Should I go Rigid SS?

bluben79
bluben79 Posts: 37
edited June 2014 in MTB general
I have a Merlin Malt 2 which I bought ten years ago and used alot for 3 or 4 years. Kids came along and it hasn't really seen the light of day until recently but they are a bit older and keener to ride more often. I'm really interested in going single speed and getting a rigid fork as alot of the rides are with the kids are on the flat and thinking about the old trails I used to ride I think I could manage it fairly easily.

My question is I'm not at all mechanically minded so what practicalities do I need to consider and what components would you suggest, particularly forks. Also is my Malt 2 26" frame upto the job or have things moved on considerably?

Thanks

Comments

  • buddy_club
    buddy_club Posts: 935
    Be fine for rigid ss, exotic cycles do some decent cheap carbon forks, get a singlespeed kit from somewhere like superstar, and bobs your uncle. If it hasn't got sliding dropouts then you might want a chain tensioner for rougher trails.
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  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Some decent forks off ebay and the On-one single speed conversion kit (or find a kit on ebay used), sorted.....that and 30 minutes to fit it and resize the chain!

    Shouldnt cost you much more than about £50-60.

    If you want some lighter forks, the Mosso are a really nice option in terms of weight and price although they are a bit harsh feeling and aren't designed for big hits, I run them on my commuter.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Find forks that are suspension adjusted (ie they are the height of a suspension fork with sag not just the height of a wheel) or they will throw off the handling.

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  • booldawg
    booldawg Posts: 290
    Carbon Cycle Exotic forks is what I have on my rigid SS - very good quality and know a few people that ride them. They come in 2 sizes for 26" frames; 42.5 and 44.5. the smaller ones are equivalent to 80mm travel and the other ones 100mm travel. I find they do soak up a fair bit of small bounce due to the material. Not sure if I'd fancy alu or steel forks (especially on an alu frame).

    Velosolo do lots of decent SS bits, also On-One/Planet X. I struggled to find a cheap(ish) SS crank but went for the Shimano Zee in the end as its a dedicated SS Hollowtech crank sub £100.

    The steel frame/carbon rigid fork combo I run is fairly comfortable off road - its never going to be a good idea to take bit hits.
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  • boomco21
    boomco21 Posts: 22
    In a word, .........no
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    Yes why not it costs a few quid and if you dont like it then it takes 20 minutes to put everything back as it was. I did it a couple of years ago to an On One Inbred steel frame and use it to commute and ride light trails/canal towpaths.
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  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    I did it too years back and found I couldn't get up most hills and the downhills were boring because I couldn't get up any speed. Brilliant.

    1x7/8/9/10/11 makes sense because you can change the 1 part to give you a ratio suited to your local trails - 1x1 only works if you always go up or downhill on a specific gradient or live in holand. Fact.
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  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Why bother?
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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Nice as an extra bike. Not as the main ride.
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  • booldawg
    booldawg Posts: 290
    With Supersonic on this. I use mine for the commute bike (off road) and shorter distances without ridiculous hills.

    Its been a winner for the ride to work through the winter, low maintenance on the drive parts.

    Its a good training tool as well. I've notice I can climb a lot steeper on the geared bike.

    An SS isn't a bike for applications but it does have its plus sides.
    1999 Scott Vail - Work commute
    2015 Giant Anthem 27.5 SX - Weekend riding


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  • bluben79
    bluben79 Posts: 37
    Thanks for the replies guys, I've tried one out and decided that its not for me.
  • Thewaylander
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,594
    Was going to say... No.
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    bluben79 wrote:
    Thanks for the replies guys, I've tried one out and decided that its not for me.

    Its the only way ss is a love hate thing no one can tell if they like it till they have tried it.
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  • booldawg
    booldawg Posts: 290
    To quote one of my riding buddies 'Single Speed is for angry people'.....
    1999 Scott Vail - Work commute
    2015 Giant Anthem 27.5 SX - Weekend riding


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  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Makes sense to build one up if you're strapped for cash and live somewhere flat, I certainly wouldn't spend money to achieve it! ;) Good decision, haha.
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    B'Twin Triban 5

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