I was a spectator at the Dorset Gravel Dash at the weekend chatting to people, looking at bikes, looking at more bikes. Seems like a great event but it got the N+1 itch going again.I've got most of the niches covered if it's made of steel, but I saw a few nice looking steel 29ers that looked really good. I think the guy who came in third in the 100 mile was riding a single speed Singular Swift. Impressive.
Looking at getting one second hand (around £4-500) so doesn't have to be the latest model, but it has to have the ability to go Single Speed and geared. I'm after something springy and skinny as I've got some chunky steel frames already (was going to get some 29er wheels for the Puffin but fear it might be a bit heavy), so the classic steel 29er really. Large in size it must be and ideally can fit 2.4 tyres.
Ideas so far are:
Singular Swift - Can never seem to find one at a good price.
Salsa El Mariachi - rare.
Kona Unit - A bit chunky?
Brother Big Bro - Is it springy?
Stooge Mk4 - I have a mk3 so maybe not different enough.
Any experience or ideas appreciated?
Cheers!
Got no bike suggestions but a rigid 29er is an excellent bike to have.
Same boat as you.
I just fancy a Steel Rigid 29er (probably SS) to do more XC stuff and zero maintenance workhorse.
Stooge Mk4 – I have a mk3 so maybe not different enough.
I've had a Mk1 & 2 and loved them. The Mk4 looks like a completly different beast to the Mk3.
It's got very different geometry and crazy offset forks. Andy is also aiming to cut some weight out.
I think it'll feel more different to your Mk3 than a Swift would.
I've got a Mk4 on order. Can't wait!
Find a Genesis Fortitude.
I sold mine earlier this year to build a drop bar gravel bike. The Genesis was Superb, and sometimes I wonder whether I should have kept it rather than build the drop bar bike.
Salsa El Mar is ace, the one I was selling is sold pending funds, but it was a cracking bike
Saying that my other MTB is also a rigid steel 29er. It's a Mk1 Solaris with travers prong forks. Suits my riding - which is generally at the less techy end of the scale. It's light and fun, big fan
So you could always get a hardtail and stick a rigid fork on
There is an XL singular in the classifieds now.
Thanks all.
Fortitude - good call if I am find one.
BenP - I did enquire about your salsa but I was too late. Again.
Swift in classifieds - a bit pricey for me.
Edit. I see it is a rooster. Tempting.
I'm more than happy with my Swift; I run it as a sort of flat bar gravel bike, but doesn't your Stooge already tick all of the boxes for you already?
For anyone else on the lookout for something similar, I've just spotted a rather nice [url= https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STOOGE-MK-3-BIKE-PACKING-ADVENTURE-BIKE-29-er-NEW-UNUSED/183826439661?hash=item2acce8dded:g:16cAAOSwcj1c67yK ]complete Stooge[/url] on Ebay, but I can't imagine it'll stay at £99 for long.
There's a [url= https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Singular-Gryphon-MK1-29er/143267461217?hash=item215b67f861:g:ixoAAOSwdStc4ANZ ]complete Singular Gryphon[/url] on Ebay too for £400 but it's collection only & drop barred (not sure if that would be a problem).
The stooge is great but it’s not ever going to be a relatively lightweight 29er - just too chunky for that.
You should sell the Mk3 Stooge to me. That is all the input I have.
The Kona Unit is not 'chunky'. It's a good weight for the frame material, lighter than you would expect. I has a test ride on one the other week and it felt great.
Karate monkey Ops?
Isn't there a new batch of Singular Swifts on the way?
having had loads of steel hardtails running single speed the genesis longitube is my current bike and fav
having said that at 2 years old it has had a crack under the steerer tube a crack on the chainstay and a crack round the seat tube all welded up and touch wood been fine since
Salsa El Mar is ace
That's what I have but they don't make them any more.
having said that at 2 years old it has had a crack under the steerer tube a crack on the chainstay and a crack round the seat tube all welded up and touch wood been fine since
Don't Genesis give a lifetime frame warranty these days? And...what kind of riding are you doing 😜
Ritchey P29?
There is a large frame on eBay- not mine
Always liked the look of them
Might struggle SS without tensioner
Longitude a good call - cracking frames.
Regarding the new swift, it’s very hard to find out info about them. Been searching for one of the last batch but people don’t seem to be selling. Says it all really.
I bought a Vagabond, fits the bill nicely.
I had a Mk1 Ritchey P29er - nice bike - I sold it as I replaced it with a custom ti 29+ but wish I'd kept it as a SS.
I probably say it perhaps a few too many times on here but my Singular Rooster is one of my favourite bikes I’ve ever owned. Unless I’m riding tech trail centre or Enduro trails it’s the only bike I take out. Run as 29+ it is super comfy and covers the miles really well. I always come back from riding it with a smile 🙂
EDIT: Weekend Ride
According to Sam a month ago when I contacted him the new Swift will be
29+ compatible,
tapered HT,
thru axles F&R - 110-145,
internal dropper post routing,
EBB,
Columbus tubing
31.6 seatpost
If you picture a blue Rooster and squint a little bit you will be very close.
Due summertime, same geo as Mk3, probably good old blue.
New swift sounds interesting. Are those axle standards the normal ones? I have a st Swiss front wheel that is 100mm qr that can be converted.
On-One should (based on what I’ve read) have the Boot Zipper coming out soon?
No sell the mk3 to me.
What colour and size is it?
Cash waiting.
No sell the mk3 to me.
What colour and size is it?
Cash waiting.
Get in the queue sunshine 😉
Are mk3 stooges that sought after? They didn’t sell out that quickly.
Don’t get me wrong, the 29er is an extra to the stooge and it would only be replaced with a mk4.
So, potentially for sale in the future. Orange, large, brilliant machine.
Argh! Why am I so short.
Mk3 Stooge was the only model available as a large wasnt it? OP i would be interested if large.
I reckon you should just pay the premium for the Swift when one comes along. There's a reason they make good money SH. I'd rather pay the same for a SH Swift than a new OO for example. (I have both)
I have mine set up as an off road tourer/pootler. Sometime SS, mostly Rohloff. It's such a versatile frame. I tried a gravel bike for a while, but the Swift with Jones bars is so much better.
Much as I love my dropper posts, and wouldn't be without one on my 'proper' MTB's, the skinnier ST on the Swift is super comfy. It really seems to have nailed the compromise between comfy and stiff. It's so sweet handling on flowing ST too.
I really don't think beefy thru axles are required on a bike of this type either.
The downside is the lack of mounts for mudguards and racks, fork cages etc. I'm using mine loaded a fair bit, and mount's would be good.
The only thing tempting me away from it is another ChiTi custom frame. It would have similar geo, but with a high front end and the aforementioned mounts.
Mine and my mate Andy's on an Albanian tour recently -
[img] 
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The downside is the lack of mounts for mudguards and racks
The 2016 version of the Swift had rack/mudguard mounts on the frame, but oddly the companion fork didn't have mudguard eyelets. Sam mentioned that the fork for the new Swift would have mudguard eyelets, but of course it'll be tapered so won't fit older models.
There was a touring fork available for the Swift with a whole raft of bosses; I don't know whether they're be a version for the new model, but again it would be tapered.
If you have a Stooge already, it def seems like you should look for something very much light and springy XC. I'm not sure a Kona Unit, anything Surly, or Brother Cycles would do that.
I'd agree with the Ritchey P29 suggestion above, I had one for a while and it was awesome. But tricky to find cheap, and for SS you'd need a tensioner with the newer versions as they didn't have sliding dropouts (not sure if that's an issue for you)
Otherwise a Swift or Salsa El Mar' could work as you say. Possibly a Genesis High Latitude too, if you wanted cheaper and less rare.
im with Markie. The new Bootylicker from On-One looks worth checking out when it arrives
re Swift Mk 3/4/n:
I *believe* there will be a touring fork, but yes tapered.
No more straight steerer touring forks in stock.
As above, can conform the later Swifts have rack mounts on the frame.
Get in the queue sunshine 😉
Its yours.
Dibs on the first 18" Plum that comes up.;-)
The one one seems to be 650b which isn’t ideal.
The mk3 was the only one that came in large. Interestingly the new one isn’t that much shorter than the current large so it will probably fit me well at 6’1”. Quite a comfy setup as it is with a very short stem and wide bars.
Those Nordest bikes are lovely and clean looking, their new steel version of their Ti Britango is lovely.
[IMG] 
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So, I made a rash purchase as something came up on the Lfgss forum for a decent price and very local. Despite worries of it being too "chunky", too big and too red I bought a Kona Unit X frameset. It's XL, so it is mahoosive in the extreme but I'm going to build it up with a load of spare parts from the shed and see how it goes. If it's crap for me then I'll move it on.
Ok, the frame weighs just under 3kg (not the springy steel whippet I was after perhaps) but, it will take massive tyres, seems very versatile, looks good for bikepacking and what have I got to lose? Maybe my dignity, but there's not much left so I took a punt.
Quick build up with 29er wheels and it looks ok. Might just work.
Might be looking for a skinny steel 29er in a few months. Maybe not.
Appreciate all the ideas on the thread.
If anyone has a 16" On One Inbred 29er for sale, please message me 👍
Saw that come up on LFGSS. Bargain! Seller a really nice guy as well.
Trawling da bay & spotted this:
too big for me, might suit someone, crazy cheap.
EDIT: ahhhh - its got a 5mm x 10mm downtube dent which he doesn't show.....
Did you mean frame AND fork just under 3kg?
Kona Units always look fabulous by the way.
Does it have to be rigid and steel and a 29er? Have you thought about a Bird Aeris? They're supposed to be pretty good.
If it 3kg for frame and fork I would be very happy!
It’s 2.9kg for frame and 1.3kg for fork. Solid is a good description.
As I said, it’s no lightweight but I’ll built it, ride it and see how it feels. Suspect too long/bug but we shall see.
I’m sure the bird is good, but seems a long way from the rigid steel thing I’m after.
I am going to be selling my Large Singular Rooster frame, forks and 29 plus wheels in next few days if anyone interested?
Might be interested in the singular - do you know how much that weighs? What colour is it?
Root - interested to hear how you are getting on with the Unit?
My Singular Swift, rigid, is my favourite bike. Fits and rides like a dream. Also set up as a gravel bike type thing at the moment. Conti Race King 2.0 tyres and it was perfect on the Badger Divide. I'd only sell it for a Ti version.
Selling my Stooge Speedball to fund a trip if anybody interested? Ad in the classifieds.
Also, if anyone has been inspired by the OPs purchase of a Kona Unit, I have a frame with fork for sale in the classifieds for only £225...
Apologies for not updating the thread - been a busy few weeks. I must admit I haven't ridden the Unit yet as I've been slack in building it up, but it's just about ready with my 29+ front and B+ rear wheel. I think it looks better with chunky rubber. It's a MASSIVE bike, must be as long as a bus, but riding it around the garden it seems to fit me quite well. The reach measurement is the longest I have ever seen but it doesn't feel it. Will look forward to riding it when I get the opportunity.
Do you think it looks too big?
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Looks nice
Shame about the crocs
What, the best house to garden to house transition shoe in the world? I think not.
Can’t be easy to asses it for feel when riding with a fogged up goldfish bowl on your head...
That’s my best side
That slide is rubbish. Why’s it got a runway at the end of it? I’m not sure from the trailers, but I reckon you’re actually a villain in the new Spider-Man film.
Kids love the slide. Extension serves two purposes: protecting the grass from heels digging in, and giving prolonging the kinetic sliding experience. We have another extension that goes on, hose it down and it saves a ticket to Chessingron WoA.
Edit: it’s higher than it looks.
