Single speed MTB project

[al-fresco]

I've got a hardtail Trek 6000 frame that I've been wondering what to do with and I quite fancy a MTB with an SS/fixed flip-flop rear hub running tubeless tyres. The frame has vertical dropouts so I'd be using the old derailleur to tension the chain. (I assume that I'll need to go with V-brakes as a flip-flop wheel won't work with discs.)

Now, I have no forks for this project. So what I'm wondering is whether to go with front suspension (scary prices though I see Suntour XCR-RL are available for about £70) or, well what would you do?

Riding is likely to be tracks and farmland, though if it works really well I could try it out on a proper trail.

 

[david1701]

afaik fixed needs the drop outs or magic gear and has a hissy if you use a derailleur or chain tensioner. Not 1000% though as all my knowledge is google based

 

[al-fresco]

Bummer - and, presumably, you can't flip flop 2 different sized freewheels because the rotation would be wrong on one side...

 

[Dan_h]

You are right that you can't run a fixed gear with a chain tensioner as when you apply back pressure on the pedals the chain will get tighter on the bottom and put a whole load of stress on the tensioner that it is not designed for. I am still trying to visualise 2 different sized freewheels, but I think it would rotate okay as you would turn the wheel round when you swap sides... makes my head hurt trying to figure it out though!

 

[wheres_my_beard]

There's no technical reason that you couldn't have two different size freewheels on a flip flop arrangement (as they will connect / spin in the right orientation) as long as both sides have the threading for the freewheel; saying that you can get "2 speed freewheels" as per here http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lasvegas/2003-show/pages/09-white2freewheel.html not sure where you would buy one though, or if there are any issues keeping the chain line right.

A deraileur would be too floppy to hold a fixed gear chain at a safe tension, but a bolted chain tensioner like the gusset bachelor (which is cheap as chips) may be secure enough as an alternative; i used one on my own singlespeed conversion on a hybrid, and it seems very secure and immovable, unlike any sprung tensioner.

In my opinion you have to be pretty hardcore to ride fixed off road, as it is bloody hard work. You would probably be better of getting a £30(ish) single speed conversion kit for your existing wheels and experimenting with a couple of sprockets til you find the one that works best most of the time for your riding.

Keep things simple, thats what single speed and fixed gear is good for.

 

[al-fresco]

OK - just single speed then (didn't intend to use the fixed side off road anyway). Anybody got any advice on forks?

 

[Ibbots]

OK - just single speed then (didn't intend to use the fixed side off road anyway). Anybody got any advice on forks?

Unless you can run to some forks with a decent lock out I would go for fixed forks otherwise you'll find climbing out of the saddle a drag - I run 34/17 and find I can get up most hills but nearly always out of the saddle. I use On-One carbon forks, nice and light and take out enough of the sting not to even notice the lack of suspension except on the really rough stuff. Kona Project 2's are a cheaper alternative, a lot of folk seem to like them though never tried them myself.

 

[al-fresco]

Unless you can run to some forks with a decent lock out I would go for fixed forks otherwise you'll find climbing out of the saddle a drag - I run 34/17 and find I can get up most hills but nearly always out of the saddle. I use On-One carbon forks, nice and light and take out enough of the sting not to even notice the lack of suspension except on the really rough stuff. Kona Project 2's are a cheaper alternative, a lot of folk seem to like them though never tried them myself.

Thanks for that - carbon forks are a nice idea - does anybody know of a 26" carbon fork that would work with V-brakes? If not I'll have to wait for the new year to stretch the budget to discs.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Unless you must have carbon the Kona Project 2's would see you right, as might Surly.

 

[Bicycle]

I went on my first off-road blast for some time yesterday... and took one of the children as he was off school. I was shattered.

The thing I cannot get my head around, as I drift painfully into middle age, is how ANYONE can actually move an MTB in the gloop and grass and gravel and ruts without the benefit of a billion gears. I take my hat off to anyone who can make progress in only ONE GEAR.

I ride a fixie on the road, but off-road is something else.

 

[lordjenks]

google carbon cycles for carbon forks.

 

[Ibbots]

I went on my first off-road blast for some time yesterday... and took one of the children as he was off school. I was shattered.

The thing I cannot get my head around, as I drift painfully into middle age, is how ANYONE can actually move an MTB in the gloop and grass and gravel and ruts without the benefit of a billion gears. I take my hat off to anyone who can make progress in only ONE GEAR.

I ride a fixie on the road, but off-road is something else.

Will power and stupidity work for me - though after having my first go for a few months recently I realised it does take a bit of conditioning, even after commuting fixed and single speed all year. Tried it in the dark a couple of weeks ago but I shan't be repeating that experienc, fixed forks are ok when you can read the path well, not so forgiving if not.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Will power and stupidity work for me - though after having my first go for a few months recently I realised it does take a bit of conditioning, even after commuting fixed and single speed all year. Tried it in the dark a couple of weeks ago but I shan't be repeating that experienc, fixed forks are ok when you can read the path well, not so forgiving if not.

When I were a lad fixed forks and crap lights was all we had. Didn't stop us crashing riding off-road in the dark.

 

[Ibbots]

When I were a lad fixed forks and crap lights was all we had. Didn't stop us crashing riding off-road in the dark.

We weren't poor.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Neither were we but the technology back then was useless. Still didn't stop us riding, nay competing in events, in the dark off road. Everyone of a certain age regards multiple gears, disc brakes and suspension, etc., as ability compensators .