This will be our second season of building 29er single speed frames and they are growing in popularity every day.
The 29er frames use the same tubing as the standard single speed frame that we build, and have the same available options. There are 3 stock sizes available (see the table below, plus our frame geometry page) and our 6 stock colors to choose from, as well as available custom colors and sizes, of course!
Submitted by
sminniear
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, California Date Reviewed: July 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
HITG
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
On-line
Strengths:
This is a review for the Spot Longboard belt drive SS. Products strengths include relatively light weight, belt drive (quiet), manitou fork w/Absolute damper, frame and geometry resulting in excellent value for money
Weaknesses:
CDS belt drive needs to be handled with care, WTB Laserlight 29er wheels on the heavy side, stock Spot QR / axle needed to be replaced with bolt-on, Spot rocket tensioners should be re-designed!
Similar Products Used:
Bianchi SS, Felt Nine Solo
Bike Setup:
Spot Longboard w / CDS belt drive, medium frame, Ritchey and Spot brand components, WTB Laserlight 29er wheelset, Hayes brakes, Maxxis Crossmark tires, Manitou 29er fork with Absolute damper
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike after looking at a lot of other options for singlespeeds. I was intrigued by the belt drive and sold on the Spot geometry.
I had a few "teething" issues that the guys at Spot handled very professionally and quickly. I could not get the rear wheel to stay aligned with the Spot Rocket tensioners and QR that came with the bike. This caused the belt to become mis-aligned and rub or skip. Spot remedied this by replacing the stock QR axle with a bolt-on axle and I replaced the Spot Rocket tensioners with Redline and the problem has been fixed. I also had a belt snap which was likely due to the belt being compromised at some point but again the guys at Spot / CDS replaced it no questions asked.
After working through the issues mentioned, I've had no problems and I thoroughly enjoy the bike! It's quiet, responsive and handles very well. You do tend to sit more upright than with a standard XC setup, but the geometry works for climbing and descending very well. The belt drive is so smooth you feel like you have a direct connect to the rear wheel and power transfer is instantaneous.
My bike came with the Manitou 29er fork and TPC damping. I swapped out the TPC damper for 85 bucks and put in the Absolute damper as a lockout is a must on 29er SS.
My bike as configured with XT SPD pedals weight 25.8 lbs which is respectable for a bike in this price range. If I were to change anything else, it would be swapping out the WTB wheelset for a set of Crossmax 29ers or Stans as I could shave nearly a pound off the build. It would be relatively easy to shave another .5 to 3/4 lb by swapping out the seatpost, stem and bar but I see no reason at this point.
Bottom line. 5 flamming chilis for this bike and the support from Spot / CDS!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kbk
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: May 28, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Picture Rock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Blue Sky in Longmont
Strengths:
Great geometry, plush ride feel, ready for 100mm fork.
Weaknesses:
dropouts and mounting system are challenging to get right and don't often stay in the correct position.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Big Unit, One Niner
Bike Setup:
Started off stock build for Spot Longboard belt drive. Have been changing things out slowly. XT cranks, gravity dropper, flat bars.
Bottom Line:
This is a really nice steel frame. The geometry is quite different than other 29ers I've ridden. It has a much more slack head tube angle with makes it great for riding over stuff and handling downhills well. Like most steel bikes, it is very smooth for a hardtail. Unlike most steel bikes (especially 29ers), it doesn't seem to flexy. The paint isn't too thick, but looks nice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
csb_d
a Racer
from Colorado Springs, CO USA Date Reviewed: March 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Cascade
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Balanced Rock Bike &
Strengths:
Geometry is great, super short chain-stays make for a really fun ride. Bike descends like a dream and is very, very stable at high speeds. Great BB clearance and plenty of stand-over.
Weaknesses:
Somehow I got the short straw and got a sub-par paint job from Spectrum, which rarely happens. Welds aren't quite as clean as I would expect of a frame in this price range.
Similar Products Used:
Moots 29er SS, Redline Monocog Flight
Bike Setup:
Crossmax 29, King, XTR, Thomson stem & post
Bottom Line:
This bike is really fun to ride and has a great feel. Climbs well and descends even better. The steel frame really soaks up the bumps and is pretty light weight. The boys and girls at Spot delivered my frame much faster than I expected. Only drawback is the so-so paint job which is not the norm for bikes painted at Spectrum.
If you live in the Colorado Springs area...buy a bike from Tim at Balanced Rock Bike & Ski...he's a super cool guy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ovaltine
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, Colorado Date Reviewed: August 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Strengths:
Belt drive, Geometry
Weaknesses:
Spot components
Similar Products Used:
On One, Bianchi
Bottom Line:
This is a review for the Spot Longboard
I was really stoked on the belt drive and after of plenty of time in the saddle I still am. It took some time tweaking the rear wheel alignment to get the belt not to ride to one side or the other but once you get it dialed its great, no oil, no noise and smooth.
The frame geometry is good and the bike climbs well.
On the down side, I have had my bike (or my wife's Longboard) in the shop 4 weekends in a row. It seems every Spot component has either needed to be replaced or fixed. At a price tag of $1800 I am a bit disappointed by my Spot experince. Thankfully the guys at the shop have been great and more then helpful.
In the end, Spot makes a nice frame and the belt drive is great, however, if I got one again I would by the frame and belt drive and do a custom build.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steelman1
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, Colorado Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
White Ranch
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Golden Bike Shop
Strengths:
Welds, Geometry, Belt Drive and overall design.
Weaknesses:
None at this point.
Similar Products Used:
Moots YBB, Soulcraft option 3
Bike Setup:
29er Spot SS Belt Drive Frame. American Made in Golden, Colorado with a custom Spectrum Powderworks Liquid paint design. (Has to be seen to be believed) The welds on this bike are simply outstanding.
Chris King headset. Ritchey Carbon Lowrise Bars, Ritchey WCS wet black seatpost and stem, Ritchey WCS saddle. Avid Juicy Ultimate Carbon brakes. Race Face Next Carbon Crank. DT Swiss XMC 80mm Carbon Fork. Stans 355 rims, Chris King SS Hubs. XTR Pedals. Maxxis Ignitor tires run Tubeless.
Bottom Line:
This bike took about 8 months in the making. With the custom paint and waiting on all the sweet stuff to come available. It was worth the wait!
The minute I threw my leg over this bike I was blown away at the fact that it did not feel like I was on a 29er. The Custom tube set and geometry really work with this bike. I was afraid that the top tube was going to be a little short coming off of my Soulcraft but it's no problem what so ever. The bike is quick and agile just the way you want it.
The belt drive is just awesome. Quiet, smooth and direct power under your feet. The new improved Belt design, different from the inter bike design works flawlessly. The guys at Golden Bike Shop knew exactly how to line the drive line up perfectly.
This bike is unbelievable fun to ride. I am definitely hooked on the 29er SS Belt Drive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Hohensee
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO, USA Date Reviewed: October 15, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Aldefer-3 Sisters
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
Golden Bike Shop
Strengths:
Best handling hardtail I have every owed/ridden! Bought for the novel belt drive system, but have fallen in love with the way this bike (frame) rides. The mix of different steel in specific tubes really works (at least for me).
Weaknesses:
Cost is prohibitive (but worth it in my opinion); I'd like a clear coat over the finish and decals; geometry could be discriminatory (although I LOVE it).
Similar Products Used:
Niner EMD (geared), demoed a Spot 26" SS
Bike Setup:
29er SS; Truvativ Carbon bar (31.8mm); Thomson stem/post; King headset; Manitou Minute 29er fork; Crank Bros. Cobalt crank; King hubs; Sun DS2 rims; Salsa skewer/post clamp; Spot Rocket tensioners; Spot/Gates belt drive (not installed yet--December timeframe); SRAM SS chain; Surley cog/chainring; Ritchey saddle (going to try... may replace with Terry Fly); Avid Carbons (180mm)
Bottom Line:
This is my first SS, or 29er and although I'm a little out-of-shape and new to the SS tactics, I love the handling of this bike. After some demo rides, I'm becoming a 29er convert! Seems like the companies I've tried (Spot, Niner) have the geometry dialed and there's little compromise. Being a big guy, it is a bit harder to climb, but the descents are incredible... even on a hardtail.
My bike was one of the demo bikes from Interbike, so it has the "key-hole" slot in the dropout for the Polychain belt drive. That said, I got the bike from a local bike shop with a traditional chain-drive. I'm supposed to get the belt-drive in December, so I'll amend my review then. That should be a good test since I'm a clydesdale in Colorado (loads of climbing). That seemed to be the one combination that caused slipping at Interbike. I'm confident that it will be fine-tuned by December.
Regardless of the belt drive, I love this bike! The finish is beautiful, although I'm a little concerned since there appears to be no clear coat over the decals. The geometry is "spot" on and it handles incredibly. I'm running Kenda Small Block 8's on it and I've noticed that those tires don't hook up like I'd like, but the bike is SO predictable when the rear end is going to break free that it's almost fun to slide! The cockpit is comfortable and places me in the perfect position to rail turns (love the 29er tires for their contact). I'm really pumped to spend more time on this bike! As mentioned earlier, I'll revise my review after a couple of months in the saddle and some time stomping the belt drive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Lyons, Colorado Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Hall Ranch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Bitterbrush Cycle
Strengths:
Love this bike. Super clean look and climbs better than I can keep up with it. The 29er thing on a SS really comes together.
Loving every bit of it. Just finished slogging through a sloppy mess of snow and mud jeep roads and the Spot knocked it out with distinction. I'm around the 200lb mark and I can't notice any flex while climbing. Descending is tight and responsive, but I'm still working out cornering on 29's. All that from a local Colorado company, can't beat it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Buddy Briggs
a Racer
from Unionville,PA USA Date Reviewed: December 14, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
Henry's Bike Shop
Strengths:
My Spot frame is withg out a doubt the sweetest riding frame I have evr owned. It handles flawlessly. The frame is very compliant, but is also stiff enough on take off. I would reckomend this frame over any other out there.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Custom Ti single speed
Bike Setup:
DT Swiss Hubs, Stan's rims, Jones Bars, Reba fork, FSA carbon crank aems with a Boone Spiderless Ti chain ring. Thomson stem and post, Avid Juicy 7 brakes.
Bottom Line:
Best steel 29er single speed frame around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Sierra Vista, AZ Date Reviewed: January 31, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Chiva Falls
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Spot Brand
Strengths:
Color Pearl Orange, Steel Frame, Converts to gears or singlespeed
Weaknesses:
Short Toptube, Seatstays are small and biggest tire I can fit is a 2.1,
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Rig
Bike Setup:
Hope hubs, Maverick Rims, Easton carbon bar and seatpost, SRAM Components x.9, Botranger 34 tooth front, XT 11-34 rear cassette, Hayes Hydraulics
Bottom Line:
Nice bike. Other than the short top tube the rest is great. I would like to put wider tires on it but the Kendas are fast rollers, great for racing. The bike is convertable thanks to the Santa Cruz drop-outs that Michael recommended. Now I can ride either geared or singlespeed. As for the top tube, I sit a bit more straighter but I added a offset seatpost and the bike is a bit more racy. Would I buy another? There are too many alternatives out there and the top tube does make a difference. I am more prone to endo on the bike than on my longer tt Gry Fisher Rig. But, I am still happy with the Spot.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kirk hendricks
a Cross Country Rider
from pocatello,idaho,usa Date Reviewed: January 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
City Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
robs
Strengths:
steel is real snappy very responsive.
Weaknesses:
need to put on front shock rigid is beating me up more than i like
Similar Products Used:
Indepent Fabrication pissoff Bontrager set up single speed (singulator)
Bike Setup:
Spot hubs race face cranks mavic rims mtb seat & tires easton handlebars and seatpost, White freewheel
Bottom Line:
love the bike still struggling with the 29er theory
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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