Looking to build up a single speed MTB for winter, milling about and half day XC riding
I have a spare set of brakes, bars and stem so why not build a bike around them?!
I have the use of a set of 27.5 single speed halo wheels with supadrive hubs for now
Where I’m driving myself insane is with frame and fork, I’ve been furiously looking around for a couple of weeks now to the point that I’ve looked at so many I don’t even know what I’m looking for any more
Ideally budget of £200 for frame, if I can get forks for that price too then I’ll call that a win
Someone…anyone…save me from insanity…tell me what small sized frame would make a beast of a single speed
Go…
The ss frames I can think of are 29er. Keep an eye out for a pipedream moxie or sirius- might struggle at that price though?
Might be worth keeping an eye out for when the on one hunts man come out as frame only.
Happy to go to a 29 wheel set if it’ll give me more options
Budget it’s tight currently but growing the longer I look
Ideally just looking for suggestions / recommendations to whittle down the massive amount of frames I’ve been looking at to a small handful of good ones
Brother Big Bro, Salsa Woodchipper, Spesh Fuse, SC Chameleon, Stooge?
Someone off here had a Big Bro in a rather smart gold if I remember rightly.
Why not build up a more fun jump type bike.
Not singlespeed specific but would make for a fun and cheap bike, you'd just need to use a tensioner.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRPXJF25D/planet-x-jack-flash-25-year-anniversary-disc-frame
Not many new frames for that money, I guess. I would start by thinking about what kind of geometry you want, ignoring whether it's got singlespeed details. Then once you know broadly what you're after someone might suggest something with helpful dropouts/whatever. But for cheap your more likely to be using a tensioner anyway.
FWIW I ride a Moxie in the small size with a 27.5" rear wheel, but a 29 Front and a 150 travel fork. I love it and although it excels when things get a little rowdier, it remains excellent on gentle stuff IMO. Also feels lovely, well finished, sliding dropouts. Way over frame budget though.
Thankyou again for all the comments
I had considered building up a jump bike / jump type bike but am a little concerned it’ll batter me on longer days out
If it’s worth anything for comparison, my geared mtb is an identiti aka and geometry / size / ride wise it’s just about perfect for me
Given the current budget situation, used frames are where I’m looking at the minute (and probably will when the budget is a bit more forgiving) if I can hold off long enough I’ll have more to spend but that’s just where I am currently
I’ve been looking at the on one inbred frames a fair bit and on paper, it seems to tick the boxes, haven’t found a used one in a small flavour yet though, but hasn’t stopped me looking at every other frame for sale ha ha
Karate monkey
Orange P7 and crush
Ragley
Kona
Stanton Sherpa
To name a few that I have been looking at but all the ones I’ve found so far are either the wrong size for me or massively over current budget
I’d keep an eye out for something like a second hand Cotic Soul or BFe, I got one in superb condition albeit as a 26” for under £200 which is now my commuter bike. Not single speed specific but I’m running it as one which a Surly chain tensioner which is great.
Although it was a 29er my Voodoo Bizango had sliding dropouts I think and was pretty decent, might be something similar on eBay?
Keep looking for Kona Unit frames, they should all have adjustable dropouts. Also Singular cycles frames, all have EBBs, though much rarer but some come up. Think if you go with a tensioner you'll open up your options a great deal, there'll be plenty more frames in your size to choose from...
Genesis io frames are good I’ve had 3. Sure the frame can take 27.5 wheel too 🙂
I found SS specific frames massively overpriced compared to a similar frame with a derailleur hanger. A lot of them were steel and heavy too.
Made 3 different bikes SS now with either a hanger tensioner, or bb mounted tensioner. The later looks neater and is quiet.
If you're down on the South Coast there's a couple of the Cannondale SS 29ers on Facebook marketplace for less than £200.
I've got one, they're great. 👍
Thanks for the heads up, unfortunately I’m neither near the south coast or on the social media
On a 27.5 wheel in a genesis io does anyone know what the tyre clearance is?!
I found SS specific frames massively overpriced compared to a similar frame with a derailleur hanger.
Makes sense, they sell about 0.001% of the amount of geared frames. Has always been annoying though as I won't ride a bike with a tensioner so have alway had to pay the extra.
If I get chance I’ll dig my io frame out attic(not for sale) I’ll pop a 27.5 wheel in and take pics 🙂
Ok it’s with boost rear so can’t get it in dropouts. 27.5 2.2 tyre loads of room even accounting for moving forward in dropout.
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@plus-one thankyou for that, massively appreciated
Thanks for all the comments / suggestions folks, Think I’m whittling the search list down a little now
Liking the look of the following so far (in no particular order)
Genesis io
On one inbred
Kona unit
Apologies for the noob question but can anyone explain what a swapout dropout is?!
I just converted my Dartmoor primal to a rigid single speed. The frame doesn't need to be single speed specific. Just buy a suitably priced frame off eBay, a £10 Amazon special tensioner and a set of rigid forks.
I have a Kona 26" frame with sliding dropouts that I run with 27.5" wheels and 2.1" tyres (I could squeeze in 2.25" if I didn't have full mudguards fitted). I got the frame off here for £60 four years ago. Very versatile, I'd be looking for something like that.
Apologies for the noob question but can anyone explain what a swapout dropout is?!
Something like DMR offer on their frames (I think Kinesis uses the same system).
You have a modular dropout system that can be bolted onto the stays.
For my DMR Trailstar and Bolt Frames I have 135 QR, 142 thru axle, 142 thru +8mm, and SS droputs. Gives lots of options.
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Rock solid, never budged. Whatever axle type your wheels have, and whether you end up having to buy new ones to suit a frame, is going to affect choice and cost, I guess.
A few years ago I ran a Dialled Alpine frame as a SS (using a tensioner) and it would accept a 27.5 x 2.2 tyre.
They come up fairly often secondhand and aren't too expensive.
In fact here's a Mk4 27.5 frame in eBay under £200...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325354032989?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=QzlzOKE_SSC&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=KHvd_PGgSqe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Here is a good thread of "current" SS frames which may give some inspiration.
https://www.mtbr.com/threads/singlespeed-bikes-and-frames-fy22.1198687/
The tough part is your small budget but any frame can run SS with a tensioner or EBB. P_ersonally I would go for sliding or swinging dropouts every time but that will be tricky in budget.
Once again, thanks for all the helpful comments and links
After some consideration, I think I was looking at ss specific frames as, in my head, a bike without a tensioner just looks…cleaner
Some internet searching later and I found one of these
I don’t think it’s looks too bad at all and it opens up a “pretty much any frame” option too
Anyone have any experience with them?
Maybe I’m being picky Looking for a cleaner looking bike?! I don’t know for sure
Have sold some bits over the weekend and will be putting my no logo ss road bike up for sale soon so budget is starting to look a little healthier too
Need to get this itch scratched ha ha
The Blackspire is a chain guide not a tensioner. Not designed for SS purposes
I use a BB tensioner on my SS'd Ragley BigWig. Absolutely no issues, works a treat, looks clean (enough for me)
The Blackspire is a chain guide not a tensioner. Not designed for SS purposes
It can absolutely be used as one though ...
The BB tensioners don't take up much slack IME so you have to be quite close to the right tension to use one.
An eccentric BB would be a better bet IMO but more faff. There are versions for the various standards such as PF and BSA but will eat some budget
The Blackspire is a chain guide not a tensioner. Not designed for SS purposes
It works really well though. Using a different brand version for my SS. Because its not applying sprung tension like a hanger style tensioner, its very quiet. Just needs adjusting as the chain wears. Much the same as a SS specific frame needs adjustment as the chain wears.
I'm looking for the same kind of thing at the moment but in med/large
This may do you?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195373851564
There's also a small Genesis IO around somewhere, Facebook perhaps
Following on from that last eBay link, I'd be all over this if I was the kind of midget who rides medium frames.
@legometeorology ooh that sir is a nice find! I know a car sprayer who’d give that a new lick of paint for beer money
Have sent the seller a message, does anyone know what size wheels these are for?
Budget is increasing and I now have someone who “definitely wants” my no logo flip flop bike (not holding my breath tbh) so we’re getting there…slowly so all being well, I’ll be able to get a SS specific frame as originally hoped
Still in no huge rush so options are still very open
Found some more I for on the longitude frame on t’web, good wheel size compatibility, says disc brakes but…not going to lie…all the holes are confusing me…
@donslow I think that's a 2016 Longitude, which looks to have come with 650b+ wheels
The BB is pretty low...
https://geometrygeeks.bike/bike/genesis-longitude-2016/
So I'd want to be running 29er for more techy riding, but for gravel/monstercross, some 650b 2.4-2.6" would prob be fine
It would almost certainly take a 29+ front too, and some years of the Longitude also took a 29+ at the rear (not sure if the 2016 model was one of these)
The disc brake mounts would all make sense if you had it in front of you, for sure
I also have my eye on the Singular that @montgomery linked, but I only need a frameset
If I were taller, I'd snap this up...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234708480393
Absolute bargain
@legometeorology I saw both of those but alas, too big for the little pins that hold me up
Keeping an eye on the longitude for now, looks just the ticket, I would possibly be looking at sticking some bouncy forks on it and keep the rigid ones “just in case”
hopefully I’ll have enough to snap it up before someone else does ha ha
@donslow ah, well if you are going for suspension, that may be the only model year of Longitude that will suit: I'm pretty sure most of the others have straight headtubes and shorter (non-sus corrected) forks
@legometeorology It’s not a deal breaker but options are always a good thing, right?!
I had one of those longitudes in a larger size. Its a 27.5+ frame but I think 29 would be easy. Fork had loads of clearance. I ran a 2.8" 27.5+ in the back on mine at the shortest setting. I think the fork is 100mm travel adjusted so sus can be run. I liked the one I had.
It’s not a deal breaker but options are always a good thing, right?!
For someone so easily paralyzed by choices as myself, not always 🙂
To add, I found the Genesis IO again, and it's dirt cheap:
Chaindevices can be very hit or miss. Mine required a lot of hacksawing to take out about 3/4 of the metal to allow it far enough up to clear the chainstay, and that's in push DOWN mode, up there was no chance of it working without a half link to get the tension closer to perfect without it rubbing on the chainstay.
On the upside mine had a slot where the wheel mounted. Swapped the guide for a jockey wheel and can now adjust the tension without having to move the whole guide.
It's also a lot noisier than a spung tensioner.
On balance, sprung tensioners just work flawlessly, it's not worth the faff trying to be different for the sake of no benefit. There's a reason why they're the prefered option for 99% of conversions. If you've got a blackspire style chaindevice then by all means try it but I wouldn't go out and buy one just to try.
That’s a steel at £40(pun intended) that will go quick they are great handling/comfy frames. Not using mine but I’ll never sell just incase 🙂
@legometeorology thankyou for finding that frame again, agreed, out and out bargain but I’m hesitant as there’s a niggle that inside that wonders if I’ll only end up swapping it later due to the, as I understand, max 2.2 tyre clearance on 27.5 wheels, again, probably me being unnecessarily picky
@thisisnotaspoon thanks for sharing your thoughts on chain devices / tensioners, makes a lot of sense and quite helpful
I don’t have one yet, was more of a “I found so could use this” idea
Still watching that longitude on the ‘bay hoping someone buys my ss road bike before it goes
Totally understand, that's why I've moved away from trying to repurpose a 26er frame, as I'm sure I'll just end up wanting to run a larger 650b tyre or a decent size 700c gravel tyre
What I really want is a nice 650b frame with sliding dropouts, like the old Pipedream Sirius or Kona Explosive
@legometeorology snap! Since starting this thread I’ve done a fair bit of searching / reading with a bit more knowledge of what I’m after
Think you’ve nailed it really
Nice frame
Disc brakes
Sliding dropouts
Enough room for a decent pair of 27.5 tyres
Job jobbed
Someone I know(Moi) has a med genisis IO frame with a very nice dt swiss fork taking up space😉😉🤦🏼♂️
Someone been reading my mind. I have regreted selling my IO a couple of years and want to replace it. Maybe somethng a bit more modern for 6650b wheels though but importantly not something to slow handling. I am a bit of adinosuar regarding MTBs but find that modern full suss things handle like Peter Fondas Harley. I want something nippy and sharp not a barge. Thoughts anyone.
@sparkyrhino nicely stealthed ha ha I’d have been tempted but alas…
A) medium will be too big for me
B) I think I’d want bigger than 2.2 27.5 tyres, I’m also assuming the fork is for 26er also?!
@mattsccm unfortunately I’m not the one to be able to offer any valuable advice but hopefully someone with better knowledge than I will be along shortly…
Stealth add, me, never. Fork is 26 but takes 27.5👍🏼😉
How about trying half link chain?
My 2p
I had a Pipedream I bought to build a SS around and it was great. A geared Ti456 was my "big" bike.
Years later I have a FS as my "big" bike and the Ti456 is SS with a tensioner. I've also run other frames as SS with a tensioner and would say they're overall, maybe easier than a "better" frame, with sliding dropouts, EBB or anything else. Sure it might be a little tricky getting the wheel out, but how often does one get a puncture these days? A sprung tensioner will keep tension even when the chain wears, where my commuter gets loose and wobbly until it drops and I think "oh yeah I should adjust that"
TLDR; get the frame you want and put a tensioner on.
I found my blackspire style device much quieter than a sprung version. A bit more fiddly to set up but once it's on its easy to adjust. I can't hear it at all while riding. My old sprung hanger tensioner drove me mad with the noise.
https://ridefarr.co.uk/products/farr-atb-frame-kit?variant=40422944997537
Great VFM at £250. Looks a tad steep but can't be sure w/o the fork length on the diagram. 69.5 deg if sagged on a 29er's ok, a quick-handling XC SS is no bad thing.
damn that's stupidly cheap
Have since been doing a fair bit of searching about and am currently keeping an eye on
2016 (?!) Genesis longitude with forks
Or
Kona unit 29er without forks
Genesis would work out around £40-£50 more after shipping
This build is going to be a slow one with bits to build it up bought on a monthly basis
Opinions please all?! What would the STW hive go for out of the two?!
Whilst I await a reply from the kona seller
Does anyone know if a 2006 unit frame will take suspension forks up front?
Google images suggest the 2006 Unit was designed around a short travel sus fork. Tbh though, that's not a great deal for such an old frame, in my opinion anyway
I doubt they'll be much difference between the 2016 Longitude or a Unit of roughly the same era (or older), although the latest Unit's are a much more low-long-slack modern geometry (although I'm not convinced that's all a good idea for a rigid build)
This is an obvious suggestion, but is the horizontal-dropout On One Inbred on your list? Those come up reasonably often and quite cheap
The old Genesis Latitude Alfine frame was damn nice too, but rare now
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/in-need-of-inspiration-show-me-your-genesis-high-latitude/
Does anyone know if a 2006 unit frame will take suspension forks up front?
They sure do, I had one many years ago, my first 29er I think, that I ran with a 100mm Rockshox Tora. One of the few frames that I regret selling, really nice bikes.
Thanks for the replies all
I have been looking out for an inbred (and many others) too but not coming up for sale in a small very often
Both the genesis and kona seem to be reasonably highly regarded frames, still undecided which to plump for, on a flip side, the genesis comes with forks already which would make the build a little quicker for now but the kona is 29er specific which would allow for wider tyres than if I put 29ers on the genesis (I’m guessing here)
I guess a lot of my current deliberation comes down to the fact the genesis auction ends tonight and am a little reluctant to let a potentially good deal slip by
As much as I regret selling my Kona Unit, I'm not sure £220 for a frame that's getting close to 20 years old constitutes a good deal, seems a bit steep to me.
Tis a fair point @bazz
I’ll be honest, I’m not often sure what is a good or not so good deal for bike frames, I always kind of figure, if I’d be happy paying that amount, it’s not a terrible deal, I think the genesis is still a forerunner for now u less I find something betterer before tonight’s auction ends
If anyone has any suggestions or has their google-fu skills honed in today, any finds or suggestions would be greatly appreciated
It was bad timing, but a day before I saw this thread, there was a small 2011 Unit frame + fork on ebay for £125 buy-it-now. So I think that 2006 one is way overpriced, but the Genesis is currently a bargin. Also, I would have thought 29er clearance would still be good on the Genesis with the wheel set back in the dropouts
This is almost certainly gone, but that would have been well worth it
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3337833/
@legometeorology that sir is a good find! Thankyou
Have sent the seller a message because…well, you never know
Apologies for continually bringing this up…
Still watching the longitude on eBay which I really like but have just found this which has piqued my interest a fair bit
-Designed for 26er but enough room (apparently) for 27.5 x 2.8
-100mm suspension fork compatible,
-Disc brakes
Price SEEMS reasonable
I like the look of it a lot, This could well be my new single speed project / build
I’m struggling to find a bad point, have I missed something?!
Anyone have any experience / comments / suggestions?!
Surly frames, I think, are renowned for being a bit heavy. But they’re well made, last a long time and for the price that looks like a great little frame and fork, you could do a lot worse than that.
@tuboflard largely what I suspected so that was all the confirmation I needed, many thanks
It’s got to be the one I think, pretty much the first frame I’ve seen since looking that had got me genuinely excited
What's the current tensioner of choice?
Currently considering the surly tugnut or something similar
This is going to be a (largely) slow build with getting a couple of bits a month until it’s rideable so if it takes a while to work out the tensioner situation it’s no real delay to overall progress
If you go for the Surly, post some pictures up of the build when you’re done!
Bought the surly!
Will be a couple of months or so (probably not this side of Christmas) but definitely expect pictures, a barrage of “wanted” ads and even more “help! How’s does this work / fit together / is this part right?” Posts ha ha
Thanks all for the replies and help…so far…
