Here you find the venerable 1X1, the frame whose name is synonymous with singlespeeds the same way people call facial tissue Kleenex. The 1X1 was designed for 26" wheels, big tires, and single gear and cog drivetrains, like freewheeled singlespeeds, fixedgear, and even internal geared hubs. No derailleur hanger, no housing stops or line guides for derailleurs. The 1X1 is simple, durable and beautiful.
Tubing: 4130 CroMoly steel. Main triangle double-butted. TIG-welded
Braze-ons: 51mm disc tabs and removable cantilever bosses front and rear, rear brake toptube housing stops, seatstay mounted disc housing guides, fender eyelets front and rear, and dual water-bottle mounts
Tire Clearance: Room for 26 x 2.7" meat
Fork: TIG welded cromoly. Non-curved tapered blades. Suspension corrected for 100mm travel suspension fork. Line guides, 51mm I.S. disc caliper mount; rim brake pivots (removable post type)
Submitted by
b0mb3r
a Cross Country Rider
from newark de
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2011
Strengths: great geometry, steel, disk and canti brakes, inexpensive, fatties fit fine (up to 2.7 rear tire).
Weaknesses: none that i can see
Bottom Line:
I bought this frame because I wanted to try single speed. I thought I would be riding it casually, but that did not happen. This bike became my primary ride. It is simply too much fun. In end, I think it made me a better ride because I am more aggressive. I am attacking uphills now. This bike is not super nimble and sometimes it feels like a truck on tight single track, but that does not take away from it being fun. I run a 2.4 sized tire in the back, with lower pressure and the ride quality is similar to my KHS soft tail. I honestly could not be happier with my purchase!
Bike Setup: 1x1, Marzocchi Z1, Saint Cranks, magura rim brakes, cheap wheels.
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Submitted by
Ice-man
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2010
Strengths: Simplicity, versatility, looks awesome, steel, Comfortable, absorbs a lot more than you expect it to, everything
Weaknesses: None that I can think of except need special attachments or zip ties for hydraulic cable running
Bottom Line:
I've wanted this frame for a long time and finally decided to buy one and I built it up with almost all high-end parts. What I ended up with is an insane single track destroyer that is very comfortable fully rigid. While all the other components perform very well, the 1x1 frame is so compliant in the right places and rides so enjoyably that it is the highlight of the setup (besides maybe the hubs!) It ended up being very light for a mountain bike ( feels like 23 pounds). I rip so hard on this thing it isn't even fair. I feel like I'm cheating using this bike. The fact that it cam be built as a commuter or whatever you want makes it even more amazing. I don't think I'll ever own another bike as enjoyable as this 1x1. Buy one and build it up however you want! Just don't do huge jumps and drops with it or insane downhill and you're good to go.
Bike Setup: 20" frame, Phil kiss-off hubs, dt swiss spokes and EX500 rims, king headset, thomson x4 stem and masterpiece seatpost, silver eno cranks and 36t chainring, WI 18t freeweel, WI BB, ODI ruffians, Kenda small block 4 tires, Kona Wah-wah pedals
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Submitted by
PeteCress
a Cross Country Rider
from Paoli, PA USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2010
Strengths: Price
Weaknesses: - Rear fender/rack eyes do not allow a rack tb mounted if disc brakes used
- No rack eyes up top under the saddle
- Had to take it to a shop to get the BB shell faced and chased
Bottom Line:
The price was right, but the rack mounting thing seems like a needless PITA: if they had just located the eyes properly...
Bike Setup: Rohloff hub w/Surly's tugnut, Avid mech discs
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Submitted by
Captain Chaos
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland, UK
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2009
Strengths: Reasonably inexpensive. Extremely versatile, I can easily switch between slicks and knobblies and feel confident on the road or trails. The quality is high, nice welds, thick paint and nice detailing in the track ends etc. I like the ability to run V-Brakes, something missing from a lot of modern frames. I wanted to build a bike that was cheap to run and easy to maintain so V-Brakes were high on my list.
Bike Setup: Sun Rhyno Lite XLs on Dmr Hubs QR front SS rear
Hope Headset and Stem
Easton EA30 Bars and Seatpost
Avid FR-5/Single Digit V-Brakes
Specialized Saddle
Specialized Fast Trak Tyres
Shimano Octalink Crank, Deore 32T Chainring and Truvativ Bash
Specialized Lo Pro Mag Pedals
KMC Chain
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Submitted by
SuperCoolBiker
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainesville, FL USA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2009
Strengths: The Surly 1×1 is a super rad machine. It can handle any trail and any condition. With fancy parts the bike can be built up as light as 20lbs and with regular parts it can easily be built up to be sub 25lbs. The frame is stout, stiff, and simple…everything I would look for in a mountain bike. The 1×1 can be setup using either the supplied Surly 1×1 rigid fork(or any other suspension corrected rigid fork) or a squishy suspension fork with 80mm of travel such as a Rockshox Reba or Sid. The rider also has the option of running either V, Canti, or Disc Brakes on the frame and fork. The frame-set is affordable in comparison to most other single speed frames and frame-sets on the market… the retail price of a 1×1 frame-set is $430 and a complete bike can be built up starting between 750 and a 1000 dollars.
Weaknesses: What what? I suppose if you want to use gears the 1×1 would not be your cup of tea. The 1×1 can only be setup single speed, though it can be run with an internal hub such as a Shimano Alfine 8speed if you really need to get your gears on. Some might consider the 5lb frame weight as a weakness but the reality is that a 5lb frame is strong, not weak.
Bottom Line:
The best way to describe how a 1×1 rides is: it rides like a bike. There is nothing special about its frame geometry or its intended use, it is meant to be ridden on and off road and can handle just about anything you can put under its wheels. If you like to ride… you will like to ride a Surly 1×1. It is very nice.
Similar Products Used: Comparable products I have ridden include: Cannondale 1FG, Sano custom mountain bike w/ gears, and a Villin SS.
Bike Setup: Surly 1×1 Frame and 1×1 Fork. Mavic 717 Ceramic laced to Paul High Flange front hub/ Mavic 717 laced to Paul WORD single speed rear hub. Paul Motolite V-brakes/ Avid Ultimate Levers. Moots Setback Ti Post. Ritchey WCS stem 90mm/ Answer Protaper 2? rise bar. Shimano XTR Pedals White Industries ENO Crank-set w/ 34t including matching Ti BB. White Industries 17t freewheel. Topped off with Kenda Smallblock 8 Tires and a Tioga Spyder saddle. The bike weighs just under 21lbs.
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Submitted by
Fred
a Weekend Warrior
from Lille, France
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2009
Strengths: great bike : easy to handle, not heavy, "comfortable" steel frame, very good fork
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
not expensive and really good : the best singlespeed frame in an entry price level...
Bike Setup: 1x1 rigid fork, Mavic Crossride wheels, square tape bottom bracket with Deore crank arms, On-One Mary bar, XT vbrake and Avid Speed Dial SL levers, SDG Bel Air titanum saddle and a tuggnut
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Submitted by
Aaron twemlow
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008
Strengths: Its Steel & well built. A no bulls..t frame that performs allday. This bike will outlast me.
Weaknesses: Still None. 9 years of abuse.
Bottom Line:
Just thought I would update my last review from 5YEARS ago which brings me into my 9th year riding a surly 1+1 and competing on it for the last 6 years.I THINK THIS BIKE WILL OUTLAST ME. "Built to last" is what should be stamped on the top tube!!.I will be buried with this bike,no one will get it!HA.
Bike Setup: Easton carbon bars,seatpost,easton alloy stem,chris king hdst,xtbb,raceface cranks,hope ti-ss rear hub,syncross frnt hub,salsa rims-tubless,34-17.
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Submitted by
Aaron twemlow
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008
Strengths: Its Steel & well built. A no bulls..t frame that performs allday. This bike will outlast me.
Weaknesses: Still None. 9 years of abuse.
Bottom Line:
Just thought I would update my last review from 5YEARS ago which brings me into my 9th year riding a surly 1+1 and competing on it for the last 6 years.I THINK THIS BIKE WILL OUTLAST ME. "Built to last" is what should be stamped on the top tube!!.I will be buried with this bike,no one will get it!HA.
Every review I read before buying this bike was spot on. Its amazing. Except everyone said it was heavy.. which i haven't seen. Mine weighs in right under 22lbs with pedals and cages. I'm a pro bmx racer and ride mountain mostly to train but this bike is so much fun. Great value. Great bike. This is a great bike for everyone. It's my first endeavor into the world of singlespeed mtn... (I usually trained on a fuelex8) and I love it. I may very well have wasted my money on the full suspension rig as I may never touch it again.
Bike Setup: Surly 1x1 18inch. Surly fork. Mavic Crossride wheels. Easton EA50 bar. Bontrager RaceXlite stem. Shimano DXR brakes. White Industries ENO crank.
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Submitted by
Booker T.
a Cross Country Rider
from Norcal
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2008
Strengths: Great climber, downhiller. Steel is reel.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I just recently replaced my old Marzocchi Marathon (with the cronic air leak) with a Surly 1x1 rigid fork. I rode this bike with the Zocchi for 3 years and it was awesome.
But, the rigid setup has not slowed me down at all. My steering/control is more precise up front on twisty single track downhills than with the Zoochi. It climbs better than before.
Bottom Line: A great bike to have if you can't afford 2 bikes. A great second bike if you can.
Similar Products Used: First SS bike. It's my 5th mountain bike. Have had: Rigid Stumpjumber, SC Heckler, SC Superlite, Karate Monkey 29er, Surly 1x1 with Marzocchi fork
Bike Setup: Surly 1x1 rigid fork; disc brake in front, v-brake with ceramic rim in back; 32-18 gear ratio.
Strengths: Great geometry, affordable, strong, fatties fit fine.
Weaknesses: Well, I guess it ain't light... No hose guides on top tube. Yeah, if you run mechanicals or V's, or cantis you won't need them but I think they should have them. No longer comes in white.
Bottom Line:
It's a great frame. It's not the lightest out there, it doesn't have the best design for dealing with discs -fork ends with slotted mounts- but it works and it's very versatile.
Bike Setup: Discs, wheels with geared hubs and spacers and a suspension fork, rode it rigid for the first year or so.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, WA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2007
Strengths: The feel of steel, climbing ability, smooth ride, ability to use large up to 2.7 inch tires, disc brake tabs
Weaknesses: a little heavy but who cares
Bottom Line:
Love this bike, Been on a half dozen trail rides and also use it to exercise my dog. ] '\]The first trail ride was with the Surly rigid fork installed and the bike worked flawlessly but my body just can't take the pounding from a rigid fork so I had the Reba installed (came off one of my other bikes). Not sure how other shocks work with this bike but the Reba seems to be a great match. I can actually clean terrain with this bike that I had problems cleaning with my Litespeed. I'm running a 32:18 gear ratio which for me is perfect for short quick climbs and descents. My legs can't handle the real steep stuff but with more conditioning it should get easier. I have a 16 tooth ACS freewheel that I use for running around town and I use the 18 tooth Shimano freewheel for trail riding. The ACS freewheel is pretty noisy while the Shimano one is nice and quiet. Not sure about either one's durability. Plan to upgrade to a White Industries freewheel when these wear out. Don't hesitate getting a 1x1 and be sure to pick up a tugnut tensioner too, it even opens up your favorite trail beverage.
Bike Setup: Reba SL shock set at 85mm travel, XT Hydro front brake, XT rear V-brake, WTB Dual Duty rims w/Surly hubs, Stylo SS cranks, Shimano freewheel, Easton EC70 straight bar, Thomson stem and seatpost
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Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2007
Strengths: Durability, Works with anything, Fun ride
Weaknesses: Weight (of course)
Bottom Line:
Love the bike, works with commuting and mountain biking. Infinite possiblitys.
Bike Setup: Frame with bontrager race light gxp cranks, sid race, race face dues xc handlebar/stem. Could only afford this stuff because i work at a bike shop.
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Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2007
Strengths: Frame is bullet proof. The rear I weigh 200 lbs and ride my 1x1 hard. In the 3 years I've owned this bike I've bounced it off every rock and root in the Southern Maine area and I've never had any problems. Plus, the Surly Tugnut chain tensioner is a bottle opener!
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike. Can't possibly beat it for the money. Buy one now!
Similar Products Used: I converted an old Diamond Back to single speed prior to getting my hands on the 1x1. The DB has since been collecting dust.
Bike Setup: 1x1 rigid fork, Surly rear hub mated to a Rhyno Lite rim, Mavic Cross Land front rim, Surly Tugnut chain tensioner, Surly 32T chain ring, White Industries 16T ENO freewheel Race Face bar, Easton stem, Titus saddle, Panaracer XC Fire tires,
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Submitted by
Alt
a Cross Country Rider
from Bossier City, LA USA
[IMG]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2486/5749082348_fe8a1537c7_b.jpg[/IMG]
[URL="http://forums.mtbr.com/surly/surly-1x1-fixed-700c-609787.html"]Starting with the Surly 1x1 fixed Read More »
Fellow Surlyites,
I'm sure this question has been asked too many times, but I'll ask anyway. Will an Endo on an Alex DX-32 rim fit in a 1x1?
Thanks and Happy Solstice!
Pat Read More »
My venerable Manitou R7 is toast. I don't really want to spend $300 on a fork, and I'm too much of "that guy" to want a fork that's heavier than I'm used to, or doesn't have the c Read More »
