Advice - Spot Frames

MattB said:

Craig Brossman said:

Ride-A-Lot said:

MattB wrote:

> Ride-A-Lot wrote:
>
>> As I mentioned previously, I am looking at a new singlespeed. At
>> first I was going to go full custom, but after looking at the price
>> tags that will not be possible. So now I am looking at the stock
>> frames from some of the smaller builders. I would like to keep the
>> frame under $1100. It is a SS hardtail for god's sake. My only
>> other requirement is vertical dropouts (I have my reasons
>> regardless of it not being true SS devotion). The Spot has the
>> requirements I want. Anyone ride one? Any other suggestions?
>>
>>
>
> Whatever you get, you should bring it for Hartman's riding next summer!
> Hartman Rocks rocks on the SS!
>
> Matt

I am probably bringing the existing 1FG to Arizona next month. If I
can keep up with Gary on that, then I will bring the new SS to Colorado.

Hear that GeeDub? Get that Redline in gear!

I see a few SSs out on the trails here, but not many.
Maybe it is because there are so many long climbs, maybe the local
bike shops have drugged us to believing geared bikes are the only way
to go, maybe Durango area riders are all low-skilled and in poor
condition, perhaps a bit of all three.
BUT, I have a work buddy who finished 5th (IIRC) in the VaporTrail 125
on a fully rigid, 29" SS, and he always seemed human to me.
And he is trying to talk me into getting one.

I'm guessing it's the long steep climbs. Same for CB. There are some,
but most people ride that stuff with gears and for good reason IMO!

Matt

PS - How 'bout Dave and Jason (#1 and #2 G-Spot boys) in that
VaporTrail, eh? That sounded brutal...

Sounded very brutal ... and on a fully rigid SS. Amazing to me.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado

Owner/Operator of the Pekingnese Ranch.

<Ride-A-LotSCAMdium. I didn't see a steel option. It's also a little too damp in
these parts most of the year for steel. I know it would rust on me in
spite of my best efforts to prevent it.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
[url]www.schnauzers.ws>

Is it that wet???
buy a can of frame saver... I don't live that far away and I haven't had rust problems on any steel bike I own...
Not that I have anything agianst Scandium...

I want to ride a buddie's Karate Monkey... I rode a Vicious 29er a few years ago and loved it... We can't afford another bike in the stable but I would like to see what a 29'er like on home trails..
Plus he has those Jones bars and I am curious to see what that is all about


Jimbo(san)

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ride-A-Lot said:

I routinely take out my EBB on the 1FG and regrease it. Yes, they do
squeak if you do not maintain them, often. They can also seize up.

Another fine reason to avoid the EBB hype and just get a bike with
horizontal drops, or fork ends for singlespeeding. Good riders don't
*need* a disc rear brake because a rear brake doesn't need to lock out
for them.

JD

Whaddabout, like, for doing stunts and stuff though?

Shaun aRe

[quote="Jimbo(san)"]<Ride-A-LotSCAMdium. I didn't see a steel option. It's also a little
too damp in
these parts most of the year for steel. I know it would rust on me in
spite of my best efforts to prevent it.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
[url]www.schnauzers.ws>

Is it that wet???
buy a can of frame saver... I don't live that far away and I haven't
had rust problems on any steel bike I own...
Not that I have anything agianst Scandium...

I want to ride a buddie's Karate Monkey... I rode a Vicious 29er a few
years ago and loved it... We can't afford another bike in the stable
but I would like to see what a 29'er like on home trails..
Plus he has those Jones bars and I am curious to see what that is all
about


Jimbo(san)

[/quote]

My brother's got a Karate Monkey built up as an SS. Really nice build
with King hubs, XTR cranks, Easton, etc. It's a sweet ride and rolls
really fast. I'm still very happy with my 1x1 for the kind of stuff I
usually ride. I feel like I'm too high off the ground riding technical
stuff on the 29er. It would make a good addition to the quiver, but I'd
still keep my 26er too.

Matt

Craig Brossman said:

MattB said:

Craig Brossman said:

Ride-A-Lot wrote:

> MattB wrote:
>
>> Ride-A-Lot wrote:
>>
>>> As I mentioned previously, I am looking at a new singlespeed. At
>>> first I was going to go full custom, but after looking at the
>>> price tags that will not be possible. So now I am looking at the
>>> stock frames from some of the smaller builders. I would like to
>>> keep the frame under $1100. It is a SS hardtail for god's sake.
>>> My only other requirement is vertical dropouts (I have my reasons
>>> regardless of it not being true SS devotion). The Spot has the
>>> requirements I want. Anyone ride one? Any other suggestions?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Whatever you get, you should bring it for Hartman's riding next
>> summer!
>> Hartman Rocks rocks on the SS!
>>
>> Matt
>
>
>
>
>
> I am probably bringing the existing 1FG to Arizona next month. If I
> can keep up with Gary on that, then I will bring the new SS to
> Colorado.
>
> Hear that GeeDub? Get that Redline in gear!
>

I see a few SSs out on the trails here, but not many.
Maybe it is because there are so many long climbs, maybe the local
bike shops have drugged us to believing geared bikes are the only way
to go, maybe Durango area riders are all low-skilled and in poor
condition, perhaps a bit of all three.
BUT, I have a work buddy who finished 5th (IIRC) in the VaporTrail
125 on a fully rigid, 29" SS, and he always seemed human to me.
And he is trying to talk me into getting one.

I'm guessing it's the long steep climbs. Same for CB. There are some,
but most people ride that stuff with gears and for good reason IMO!

Matt

PS - How 'bout Dave and Jason (#1 and #2 G-Spot boys) in that
VaporTrail, eh? That sounded brutal...

Sounded very brutal ... and on a fully rigid SS. Amazing to me.

Even Dave, who is often the king of understatement gave me a tired look
and said "That was brutal." and he was on his Maverick (that he gets
paid to ride - not a bad deal!).

Matt

[quote="Jimbo(san)"]<Ride-A-LotSCAMdium. I didn't see a steel option. It's also a little
too damp in
these parts most of the year for steel. I know it would rust on me in
spite of my best efforts to prevent it.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
[url]www.schnauzers.ws>

Is it that wet???
buy a can of frame saver... I don't live that far away and I haven't
had rust problems on any steel bike I own...
Not that I have anything agianst Scandium...

I want to ride a buddie's Karate Monkey... I rode a Vicious 29er a few
years ago and loved it... We can't afford another bike in the stable
but I would like to see what a 29'er like on home trails..
Plus he has those Jones bars and I am curious to see what that is all
about


Jimbo(san)

[/quote]

I wonder about the handling in this area too. With the tight twisty
singletrack we have, faster and nimbler is better. What will the 29"
wheels will do for the turns.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Dean A. Stepper said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:dvD3f.1630$UF4.858@fed1read02...

Quoted message said:

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message news:f5B3f.6147$jw6.241@lakeread02...
> bomba wrote:
>> On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 09:21:57 -0400, Ride-A-Lot wrote:
>>
>>> When I talk of no dropouts, I am also thinking about an ecentric
>>> bottom bracket (like I have on my crapandfail 1fg) or the
>>> drop-out tensioning thing-a-ma-bob (like on the SC Cameleon). The
>>> chain on my 1FG isn't loose at all.
>>
>> EBB's are falling out of favour - they tend to creak a lot. I've
>> been doing a load of research in to this as I look to my next
>> bike. There are a couple of other options open to you if you want
>> to go SS with discs.
>
> Here's one: use a v-brake in the back! Who actually needs discs
> in the rear?
>
> --
> Phil, Squid-in-Training
>

Phil, Squid-in-Training may be they don't have mountains where you
ride. I have gone down Kamikaze in Mammoth and wanted a 8 inch
instead of a 6 inch
on the back. I don't think there would be much pad left on a
v-brake after a run or two...but maybe I am wrong!

Hmmm, I've done Kamikaze on a full rigid with cantilevers. How much
brake do you need on an access road?

Greg

Depends on how much you weight...I am about 225 without gear. The
Hayes 6 inch rear rotor suffered major fading on the way down. The 8
inch on the front was fine.

Damn. I forgot about body weight. Yes, okay, Clydesdales need them.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Ride-A-Lot said:

Duncan said:

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As I mentioned previously, I am looking at a new singlespeed. At first
I was going to go full custom, but after looking at the price tags that
will not be possible. So now I am looking at the stock frames from some
of the smaller builders. I would like to keep the frame under $1100.
It is a SS hardtail for god's sake. My only other requirement is
vertical dropouts (I have my reasons regardless of it not being true SS
devotion). The Spot has the requirements I want. Anyone ride one? Any
other suggestions?

I can't comment first hand as I've never ridden a spot that was my size but
quite a few of my friends ride spots and love them. A good friend of mine
is the Australian importer so maybe I'm a bit biased.

As for the vertical dropouts I'm curious as to your reasons. I find one of
the best things about an SS is the taught chain. No slap, no drag and much
lesser chance of it coming off.

My SS has vertical dropouts but I went for an Eno. It works great and as it
is a fixie I don't have to worry about adjusting brakes with chain tension.

When I talk of no dropouts, I am also thinking about an ecentric bottom
bracket (like I have on my crapandfail 1fg) or the drop-out tensioning
thing-a-ma-bob (like on the SC Cameleon). The chain on my 1FG isn't
loose at all.

I like the verts because I can change a flat a lot quicker. The people
I ride with are fast (well, faster than me) and the don't wait around
much. So being able to get back on the bike faster doesn't leave me behind.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

What's wrong with the Cannondale?
/s

Scott Gordo said:

What's wrong with the Cannondale?

You have to ask?

JD

Scott Gordo said:

What's wrong with the Cannondale?
/s

Nothing is wrong with it. I bought it used to try out SSing. I am
hooked, so now I want a brand new bike that I raised from a pup. I am
sure the cdale will make the next owner happy as well and I will
probably get more than I bought it for (I got it really cheap and no
it's not hot).

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

JD said:

Scott Gordo said:

What's wrong with the Cannondale?

You have to ask?

JD

Okay, I'll rephrase: what's wrong with Mitch's CDale?

(Can I preempt the reflexive "It's a CDale!" response?)

Scott

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:MME3f.1643$UF4.962@fed1read02...

Quoted message said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hmmm, I've done Kamikaze on a full rigid with cantilevers. How much

brake

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

do you need on an access road?

Greg

Depends on how much you weight...I am about 225 without gear. The Hayes

6

Quoted message said:

inch rear rotor suffered major fading on the way down. The 8 inch on the
front was fine.

At the time I was 205 on the bike. Since then I've gained weight, done many
descents 4 to 5 times as long as Kamikaze, added a front fork, but still
managed with V-brakes.

Greg

G.T. said:

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:MME3f.1643$UF4.962@fed1read02...

Quoted message said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hmmm, I've done Kamikaze on a full rigid with cantilevers. How much

brake

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

do you need on an access road?

The first few flights I took on Icarus were on a hardtail with
cantilever brakes and I'd wager it's steeper, narrower and more
elevation loss than the infamous Kamikaze in Mammoth. However, it is
easier to ride descents with a disc up front, but nobody *needs* a disc
rear brake, even at 225 lbs.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Depends on how much you weight...I am about 225 without gear. The Hayes

6

Quoted message said:

inch rear rotor suffered major fading on the way down. The 8 inch on the
front was fine.

Sounds like an issue with the brake pad compound. I've turned 6"
rotors blue hot and have not had fading issues with mechanical Avids
and metallic compound pads.

Quoted message said:

At the time I was 205 on the bike. Since then I've gained weight, done many
descents 4 to 5 times as long as Kamikaze, added a front fork, but still
managed with V-brakes.

I ride my SS just about anywhere, have taken it on Icarus as well and
have found that long descents still don't require disc brakes.

JD

Shaun aRe said:

Quoted message said:

Another fine reason to avoid the EBB hype and just get a bike with
horizontal drops, or fork ends for singlespeeding. Good riders don't
*need* a disc rear brake because a rear brake doesn't need to lock out
for them.

JD

Whaddabout, like, for doing stunts and stuff though?

And skids!

JD said:

G.T. said:

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:MME3f.1643$UF4.962@fed1read02...

Quoted message said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

>
>Hmmm, I've done Kamikaze on a full rigid with cantilevers. How much

brake

Quoted message said:

>do you need on an access road?

The first few flights I took on Icarus were on a hardtail with
cantilever brakes and I'd wager it's steeper, narrower and more
elevation loss than the infamous Kamikaze in Mammoth. However, it is
easier to ride descents with a disc up front, but nobody *needs* a disc
rear brake, even at 225 lbs.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Depends on how much you weight...I am about 225 without gear. The Hayes

6

Quoted message said:

inch rear rotor suffered major fading on the way down. The 8 inch on the
front was fine.

Sounds like an issue with the brake pad compound. I've turned 6"
rotors blue hot and have not had fading issues with mechanical Avids
and metallic compound pads.

Quoted message said:

At the time I was 205 on the bike. Since then I've gained weight, done many
descents 4 to 5 times as long as Kamikaze, added a front fork, but still
managed with V-brakes.

I ride my SS just about anywhere, have taken it on Icarus as well and
have found that long descents still don't require disc brakes.

JD

Yep. I'm no heavyweight, but I've done the Crest on a rigid with cantis,
and Canyon creek with V's on a hardtail (with you IIRC).

Discs are nice, but I wouldn't call them necessary unless you race DH
and are trying to win.

Matt

Squid-in-Training said:

Here's one: use a v-brake in the back! Who actually needs discs in the
rear?

Ever ride in a UK winter?

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
[quote="Quoted message"][quote="Jimbo(san)"]<Ride-A-LotSCAMdium. I didn't see a steel option. It's also a little
too damp in
these parts most of the year for steel. I know it would rust on me in
spite of my best efforts to prevent it.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
[url]www.schnauzers.ws>

Is it that wet???
buy a can of frame saver... I don't live that far away and I haven't
had rust problems on any steel bike I own...
Not that I have anything agianst Scandium...

I want to ride a buddie's Karate Monkey... I rode a Vicious 29er a few
years ago and loved it... We can't afford another bike in the stable
but I would like to see what a 29'er like on home trails..
Plus he has those Jones bars and I am curious to see what that is all
about


Jimbo(san)

[/quote]

I wonder about the handling in this area too. With the tight twisty
singletrack we have, faster and nimbler is better. What will the 29"
wheels will do for the turns.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws[/quote]

I have only been on one 29 inch bike and that is my One-9 Niner. So my
comparison is limited, what I can compare is my Niner to the dozens of 26
inch full suspension, hardtails and single speeds. I have e-mailed a
picture to ride-a-lot comparing the seat height of my 5-spot to my One-9.
The bottom bracket on the Niner is low so the seat height is about three
inches lower that the Spot. The problem in technical rock gardens on the
Niner is not being "to high off the ground" but hitting your pedals and
chainring...I use a 180mm cranks and a 32 tooth front gear. As for my Niner
bike not being nimble in tight single tracks, I have not noticed any
difference, Note: I have a rigid Surly fork on the front.

"Shaun aRe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ride-A-Lot said:

I routinely take out my EBB on the 1FG and regrease it. Yes, they do
squeak if you do not maintain them, often. They can also seize up.

Another fine reason to avoid the EBB hype and just get a bike with
horizontal drops, or fork ends for singlespeeding. Good riders don't
*need* a disc rear brake because a rear brake doesn't need to lock out
for them.

JD

Whaddabout, like, for doing stunts and stuff though?

Shaun aRe

I don't think you what to get to radical on 29 inch wheels, they are not as
strong as 26 inch wheels. We may never see 29 inch downhill bikes.

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:m5T3f.1725$UF4.468@fed1read02...

Quoted message said:

I have only been on one 29 inch bike and that is my One-9 Niner. So my
comparison is limited, what I can compare is my Niner to the dozens of 26
inch full suspension, hardtails and single speeds. I have e-mailed a
picture to ride-a-lot comparing the seat height of my 5-spot to my One-9.
The bottom bracket on the Niner is low so the seat height is about three
inches lower that the Spot.

You're comparing apples to oranges. Compare a rigid 26" wheeled bike with
the 700c bike.

Greg

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Dean A. Stepper" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:m5T3f.1725$UF4.468@fed1read02...

Quoted message said:

I have only been on one 29 inch bike and that is my One-9 Niner. So my
comparison is limited, what I can compare is my Niner to the dozens of 26
inch full suspension, hardtails and single speeds. I have e-mailed a
picture to ride-a-lot comparing the seat height of my 5-spot to my One-9.
The bottom bracket on the Niner is low so the seat height is about three
inches lower that the Spot.

You're comparing apples to oranges. Compare a rigid 26" wheeled bike with
the 700c bike.

Greg

The comparison was given in the context of the feeling like you were riding
up to high on a 29 inch bike. I was trying to point out that is not
necessarily the case.