Cyclocross Bikes - SS / Fixed

Just been throwing some bits at a frame for my Dad's bike - looking pretty good. I'm definitely going to Fit 50mm Schwalbe Big Apples with the widest (60mm?) Berthoud 'guards.

With you on the Peregrine.
Just thought a lower TT might be a better idea for a shorter person riding off-road. I could'nt stand over the small :(

Here are some basic drawings for ideas of a XS Peregrine (50cm seat tube, 51 TT) designed for use with 700c x 32mm or 650b x 50mm if you want some big dirt tyres. Would probably also ride fine with regular 26" tyres.

700c
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4443627045_9d5eb4cd02_o.jpg

650b - big un's
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4443627121_2848430325_o.jpg

Hopefully we'll have them the back end of June.

Sam

Here are some basic drawings for ideas of a XS Peregrine (50cm seat tube, 51 TT) designed for use with 700c x 32mm or 650b x 50mm if you want some big dirt tyres. Would probably also ride fine with regular 26" tyres.

700c
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4443627045_9d5eb4cd02_o.jpg

650b - big un's
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4443627121_2848430325_o.jpg

Hopefully we'll have them the back end of June.

Sam

Brilliant news!

I've always been a fan of the Singular brand and like your approach to bike design. I'm just a bit short to fit the models I would be most interested in. My idea of the perfect utility bike would have cyclocross geometry and clearances, a simple hub gear, disc brakes, full mudguards, and a rear rack.

The Peregrine looks to fit the part perfectly, while looking nice to boot. I shall keep em peeled ;)

(PS, is that really a 74.4 head tube angle?)

cool will do that ^ someone who is also in mentioned in an email that there could be geared riders there, shurely shome mistake?

well we are likely to meet at Tweed run too, Im taking a blue Copenhagen Pederson, (period bikes ftw)

a pederson! amazing... soo want one.

Brilliant news!

I've always been a fan of the Singular brand and like your approach to bike design. I'm just a bit short to fit the models I would be most interested in. My idea of the perfect utility bike would have cyclocross geometry and clearances, a simple hub gear, disc brakes, full mudguards, and a rear rack.

The Peregrine looks to fit the part perfectly, while looking nice to boot. I shall keep em peeled ;)

(PS, is that really a 74.4 head tube angle?)

Thanks for the kind words.

Drop me a mail if you like and I will keep you up to date with developments. The head angle is 71.0. The angle you are looking at is that between the head tube and the top tube, there is an upslope (of 3.4 deg) to the top tube.

Cheers,

Sam

Thanks for the kind words.

Drop me a mail if you like and I will keep you up to date with developments. The head angle is 71.0. The angle you are looking at is that between the head tube and the top tube, there is an upslope (of 3.4 deg) to the top tube.

Cheers,

Sam

Cheers for clearing that up ;)

Any firsthand opinons on the Kona Major One? The reviews on various US forums are all good. The clearances look ok for beefy tyres (up to 700x40c apparently), plus its at the lightweight end of the scale thanks to a scandium frame and carbon fork, which is nice (I'd want to upgrade the wheelset eventually). I could have it on cyclescheme from work, which is also a bonus.

At the moment I've narrowed down my interests to either the Kona or a Dialled love/hate, so got to decide if I want a beefy CX bike, or a skinny mtb...

Love/hate!

hello! is there anybody out there.....?

Anyone got any ideas on where I can buy a 2010 Specialized Singlecross from? After months of mulling it over I'm finally ready to get a new bike on Cycle Scheme, but it looks like no-one is stocking them here in the UK.

I've heard they are available on special order from Specialized UK.

How come you didn't go for the Major One?

I'm eyeing one up for when my cyclescheme comes around!

the major one seems quite expensive compared to what the singlecross was available for last year doesnt it?

The Kona has a Scandium frame but the parts are nothing special. The Felt Breed also cost more than the Singlecross I believe but had some slightly better parts on it. Maybe the Singlecross was just the bargain of the SS cross bikes last year?
I would go for the Genesis Day One Cross (£499) but that would be based on looks as much as anything!

How come you didn't go for the Major One?

I'm eyeing one up for when my cyclescheme comes around!

I really like the Major One, but Evans just hiked the price to £920, which is ridiculous for a so-so singlespeed, especially one which I'd want to change components on almost straight away. Evans also don't carry the Major One in any of their stores, you have to pay £50 (refundable) and wait 10 days for them to get one in from the warehouse, which is a massive faff. Plus it has no mudguard eyes, so can't really double up as a winter commuting bike, which is a big priority for me.

The Felt Breed is a better price for nearly the same spec, but its a vile colour, and no mudguard eyes again.

I've heard they are available on special order from Specialized UK.

Unfortunately not :( This is reply I got from Specialized this morning (top marks for a fast reply from them though)

"Unfortunately we cannot obtain this bike as its not part of the UK range, It is possible that this bike may be included in the 2011 range but I can't say for certain. We have enquired about obtaining exclusive stock from the States however the cost involved aswell as the time frame for delivery has made it unpractical."
So, I'm going to forget about Cycle Scheme and singlespeeds, and sell my track bike to fund a Kinesis Crosslight T5, which I can swap most of the groupset from my spare Merckx over to.

the major one seems quite expensive compared to what the singlecross was available for last year doesnt it?

The Kona has a Scandium frame but the parts are nothing special. The Felt Breed also cost more than the Singlecross I believe but had some slightly better parts on it. Maybe the Singlecross was just the bargain of the SS cross bikes last year?
I would go for the Genesis Day One Cross (£499) but that would be based on looks as much as anything!

Those Konas are one of the most popular CX bikes around. The frameset is really nice. The spec may be lower than the competition, but I'd always go with the best frameset, and upgrade parts when need be, with any complete bike purchase.
[/IMHO]

+1
I'm with mr furry on this one!

+2
Now I have actually started looking at them that Frameset should be good. In fact I should be testing one out this weekend if the shop gets one in on time!
I fancy a lighter build and reckon it should make a pretty quick bike.

Those Konas are one of the most popular CX bikes around. The frameset is really nice. The spec may be lower than the competition, but I'd always go with the best frameset, and upgrade parts when need be, with any complete bike purchase.
[/IMHO]

+1

+2

-1. I wouldn't use the wheels, cranks, bars, stem or saddle on the KM1, so spending £920 on what amounts to a race-day-only frameset would be redonkulous. Horses for courses and all that, but for me its prohibitively overpriced.

I always sell off the saddle of a new bike and I have a Thomson post and stem already but I am fine with the cranks and wheels that come with the Major One.
But then my only use of a bike is for race day activity (without the actual race day!) I ride solely for pleasure, as fast as I can and never to get from A to B.
Yes £900 seems high but the Major Jake frameset has an RRP of £900 and that is a similar frame (although has a better fork)
So as you say, horses for courses :-)

Kerley,
let is know what you think, once you've had a ride!

will do. Although I have to face facts it is as good as in my garage now as I am not known to piss about - especially when someone is waving interest free in my face :-)

For some reason I seem to go to singlespeed in summer and then back to fixed over winter in a similar way to some people going from geared to singlespeed/fixed. You'll never catch me using those new fangled gears though.

should i be looking to get a cross bike in mtb size (19-10inch) or road bike size (60cm)?

"Unfortunately we cannot obtain this bike as its not part of the UK range, It is possible that this bike may be included in the 2011 range but I can't say for certain. We have enquired about obtaining exclusive stock from the States however the cost involved aswell as the time frame for delivery has made it unpractical."

...unpractical?

Kerley,
let is know what you think, once you've had a ride!

The Major One is as good as I'd hoped. Took it around a 30 mile loop and it rides and handles superbly off road (about 60% of the 30 miles were off road).

The real surprise was how comfortable it is, more comfortable than any steel frame I have used. I swapped over the tyres, bars, stem, seatpost and seat from my Scissor that I was using and it is noticeably more comfortable even with the same contact points.
I'm starting to believe what they say about scandium now.

It feels about the same weight as the Scissor did (about a pound less maybe) but it climbs so much better even using the stock gearing which is a couple of GI higher than I was using fixed.

The only disappointment was I had forgot how poor canti brakes are, I honestly think I could stop almost as quickly when riding brakeless fixed. Although the modulation is good and they do prevent the wheels locking up I suppose.

So in all very pleased with it. It would fly with some cross tubs/wheels on so maybe in the winter if I ever manage to get fit enough...