With the recent demise of my old P7 – it got me dreaming.

There used to be a few of these type of bikes back in the day. Orange, Dialled, Genesis etc all had a long-travel hardtail with either sliding dropouts or EBB.

So what does a simple-minded metalhead ride nowadays?

Rules:

-Must be SS out of the box – ie either sliding/switchable dropouts/EBB/track ends
-Must accept 130mm plus up front

Did emerging standards kill off singlespeed hardtails? Or are just Too Niche To Live/Too Hard To Die?

I know, apart from low maintenance it’s a bike that doesn’t make a lot of sense. But then again neither do a lot of things that are fun.

I just bought a Last Bikes Fast Forward frame off here – it does all of the above 140/150mm, sliding drops.

Not many made so probably no help at all.

^ Nice, but yeah they seem only to do full sussers nowadays.

(Thinks) Just wondering if a Kona Unit would take 650b and 140mm

Anyone here ridden a Kona Honzo ESD?

Pace have a couple with sliding dropouts. Was close to buying a 627 myself recently.

Was going to suggest the ESD. Not seen one let alone ridden one but would be interested to try one out. Review on Hardtail Party though

Stanton Switchback, and you can select the dropout type when ordering.

I have a half idea in my head of changing 3 MTBs into 2.

This includes a Marino HT frame either with a tensioner for SS or custom with sliding dropouts if possible.

DMR Trailstar – has swopouts, so you can go thru axle for gears or track end for SS.

DMR trailstar will probably be your best bet

Pipedream do a couple.
Kona Honzo.

Chameleon?

Pace RC 627
Pace RC 529
Santa Cruz Chameleon
Kona Honzo
RSD Middlechild
Canfield Nimble 9
Specialized Fuse
Salsa Timberjack

Spot Rocker

Defo Pipedream Moxie. It’s the longest slackest SS capable hardtail I know of. I saw a full build for sale on Facebook for £1100 the other day

I’ve been digging around for pretty much the same thing. Pipedream Moxie and Pace RC627 are very similar geo. Identiti Aka is an ally option. Production Privee do track ends.

For me I’m torn between these two steel options and saving a bit of weight, because 2.65kg does seem a lot.

I think a fun bike set up SS makes a lot of sense. Mine’s to replace a well ridden Soul 26 with a 140 fork that was pretty much the equivalent 7 or so years ago but the geo just feels wrong for me now. I can get up my local hill on a singlespeed and the trails going down suit something with a bit more about it. And because I’m short I don’t want a 29er. So why not?