List of OTP singlespeed mountain bikes

If claims direct pay up Im getting it!

Full-suspension singlespeed? Now I've seen everything.

Kona have been at it for a while. They used to make the 'A' frame quite a few years back. Made for fast trail riding rather than jumping like the Bass though.

Just looked it up and it was in fact 2002!

the first 'A' had a v-brake rear (shite) the second version had a disk (good)

v brakes are good...a lot lighter too

Full-suspension singlespeed? Now I've seen everything.

I remember drooling over a Kona A full-sus singlespeed for enduro riding in Aus.. that was over 5 years ago. Want.

EDIT: kerley 2002.. fuck i'm old.

v brakes are good...a lot lighter too

i guess that's why people use them on mtb's

I do..and when I pull the brake I stop..Never had a problem with them, I have had disks but changed them to V's

The whole v-brake/disc argument is quite like the mechanical/hydraulic argument. V-brakes, mechanical discs and hydraulic discs can all be great brakes and can slow you down no problem, as long as you've got a good brake. You can get shit brakes in all catagories (yes, even hydraulics!). Unless you're going to be doing a lot of riding though mud or similar, v-brakes will do the job perfectly well. But of course the armchair experts have it in their heads that you need the top of the range hydraulics to do the job.

If you can lock your wheels, there's no problem with your brakes and no other brakes will stop you quicker.

Agree, the cantis on my cross bike do all they need to. The negative is the bloody awful noise they can make when you have wet/gritty/muddy rims. I could never put a high quality rim through that torture!

I am not a good example on braking though as I try to never use them and like to flow :-)

Theres a few home build ups of full sus framesets as single speeders on various MTB forums. For me being fully rigid is part of the simplicity of singlespeed off-roading. But then the more technical trails around me, are also very steep. So my full sus (when I get it) will have lots of small gears, and I'll keep the SS for the lighter trails.

As for brakes. I have a CX bike with MTN Vs (yes it looks ugly) and a 29er with Hope Pro IIs. Both have great stopping power, But the hydraulic discs (once set-up well), are a world apart when it comes to modulation.

Yes..I agree about the non simplicity of the full sus SS.

Yes..I agree about the non simplicity of the full sus SS.

There is a good argument, that you can 'flow' along the trail better with a full sus. Thus negating the disadvantage of having only one gear somewhat. Not for me though.

Yeah...it has great advantages. The last time i rode the monkey trail in Cannock Chase I had a full sus rider right up my arse. Couldn't shake him. He was riding real smooth and i was all over the shop. Could be that Im Shit at trails though!

...I had a full sus rider right up my arse. He was riding real smooth and i was all over the shop.

Sounds like the ride of a lifetime. I'm not surprised you were all over the shop. Who wouldn't be?

**Do. Not. Want. **

;)

I'm seriously considering an OTP offroader (ss or geared - not decided). Tell me the pros and cons of rigid vs sus fork (would def get a hardtail).

Comfort against weight.

pin sharp handling against sloppy all over the place shite (can you tell I don't like suspension!)

All depends what riding you will be doing. If all you have is fireroads and smooth singletrack then no need for suspension as it is not really doing much.
If you are whizzing through rocky, rooty fast sections a lot then suspension will allow you to go faster and still have wrists left.

Buy a decent bike without suspension and buy some decent forks when you can afford and you have got accustomed to riding off road a little. If you've got loads of money to spank ignore me but many forks that come with cheap - midrange mtbs are pretty shit and compromise the rest of the bike for the sake of have the suspension forks, which you will then want to upgrade anyhow as the forks are so rubbish.

Thinking about building up a SS mtb, and want to do it as simply as possible, but was wondering if the kinds of trails I'm likely to ride on will limit my options. I'd probably be riding in the south downs, so rocky/chalky and steep climbs/descents. Apparently 26 inch wheels are better for more technical stuff, but could I get away with no suspension and one gear?

Thinking about building up a SS mtb, and want to do it as simply as possible, but was wondering if the kinds of trails I'm likely to ride on will limit my options. I'd probably be riding in the south downs, so rocky/chalky and steep climbs/descents. Apparently 26 inch wheels are better for more technical stuff, but could I get away with no suspension and one gear?

A lot of equipment choices are pure taste. My preference is for a fully rigid 29er, but then thats mainly because I find it offers maximum fun. Not too bothered wether its quicker or not.

I'm often tempted to splash out on a nice suspension fork. But not for comfort. A well set-up suspension fork will increase traction by keeping the front tyre in contact with the trail. As tommy pointed out the cheapest option is to try out a rigid fork first and then maybe upgrade, as opposed to the other way around.

As for one gear. I ride in the Norwegian mountains with one gear, and I love it. Climbing is fine, decending is fine, and technical sections are fine. I'd even go as far as saying single speeders sometimes have an advantage in these sections. The downside is the less technical flatter sections, where you just cant keep up.

Plenty of frames let you run both singlespeed and gears. The easiest set-up being a standard frame with a single speed conversion kit (spacers + tensioner), which you can add gears to should you wish. You could also do, as I plan to, and have a singlespeed rear wheel as well as a Afline hub geared rear wheel, on a singlespeed frame. To give your bike quick versatility.

So basically you dont need to commit to fully rigid/front sus or single speed/ gears. Before you have tried these set-ups out.

26er v 29er is something you will need to decide on though.

All the best....

^^^^^^^^^^ This is the most helpful forum ever!!!!!

;)

im building a SS mtb for mainly use of polo.

http://www.lfgss.com/album.php?albumid=1241&pictureid=9279

does anyone know where i can get some cheapish rigid trick forks? (26")

thanks!

On One on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/On-One-CroMo-26er-MTB-Fork-V-Brake-Disc-Orange-/300485219317?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item45f65093f5

Something like this?
hthttp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Original/49760.jpg
tp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=49760

...plenty of freestyle chromo forks on CRC.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=596

i have a serious hankering for a 26er fixed mountain bike - was thinking a genesis or do you reckon a suspended fork would be more fun?