Single Speed MTB frames?!

So, at Cavendish we're possibly going to get a couple of these...

But, before we actually get any i just wanted to see if it's the sort of thing people might be interested in. I've always had a soft spot for SS MTBs, and it seems i'm not the only one on here.

Made from chromoly, super stiff and disc only, with an eccentric BB for chain tension, meaning you don't have all the hassle of setting up a disc with horizontal dropouts; an absolute nightmare.

Price is around £300 i think, and is available in 16", 18" & 20"

Oh, and an 853 version is in the pipeline, but i'm unsure of price...their regular 853 MTB frame is around £400-450. Let me know what you think.

Smallfurry did a list for MTB singlespeed frames. Add there? I'm not sure if he's got Cavendish in his list yet.

Looks good though.

I'll add it to the list, looks nice.
Let me know of any further details as and when.

I'd say there's a fair bit of interest in getting dirty, sans gears. Especially since the weather turned poo.

What sort of fork length we looking at?
Any thing in the pipeline for big hoops (29r)?

I'm in the market for a single speed mountain bike, but really only after a 29er, so as Smallfurry has asked any big hoops coming?

Big wheels, slidding drop outs, titanium, £799, hmmmmmm
http://www.sidewayscycles.co.uk/products/index.php?id=782&clid=18

Big wheels, slidding drop outs, titanium, £799, hmmmmmm
http://www.sidewayscycles.co.uk/products/index.php?id=782&clid=18

Total cubby iducing. I have a real think about Voodoo and was really trying to get a Wazoo for ages.

I know nothing about off-roading or the bikes... but fancy giving it a go. I've not really been enjoying road riding over the last few months.

I think a (cheapish) rigid ss (lowest maintenance possible) bike would be a good start. I like the idea of the GT Peace 29r.

Anyone got any opinions on these?

The GT looks fantastic value for money (I saw the 2008 for £333). Cant fault the look or the specs, especially at that price.
(I'm not a fan of cheap disc brakes though, might be better of with decent v's, or better yet upgrading to better discs).
http://s233299868.e-shop.info/shop/article_GT%2BPeace%2B29R%2B2008.001/GT-Peace-29R-2008.html

With a 29r you need to look closely at the geometry (less important if you're not a short arse like myself), and decid the best solution for fitting in the big wheels.

Have a look at the geometrys of bikes like Niner, and Vassago jabbawocky. decide what you like and compare this to the GT. Niner puts you over the wheels (good if you've got longer enough legs), and vassago puts you inbetween the wheels (good for stable climbing + shorties).
http://www.gtbicycles.com/int/eng/Products/Mountain/Cross-Country/Hard-Tail/#5802

http://www.ninerbikes.com/sir9geometry.html

http://www.vassagocycles.com/jabberwocky.html

£300 seems ok. It's not very aesthetically pleasing though...

I'd rather one of these (although it is £470):

£300 seems ok. It's not very aesthetically pleasing though...

I'd rather one of these (although it is £470):

That price is frame only (correction frame + seatpost clamp).
Bloody nice looking bike though (nice 853 main triangle).

That Sanderson looks grand.

I can't make my mind up about 29ers. It seems like a good idea for cross country type stuff but it the availability of parts and the big mark up on 29er parts vs 26" that puts me off.

I know you can always order over the internet but it's nice to beable to walk into a shop and grab stuff / take a look especially if your on holiday or a long ride and you just need to buy something while out. I can imagine being in the middle of France and having to make do with a 32 mm touring tyre to get you home or if you badly bend a wheel ending up totally screwed.

I can't make my mind up about 29ers. It seems like a good idea for cross country type stuff but it the availability of parts and the big mark up on 29er parts vs 26" that puts me off.

I know you can always order over the internet but it's nice to beable to walk into a shop and grab stuff / take a look especially if your on holiday or a long ride and you just need to buy something while out. I can imagine being in the middle of France and having to make do with a 32 mm touring tyre to get you home or if you badly bend a wheel ending up totally screwed.

There is a lot more 29er stuff available in Australia and the US, but not much here for some reason. All the bike shops I frequented in Aus last year stocked OTP 29ers from the big brands like Avanti, Specialised and Giant (I think) so also stocked a range of rims tyres and tubes. As a taller rider they make a lot of sense and I know my next bike will be one.

Interesting that USA and AUS seem better stocked.

As a taller rider they make a lot of sense...

This is my thoughts also, I'm not mega tall, but taller than average. I am not in the situation for a new bike quite at the moment but I have my plans and frame wise can't decide between 26" version of 29" version. The two negatives of 29ers at the moment are too big for me.

I went for a 29 just cause I'm a lanky bastard. Not built yet, so I can't really say anything sensible about it. I reckon they will get more popular round these parts though, so availability should improve.

I can personally confirm that 29r parts are a PITA to source in europe. Especially now that the dollar is so high.

I read an interesting 26r vs 29r write up by a guy who seemed to know his onions.
He rode the same course on a 29r and then on a 26r, and then analysed both rides. Basically the 29r felt faster, but the 26r was in fact quicker (by next to nought). the advantages/disadvantages of the two cancel each other out (apart from the price thing TBH).

IMHO to get from A to B off-road as quick as possible, you'll probably want:
Gears,
Suspension, and
26" wheels.

IMHO to get from A to B off-road, and have as much fun as possible, you might want:
Single speed,
Fully rigid, and
29" wheels.

Thats how I look at it anyways.

BTW I'm 5'7" and I'm going for a 29r, but then I'm building it purely for XC/trail riding.

• I read somewhere that its not recommended for people who are 5'6" or less. So I'll be grand then ;)
  

Do you have a link to the article?

I can believe the differences are fairly small but as you say they do look fun. ;)

I think part of the appeal of 29ers in Australia is that the larger diameter tyres provide better grip on the prevelant loose gravels and rocks encountered. Plus everyone in Australia is at least 6'2" so fits better on big wheels.

At 6'6" I look like I'm monstering my Specialised Enduro, so much seat post and so much body mile above the bike just looks wrong. There are some really nice full suspension 29ers out there from Ventura, Elsworth and go, but if I had the cash I'd go for a Moots or Blacksheep Ti creation.

If you're really undecided I guess it's best to ride one, but then having a go with someone else's set-up might not give a clear picture either. Gah!

There are soooooo many internet rantings about the pros and cons of the things, many of them stating opposing points with what seems to me like equal degrees of conviction and knowledge. I read into it lots, then in the end just thought 'I'm tall; bike's tall; fuckit'.

The Kona Unit is popular among my mtb friends, I know three people running the old 26er version which is now discontinued.

for 09 the Unit is a 29r

If it was me I'd Look at Gary Fisher, they even do a full suss 29!

me and a few mates organised the singlespeed champs in 2008,

it's a huuge thing, we had 400 racing i think? (off the top of my head)

do it. it's all about no gears.

and yes 29ers are great too, i ride both but will probably go 29er only in the future
(dont want to sell my ti ss)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ssuk08/

Wow.

Do you have a link to the article?

I can believe the differences are fairly small but as you say they do look fun. ;)

http://www.steve-z.com/2007/06/22/trail-tested-26-vs-29er-mountain-bike-comparison-which-is-better/

There are soooooo many internet rantings about the pros and cons of the things, many of them stating opposing points with what seems to me like equal degrees of conviction and knowledge.

+1
Its like the whole campy vs shimano. No real reason not to have either.

If it was me I'd Look at Gary Fisher, they even do a full suss 29!

lots of full sus out there.

me and a few mates organised the singlespeed champs in 2008,
it's a huuge thing, we had 400 racing i think? (off the top of my head)
do it. it's all about no gears.
and yes 29ers are great too, i ride both but will probably go 29er only in the future
(dont want to sell my ti ss)

Sounds fantastic + that bike's amazing