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Submitted by
FoShizzle
a
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Phil Wood/Mountain High Cyclery | | Bike Setup: | Actually a 2005 Phil Wood SS frame (see below) | | Bottom Line: | here is the 1st ride report I posted on mtbr which will hopefully help:
Well, had a beautiful 1st ride yesterday on the new single speed (Phil Wood SS). Ride started with a 3 mile fireroad climb with some fast rough downhill fireroad, followed by some rutted twisty short singletrack, with more of the aforementioned....
Much of this is relative to the Surly 1x1 (ACS claw freewheel, Truvativ Stylo cranks, Laserdisc wheelset, marz mx comp fork and fully rigid surly fork, avid mech brakes, big tires) of course but having ridden this loop many times on 2 FS bikes, it was good for relative comparison.
New bike:
* frame = Large Phil Wood SS w/ EBB
* wheelset =Phil disc hubs/QR, DT Swiss XR4.1d rims, Wheelsmith spokes, brass nipples, with DT Swiss tubeless conversion kit
* cranks = 180mm ENO
* bottom bracket = Phil Wood
* fork = Fox F80X
* Brakes = Hope M2 with 2-piece rotors
* freewheel = ENO
* chain = SRAM PC-58
* saddle = WTB Laser V Stealth
* seatpost = Thomson
* stem = Thomson
* grips = ODI-lock Rogue
* headset = King
* seatpost clamp = Salsa
* skewers = Hope
* Dangerboy Hope compatible Blue brake levers
* bars = Azonic Double Wall Riser w/ 2" rise
* tires = 2.25 Big Jim UST front / 2.1 Jim LIght UST rear
* pedals = Shimano 959
CLIMBING OBSERVATIONS
"General" mashing/climbing was not DRAMATICALLY different....lets face it, until I have legs stronger than those on a 12-year old girl, the legs make or brake a climb, not a nicer bike.
Though general long climbing mashing was not like a revelation, several related things were noticed. When coming upon section that did require some more momentum on the uphill, the bike definitly acclerated much quicker.....I attritubute this to the ENO freewheel, faster (less rolling resistance tires), and noticeably more robust power transfer from cranks (loved the cranks!!!). While the long haul climb boiled down to conditioning, this noticeable acceleration benefit helped me to more easily endure the long climb and was very nice to be able to observe. This benefit was most noticeable on the tight singletrack sections that required quick bursts to make technical sections.
Geometry seemed spot on. The frame size was perfect in all regards.
Rear tire was a mistake (Schwalbe 2.1 Jim light). While a fast tire, it was not good in loose stuff on climbs which was frustrating....no worries, I go through tires fast.
DESCENDING/SINGLE TRACK
Suffice it to say, I had no problem keeping up and in fact, beating my 5 friends on their FS bikes. Not that I am a great rider, but relatively speaking to when I rode the Surly (rigid or with Marz fork) and/or FS with these boys, I could not believe how fast I was going.
Frame: Not only was the geometry spot-on, but I swear that the whole way down, with a smile on my face, I could not believe how friggin quick I was moving and how comfortable the ride was. The steel on that bad boy was like poetry and I could not imagine a smoother feeling hardtail ride! Thanks Brent and Sycip! Very noticable difference comapred to feel of Surly with its far less "compact" geometry and rougher, but still nice ride. I swear I was hitting the rough edges/bumps as if I had my Ventana (to test it out) and never once did the bike flinch....attributable of course in part to the fork and wheels but nonetheless, robust as sh!t !!!!!
Fork (F80X). Boy, I am a believer!!! I was so impressed. On the climbs, it really works to prevent virtually all bob. On the downhills, the fork worked so absolutely incredible I actually could not believe it. It aborbed everything when I wanted it to and allowed me to go so fast through sections where other forks would be too mushy. I think I nailed the setup on it which of course helps. I love it!!!! I have had lots of high-end forks lately so I have a good basis of comparison (for what it is worth as baseline, in past few years, had 03 Fox Float 100RLC, 03 Fox Talas, 03 Marz Z1FR, 03 Marz Z150, 05 Marz Marathon Race, 05 Marz All Mountain 1).
The front Schwalbe Big Jim 2.25 UST was fine. Though a skinny 2.25, with the killer fork, I did not feel much of a need for a big beefy tire and it tracked well in everything but the sand (which is no big deal since not too much sand where I ride).
OTHER
While I was a bit nervous about technical riding with brand new brakes, by the time we go to singletrack, I had a couple of miles worth of downhill fireroad to break them in. The Hope M2 brakes, even new, modulated beautifully and the power was great. I have owned some very good XC brakes so I am anxious to see how they compare.....In terms of XC brakes, I have had XTR disc brakes and Magura Marta SL. So far, though probably not 100% broken in, they look to be on par with the SLs which were the best XC brakes I have ever ridden, but a little more time will tell.
Though bling-motivated for sure, the Dangerboy levers were incredible. The robust feel of the levers and the natural feel with the fingers, truly did instill extra confidence. I set them up such that one-finger braking would fit in the outer groove but if needed, 2 finger braking could easily be done. Never needed 2 finger and between the modulation of the brakes and the robust feel of the lever, I loved it!!!
Lots of drag with the freewheel...but I assume this is normal. Did not bother me like new king hubs did on my XC bike, probably because there is no risk of the chain dropping from the drag like the King hubs do to a geared bike which drove me crazy. I also love the noise of the ENO.
My wheelbuild felt incredible. I was hammering the rough sections as if I were on my Ventana and my wheels did not flinch. I could not be happier with the choice (and quality build of course).
Props also go out to the 959 pedals. For climbing, at least for me, the float was perfect. It felt noticeably more natural than on my other Shimano pedals. I was not sure if I would miss the platform but the feel more than made up for not having a platform for extra support
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Slim Tree Shadow
a
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I just got back from another ride on my Philly and I had to bang out this review. What an incredible bicycle for riding singletrack.
Mine is set up with the rigid fork and I'm using Avid's best sidepull brakes. The bike is very light in this configuration and the thing climbs like a goat on crack. I also outfitted it with a Weirwolf in front and a 2.4 Mutano in back for the loose and rocky trails where I live.
The bottom line is this bike carves apart trail. It excels in tight, twisty, rolling singletrack. It eats apart steep climbs and is so light and nimble that I can flick it around when climbing over techy rock sections. This same litheness also allows the rider to fling the bike down fast sections of trail.
I was having so much friggin' fun on this bike today that I thought, "man... you know I may not even need my Pantera." This bike does it all so damn well it's hard to believe.
The geometry is straight ahead and time proven. The build is quality, just what you'd expect from Sycip.
An amazingly simple and beautiful bicycle, the Phil Wood will live long in the hearts of the riders who know. This is a classic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
erik davis
a Cross Country Rider
from joplin,mo
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Womble | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Company Direct | | Strengths: | First Class Construction,Finish and Handling which gives the ability to inflict Psychological Trama on multi-geared riders-Thank you Sycip. | | Weaknesses: | The Wait! Not one month! Not two months! But THREE months! | | Similar Products Used: | Mono Cog,DISS,Jericho,Soulcraft | | Bike Setup: | Hayes,Manitu Skerb,King,Azonic PDW Riser,Thompson post& stem,Phil Disc Hubs/DT/Mavic 317 rims,Fire Pro tires...etc | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line this bike gets it Done. Steel in the hands of the Sycip brothers is very Real. Phil Wood Disc Hubs are jems. No complaints there. In all fairness to Brent at Phil Wood Three months isn't unheard of for a custom Frame-Custom Paint,Sizing,Black Hubs and Sycip Headbadge-very cool! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troll Monkey
a
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Just got my new KISS-Off singlespeed frame and fork. I cannot wait to ride this bike after reading the reviews in here.
First impression upon opening the box -- a lot of decals! The bike is covered with Phil Wood's label, which is fine by me. I don't really care how it looks, although the yellow is pretty damn fast looking.
The welds are absolutely beautiful, and they should be, those guys at Sycip know their sh1t. Great looking dropouts.
This bike has a nice, high BB shell. That's something my hardtail, a Salsa Ala Carte, does not. I'm looking forward to the change! Should be a quicker bike, and no more worrying about clearing lava rocks (something we have a lot around here). I should also be able to run 180mm cranks, which will be optimum for powering the single cog.
The geometry of my KISS-Off is just what I want: 71/73. Classic.
This bike should be sick looking when I'm done with the complete outfitting of components. I've heard a Duke Race (yellow of course) fits nicely on the frame. I'll try one of those.
All in all, awesome! I'll be back in about 6 months with a full review of the ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Close
a Racer
from Sebastopol, CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Steep one | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | The ride. This bike begs to be ridden. It provides the perfect balance of hammerability and finess, and gives me confidence to try anything I can picture. I am a better, stronger rider when I am on my Philly. The RockShox Duke Race fork is a perfect mate. | | Weaknesses: | Still looking... | | Similar Products Used: | Ibis Single Speed. One of the last made in original Sebastopol factory. | | Bike Setup: | I use 180mm RaceFace Cranks 34/17, Bull frogs pedals. 27" riser bars for max control. Duke Race Fork. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is one of the best riding bikes I have experienced. I can do anything on this bike. I am considering selling my Ibis XC Mojo, because I ride the KISS OFF so much more, and there is no comparison in which is more fun to ride. I can drop most of my friends on this bike at anytime, even the better climbers on climbs. The bike is inspiring to ride. I cannot tell you of anything I chose not to ride: jumps, bunny-hops, technical, steep climbs, and best SINGLE TRACK of any description.
The guys at Philwood are always there to give advice and expertise on there products, etc.
RATING: 10 OF 10. I would only sell to get another Philwood & Co. product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAS
a Cross Country Rider
from Palo Alto, CA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Phil Wood direct | | Strengths: | Comfort: This bike is smooth on the bumps. Great geometrey, handling. A purebred ride. | | Weaknesses: | can't think of any | | Similar Products Used: | Upgraded from my Bianchi BuSS, which is a great starter SS | | Bike Setup: | Wide Ritchey Rizer bars (26"), Kore stem (120x0), raceface cranks, phil wood hubs/bb, enduroraptor tires, Avid V-brakes, SID SL shock, Thompson seatpost...22 pounds. | | Bottom Line: | Top of the line Single Speed for the truly dedicated rider who loves Steel. I get 'nice bike!' comments all the time...while commuting, while riding the trails, while racing. Phil Wood makes great products, and the Sycip frame is a winner. The TT was shorter than my BuSS, but a longer stem took care of that. Now it's set up as a great climber, and it's smooth as silk on the downhill. It's a great mix of BMX handling and mtn bike climbing. It's a little heavier than a stock BuSS, but the advantage is that it is 10x as comfortable. Great for long rides. The Phil Wood/Sycip set up is a perfect match for a Single Speed aficionado who spends many hours hitting the trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Phil Wood (frame & rear wheel) | | Strengths: | The ride. I didn't think I would ever have this much fun on a hard tail | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap hardtail frame converted to a SS | | Bike Setup: | Phil Wood rear hub, XTR front. Bontrager Revolt tires. RaceFace cranks with Spot chain ring and Sachs SS chain. Thompson stem and seat post. Easton Monkey Lite riser. Avid brakes and levers. Salsa saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I've only been riding the Kiss Off for just over a month and I love it. My full boinger is gathering dust in the garage. I used to ride a Kona hardtail with gears and it just felt very harsh so I sold it and got a full suspension bike. I didn't think I would ever ride a hardtail again. The Kiss Off has converted me back and I have seen the light.
I love this bike. I'm having so much fun on it. No shifters to think about just riding and hammering up the hills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Kalina tim.kalina@jwt.com
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Morraine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Higher Gear | | Strengths: | Incredible ride.Flawless workmanship and paint. | | Weaknesses: | Will soil you for anything else! | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi BOSS, Spot brand SS, Schwinn Homegrown | | Bike Setup: | Sycip rigid cyclocross fork, Phil Wood hubs BB and wheels, Raceface cranks w/Spot chainring, Easton carbon riser bar, Syncros carbon seatpost, Avid brakes, XT brake levers, ODI 'Lock-On' grips, Control Tech stem, Chris King headset, Shimano BMX freewheel, Geax 'Beaumont' tires, Shimano 747 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike I have ever owned. Geared, suspended or otherwise. The ride is so sweet. I ride rigid and I never have felt I need a suspension fork. Smooth and compliant ride. And this thing climbs like a goat. I get up hills quicker than my geared friends. The power really gets transfered to the pedals. I also really like the way the rear end responds to the trail with no harshness. The workmanship is flawless and the paint job has to be the best I have ever seen on a bike. If you are considering the Kiss-Off be sure to order the Phil Wood package of BB, hubs and wheels. They are all superb parts and you'll save about $250 over buying them seperate. The wheels and hubs have taken a year of hard pounding and are still as smooth and true as the day I got them. Buy the Kiss-Off and you'll never want a frame by anyone else. And I feel the price ($1250 for frame, fork, BB hubs and wheels) is very reasonable considering all the quality and performance that you are getting. I love the Kiss-Off so much that I am having Sycip build up a cyclocross frame for me. Equipped with Phil Wood of course! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Bordewisch
a Cross Country Rider
from lebanon, oh, warren
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | $2500.00 WheelieFunMultiSport | | Strengths: | great ride, superb craftmanship of frame and parts, PW hubs and BB laced up and work great. The rear disc-mount plate is easy to adjust and stays in place. uses 27.2 seatpost. And the fork, manitou X-vert, was painted and lettered to match the frame. Knowledgeable staff at PW to help with the build-up. PW BB allows fine alignment of chain-line which is crucial in keeping the chain from falling off. | | Weaknesses: | Small dent in the top tube out of the box. | | Similar Products Used: | Surly 1X1, redline SS | | Bike Setup: | Phil-Wood disc only kiss-off with matching yellow manitou x-vert fork, PW front disc hub 32h qr, Pw rear singlespeed disc hub 32h bolt on, DT spokes doublebutted brass nipples, Sun DSC rims blk 32h, salsa rim tape, hutchinson tubes, ritchey Z-max millenium tires 1.95, Salsa stainless steel front skewer blk, Grip shift pc8 chain, shimano 17t freewheel, spot 34t front chainring and spot chainring guard blk, vuleta chainring bolts steel, race face cranks 175mm blk, PW bottom bracket, time atac pedals, chrisking aheadset blk, salsa shaft seatpost blk 410mm, salsa saddle with "ass" system ti rail, salsa seatpost clamp blk, salsa riser bars, salsa grips red, ti profile stem 90*110mm 1 1/18 thrdlss, hayes disc brakes blk with rear using hayes mount, Plan to add Razor Rock one finger brake lever blades and a blk salsa s.u.p. stem in march. | | Bottom Line: | Rides great climbs better than I can. I would not hesitate in recomending this frame package to any singlespeeder, except the high price of admission, I often ride it to work or run errands pick up lunch ect. When it is sitting in the shop it attracts attension from even the roadies. If your are ever in Lebanon, Ohio stop by WheelieFun and take it for a buzz around, I'd love to build another PW up with your own personal spec. If you are looking just to buy a single speed to abuse and destroy consider something else, If you like the way a good steel frame rides, little smoother not as stiff in the rear triangle as al. like the idea of a hand made frame, by sy-cip in SanFransisco, think that discs and onespeed are cool, really once setup very little maintaince, Then think about a Phil Wood, as a bike shop guy I have had many nice MTBs but I will not sell this one it gets more interest and questions than any bike I've ridden. Although if you really like it I'll build you one just like it! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Ana River Trail/San Juan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Stans Bikes | | Strengths: | the ride
the ride
did I mention the ride?
Just out n out a great company.........
| | Weaknesses: | Can not defend it's self, mine was stolen :~(
Waiting to have another made, disc specific this time...Maybe 9mm also :~) | | Similar Products Used: | First S/S, Previous were geared: Trek oclv, GT Xizang Ti, VooDoo D-Jab Ti,Ibis Mojo | | Bike Setup: | Kiss-Off hubset with 517/14ga built by P.W., raceface 180mm cranks, P.W. btm bkt, Spot chainring, acs freewheel, Bontrager/Titec carbon seatpost, Bontrager KA saddle, onza raw bar ends, LP Composite flat bar, ritchey stem, King headset, Marz Superfly fork, Real brake levers, xtr v-brakes, speedplay frog pedals, | | Bottom Line: | I will probally never buy a different s/s hardtail. The ride is luscious! Overall, the frame absorbs shocks really well while the rear triangle gives just enough on bumpy, windy single track. Some people call it lively. I just think that the bike is in tune with me. It does what I tell it to without beating me up and takes what I give it and converts that power to the trail. The bike holds a line so well, You just point and go.... a quick handling yet stable ride. It goes uphill very well and will stay where you put it on the downhill. It just rails around corners. In my opinion this is the best s/s hard tail there is, the ride quality is unmatched by any other I have tried.
Of course the magazine editors constantly in search of an angle, are now singing the praises of steel once again. Always got to have something to sell. Steel has always been and will continue to be "real". The P.W. Kiss-Off is one of the best examples of this truth. This bike is more suited for the rider who appreciates craftsmanship, the steel ride, and who is willing to beg borrow or steal to pay the price of admission. It's not for those who are beholden to the latest trend, or those with a need to have the latest bike in Mountain Bike or Mountain Bike Action.
Bicycling (Oct 2000) quoted it as "Staggering price, paying almost 2k for a bike without gears" .....We single speeder's are a small unique breed and know that custom shops are our livelyhood. Enter Phil Wood & Co....
No these frames aren't cheap, but then quality built in america never is. You would be hard pressed to do better. And no where else can you get a quality hand built steel frame with the best bottom bracket and hubset ever built for 1K from a company who has been and will be around for years.
Phil Wood & Co, quite possibly be the greatest company in existence when it comes to customer service and building custom hard to get items.
Now who is the fool..............
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck Ross
a Racer
from Grass Valley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | South yuba trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Phil Wood | | Strengths: | Light, stiff yet forgiving, bmx like handling, awesome craftmanship, climbs like a mountain goat. | | Weaknesses: | The disc brake version had some early troubles with drag, but that has been rectified. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Chameleon, trek carbon single | | Bike Setup: | KISS off frame, manitou mars-1 fork w/ lockout, Phil KISS of hubs with Mavic ceramic rims, Avid mag brakes and levers, Titec stem, titec flatracker bars, titec barends, Phil titanium BB, Race Face cranks, Thompson seatpost, flite saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome! The KISS off is, bar none, the sweetest bike I have ever ridden, geared or single. It is light, responsive, stiff where it needs to be, and yet very smooth on the trail. It tracks very well with either the Manitou X-vert or the Manitou Mars 1. Whatever you do, make sure you have Phil build your wheels with the frame, BB, and hubs. The wheels track truer than any wheels I have tried, and yet remain competetive in the weight category. I have ridden every type of terrain with this bike, and it handles it all well. If there is any drawback, it is the cost. You can buy a cheaper single speed, that's for sure. But, you will not find the attention to detail and incredible craftmanship that the KISS off has to offer from the ground up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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