed plans fall into motion

Gotta say, my Dekerf singlespeed was one of the most comfortable frames I've ridden.
My dad still has his 853 team Dekerf too.

If you have any photos of your's and your dad's I would love to see them!