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Had an itch to go singlespeed again after stumbling across the SSUK championships at Llandegla last year. I picked up a Moxie frame at a good price but it was 'longer' and just too big, so sold with the forks.
Now looking for a replacement frame. Requirements are 29" Boost and be true singlespeed-able (sliding dropouts or EBB).
Obviously there's Pipedream Moxie or the Sirius, various Surly models and then the On One Huntsman. Is there anything else I should be considering this side of expensive exotica?
stooge, big brother, singular all good readily available frames, it you like a slightly retro look with a amazing handling go stooge, for a more trad styleee go singular swift
From the 'Alloy XC Build' thread, the Kinesis FF29 would be an option ...
https://www.merlincycles.com/kinesis-ff29-mtb-frame-294484.html
Pace 529 has sliding dropouts.
Santa Cruz Chameleon. <br />Rides nicely but it’s a bit hefty.
Kona Unit has sliding dropouts
Salsa Timberjack.
I’ve also got a L Huntsman frame to sell if you’re interested, never been ridden I bought the bike and have stripped it down.
Always liked the identiti aka. 650b or 29er and adjustable dropouts for SS
I asked a similar question back in 2020 and had really helpful suggestions here. That thread might help but it was a while ago now and in the middle of covid which probably affected supply. Also the Singular swift was between production I seem to remember so not an option.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/please-help-me-with-a-singlespeed-frame-shortlist/
The biggest problem was finding stockists where I could go and have a look and test the bikes that had been suggested. I didn't want to buy something unseen/unridden. Don't know where you're based but I found a stockist of Brother Cycles not too far away from me in the UK and had a test ride on a Big Bro. Bought one and absolutely love it to bits. It's only been set up SS so far and I can't imagine that changing.
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Why don't you want vertical drop outs and a tensioner? I've been using that for years and, apart from the aesthetics, I can't think of a single disadvantage. (I have an Alfine tensioner which is excellent, others aren't so good)
So many more frame options, even full sisters, a doddle to change ratios, no messing about with chain length if you do, you can fit or remove gears as much as you like, so easy to set up, way more reliable than EBBs.
I suppose like many things, it's personal choice. Someone asked me why I wanted to single speed, which I found quite a strange question given it was quite clearly something I had chosen 😀
Anything with a PF30 bottom bracket.
Came to say Pace. Their hard tail frames are lovely things.
Nice looking bike! I've recently come across Brother Cycles, but not yet seen one in the flesh!
Thanks 🙂 I've haven't seen another one out and about.
Got tbh I wanted a pace 529 but couldn't afford and had very few problems with a Genesis Tarn (vertical dropouts) and a Surly tensioner, once the chainline was PERFECT it'd be faultless, could climb from Hebden centre up the main road to Heptonstall in 32x18 fine cranking the hell out of it on clips.
Sonder Broken Road titanium?
I've also got a Moxie. Any particular reason not just to go down a size? They are long, but I bought on the numbers rather than the recommendation for my height so mine's a pretty normal length for me in today's terms. I think they have a good feel about them and nice details - solid dropouts and stuff like cable clamps and a quality finish.
So many more frame options, even full sisters, a doddle to change ratios, no messing about with chain length if you do, you can fit or remove gears as much as you like, so easy to set up, way more reliable than EBBs.
My half sister's a pain in the arse. Are full ones better?
I do very much like my Moxie! A 160mm fork doesn’t seem very logical on a hardtail (although it’s designed for 140-170) but it works so well and feels so good for how I ride. Someone’s selling one with a rigid fork on the Pipedream Facebook group.
Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I’ve decided to go with a Pace 529.
Looking forward to getting it built up and living the SS life!
Don’t think you will regret it mate, I’m very impressed with my 627.
My half sister’s a pain in the arse. Are full ones better?
Genuine lol!
As mentioned earlier, any PF30 pushfit frame can take an EBB conversion BB. The only real reason not to use one is if you are on a lightweight carbon frame as the BB clamps between the faces, the manufacturers generally advise against it.
I think Wheels Manufacturing and Rideworks do them.