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Zonacat

Hi all,

I get wordy, so please bear with me...

I have been very interested to get to work on an SS, and have an old bike sitting around that I never use.

The bike is a stock '91 Stumpjumper rigid. I once ran one of the old "future shocks" on it with a huge 2" of travel. I recently got the bike back up and running as an f'ing around bike, and it's in like new condition, albeit with a steel front fork now.

I was thinking about running a conversion kit on it, but wasn't sure if this bike would make sense or not.

It's was the first Stumpy with the M2 metal matrix technology, and I used to beat the sh*t out of it when I was in college in Tucson. It has run all the big rides out there, Chiva Falls, Soldier Camp, Elephant Head, Starr Pass, etc... for years, and was one solid and very light frame.

The bike weighs in right at 26 lbs rigid. Was thinking of putting a Marzocchi fork on (only fork I know of that runs with the tiny head tube I have), along with the conversion and heading out.

Long story short, what do you think?

Important note: this is my first attempt at an SS. I have never ridden one, execpt my banana seat Schwinn's and BMX bikes as a kid.

Thanks in advance!!

HUGH

I say do it. It's nice that you can try out the SS thing on the cheap first. Then if you don't like it you won't have that much money into it..

HUGH

Zippy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonacat

Hi all,

I get wordy, so please bear with me...

I have been very interested to get to work on an SS, and have an old bike sitting around that I never use.

The bike is a stock '91 Stumpjumper rigid. I once ran one of the old "future shocks" on it with a huge 2" of travel. I recently got the bike back up and running as an f'ing around bike, and it's in like new condition, albeit with a steel front fork now.

I was thinking about running a conversion kit on it, but wasn't sure if this bike would make sense or not.

It's was the first Stumpy with the M2 metal matrix technology, and I used to beat the sh*t out of it when I was in college in Tucson. It has run all the big rides out there, Chiva Falls, Soldier Camp, Elephant Head, Starr Pass, etc... for years, and was one solid and very light frame.

The bike weighs in right at 26 lbs rigid. Was thinking of putting a Marzocchi fork on (only fork I know of that runs with the tiny head tube I have), along with the conversion and heading out.

Long story short, what do you think?

Important note: this is my first attempt at an SS. I have never ridden one, execpt my banana seat Schwinn's and BMX bikes as a kid.

Thanks in advance!!

I did the same thing to my '99 GT Zaskar that was gathering dust.

Do...it...

I should warn you, people have been known to really enjoy SS to the neglect of their geared bikes. You might end up buying a really nice SS and spending way too much money on it. Personally, I think 29" tires are better for a SS because they help you conserve momentum. You'll understand once you ride SS. I digress...

Do the conversion. If you don't like it, you can always put the gears back on.

HUGH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy

I did the same thing to my '99 GT Zaskar that was gathering dust.

My first single

HUGH

gassertrucks

Do it! I just did the conversion on my Felt hardtail about a month ago and I love it. That is all I'm riding now. I've seen big performance gains and it has already made me a better rider. I enjoy it so much I am racing SS now. I dropped 2 1/2 lbs. off my bike weight now down to high 19lbs. The things climbs so well - I have destroyed many personal best times on my training routes. I just recently did the Idyllwild race and I had by far the best time I have ever had racing bikes.

I'm running a 32 x 20 on a 26" and that seems to work best for me so far. I'm a small guy and more of a spinner. I tried running an 18 for 2 weeks and it was great on the flats but wasn't the right gear for me to climb with. Singleator and spacer kit. It is such an inexpensive conversion you really can't go wrong. If it's not for you you're only down $50 or so.

Zippy

Close, Hugh. Mine's Ink Blue with the original Mach 5 SX Fork on it.

Zonacat

So the conversion is simply putting on a new single front ring and rear cog with tensioner? And I am guessing the spacers go on the back to take the place of the missing cassette?

Do I get new brakes to do away with the shifter combos?

Are all kits the same, or do I need to do any measuring first?

Also, do I need to get new cranks (longer, shorter, stronger). The drivetrain and cranks are all '91 Shimano LX.

I used to LOVE this bike, and it still rides solid on the street.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Okay, I will post a pix of the ride in a few minutes.

Zippy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonacat

So the conversion is simply putting on a new single front ring and rear cog with tensioner?

-You can leave the chainring as it is. I left my smallest cog on and replacd the big one with a bashguard. The middle ring has the chain on it. The tensioner bolts in where the derailleur is now.

And I am guessing the spacers go on the back to take the place of the missing cassette?

-Exactly.

Do I get new brakes to do away with the shifter combos?

-You can. Or just disconnect the cables from the shifters. Depends how much money you feel like spending.

Are all kits the same, or do I need to do any measuring first?

-Not sure. Usually the kits provide enough spacers for you to make it work via trial and error. Your LBS may have more spacers if you need them

Also, do I need to get new cranks (longer, shorter, stronger). The drivetrain and cranks are all '91 Shimano LX.

-You don't need new cranks. If you want to build a custom SS later, spend the money there.

I used to LOVE this bike, and it still rides solid on the street.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Okay, I will post a pix of the ride in a few minutes.

Responses mixed in with the quote... whoops.

EBasil

Yes, you'll use spacers instead of a cogset, aligning the rear cog to match the location of your former middle ring. Use the same old cranks for now. If you do (and you should), order up a dummy, toothless ring to replace the big ring and you can use the chainring bolts from the existing setup.

Bike Empire and Adams Ave bikes almost always have the Spot toothless rings in stock.

There are different "kits" which are spacers and a tensioner. The best setup for tension is "push up" but the Singleator won't last doing that for long (many of us have a rubber band on there). One VERY good deal out there is the Performance SS conversion kit: all the spacer and a tensioner for under $20. I used it on my wife's rig and other than it being "push down" only, it's excellent.

Yeah, get thyself some brake-only levers. Avid 7's and you're done for life.

Zonacat

Looking at these, what do I need to do?

Thanks!!

integradriv3r

I kind of have a few questions myself. I just picked up a Surly Singleator from 2WheelLee last thursday and Gene hooked it up with an 18t rear cog. So:

1) Is there a cheap spacer kit I can purchase anywhere? Or any alternatives?

2) I have a Shimano LX cranks and was wondering if I could get away without purchasing a new front chain ring. I believe the middle ring is a 32t but have been told to use a non ramped ring so the chain does not come off. Hopefully some of you have a solution to my ordeal.

Thanks

CeeDubb

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zonacat

Looking at these, what do I need to do?...

Just make sure you let the purple anodized component fetish die.

For some reason, Hugh wants to keep purple alive. Someone let him know that the purple went out in the 90s almost right after his Zaskar came out...

integradriv3r

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeeDubb

Someone let him know that the purple went out in the 90s

I think OMR has purple cranks on his Curtlo SS. Might wanna duck next time you're on the trail.

j/k CeeDub

gassertrucks

I tried running the stock middle chain ring but I was having trouble with the chain jumping off. I went to a Surly 32 SS specific ring. Getting the chain line just right was key. When I was running the 18 I was able to run the Singleator with the push up spring and that worked best. I now run a 20 and I'm forced to run the stock push down spring due to the extra link in the chain. I also purchased a Spot chain guard and that helped. This set up works great now.

Here is the spacer kit I went with. It has a lot of spacers and some very thin ones for micro adjustments.

http://jensonusa.com/store/product/C...speed+Kit.aspx

Pho'dUp

Quote:

Originally Posted by integradriv3r

I kind of have a few questions myself. I just picked up a Surly Singleator from 2WheelLee last thursday and Gene hooked it up with an 18t rear cog. So:

1) Is there a cheap spacer kit I can purchase anywhere? Or any alternatives?

2) I have a Shimano LX cranks and was wondering if I could get away without purchasing a new front chain ring. I believe the middle ring is a 32t but have been told to use a non ramped ring so the chain does not come off. Hopefully some of you have a solution to my ordeal.

Thanks

1. Ask your friends for old cassettes and take them apart for the spacers. Or you can cut a PVC pipe. But I just use old cassette spacers. Or the Path I know can sell you some spacers.

2. As long as your 32T ring isn't too worn down you should have a problem using it for a singlespeed.

Just get that chainline straight. It'll save you lots of headaches.

Zonacat. If you doing it on the cheap, you can just use your old RD as the tensioner or try to find the magic gear ratio. Nice project. Be great for OMR's vintage ride next month.

My old trek was a pretty fun bike.

HUGH

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeeDubb

Just make sure you let the purple anodized component fetish die.

For some reason, Hugh wants to keep purple alive. Someone let him know that the purple went out in the 90s almost right after his Zaskar came out...

Don't hate! Purple still rocks!!
I'm in the process of making this a coil front fork so I can put it back on the GT. More purple

HUGH

integradriv3r

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

I just use old cassette spacers.

2. As long as your 32T ring isn't too worn down you should have a problem using it for a singlespeed.

Not too familiar what cassette spacers look like since I haven't messed with the cassette YET. I will probably be doing that tomorrow

Would 1 cassette suffice for said spacers? I don't mind destroying the cassette I have on my bike if it would make the rear cog work.

So just align the chain with the front ring?

I will be tinkering tomorrow.

CeeDubb

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUGH

Don't hate! Purple still rocks!!
I'm in the process of making this a coil front fork so I can put it back on the GT. More purple

HUGH

Oh man. That's a Manitou2! I had that on my Haro Extreme back in the day. I think we're talkin' 1992...

But I refrained from pimpin' the purple on the fork brace and brakes.

Hugh...keep it real and stick with the elastomers...

richie_rich

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBasil

If you do (and you should), order up a dummy, toothless ring to replace the big ring and you can use the chainring bolts from the existing setup.

One VERY good deal out there is the Performance SS conversion kit: all the spacer and a tensioner for under $20. I used it on my wife's rig and other than it being "push down" only, it's excellent.

Just got that SS conversion from Performance and so far so good!

Also, when you remove the "big ring" if don't want to spend the money on a dummy, you can buy shorter bolts (only a few bucks more for the dummy so go with the dummy)...or spend .78¢ on a few washers at the local hardware store and grind them off to fit until you know you're going to like it.


Zonacat Member	SS Conversion Question Hi all, I get wordy, so please bear with me... I have been very interested to get to work on an SS, and have an old bike sitting around that I never use. The bike is a stock '91 Stumpjumper rigid. I once ran one of the old "future shocks" on it with a huge 2" of travel. I recently got the bike back up and running as an f'ing around bike, and it's in like new condition, albeit with a steel front fork now. I was thinking about running a conversion kit on it, but wasn't sure if this bike would make sense or not. It's was the first Stumpy with the M2 metal matrix technology, and I used to beat the sh*t out of it when I was in college in Tucson. It has run all the big rides out there, Chiva Falls, Soldier Camp, Elephant Head, Starr Pass, etc... for years, and was one solid and very light frame. The bike weighs in right at 26 lbs rigid. Was thinking of putting a Marzocchi fork on (only fork I know of that runs with the tiny head tube I have), along with the conversion and heading out. Long story short, what do you think? Important note: this is my first attempt at an SS. I have never ridden one, execpt my banana seat Schwinn's and BMX bikes as a kid. Thanks in advance!!


HUGH Mashers Only !!	I say do it. It's nice that you can try out the SS thing on the cheap first. Then if you don't like it you won't have that much money into it.. HUGH __________________ http://www.thepathbikeshop.com http://www.wheelbuilder.com


gassertrucks Junior Member	SS Conversion Do it! I just did the conversion on my Felt hardtail about a month ago and I love it. That is all I'm riding now. I've seen big performance gains and it has already made me a better rider. I enjoy it so much I am racing SS now. I dropped 2 1/2 lbs. off my bike weight now down to high 19lbs. The things climbs so well - I have destroyed many personal best times on my training routes. I just recently did the Idyllwild race and I had by far the best time I have ever had racing bikes. I'm running a 32 x 20 on a 26" and that seems to work best for me so far. I'm a small guy and more of a spinner. I tried running an 18 for 2 weeks and it was great on the flats but wasn't the right gear for me to climb with. Singleator and spacer kit. It is such an inexpensive conversion you really can't go wrong. If it's not for you you're only down $50 or so.


Zippy Xterra Nut	Close, Hugh. Mine's Ink Blue with the original Mach 5 SX Fork on it. __________________ Swim, bike, run. www.zippyathlete.blogspot.com


EBasil Senior Member	Yes, you'll use spacers instead of a cogset, aligning the rear cog to match the location of your former middle ring. Use the same old cranks for now. If you do (and you should), order up a dummy, toothless ring to replace the big ring and you can use the chainring bolts from the existing setup. Bike Empire and Adams Ave bikes almost always have the Spot toothless rings in stock. There are different "kits" which are spacers and a tensioner. The best setup for tension is "push up" but the Singleator won't last doing that for long (many of us have a rubber band on there). One VERY good deal out there is the Performance SS conversion kit: all the spacer and a tensioner for under $20. I used it on my wife's rig and other than it being "push down" only, it's excellent. Yeah, get thyself some brake-only levers. Avid 7's and you're done for life. __________________ Responsible Use is a Reason for Preservation of Public Lands.


Zonacat Member	Looking at these, what do I need to do? Thanks!!


integradriv3r Future Goater	I kind of have a few questions myself. I just picked up a Surly Singleator from 2WheelLee last thursday and Gene hooked it up with an 18t rear cog. So: 1) Is there a cheap spacer kit I can purchase anywhere? Or any alternatives? 2) I have a Shimano LX cranks and was wondering if I could get away without purchasing a new front chain ring. I believe the middle ring is a 32t but have been told to use a non ramped ring so the chain does not come off. Hopefully some of you have a solution to my ordeal. Thanks __________________ "He who throws mud loses ground." -Wise Old Man

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