Looking at doing my first SS build, now I am going to go for a retro look, all silver parts, brown saddle and grips. Also de badge and brand as much as possible. But I am considering 2 routes:
1st: Orange clockwork 92 frame and fork, cheapish parts, old chrome crank arms and some canti brakes... maybe a paint job or just rough.
2nd: Nice new steel SS frame, all new parts and disk brakes so good enough for some off road outings.
My main worry is I don't currently single speed, but keen to get very fit in trying. I will also be using it for trailer pulling dutys but mainly on fireroads.
So which way should I go, show me yours!!!
Retroish no decals silver bits
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postierich what frame is that? Nice looking bike.... thats what I was thinking for the second option, only silver wheels, stem, bars and post with brown saddle and grips.
2nd option i recon.better brakes.
Retroish no decals silver bits
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My first SS was a de-geared 1994 Rock Lobster with its old parts making up the build. It developed a wee bit and got a disc brake for the front and a pukka set of SS wheels. I then tried a Kona Unit and a Dialled Love/Hate with Rebas, disc brakes and all that nice to have stuff. I've now gone back to the Rock Lobster, mainly as it's not worth selling and the others never got used enough to justify having them. The Rock Lobster is also great fun anyway, but only really gets ridden a few times a year.
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postierich, i'm sure it has been said before but that is the best looking bike on the forum, looks absolutely superb.
Its nice but I prefer stoneys pace with pink trim
I like the clean lines on Barry Bs bestest, what forks are those Barry?
I brought this SS home tonight, not sure what to do with it, I got it given for free (not suprisingly! 😉 ). 6 months ago it was in nice condition and could have been left original, but considering what state it's in now, I'm going to RatRod it I think. At some point I'll be asking the STW collective what to do with it, I'm expecting to get told to take it to the tip.
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Retro orange - silver bits (about 9 years before Kawasaki Green was fashionable!):
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De badge, disk brakes (not the Orange BTW, that's now black and communterised):
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Take your pick 😮
postierich and Barry Bethel, (or anybody who knows), what chainsets are those?
Thanks.
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it's a WI crank...lovely.
Postie's bike was the inspiration for mine...it's like a tribute act 8)
Now with white saddle and white forks. Love/Hate
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ta muchly, now added to the "must have list"
Could you run 1 * 9 with one of these, or just SS?
oxym0r0n it's the second one for me, what frame is that?
^ indeed oxy's second one is a beauty.
Eve, let me know which skip you put it in.
Top one now looks a bit like this:
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Bottom one started life as a Voodoo Wanga...
Really like the colour and simplicity of yours Mr Bethel ~ I'm tempted by some rigids
EVE - i'll take it tothe skip for you if you like 😀
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Chameleon
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Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
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Pimpino with the aforementioned beautiful WI chainset
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And finally the Van Tuyl, possibly a bit specialist for this thread.
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Out of all the previous bikes I have to say postierich's is doing it for me, lovely looking bike.
I,ve got a tribute act!! "swoons"
just waiting for it to snap.
postierich - what frame is that?
Love the camper by the way!!!
just waiting for it to snap.
Wouldn't be the first time 😉
I preferred postie's when it was that sort of silver grey colour.
Apparently it's an old Sunn frame that was modded.
Oxy's is a beaut. Very clean and elegant looking.
samurai, don't know why but that Chameleon pic is bloody ace. Just keeps drawing me in. No idea where Rivington is, but just looks a good place.
Has really lifted my spirits on a dull afternoon at the pinnacle of pneumatic design. Need to get cracking on my ss build.
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Here's mine. Pretty cheap but quite light.
heres my first SS build, im going for a budget pub/hacker and it's very nearly complete.
i've managed to only spend £150ish so far, the forks & wheels are brand new.
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*rse i broke it!
a selection of past and present to help you choose 😉
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can't find any pictures of my now cracked 853 saracen kili flyer ss, so here is it's replacement:
(I know, I know, cranks not level and chain too loose, to hasty with my picture taking...)
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A Photo from way back
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My bit of single speed lovelyness
We do a compete ss kit for less than £50 - everything youbneed to convert to one speed. That is the cheapest way to test the incredibly fun waters of one speed.
Less is more. And an old bike will be fun. A new bike would be a better bike but not definety more fun.
Having said that you are bound to love it so get stuck in.
Thanks takisawa2, glad it helped.
My Sanderson Soloist which after twisting my knee v badly last night on some ice will probably be unridden for the next couple of weeks 😥
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My Cotic Simple:
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I was very sceptical re SS'ing, but tried it, loved it and my fitness has improved dramatically.
Only really use FS and gears in the Peak District now.
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Retro flavour here right down to the clips and straps:
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Here's mine, '08 Moots Rigormootis. 🙂
That's a nice looking bike stevek.
edit: Just checked the price out, jebus!
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New school, logo love, I must consume.
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I really thought I wanted to go retro... I have even bought a clockwork frame.... but now I am just confused by the options out there.
It's like Charlie says, a better frame and parts won't necessarily be more fun...
I've got a reasonably pimp ss now, which I love, but in all honesty it's not really any more fun than my first cheap heavy ss was. In fact, my favorite ride ever was probably on that bike - despite it weighing a ton, the forks being too heavy for me to pop up over anything, it being v-brake only and the gear being too hard - it made me grin!
My new one is a bit more versatile (i.e. I can actually ride this one up hills!), but that first ss improved my riding in no end and got me well and truely hooked!
My advice would be do it cheap (and retro if that's what you fancy) and then throw some more money at it once you're hooked - it somehow feels more satisfying that way!
Obviously it's up to you though - just don't spend too long dithering - get stuck in! 
Well I now have 2 retro frames to choose from as I couldn't find anything, then got 2 options at once so took them.
1: A 21" Clockwork purple and orange fade with forks, apparently 91/2, looks cool and in good condition frame wise but paint has seen better days.
2: A 19" P7 Nickel, which I haven't received yet, but has stem, HS, BB and crank. Looks nice on pictures.
Although I was very pleased with the Clockwork, I don't know if I can bring myself to powder coat it, as I always wanted one like this as a kid. I think the P7, with it been newer might give me the best result. Has anyone ever had a frame re-nickled?
Now to start buying all the other parts I need.
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