Oh noooo! I rode a single speed... and I love it!

I had a great time on a Tranny 32-18 (demo). I was sure I was gonna have to walk a lot but for my own surprise I felt so good, it was like some sort of hidden power that I didn't knew I had. I climbed like never before. But I'm a little lost now. The Tranny is 26 and I would like to go 29.
Is it possible to build something decent for about 1k? How bad are the entry level nashbar 29er's or the SE's? I know those are rigid and I'm gonna have to spend on a suspension fork as well.
How hard would it be to convert a geared hard tail to SS? I might start with an old HT 26 frame until I feel like I deserve a brand new SS.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

converting bike is not to bad. now there are spacer kits and tensioners widely available. the first single speed i did was a hassle since none of that existed. as far as building a bike, it may be better to just buy something and add a suspension fork to it rather than try to build it all for under a grand; since buying a la cart is always more expensive. i think any frames are probably fine for what you are looking for, but you might also look at MTBR or this classifieds or even craigslist and see what comes up.

 

Get a Nashbar.

 

I recently built a decent single speed 29er for way under a grand (closer to $500), but I don't have a supsension fork on it (carbon rigid). I purchased most of the parts on e-bay and I had what didn't buy. I belive heyitsdave rides a nashbar so you might ask him if he doesn't chime in. You could purchase a redline monocog and add a decent suspension fork for under a grand.

Looks like Dave chimed in while I was typing.

 

Yea, but...........never mind.

 

Just saw a GF Rig 2008 on e-bay for $800 size L

 

I recently bought a brand new Kona Unit fully rigid for about $700. I will eventually upgrade the wheels, but otherwise it is a really solid bike. You can find real nice used examples with nice upgrades for less than $1,000 out there with no problem.

 

i have a kona unit as well. i put in hydraulics, replaced the chain to a better one, clipless and tightened up the wheels on the truer. shes a decent package.

 

What size are you ??

This is a Good deal

http://www.proride.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=69621.0

 

Singlespeed and 29er seem to go hand in hand.

Don't waste your money buying a 26" SS......you will eventually want to upgrade and th used market for 26" SS seems to be getting smaller and smaller.

Shop around, there are a lot if inexpensive SS out there to be had. Most will be rigid, but run about $5-600.


Just be prepared, your geared bike/s will soon be gathering dust if you get a SS. Yes, they are that much fun......in a painful kind of way.

 

Stay off the shifters, instant SS

 

Not.

 

I third this, the Unit with a fork is a solid bike. I bought the geared dropout for mine so I can run 1x9 for racing. It's more fun SS though.

 

+4 on the Kona Unit 29

 

I'm riding a Kona Explosif which is similar to the Unit and love it. Having a go at rigid as well and thought it sucked the first couple rides but now am pretty happy with it, especially climbing. Its very easy to build a good 29er SS for under $1000, particularly if you have some of the parts sitting around which I think most of us do. There was one of these frames and rigid fork for sale here a while ago for $140, I bought mine, frame only, for $100 on craigslist and it was brand new so just keep your eyes on the classifieds. Good Luck!

 

Why is it when I see the topic for this thread I think about the Katy Perry song "I Kissed a Girl".....I rode a SS and I liked it....

 

I'll get on the Kona Unit bandwagon. Inexpensive and with a few upgrades you got yourself a sweet rig. Its orange, too. :bang:

The 2012 Kona Unit:



And since we're talking single speeds I want one of these as a cruise around bike. Also orange. :bang:

The 2012 Raleigh Furley: