Nah that Singlebe is just me dreaming. I have a Longitude and already missing the Vagabond (sigh) so hope it will sink in properly after a while. That Unit does look truly ‘right’ in a similar way to that Singlebe. Here’s the front end and it looks just as lush as the rear. Woof. Etc. I want it. Even if it’s missing sliding dropouts. Grr.
I’m not an amazingly experienced mountain biker at all, but every time I ride suspension I think ‘this feels a tiny bit faster but weird’. I never get used to how it moves under me- too long on rock solid track and tt bikes- and I find rigid makes me go more sensible speed downhill, which in public trails with dog walkers etc is probably good
but every time I ride suspension I think ‘this feels a tiny bit faster but weird’. I never get used to how it moves under me
think I am the same. Have tried suspension forks a few times over the last twenty years (last time was a couple of month in Spring this year but always go back to rigid and always go back to single speed or fixed. I think it is because my cycling from age 4 to 18 was on rigid, single speed bikes (mostly BMX) so they just feel right.
Finished building this about a month ago, first frame of my own. Definitely tends more towards drop bar rigid MTB than gravel bike, geometry loosely based on a Salsa Fargo. Using it for bikepacking and long gravel rides.
Soooo, if I was to put a rigid fork on my Orange Clockwork 100 29er, coz the ancient Recons on it are rubbish heavy and knackered,what are the recommended not silly expensive ones?
I’d probably be looking at boost/29+ for the option of a bit of cush and a bit of future flexibility.
Think Carbon would suit it better than steel, and I like the look of the monocoque type forks more.
my favourite bikes have mostly been rigid singlespeeds….. currently only got the one bike, a singular gryphon. this is it when i was building it up with some h-bar copies, but ive since swapped back over to ragley luxy bars, i really should take a pic, ive had it long enough now….
prior to that a swift…..
before that a soulcraft plowboy….
but…. i think every time i look at old pics of this one, i realise i should never have sold it. cant remember who i sold it to to ask if its still alive, but i think its been my favourite bike so far, an old kilauea that i had converted to ss and re-sprayed. hydraulic v’s, silver glitter saddle, lovely to ride, so much fun, why oh why oh why DID I SELL IT??
Exotic by carboncycles get good write-ups. Never had one myself. I do remember some complaints about their warranty and customer service but that was years ago now. They make a nice monocoque version – reviewed in the magazine I think. I seem to recall that they were rumoured to be making forks for a fairly big name outfit – maybe even whiskey, can’t recall now.
Just bought a Genesis Tarn frame with their carbon rigid fork, going to try single speed for the first time too so this thread is providing inspiration! This ‘winter bike’ is going to come in useful this summer….
That bit. The form bit, less so but I think rigid bikes have more chance of looking good than a susser.
This isn’t a bike I’d buy for the looks but I love how the function drives the form so well. Helps that it’s such a great ride loaded or unloaded. Had it 7+ years now, this one won’t die!
Not the best photo but the only one I have to hand. Comfortable (86 miles on it yesterday), fast good fun. Also good for squashing lazy full suspension habits :D.
Thought it a bit “wrong” to post an unfinished bike earlier, here’s the finished article. Brother Cycles Big Bro, with some Hope bits, WTB rims, M6000 group, Jones Loop Bar
Great on the usual potholed roads, these are 29×2.35 BTW. On the 1 mile hard packed gravel stretch on my commute, they can be a bit sketchy in tight corners, wet grass is almost ice-like, never tried any muddy bits yet. I previously had a Longitude with 2.8 WTB Rangers which cornered much better on the gravel (obviously being knobbly tyres), and I don’t ride hard and fast.
Might change them for a “mild” MTB tread pattern tyre, we’ll see, they’re still relatively new.
I think that pink Kilauea ended up with me, not sure if I bought it off you directly or via someone else as it was years ago… I’m assuming it’s the same one as there can’t be many others like it, same size, colour and decals and converted to track ends, I’m 99.9% sure it’s that one, here’s what it was like with me:
If is then I’m sad to say it’s probably dead… I passed it on to someone once I found the 4th crack, they said they were going to attempt to fix it but I think it was too far gone.