Ok, so i know its not everyones cup-o-tea, but since perusing this website and the plethora of forum posts on the pro's and cons of single speed i thought i would have a go at building one, and here it is for you to 'hopefully' enjoy.
The basis was a very clean TREK 800 which did come with matching forks, bad news was it had a Quill adaptor stuck solid and was extremely rough in the bearing dept, despite my best efforts to un-seize the said quill adaptor i decided that i could not wait any longer,and my trusty hacksaw came to the rescue.
With some Black Cro-Mo forks and new bearings installed the Single Speed TREK started to take shape. Some ARAYA rims clad with Schwalbe City Jet Tyres, and a Superstar Single Speed conversion kit were fitted, and adapting a Shimano Deore LX Crankset and some Stronglight 5mm Chainring bolts the project came from a mere idea to a fully fledged SS.
Avid brakes fitted to slow down this very light and nimble steed, and a Kevlar/Cro-Mo saddle to keep the ride comfortable. Race Face Good/Evil grips despite being new and modern provide some plush rubber comfort on the hands.
And there you have it, my first scratch built Single Speed.
How does it ride, well i am still getting used to not having gears but it rides very smooth and handles like a dream, it seems so well balanced and nible it really is ideal for both urban enviroment and also on the 'not to technical trail'
Anyone fancy giving it a go, i say go for it
you just wont know what its all about until you sit astride a single speed mountain bike.
The basis was a very clean TREK 800 which did come with matching forks, bad news was it had a Quill adaptor stuck solid and was extremely rough in the bearing dept, despite my best efforts to un-seize the said quill adaptor i decided that i could not wait any longer,and my trusty hacksaw came to the rescue.
With some Black Cro-Mo forks and new bearings installed the Single Speed TREK started to take shape. Some ARAYA rims clad with Schwalbe City Jet Tyres, and a Superstar Single Speed conversion kit were fitted, and adapting a Shimano Deore LX Crankset and some Stronglight 5mm Chainring bolts the project came from a mere idea to a fully fledged SS.
Avid brakes fitted to slow down this very light and nimble steed, and a Kevlar/Cro-Mo saddle to keep the ride comfortable. Race Face Good/Evil grips despite being new and modern provide some plush rubber comfort on the hands.
And there you have it, my first scratch built Single Speed.
How does it ride, well i am still getting used to not having gears but it rides very smooth and handles like a dream, it seems so well balanced and nible it really is ideal for both urban enviroment and also on the 'not to technical trail'
Anyone fancy giving it a go, i say go for it
you just wont know what its all about until you sit astride a single speed mountain bike.
