[Closed] Rigid mountain bikes

The Charge Cooker range looks decent, especially now they're in the sales. Not ridden one, but Singular Swift always seems well liked. Kona unit is a nice ride as are Salsa El Mar and Surly Karate Monkey. Owned a singlespeed El Mar and a unit before.

A regular cycling friend has bought the Tarn 20. It is great fun.

I built all mine from parts but, I'm not sure I'd buy a purpose built rigid, they're niche and have a double whammy of no economies of scale, and scene tax, and there's a lot of really heavy steel frames, basic drivetrains etc- it's like people go "Oh it's a rigid, so it should be basic". Mine were all bloody awesome, and coincidentally rigid. Not really sure how the Tarn 10 costs £900 tbh.

I think if I wanted to buy a whole rigid, I'd get one of the many hardtails with a cheap rubbish fork, and an Exotic carbon fork, and introduce them. Though plus tyres complicate matters, that's new since I last did a rigid.

(or fatbike but that's a pretty different deal and not good at riding in canals)

Jeez that tarn 10 is not only £900, but weighs 14kg! That's up at 31lbs! My full sus came out of the factory in 2006 at c25lbs! 12.4kg g think was the quoted weight.

Has it got an engine?

Voodoo Marassa or Ramin 1/3+ ftw!

Niner one9, RDO Niner forks. There's still one9 alloy frames appear on here occasionally, that's how I got mine.

Stooge is great for fun in the woods.

Just got myself a Charge Cooker Midi 1 in the sale. £500 ish, it's light enough, 1x10, 27.5"+ and is a blast. Originally bought for much the same use as you mention but on the weekend I took it out over the Black Mountains and was very impressed by it. Capable little bike.

The Charge Cooker 1 certainly look great - what sort of weight are they?

My rigid MTB is definitely the bike I ride the most and get most smiles from.....OO Scandal, ZTR Olympic rims, slx groupset, 1 x 10. Its just simple and doesn't weigh much, great fun to ride (its more XC than MTB if splitting hairs)

I think if I wanted to buy a whole rigid, I'd get one of the many hardtails with a cheap rubbish fork, and an Exotic carbon fork, and introduce them.

I did this and it transformed a crap hardtail into a superb rigid bike - one of my favourite bikes ever. I also did the wider bars/shorter stem thing too. Night and day difference in handling and enjoyment.

Kona Unit

After owning one of these for a few years I've come to the conclusion that it's not that great to ride. I love the way it looks and I love the simplicity of a single speed so would probably not part with it, but it's too heavy and not as nimble nor manoeuvrable as I'd like. I've had great fun with it, but probably despite rather than because of it. Good for winter training tho' 😉

I've had a few rigid bikes and the Stooge is head and shoulders above anything else I've ridden from a trail/techy riding point of view. I also have a Swift, which is great for more trad XC or long rides.

The Ramin 3+ looks v interesting and cracking value.

Best rigid bike I've ever owned/ridden is my Singular Hummingbird.

Always fancied a Cannondale Trail SS.

Is it still possible to buy decent light rigid forks for 26inch wheels?

Cannondale Trail SS with a 2.4 Chunky Monkey on the front and a big ol flexy carbon bar.

Absolutely lovely.

I like riding mine, because it's a good place to sit and pedal and cover ground. The firmness and lack of suspension boinging around is fantastic.

Until it gets rocky. Then you have to slow down, a lot. And don't take it to trail centres either (at least not Cwmcarn) - those trails are designed to flow and be pinned, and even the small rocks make it rough as hell and damn hard work.

On local trails I mince down them which is ok, in its own way - but I wouldn't want to lose the ability to pin descents either. I'm happy to own one alongside FSers (and I would love a short travel FS to complement it as well as the big one) but then again, I live in a rocky area.

Would the Stache 5 be within budget for you? Pretty versatile when it comes to wheels and tyres.

Is it still possible to buy decent light rigid forks for 26inch wheels?

I've had my 26 inch exotic carbon forks on my scandal for at least a coupe of years now with no problems, this to me makes them decent. And they are v light.

@somewhatslightlydazed - want some steel Salsa 26 inch forks?

my rigid bike is my most used MTB, hardtail gets used a lot less. But it's entirely tame where I am so rigid is fine

Salsa El Mariachi with Fargo forks

I ride a El Mariachi SS with niner carbon forks. In fact I don't ride anything but rigid. I was looking for a rigid geared bike for a mate and thought this looked good value.

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ramin-1-2016-mountain-bike-EV244137

I think if I wanted to buy a whole rigid, I'd get one of the many hardtails with a cheap rubbish fork, and an Exotic carbon fork, and introduce them.

This route +1.

And single speed it whilst you're at it. The two complement each other brilliantly, the rigid bike lets you smash up hills without worrying about bobbing suspension, and singlespeed encourages you to do that. and with a few careful choices it's possible to build cheap bikes that can easily go 12+ months with nothing more than brake pads, or sometimes even without wearing those if you compromise and go for tiny rotors (small rotors get hot quickly, so stay bedded in even in the middle ow winter when others pads are being worn away because the surface never gets a chance to harden).

Secondhand, stuff like Singular Swifts, Salsa El Mariachi, or at the cheaper end Trek Marlin SS, Cannondale Trail SS. Stooge if they fit you and you can find one.

Or buy new and custom build it, with a £900 budget, and no need for a groupset or suspension fork you're well into the bling end of rigid bikes! But as noted above, you can take any bike, add a £100 carbon fork, strip the gears off it, add a tensioner and make it singlespeed. Once I've got a new job my plan is to get a carbon 29er and singlespeed it, there's something really fun about riding a bike that weighs sod all!

Once you have your rigid MTB be sure to make absolutely everyone aware that you ride a rigid, take every opportunity to inform everyone that you will be going out on your rigid and then title the Strava ride 'rigid mtb ride, seriously rattled on the descents' or similar.

wilko1999 - Member

Once you have your rigid MTB be sure to make absolutely everyone aware that you ride a rigid, take every opportunity to inform everyone that you will be going out on your rigid and then title the Strava ride 'rigid mtb ride, seriously rattled on the descents' or similar.

Just remember, no matter how rigid-awesome you are, you'll never be Jesse Wigman rigid-awesome

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Jeez, is that Fort Bill DH?

Is it still possible to buy decent light rigid forks for 26inch wheels?

Exotic have been decent enough for me over the years and are lightish at 800 grams and available in a range of lengths to suit the geometry of frame.
And the Pace RC31 is still available at two lengths for 26" wheels.

So, yes it is.

Once you have your rigid MTB be sure to make absolutely everyone aware that you ride a rigid, take every opportunity to inform everyone that you will be going out on your rigid and then title the Strava ride 'rigid mtb ride, seriously rattled on the descents' or similar.

And also get a fat wheeled one so you can add that in too.

(typed while owning a rigid single speed)

OK, my 2p

Stooge or Trek Stache 5 (I own both). Have been riding the Stache all summer (waiting for a larger size Stooge) and think it a brilliant bike, with loads of well thought out tech

Be sure to go high and wide on the bars (Stooge Moto bars are great) for getting the weight off your arms

I looked at the Tarn when a mate wanted a rigid ride, but thought the geo odd, in possibly a new format sales sort of way - being 'low and long' which I thought would equate to more weight forward, not a good thing for a rigid... but I may be wrong on that

wilko1999 - Member

Jeez, is that Fort Bill DH?

Aye- that's the 6-hour endurance downhill race. I beat him by one place, on my downhill bike 😆

It's not what you got...!

My El Mar was SS up until about 3 months ago. I've put an Alfine 8 wheel on the back and can now switch between the two relatively easily

SS is good, particularly for the winter, but I wanted to think about doing some mile munching

Ritchey 😉

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rigid mtb for local woods, canals, bridle paths etc

With £900 I'd be going onto Retrobike and buying a nice Kona/Marin

1990 Lavadome for £165 leaving you money to buy another 4.

With £900 I'd be going onto Retrobike and buying a nice Kona/Marin

1990 Lavadome for £165 leaving you money to buy another 4.

Except a modern rigid like a Stooge will ride sooooo much better!

rigid mtb for local woods, canals, bridle paths etc

Probably in the woods but only if there are some tech sections to play on.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-commuter-bike-time

1990 Lavadome for £165

Those bikes are worlds away from a modern steel 29er. And not in a good way.

Some great ideas about rigid rigs, but then I go trawling Google and see a Mondraker vantage rr+. FFS.

Gotta say I love my Krampus..

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There's a whole world of choice. I tried a 2016 Genesis Vagabond and a 2016 Longitude, i bought the Vagabond but if had the cash would have bagged both - the Longitude geometry was spot on for me and it just felt great, versatile too. They're very good value In the sales right now (ie £790 in large size at Swinnerton)

I'll never buy another new bike without first taking out a day or two for trial/demo, it's a priceless feeling to have made 100% the right choice.

I only ride rigid bikes now, my Stooge getting the most use as it's a lot of fun to ride. Big tyre, wide bar, loads of fun!

My pre CEN Charge Duster is periodically rigig and sometimes ss and its awesome. Its got gears and old revs on it at the moment as its my only bike. but when the next full sus arrives it will go back to being rigid.

Except a modern rigid like a Stooge will ride sooooo much better!

If you're tiny

^ how rude!! 😆

I stuck a rigid Exotic fork on my 456 and that seemed to work. It then got a 29" front wheel, and that seemed to work too 😀

Anyone want to sell me a 19.5 Stache 5? Mediums everywhere but no 19.5.

I went rigid 2/3 years ago put a carbon fork on an inbred,I have now reverted back to suspension it was beating me up to much but then I am getting on a bit.

I think having both is good. I've got a hard Eddie with enve fork and it's way more comfy than the devil ride that was the Td1.

I want a sus fork for my Salsa btw, to give me the option.

I have got a Tarn 10.
replaced the standard tyres with tubless panaracers Fat b nimbles.
It is a fantastic bike, super fast everywhere. I would say just buy one.
Try to ride one if you can.
The best rigid bike I have ridden by a country mile.

Really enjoy my on one inbred 29er but the new karate monkey looks perfect and very flexible. Will have to wait until the inbred snaps

What rigid bikes have you ridden though nimo?

I would say get a 29er.

But then I have only riden 26er's and 29er rigid I havent ridden a 27.5" rigid.

I would also get something light. That kind of the point of a rigid bike in my opinion.

That one u have linked to is very heavy.

I've got a 2013 Scott Scale 960 and have stuck a carbon Travers fork on (and Jones loop bars).
I'm loving it. I also have a full suss but for just general milling about and local xc, it's great.
I'm more cautious as i'm aware of the limitations on the bike but most established tracks near me are relatively smooth so I don't find the lack of suspension too much of an issue. Bike's pretty light now as well.

Given the problems I've had with my suspension fork this year, I'm seriously considering a rigid fork for my 29er.

That kind of the point of a rigid bike in my opinion.

For me, it's a stiff stable platform to pedal and get the miles in. I've built mine a little more stretched out with a slightly more road-ish riding position, and it's brilliant for doing mixed miles. The fact it's rigid means I can make the front lower than I would with suspension forks cos there's no dive and I won't get chucked OTB.

1990 Lavadome for £165 leaving you money to buy another 4.

That's what I've got. A 1998 Lava Dome from Ebay for £99.
Replaced the bouncy forks with some Project 2s.
Probably crap compared to modern bikes but I like it.

That Ritchey......cracker!

I like rigid because it's rigid. And often lighter. And simpler. I also like mincing through rock gardens like my bike is a small metal tree on wheels and I'm all over it like a slow-mo monkey at a circus 🙂

That Krampus looks lush btw!

*edit - OT - how's the Cambium treat the nethers? I like the idea and the look of them but typical use Spesh BGs.

I'm heading this way with my fireline..looking at the budget blowing enve carbon..anyone use these? What other options? Exotic don't really do it for me(website ain't working well on the phone) Cheers.

http://whiskyparts.co/catalog/forks

http://www.traversbikes.com/news/all-new-prong-29-carbon-fork

Salsa Cromoto ride as well or better, according to some. There's the Singular Fork too. Might both be a bit skinny looking for the fireline, though.

I really enjoy my stooge for arsing about the woods.....but it's as said more fun for tech stuff...

THe bike/fad which has surprised me most though is a Raleigh Mustang gravel bike.....I don't enjoy it as much on tech as no dropper but on everything else it's just great and if you can get one for 750 like I did 🙂

I've got a 2013 Scott Scale 960 and have stuck a carbon Travers fork on (and Jones loop bars).
I'm loving it. I also have a full suss but for just general milling about and local xc, it's great.
I'm more cautious as i'm aware of the limitations on the bike but most established tracks near me are relatively smooth so I don't find the lack of suspension too much of an issue. Bike's pretty light now as well.

Exactly what I have in mind for mine, how do you find the reach with the Jones bar? Mine is a medium, so on the short side for me.

I've got hold of a v2 scandal 29er with on one rigid carbon forks.I've singlespeeded it and even though I was worried my skinny chicken legs and knees would explode they haven't and I'm amazed what I can get up. First decent ride ,20mile plus,today on local trails and even on the gnarly stuff I love it. Put some flexy bars on and an ardent 2.4 on front and downhill it is brilliant, even on the rocky stuff. Hardest thing I've found is riding over the flatter rocky or rooty bits when I need to pedal. Knocks you about a bit but I'm riding up some steep up and downs. I'm hoping it will bring on my stamina and leg strength.

Cheers nedrapier...all look promising!

paladin - Member
I stuck a rigid Exotic fork on my 456 and that seemed to work. It then got a 29" front wheel, and that seemed to work too

Agree - built this from bits in the shed earlier this summer! Exotic forks are fab - been running some on my fatbike for 2 years - spot on 🙂

[url=[url= https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8057/29419274042_889d3c934e_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8057/29419274042_889d3c934e_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/LPFtdN ]456 SS[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/67749037@N02/ ]boltonjon[/url], on Flickr][/url]

Exactly what I have in mind for mine, how do you find the reach with the Jones bar? Mine is a medium, so on the short side for me.

I hadon't a Genesis Fortitude Race, it was ace with a nice big 2.4" Bonty tyre up front.

Marin Pine Mountain - 27.5+ fun and not expensive

It's quite satisfying building up a rigid bike from a 'normal' frame, it's cheap but still rides great in many conditions. No need to spend too much on a frame either. With the right tyre choice they are actually really versatile too. I built mine up from a second hand v2 scandal 29er frame and lots of spare bits.

[url= https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7631/28620545401_783064d774_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7631/28620545401_783064d774_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KB6M2k ]Scandal 29er rigid tourer[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/turkey_plucker/ ]Matthew Walker[/url], on Flickr

Have Cannondale stopped doing the 29er SS Trail?

I had a Marin Hamilton steel 29er rigid other than the v brakes it handled just as sweet as many way more expensive rigids - it also had narrow tyres ..