So, I've lived close enough to work to be able to walk to the office for the last 4 years.
Looks like we'll be moving later on in the year and I can start riding in again, I used to ride in before I moved 4 years ago. I'll be able to use an old railway line so would prefer an MTB. Previously I rode in on a Genesis Fortitude single speed but they don't seem to do these anymore.
So do I try and find a Longitude, they seem scarce or go for something else.
Looking for rigid single speeds, preferably steel.
So do I try and find a Longitude, they seem scarce or go for something else.
Looking for rigid single speeds, preferably steel.
I found an honest one on Marketplace and made it mine. Was prepared to drive for a whole day to collect as thought it was worth it (it was, and some)
Have seen quite a few on there this last year as my search history tends to show me them.
Don’t know what else (29er?) specifically steel and singlespeed, except for golden oldies such as Kona Big Unit? Redline Monocog? Haro Mary SS? By then we’re well into rocking-horse poo farming…
Stanton Switch9er has swappable dropouts IIRC?
*Edit aren’t Stooge/some Stooge SS specific/capable?
Also just remembered Salsa El Mariachi, Singular Swift, Surly Karate Monkey? Surly ECR? There’s more than you think, when you think about it! Probably my favourite type of bike overall tbh. Just need to locate an affordable 88BCD 32T to finally try my Longitude in the singular fashion. It has replaced an SS P7* (26er) as my only MTB
*and that was bags of fun.
Good luck with yr hunt. Mention yr size and someone might flag something suitable?
Brother Cycles Big Bro
Stooge mk1-5 + other models are all EBB, so singlespeed friendly.
Surly do a variety of SS frames. Karate Monkey or Krampus are both 29"
I have a Stooge MK4 and a Krampus... both SS, and both great 😎
There are Kona Units about, although personally I'd go for the extra versatility of the Unit X and SS it, keeping the drivetrain for use later/on another bike.
Slightly leftfield option is the Salsa Timberjack Al frame, has 'swinger' dropouts so can be SS'd think there might be some availability: https://keeppedalling.co.uk/bikes/salsa-cycles/timberjack/
It's aluminium and has more trail geometry than a longitude, but would certainly do a good job - and relatively affordable at £505 for a frame.
Otherwise, Kona Unit or Unit X (SS dropouts readily available from Kona), an older 2nd hand SS Inbred 29er, they pop up occasionally. Stooge has the Rambler and Scrambler out this year I believe, with EBBs. Otherwise you're at the mercy of whatever pops up second hand, or using a tensioner on a normal frame..?
EDIT: Another random, more trail like bike is the Pipedream Sirius which has sliding dropouts, so SS would be easy. Some stock of frames depending on size...
Thanks all.
I may have to consider gears if I can't find a SS about, slight challenge is I'm 6'4"
There’s a nearly new XL on fleabay atm
I'm the same height, there are Units and Unit X's in XL in stock at various places. I was considering one myself. I currently have an old 26" Lava Dome with sliding dropouts that, despite some initial scepticism, have never budged (or creaked).
Can vouch for Unit's dropouts too, not used them SS but rock solid. Also, the XL frames will be longer than XL longitude too.
What’s not to like about a Unit X? Apart from of course the weight but same goes for Longitude and a lot of these mid-range steel beasts. Although with decent wheels and running SS they won’t be too slouchy. I like that the Longitude can carry my big old self and 20kg of stuff without flinching nor causing me timorous second-sight.
Stooge, Surly, Salsa as have been mentioned above. Also Pipedream ALICE is worth a look - adored mine (since replaced with a Stooge MK4).
Brother Cycles Big Bro
I've got one and its fab. I love it. But they don't sell them as complete bikes anymore.
Sonder Frontier looks OKAY and similar to Longitude. I had the 2016 Longitude and it was very decent, but nothing on the Big Bro.
Mk1 Ritchey P29er has sliding drop-outs
The Brother Big Bro looks good, now to try and find one.
Check out the head tube length before you hit the buy button.
I had the 2016 Longitude and it was very decent, but nothing on the Big Bro.
How so? Asking because I would consider upgrading my ‘Tude, and I rate my bike well enough but if ‘nothing’ on the Big Bro then a change could be amazing.
Appetite whetted!
Well, it's just a whole lot of fun to ride. Feels very responsive, tracks like a "knife" around corners. I do miss suspension from time to time, but where I live the trails aren't too rocky, so it's managable. If you were thinking of buying one, I wouldn't hesitate. They're just lovely bikes to ride.
The thing that I didn't like about the Longitude was, the bolts on the seat stays could dig into your inner knee if you had a leg straightened all the way back, when free wheeling.
Also, the fork angle seems to suit me better on the Bro
@fatmountain Thanks for that.
Yeah, long by name long by nature. I bought the Longitude with a focus on planned backpacking (long tours) and in that respect (and for carrying stuff ins general) I really do like it. But it understandably falls short as an only MTB when playtime arrives. As ever ymmv and compromises swing one way or the other. Suppose I just need to decide whether to compromise on bikepacking/touring potential to buy some more singletrack/fun potential. I’m more on the tour/commute side of things so.
Never had the seatstay bolt problems afaik, but do bolt this rack on the inside of the bosses and so choose to install no bolts on the outer.
N+1 territory methinks. Still toying with the idea of a dedicated 26er SS hardtail to complement the tourers/bikepackers as have a Dialled L/H ready to roll (but for a few bits and pieces)
Dang, OP you just missed an XL Big Bro 6 days ago on fleabay. May pay to set alerts as they do seem scarce.
That's a nice looking Big bro @Andy5390 ...are they 27.5 plus these days ? ..I personally prefer 29 plus for the extra rollability which (iirc )the earlier models were based on I believe. Also the BB aren't exactly cheap whereas a used longitude frame could be had at a fraction of that. I was actually lucky enough to be given one by an incredibly generous STWer !
@fatmountain ...I wondered if there wouldn't be such a difference if you'd owned another years model of the longitude as I believe the 2016 was the only version to come suspension corrected as well as having an aluminium fork which can't have improved things. They only had that version for the one year before reverting back to non sus corrected and steel up front.
That’s a nice looking Big bro @Andy5390 …are they 27.5 plus these days ? ..I personally prefer 29 plus for the extra rollability which (iirc )the earlier models were based on I believe. Also the BB aren’t exactly cheap whereas a used longitude frame could be had at a fraction of that. I was actually lucky enough to be given one by an incredibly generous STWer !
Thanks
I think they've always been either 27.5+ or 29, not too sure about 29+, though the latest frames now have boost spacing. Mines a 2019 model, which was £50 cheaper than the new one.
I built mine from the frame up with 29x2.3 Big Apples on 25mm rims. It's also got an SQlab 17 deg bar now, as I found the Jones one a bit too much
I think the Longitude is a great bike. My bike is the original 29 er version but I think the frame has remained almost the same since it was brought out (except for the second year they made it when they tried a suspension corrected frame and then reverted back).
I haven’t ridden a Big Bro but I have got an ECR and used to have a Troll. The longitude slightly slacker and longer than both and it is easier on rocky decents and is more fun unloaded. It’s not boost which has its pros and cons.
The Longitude has a slack seat angle too which I like but not everyone does.