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How about a Soma Juice?
https://swishcycles.co.uk/product/soma-juice/
Expensive, though nice steel XC frame with sliding dropouts that you won't see a lot of on the trails.
soma juice really nice! I looked at the kona, also nice and good price. thankyou 🙂
mboy I need something I can buy easily really, I don't have the time or patience to hunt stuff down. but thank you 🙂
Just to reiterate a couple of other comments, start looking at frames with PF30 pushfit BBs. You can fit a compatible EBB that bolts in (not pushfit) to do your chain tensioning. Had mine four months, it's not creaked or slipped or been sworn at so far...the only slight issue is I'm not convinced the bearings are that great on my Problem Solvers one, but a new pair of Enduro ones are £20.
They don't expand in the shell like a traditional EBB, and they clamp over the BB shell rather than an interference fit. Shand spec them on their full builds.
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I'm running a Pace RC627 with a a Fox 36 150mm fork single speed at the moment. It will take 27.5, 27.5+ and 29er tires (up to 2.35)
I also have a Ti RSD Middlechild with sliding drop outs, but haven't tried it single speed yet.
I had a SC Chameleon which was nice single speed, their swing out drop out system is great when it doesn't crack the frame.
I had the 1st version of the Santa Cruz Chameleon V7 (the 2017 green and purple one), which cracked at the brake side dropout where the dropout barrel nut adjuster fits in the frame. The material thickness where it cracked (where the barrel nut fits) was very thin - less than 1 mm. Santa Cruz replaced the frame under warranty no hassle with the 2019 version, which has a thicker material section where the barrel nut fits and so should not crack again. No other issues aside from that.
I bought my chameleon off here as a frame second hand (2008 _ 10) frame and it was a beast... Pretty much indistructable I reckon. £200 should get one.
Also had a Kinesis Decade as singlespeed which was nice.
Thinking about it I've got a fairly much mint Fire Eye flame in green (Google it) which is 17" and has a swap out type arrangement which was good for singlespeed. Been hanging up in the garage for about 5 years now. Be willing to part for quite a cheap price I reckon.
Thinking about it I’ve got a fairly much mint Fire Eye flame in green (Google it) which is 17″ and has a swap out type arrangement which was good for singlespeed. Been hanging up in the garage for about 5 years now. Be willing to part for quite a cheap price I reckon.
For how much? I have googled it, nice colour but don't know anything about them 🙂
That’s a nice build, bit overpriced IMO but might be worth an offer?
That is nice, as you say a bit much with a rigid fork when I want suspension...
Anna..£80. I'm in Milton Keynes.
They are a steel trail bike really. Will accept long travel forks to about 160mm if required. Can be run geared or singlespeed via the swap out dropout system , just change as you need.
Giant XTC Advanced can be run single speed 29er or 27.5+.
I have to confess there aren’t too many around s/h though. Can pick up a NOS full build geared for £1500
Genesis longitude has slidding dropouts.
Not on mine, (MK1) - but it does have horizontal track ends so still suitable for SS
Rigid forks only, and pretty sure that is the case on all Longitudes
OP, here’s also bit of a list (US bias though, but many extra suggestions in the thread commentary):
https://forums.mtbr.com/singlespeed/singlespeed-bikes-frames-2019-20-a-1106367.html
Sorry by sliding i meant track style ends (as in the wheel slides). Mine will accept 100mm suspension forks. The rigid forks on it are suspension adjusted.
Anna..£80. I’m in Milton Keynes.
They are a steel trail bike really. Will accept long travel forks to about 160mm if required. Can be run geared or singlespeed via the swap out dropout system , just change as you need.
thanks Donks, I think I need xc rather than trail, shorter fork than the fire eye. I do pretty much all my riding these days XC in Wiltshire, nothing very gnarr-y round here and I don't want the weight of a bike I don't need.
I'm really liking the look of the Soma Juice ATM, typically though I love the baja blue which has been superseded by grey... 😀 I'm also looking at the kingdom vendetta, partially as I'm not far from TF tuned and they are a dealer. I've made a list of bikes and enjoying doing the research. Interesting to know that the Spesh HT has the right drop outs, both my current bikes are spesh, so whilst it would be nice to have a change, I know that I like them and there is a dealer very near where I live. Someone suggested mailing Sam at singular to see if there were any steel frames hanging around, good idea also will try that. Thanks all for you help 🙂
The Ti Stooge makes for a great SS frame - super light and a lot of fun. It’s also 44mm head tube so runs a bouncy fork perfectly.
Coincidentally, I’m auctioning my Ti Stooge for the NHS - unsure if my post is going to get nuked but I’m not receiving a penny from it so I figured I’d chance it.
The Bearbones forum link is here
I’m closing it tomorrow at 9, so someone is going to get a good frame for a potentially great price, and a hospital is going to get some much-needed equipment.
There doesn't seem to be much choice in XC singlspeed frames out there. The Soma Juice is XC, the Kingdom Vendetta is a 'hardcore hardtail' and I think would probably be too extreme for the type of riding you do. Sticking to the ti theme, the Sonder Broken Road would seem to fit the bill, except for the price!
https://alpkit.com/collections/sonder-broken-road/products/broken-road-frame
You say your current hardtail is 5 years old? I'm thinking maybe some parts won't fit on a new frame e.g. the wheels (are they non-Boost width - 142 mm or 135 mm and non-through axle?), as many new frames have through-axle Boost hub width dropout spacing (148 mm) so you may end up having to get new wheels if you get a new frame and maybe more parts (e.g. headset, shorter stem, etc.).
There are a few options for complete bikes, the 2019 and 2020 Kona Unit is a steel, fully rigid XC singlespeed that can be had on sale, though the parts build is low end. The Specialized Fuse Comp is another option, as you have already mentioned, which leans towards the trail side of XC, very similar type of bike to the Santa Cruz Chameleon and the price for the full bike seems to be good value compared to the price of the Soma Juice frame.
Decisions, decisions!
Personally I always think a single speed should be slightly bodged together.
That’s why I have an 09 P7 😂 Those dropouts certainly slide...
At least they let you pay to buy the bodge that sort of fixes it. Bodgetastic.
This:
There doesn’t seem to be much choice in XC singlspeed frames out there.
What I want is a something like the Trek Superfly ss from 2016. I'm coming round to the idea of a second Specialised Chisel and running it with a tensioner - how bad can it be?
Chameleon appeals, but too heavy, although arguably it includes the weight of a 'tensioner' already as it has the siding dropouts.
No one mentioned the Brother Big Bro yet?
It’s probably what I’d have if my current ss died (original Al Highball- dropouts have been faultless in the three winters since I bought it off here. Should probably take them apart and check them over at some point. Highly recommended if you can find one sh in your size)
No one mentioned the Brother Big Bro yet?
Think I mentioned it earlier in the thread. Lovely frame, but personally I would prefer boost (as all my wheel sets are boost now) and I want something lighter. Picky I know.
Original al Highball a good shout, difficult to find as you say.
Fair, you did, I missed that!
Pinnacle Ramin Plus is another option, although qr f/r. I’ve been after a large frameset for months.
Thelooseone - thank you for your thoughts.
Just clicked on the Sonder link, another brand I haven't heard of. They only have S and XL in stock, one thing I need to figure out is if I need a S or M 29er, suspect an S - am 5'9 but shorter arms than a 5'9 male I think. I hate being stretched out to the bars.
I like the look of the Soma juice, the problem that I can see is that it might be tricky to test ride, I've only found a shop in Powys that sells them, though that can't be right.
Ref my hardtail, its a 26er from 2010, so I know would limited in terms of what I could swap - thinking bars, brakes - Shimano XT which I love. My other 26er is an old Spesh FSRXC pro from 2006 so I'm also going to retire that and raid that for my HT to make that geared. I'm not sure what boost is TBH, all bikes are QR. I had thought I may actually be better off getting a full bike rather than frame as you suggest.
i like the Kona also - again - test ride?? not sure where. I would probably end up upgrading the parts over a few years as I have with everything on both current bikes. Also the brother looks nice, test ride?? There is a spesh dealer about 8 miles from me, so test riding that would be easy. Though I do fancy another brand after 15 years of spesh.
There is pipedream Skookum on eBay and pink bike ATM, as per richpennys post. I notice that no-one is mentioning them in their posts, the bike looks quite nice, but age unspecified. I have asked the seller who has just said that he built is 18 months ago. I suspect it's around 5 years old from what i can find on the 'net. so £900 is a tad on the ££ side for it I think. It's a S frame.
In time honoured tradition I’ll recommend what I ride which is a Singular Rooster in 29+ running Maxxis Chronicles. Absolute blast to ride and the bike that tends to get the most ridden amongst my others. Not easy to pick up second hand but keep an eye out or pester Sam to see if there are any Singular steel frames available as it’s just a superb ride.
Edit: post-lockdown and if you’re local to Sheffield you’re more then welcome to test it for size. I’m 5’9” and it’s a size medium.
Not easy to pick up second hand but keep an eye out or pester Sam to see if there are any Singular steel frames available as it’s just a superb ride.
Someone suggested that so i did mail singular just to see! thank you. thanks for offer of test ride also, am in Wiltshire, you're 5'9 with an M, see I think I'm going to be on the cusp for a 29er, how annoying! Also the Kona unit I have found in Swindon about 40 miles away, but says 27 wheels not 29?
https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/fuse-expert-29/p/171068?color=263307-171068
These have also got adjustable dropouts. Look pretty cool.
Fuse and Timberjack both mentioned already.
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/timberjack/2019_timberjack_frame/blockquote >
No Timberjack frames available until 2021 I believe.
5’9 with an M, see I think I’m going to be on the cusp for a 29er, how annoying!
I think you’d be surprised how well you’d get on with a sorted modern 29er in a medium.
Also the brother looks nice, test ride?
There was a bike shop in the new forest that did brother when I was looking.
Ah, screw it, I was bored, found it. Woods Cyclery
Anna B - as your current hardtail is quite long in the tooth and you're changing wheel size, i'd say it would be better to get a full bike rather than a frame, as only a few bits would be able to be swapped. A lot has happened in 10 years, geometry being the biggest change in my opinion. Generally, bikes today are 'longer, lower and slacker' with shorter stems than from 10 years ago and as result are generally a lot more capable and fun to ride.
Due to the above, a test ride is therefore essential to help inform what you want, the Spesh Fuse would probably be easiest to get a test ride on, though as you want a singlespeed frame, the scope for test riding a broad selection is pretty small. If you ride the Spesh and like it, you could look at other frames or bikes with the same or similar geometry and build.
Boost spacing is wider hub spacing. I'd bet your 2010 Spesh will have a 135 mm width, 9 mm diameter rear hub axle. Boost spacing (for the rear hub) is 148 mm width and a 12 mm diameter axle. Boost gives more mud clearance and space for wider tyres.
The Pipedream Skookum is a discontinued model, the current Pipedream model is the Sirius 4G, a steel XC/trail frame. The reach is relatively short compared to other frames, so won't be a stretch to the bars. A mate of mine has one, its a nice frame and rides very well for XC and light trail duty.
So I found Woods cyclery, swanny853 thanks for that, they also do Salsa, so I thought I could try both out, but someone has said no timberjack frames til 2021, I was sure I saw one on there a couple of hours ago but I can't see it now! But yes good shout to try a Brother.
Kona in Swindon, Spesh in Salisbury, Brother in Lyndhurst. Will continue to look for a Soma dealer, but that's probably my shortlist due to availability.
Thelooseone - thanks so much for the explanation. My MO tends to be to buy a bike/s then not take any notice of what's going on in the bike world until I've ridden them out of existence 😀
Has the Spot Rocker been mentioned?
They have a sale on at the moment.
https://spotbrand.com/products/rocker-ss-29
spot rocker hadn't been mentioned, I've had a look, looks nice but £££ and there doesn't seem to be much availability in the UK.
I've had a look at all the ones that were previously mentioned. I want a bike that is
- XC not trail
- easily available in the UK from new
- can be fitted with suspension forks at a later date
- I've decided my budget for built bike around £1500.
This narrows the field down hugely, though Brother's Big Bro is now top of the list. Woods cycles were helpful and have said that one of their employees has a L frame I can try which I will once travel restrictions are somewhat lifted. Local Spesh dealer not currently open and don't seem to stock the Fuse but I will talk to them once they're open. Kona Unit was also on the list, but the Kona dealer about 40 miles away didn't have a dem version, didn't have any in stock, didn't think he could get one, didn't think they were still available, suggested I rang back when he was less busy or ring Kona in Reading. This has made me much less motivated to try kona, though I might ring another dealer.
This thread helped hugely in terms of lots of ideas of what to research, but many of them are very expensive, trail geometry or not available in the UK. I don't want to buy second hand really. Really looking forward to being able to ride a Big Bro, hopefully soon.
Any other ideas which fit my above criteria gratefully received! thanks for all suggestions so far 🙂
Genesis bikes look nice also, but headset 1 1/8 and straight. Am I right in thinking that this will make it difficult to find suspension forks to fit?
You will find it harder to buy new, used is still fairly easy - but expensive as prices have gone nuts. Tbh, I know you want to love it but the big bro doesn't seem exactly what you want. Of all the options, the Singular seems like it will be the closest. And they look amazing 🙂
they are lovely Rich, I agree. Is that yours? looks great. Swift only available in Ti ATM I think, also I think straight 1 1/8 head tube which means no or limited option of suspension fork.
Curious to know why Brother Big Bro doesn't look like what I want?
The right answer is always: Stooge 🙂
Stooge is lovely. It's not what I have in my head that I'm looking for, ie geometry and no suspension forks option, but I love the design and the idea behind behind them, I also want to support a UK manufacturer. I would try one though if I could!
If you can get a Mk3 they have slightly steeper geo and will take sus forks.
Just think the Big Bro looks messy - it's got tons of mounts, eyelets and cable routing. So you can put racks, gears, bottles and all that shizz on the frame. So it's a really flexible option, but for me all that is superfluous on an SS. Plus the chainstays are gopping 😉 The swift has some of that stuff but not as much- website says there could be a new batch of steel frames coming. The Ti frame will now take a tapered fork so I'd expect a new steel one too as well.
The swift has some of that stuff but not as much- website says there could be a new batch of steel frames coming.
Think new Swifts will be next year, based on when I last asked Sam. I was hoping for one as well.
Just think the Big Bro looks messy
hmmmm I know why you'd say that, but I reckon that would be handy if my kayak-packing ever led to any bike-packing 😀 chainstays look normal to me. I don't like the current forest green...! bit drab. I will test one at some stage, there aren't really that many options and I'm not waiting til next year for a Steel Singular. Or buying a Ti one.
Pondering the Stanton Sherpa right now. I almost bought one on eBay yesterday. Never even seen one let alone ridden one, so I decided that was a bit foolhardy 😀