(Or one you admire from afar)
After acquiring yet another in a growing line (by way of a Longitude 29+) I realised that I have had a thing for them since always. From first Tomahawk to Dawes ATB to dodgy Raleigh Apex, via M-Trax to steel Konas w/P2s to Maxlight with butted prongs. Perma-locked-out Cannondale Fatties to Vagabond and Longitude. Something about (Haro) Mary or Surly some mistake?
Suckers for punishment or connoisseurs of simplicity, form and function?

My Solaris has been in rigid mode for three years now:

I bought a Unit a few months back. Its great.

Sigh, I wish I could. I think my biggest regret is giving away my old Orange Aluminium O.
Cannondale. Comes with an EBB so can be a singlespeed depending on my mood.
My Fatty. Probably my favourite bike ever. Both of these bought through the classifieds on here.
Fatty and Cooker SS.
Do CX bikes count? Two of those.
Just sold my vagabond.
CBA to go and photograph them 😂
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/7800/47570188141_f30b5097a4_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/7800/47570188141_f30b5097a4_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
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Brutal fast, spine shattering mode...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40891256813_cce7204282_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40891256813_cce7204282_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/25iqo2c ]FatboySlim[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/92694523@N06/ ]tom.howard.562[/url], on Flickr
Space hopper mode...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40891255593_f2db9c67dd_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40891255593_f2db9c67dd_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/25iqnEa ]FatboySlim[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/92694523@N06/ ]tom.howard.562[/url], on Flickr
My Frontier before I ditched the Jones Bars ..
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48444088871_73807e64d4_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48444088871_73807e64d4_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNQBRz ]EEE6EFB0-6F50-491C-9B3A-115E8CEEA43B[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/183190630@N08/ ]Carl Elston[/url], on Flickr
Back up a minute.
Malvern what is that and where can i buy two
My Brother Big Bro - mid build.
It's now complete but I have no pics yet
Its lovely malvern
No it means i need some steel forks again.
That SingleBe looks amazing ^^^
Prepping for the puffer this year
Finishing CG loop last year
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwyhpAJgoai/
Being abused at 10under the ben
A very versatile and fast while remaining fun bike still going strong after 10 years.
#brantbrantbrant
Not the best picture, but here's my big bro.
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/wj6jCDHb/MVIMG-20190629-102006.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/wj6jCDHb/MVIMG-20190629-102006.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://postimages.org/ ]image hosting services[/url]
Suckers for punishment or connoisseurs of simplicity, form and function?
None of that bollocks. Rigid bikes are much nicer to pedal - they don't boing around or squish when you brake. And you can have a steeper head angle which makes them handle better on normal ground. So if you aren't riding anything bumpy or steep, they are preferable.
Mine gets used for mixed rides like I used to do back in the 90s, like a hardcore gravel bike, because I live in geography where that's useful.

ACH I've ridden a majority of enduro trails around here on mine.
It's just slower.
The only ones I don't do is the one that you need to take big air to get down.....more for fear of damaging an irreplaceable bike.
Rigid bikes are much nicer to pedal
Still riding an orange full sus I see. Tbh the DW link on the ibis is just fine. To pedal. There's no bouncing unless I'm pedaling squares badly
Now my only bike and it is great. Surprisingly fast, even on the road. Just waiting for some Junker bars and I’ll be getting some more all round tyres at some point. As a bike to do a bit of everything it’s a great compromise. Doesn’t hurt that I love the look and colour of it too

Selling a Mk1 F&F if anybody wants to join the rigid club.
I'm all for form follows function but that stooge has taken it a step too far.
Still riding an orange full sus I see. Tbh the DW link on the ibis is just fine. To pedal. There’s no bouncing unless I’m pedaling squares badly
There is if you stand up. I'd forgotten the pleasure and satisfaction of standing up and battering the pedals until I'd had my rigid bike for a few months, because I'd been riding FS for so long.
I ride FS or rigid, depending on what kind of ride I'm doing. An Orange FS or a Trek, and neither bob with pedalling input. They bob if I move my body weight up and down though,
That unit and whatever Malvern has are both really nice
I’m all for form follows function but that stooge has taken it a step too far.
It rides great on everything I’ve tried it on so far and I love the look of it. Each to their own though. Out of curiosity have you ridden one?
Sorry . Stooge taken form over function?
I think you'll find it functions fine.
One of the few bikes I've ridden that have made me think twice about my ragley.
They are excellent fun to ride as an all day bike.
Whoa hang on.
Sorry . Stooge taken form over function?
I didn't say that. Read it again.
Form follows function = It looks like it does as a result of what it does, I'm assuming quite well?
I just think personally I might rather have slightly less function and a bit more form which lets face it probably would still out class my abilities 😀
Also Funkmasterp I wasn't talking about yours thats about my sweet spot and I like it quite alot.
Sorry Josh! Reading comprehension failure on my behalf. Where are you, if you’re anywhere near Cheshire you’re more than welcome to have a go on it 😀
Greenpuss:
Redpuss:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445292477_4fec96e485_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445292477_4fec96e485_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNWMDp ]Stw[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/26091960/ ]GRAEME JONES[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445135081_8ea258ecbe_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445135081_8ea258ecbe_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNVYRF ]Stw[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/26091960/ ]GRAEME JONES[/url], on Flickr
Sonder Vir Fortis, full carbon Fat Bike.
Sonder Camino AL. That's Hatchmere at Delamere which is now fenced off due to an outbreak of Blue Green Algae.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445290452_0c9bf51d23_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445290452_0c9bf51d23_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNWM3u ]Stw[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/26091960/ ]GRAEME JONES[/url], on Flickr
url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445290162_607e055cea_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445290162_607e055cea_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNWLXu ]Stw[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/26091960/ ]GRAEME JONES[/url], on Flickr
20 year old Scott Vail Pub Bike.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445287292_2149b33121_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48445287292_2149b33121_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gNWL71 ]Scott[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/26091960/ ]GRAEME JONES[/url], on Flickr
Had a niner rigid, now got a swift rigid.
Had a heated discussion with a guy at work who tried to say no suspension meant they were hybrid bikes.
Sorting out piccy links soon
Had a heated discussion with a guy at work who tried to say no suspension meant they were hybrid bikes.
He’s wrong. Give him a slap from me
Kona Lava Dome. Never gets old.

My Transition Klunker for hacking about / dog walk bike
[url= https://i.ibb.co/GsKqtXL/6-D2-D24-CE-CDE8-4-F83-9-BA4-A52-E5935-C469.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/GsKqtXL/6-D2-D24-CE-CDE8-4-F83-9-BA4-A52-E5935-C469.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://freeonlinedice.com/ ]two fair dice[/url]
The mighty Dune.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/2950/34111460562_e8c8aa0fcd_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/2950/34111460562_e8c8aa0fcd_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TYj9No ]Dune under[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/79912681@N06/ ]blackteaonesugar[/url], on Flickr
That Unit and whatever Malvern has
Nah that Singlebe is just me dreaming. I have a Longitude and already missing the Vagabond (sigh) so hope it will sink in properly after a while. That Unit does look truly 'right' in a similar way to that Singlebe. Here's the front end and it looks just as lush as the rear. Woof. Etc. I want it. Even if it's missing sliding dropouts. Grr.

I have some absolutely awe inspiring rigid 20mm steel forks that put even my old Niner RDOs to shame.
Obvs mated to a steel frame running ss.
🤘
Liking the red Surly however prefer steel forks to carbon from experience.
I’m not an amazingly experienced mountain biker at all, but every time I ride suspension I think ‘this feels a tiny bit faster but weird’. I never get used to how it moves under me- too long on rock solid track and tt bikes- and I find rigid makes me go more sensible speed downhill, which in public trails with dog walkers etc is probably good
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Genesis Tarn. Cheapest bike I have bought myself in 8 years (750 all in) and gets used for bikepacking and wee ride baby carrying.
but every time I ride suspension I think ‘this feels a tiny bit faster but weird’. I never get used to how it moves under me
think I am the same. Have tried suspension forks a few times over the last twenty years (last time was a couple of month in Spring this year but always go back to rigid and always go back to single speed or fixed. I think it is because my cycling from age 4 to 18 was on rigid, single speed bikes (mostly BMX) so they just feel right.
My only MTB is a Cotic Solaris
It's basically the same as Whitestone's above but in duck egg blue
I have a sus fork for it which it used to run, but has been rigid for a long while now
Finished building this about a month ago, first frame of my own. Definitely tends more towards drop bar rigid MTB than gravel bike, geometry loosely based on a Salsa Fargo. Using it for bikepacking and long gravel rides.
Surly Krampus, new to me:
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48451727796_4eb23f0fec_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48451727796_4eb23f0fec_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gPvLDb ]Surly Krampus[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinddd/ ]martinddd[/url], on Flickr
Just done 403 miles / 43296' bikepacking on this beastie.
My Genesis Fortitude Race. My favourite bike - I'm currently having a clear out and this is the only one I'm keeping.
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My go to bike. Ride this more than any other bike I have as it’s the most rewarding and simple set up which I love.
Rubbish at setting up pics.
But it would include Kona Kilaeua (with RC31s) and Swift (with often plus front and 29r rear).
There's a lot of Cheshire riders on this thread - must be something about that place that suits them...
This is in Big Wood next to Marbury Park some years ago, but it looks no different now really. Done a 20 mile bimble on it this very day!

Soooo, if I was to put a rigid fork on my Orange Clockwork 100 29er, coz the ancient Recons on it are rubbish heavy and knackered,what are the recommended not silly expensive ones?
I'd probably be looking at boost/29+ for the option of a bit of cush and a bit of future flexibility.
Think Carbon would suit it better than steel, and I like the look of the monocoque type forks more.
my favourite bikes have mostly been rigid singlespeeds..... currently only got the one bike, a singular gryphon. this is it when i was building it up with some h-bar copies, but ive since swapped back over to ragley luxy bars, i really should take a pic, ive had it long enough now....
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prior to that a swift.....
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before that a soulcraft plowboy....
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but.... i think every time i look at old pics of this one, i realise i should never have sold it. cant remember who i sold it to to ask if its still alive, but i think its been my favourite bike so far, an old kilauea that i had converted to ss and re-sprayed. hydraulic v's, silver glitter saddle, lovely to ride, so much fun, why oh why oh why DID I SELL IT??
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Mary H- most deffo Niner rigids although Whiskey probably more available nowadays
My current swift

My old niner emd

Exotic by carboncycles get good write-ups. Never had one myself. I do remember some complaints about their warranty and customer service but that was years ago now. They make a nice monocoque version - reviewed in the magazine I think. I seem to recall that they were rumoured to be making forks for a fairly big name outfit - maybe even whiskey, can't recall now.
Just bought a Genesis Tarn frame with their carbon rigid fork, going to try single speed for the first time too so this thread is providing inspiration! This 'winter bike' is going to come in useful this summer....
simplicity, form and function
That bit. The form bit, less so but I think rigid bikes have more chance of looking good than a susser.
This isn't a bike I'd buy for the looks but I love how the function drives the form so well. Helps that it's such a great ride loaded or unloaded. Had it 7+ years now, this one won't die!
Merlin Malt 2 from 2008. Went rigid at the beginning of this year and love it. a lot faster on the commute.
This has since been replaced with a carbon Dude, which is also rigid, but this looks better 🙂
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My 26er Barry White Inbred with Exotic Carbon Forks (465mm A-C length) that I fitted a couple of months ago.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48461258251_b84654d1e4_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48461258251_b84654d1e4_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2gQmBHn ]2019-08-05_10-26-41[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/me96kka/ ]STW stumpy01[/url], on Flickr
On One Lurcher

DeKerf 29er Rohloff


My 2010 Jones. Recently re-sprayed and re-built. Love this bike, especially on tight, twisty trails and downhill switchbacks.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BcP8moNpbQ91npKQA
My Bombtrack Beyond+ which I can't get to show up!!
Oh here it is!!
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Not the best photo but the only one I have to hand. Comfortable (86 miles on it yesterday), fast good fun. Also good for squashing lazy full suspension habits :D.
Thought it a bit "wrong" to post an unfinished bike earlier, here's the finished article. Brother Cycles Big Bro, with some Hope bits, WTB rims, M6000 group, Jones Loop Bar
That Big Bro looks lovely. Tempted to go for Big Apples on my Stooge. How do you find them for multi-terrain use?
Great on the usual potholed roads, these are 29x2.35 BTW. On the 1 mile hard packed gravel stretch on my commute, they can be a bit sketchy in tight corners, wet grass is almost ice-like, never tried any muddy bits yet. I previously had a Longitude with 2.8 WTB Rangers which cornered much better on the gravel (obviously being knobbly tyres), and I don't ride hard and fast.
Might change them for a "mild" MTB tread pattern tyre, we'll see, they're still relatively new.
I think that pink Kilauea ended up with me, not sure if I bought it off you directly or via someone else as it was years ago... I'm assuming it's the same one as there can't be many others like it, same size, colour and decals and converted to track ends, I'm 99.9% sure it's that one, here's what it was like with me:

If is then I'm sad to say it's probably dead... I passed it on to someone once I found the 4th crack, they said they were going to attempt to fix it but I think it was too far gone.
hm, I too have a Kilaeua ('95 I think I established) converted to track ends..
My Jones 29er
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