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Submitted by
Ron Devin
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Junction, CO USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | any trail! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Village | | Strengths: | Decent entry-level SS MTB for the $$$. This is the first SS I have ever bought. Hardware is decent quality for the money. | | Weaknesses: | No front shock. This would be a great option. Seat clamp is kind of small too. Rear wheel is hard to keep tight. | | Similar Products Used: | Redline monocog | | Bike Setup: | stock. | | Bottom Line: | Fun bike to ride! Someone mentioned previously that it feels just like a big BMX bike. That's totally true. I feel like I'm 10 years old again everytime I find myself flying down a big hill and tackling some jumps.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy Godude
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster, CO
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Westminster CO | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$419.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Climbing hills on a 33/16 is great! It's just like a big BMX bike - it flies! | | Weaknesses: | don't care for the seat post clamp or the handle bars - otherwise - hardware is decent for the price | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 800 sport - HEAVY! | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Love the singlespeed life since I bought this bike. I have a 2006 (hard-tail) model and my 1st memorable experience on it was AWESOME!. I was drunk off my @ss cranking on a trail in north Denver at about 12:30am (which I often do). One single headlight was all I needed. I rode through a path by the AMC 24 theater in Westminster Colorado and a f**King pig pointed and yelled at me! I turned around real quick and got the heck out of there (geez dude, it's not like I'm holding up a nearby bank with a sawed-off shotgun!). I started home on a 5 mile bike path and next thing I know, there's a bike cop tailing me (pretty far behind too). He tailed me almost all the way (about 1000 feet behind) until we got to a nice hill behind a college, then I roasted his donut snarfing @ss. I could see the pig at the bottom of the hill huffin' & puffin' downshifting trying to make it on his 27 speed Trek, poor basr@rd! I turned off my headlight and kept on riding towards home. I felt great and my KHS made it happen! LOL!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bernard
a Cross Country Rider
from SFV, CA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeattack.com | | Strengths: | simplified construction, solid 6061 aluminum frame, very light. | | Weaknesses: | all the cheap parts must go. rear hub uses a larger inner hex nut, needs to be replaced and retrofitted with a washer or it will dig in and eat up the aluminum drop outs. | | Similar Products Used: | a bunch of older single speed bikes, including a vintage raleigh. | | Bike Setup: | pretty stock, except for: easton ea50 handlebars, shimano deore levers, truvativ xr 90mmx5, truvativ XR seatpost, shimano dx pedals. | | Bottom Line: | for the price, its a complete bike that wont let you down. tons of fun right out the shop. replacing components are a matter of preference. the stock pieces are not quality.
over all, the frame construction is rock solid, the paint and finish is good quality but will eventually scratch or chip off. components, what can i say, still better than your top of the line target bike :).
its a great bike to start with if you are a beginner in the world of single speeds and 29ers combined.
I'm giving it an overall rating of 3 because of the rear axle nut. Its a simple fix by putting a washer in it. But for the average consumer it can cost them a new frame or bike down the road. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate Bean
a Weekend Warrior
from Centerville, Ohio
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Caesar's Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Fast Wheels | | Strengths: | Fast, decent parts for the money, disc ready, horizontal drop-outs | | Weaknesses: | Original rear wheel was impossible to keep tight. | | Similar Products Used: | SE BM Flyer, Giant, Tomac | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Bike felt great when new. Frame broke completely into two pieces on the top tube and down tube right behind welded supports. Warranty department seems to be helpful. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Warburton
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oleta River State Park, Miami, Fl | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | E-Bay | | Strengths: | Relatively light weight, beautiful welds for a frame in this price range, Reynolds tubing provides a compliant ride and is usually unheard of in frames priced this low, the shock takes the edge off rocky or rooty trails without being overly intrusive, simple and clean design and graphics, can fit 2.4" tires in frame. | | Weaknesses: | In order to fit 2.4 tires, you must run the rear axle near the back of the dropouts (not a problem if you dont mind a lond rear end). | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6000 converted to a fully rigid single speed. | | Bike Setup: | Like a big BMX: Easton riser bars, 45mm downhill stem, Cane Creek S-3 headset, Salsa Cromoto Fork, stock seatpost and clamp, WTB Pure V Seat, Truvativ Husefelt Crank, Black Spire Mono Veloce, 32t Chainring, KMC 610hx chain, Odyssey BMX 16t cog, Deore front disc hub, Woodman single speed cassette hub, Sun Rhino Lite front rim and Rhyno Lite XL rear rim, WTB Mutano Raptor 2.4" tires, Cane Creek Direct Curve 2 rear brake, Avid BB-7 front disc brake, Avid Speed Dial SL levers, Bulletproof BMX chain tensioners. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the frame only: I found a 2003 Solo One frame on E-Bay for $90.00 woth shipping included. The pics were fuzzy, and I expected it to be a slob of a frame for this price. When it arrived, I was happy to see that it was a nearly new condition.
I've ridden my Solo One only a few times so far, but the improvement over my aluminum single speed is tremendous. The shock has just enough give to take the edge off of the bumps, which my knees and back are greatful for. The shock doesn't move enough to be a detriment on climbs, and it allows you to run higher presure in the rear while maintaining comfort. This equates to less rolling resistance and more speed.
The top tube seems to be longer than most frames of this size, but I prefer a very short reach stem, so this works out perfectly for me.
Since I am an old BMXer who is abussive to my parts, I have my bike set up accordingly, with some strong but heavy parts. Although my bike tips the scale at a stout 25lbs, it would be very possible to set it up as a fairly light race machine.
Overall, it's very hard to find a good single speed frame in this price range, and another soft tail in this range simply does not exist.
This is a very versitile bike that anyone can enjoy weather they are: an old BMXer looking to upsize, a first time single speeder, a commuter (with a simple cog swap), or a racer (with a few upgrades). You can't loose with this bike. The frame is of a high enough quality to warrant some higher end upgrades.
***VERY IMPORTANT*** Single speed riding puts a lot of stress on a chain, which leads to stretch and breakage. In my 20+ years of working on bikes, I have found one chain to be superior to all the others (and there are many who agree with me). Do yourself a favor and ask your LBS to order you a KMC 610hx chain. They are about $15, 3/32 single speed specific, and are virtually stretch proof. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RVH
a Weekend Warrior
from Thornton, CO. USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Strengths: | Hardware is decent quality. Very light compared to other SS mountain bikes I've tried. Thrashed on it quite a bit since I've owned at and it holds together nicely. Stock saddle is better than most others I've tried. I like the power tool grips too (comfy). | | Weaknesses: | Handle bars are good quality but too fat to fit my Cat Eye light and reflector on. Front cog should be a 38 instead of a 33 but any mod can be made later on. | | Similar Products Used: | Redline - monocog | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Grabs hard from a standing start (no bullsh*t derailleurs and missed gears - just GO!) - makes me feel like I'm a kid again on my BMX and puts the sheer fun of riding a bike back into my life - it's a fun and simple bike to ride. I love it, and it makes me get my lazy a$$ out of the saddle and really work for it on steep hills - Mikey likes!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jay Reitz
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | rim to rim cyclery, williams,az | | Strengths: | I beat this bike to blithering bits yall, and its still screaming. I didn't really know what the soft tail would be like or if it would stand the test of time; but it made my bum quite a bit happier, and has lasted three years with out much maintainance at all. Most of the riding was in Arizona tough and technical both. | | Weaknesses: | Comes with low caste componenets, but they'll get you bye and take a beating. It's more the rider that makes the bike anyway right! | | Similar Products Used: | Coconino Cycles | | Bottom Line: | if you want something cheeeep, that ll get you through the night; this bike is more than alright. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nelson
a Racer
from Bayamon, PR
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Managas in Bayamon, Puerto Rico | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This review is for 2006 model, which is not a soft tail.Great price, steel frame gives a great riding experience and good components, except for the brakes. I was very impressed with this bike on my first ride in one of Puerto Rico’s most technical trail. I ended up riding for 2 hours because I was having a lot of fun.
| | Weaknesses: | Brakes and seat post clamp (too weak) | | Similar Products Used: | None, I ride a Cannondale Scalpel | | Bike Setup: | I only added EggBeater Candy SL pedals and changed the brake levels for a pair old shimanos. I am also planning to add tubeless tires. I will keep the rigid fork because it comes in handy when you encounter an unexpected hill. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for training purposes and I think it will serve this purpose just fine. Plus the challenge of riding a SS uphill is a lot of fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Gallup, NM
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any trail beats working... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$458.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay auction | | Strengths: | 1) Steel frame with 25 year warranty
2) Soft tail actually does work to take the edge off chatter
3) Complete bike for $500 makes trying singlespeeding cheap
4) Fast. Acceleration is unreal when you put the hammer down.
5) It's nice to look at (frame is spartan, clean, basic black)
6) Good standover clearance
7) Most of all: very, very fun to ride | | Weaknesses: | All related to low-end components (see especially the Tektro (alleged) brakes, though it's unfair to call these weaknesses on a complete bike with an MSRP of only $549) | | Similar Products Used: | Friend's single speed conversion | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for four personal preference changes: 1) Avid SD-7 v-brakes; 2) Time ATAC pedals; 3) Kenda Nevegal 2.1 tires; and 4) suspension fork | | Bottom Line: | 1) There are exactly three steel singlespeeds for under $1000 complete: Redline Monocog (~$419); KHS Solo One ($549) and the Kona Unit ($799). If you want an inexpensive steel single speed, these are your choices. Period.
2) The soft tail works surprisingly well. It's action is reasonably smooth (as long as you don't over-tighten the two side bolts). It's an elastomer, but with only 1" of travel max, the lack of damping is unnoticeable). In the rough, you'll be reminded that you're not on a 4&4" trailbike, but for everywhere else, it really takes away the punishment.
3) Frame geometry is dead-on perfect, responsive without being twitchy. Stable at speed, rails corners, and climbs very, very well.
4) Bottom line: The Solo One is a lot of fun for very little green. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Broom Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Inexpensive!
Reynolds Steel frame
Fantastic parts value for the money spent
| | Weaknesses: | Seat post clamp
Stiction in shock | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of hardtails
Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Swapped out: tires for 2.0 slicks; Shimano 858 clipless pedals; 2-inch rise bar, and added Surly Tuggnut tensioner, pulled the V-brakes and run a single Hayes mech disc brake on the front and, 44 tooth chainring for urban commutes. | | Bottom Line: | A fantastic bike. I ride this bike mostly in town so I have modified it a bit but kept true to the budget bike concept so as not to attract bike thieves. I didn't give the seat clamp a chance. I swapped it for a non-quick-release style to minimize the liklihood of saddle rip-offs. The lone Hayes disc I set up in front is more than capable of slowing the bike down in heavy traffic and keeps the handlebar clutter down to one brake lever (again less stuff to rip-off). I played with a shorter stem for awhile but went back to the stock stem and switched to a two-inch rise no-name bar. I feel the bike is a little long and am kind of looking to bring my body position up and back a bit. I am currently happy with this personal set-up. Switched the chain-ring to a 44 which is better for around town but I wouldn't dream of off-roading with this gear. I think the stock gearing was great for off-road. The Surly Tuggnut I got talked into by the local bike-shop. I never had a problem but as the mechanic explained: "if that rear wheel slips under a real heavy, out-of-the-saddle-load, the chain WILL come off and the rider is likely to come away with a mounthfull of Chicklets or worse." Since I don't have a good dental plan, I accepted his advice and although I never had any slippage, I will say that when I have had flats or take the wheel off to do maintenance, the Tuggnut makes it easy to remember where the old chain-tension was set.
I have ridden this bike all winter in salt-enrcusted Ottawa and it has performed well. I did spray Rust-Check on the internal frame tubes but the hubs and BB look new with zero salt contamination at all. The soft-tail shock has developed a bit of stiction but it is a crude and simple beast and I'm sure all the salt wasn't good for it. I see for this year KHS has dumped the shock for its singlespeed and it is now a straight hardtail. I never really liked this soft-tail as it always feels a bit noodly back there and now with the stiction feels like a loose hub or something. I may jack up the pre-load and make it a true hardtail. I have overhauled the shock four times over the course of the year but it never was really smooth even when new. It feels like you a riding around on a low-pressure tire sometimes.
Highly reccomended bike an at $750 Cdn I think it is fantactic value for a Reynolds frame and all name brand parts including Truvativ BB. Most of the parts I swapped are personal choce and the stock bike in my opinion is ready to rock. Try the rigid fork for awhile. I love it and have decide to pass on the suspension fork for now. My first and last singlespeed. Why pay more? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mac
a
from California
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | left fork of bunker creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | beach cities | | Strengths: | Good Looks
Price
Light weight
The ride | | Weaknesses: | No tensioner,seat post and clamp. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock with a Salsa seat post,clamp and Surly tug nut tensioner on the drive side | | Bottom Line: | A great ss bike for anyone who wants to get into the single speed scene.A few minor upgrades and your good to go.Refer to the FAQ section on the KHS web site for info on maintaining your soft tail shock(it is adjustable and needs service).
SOFT TAIL SET-UP
The following information is provided to help you setup your new KHS Soft-Tail bicycle to achieve the highest level of performance. While the Soft-Tail design is very simple it is still important you take the time to set your suspension to your weight to achieve the best ride. Although the pre-load is preset at the factory it is best to check it, plus it will help familiarize your self with the setup. The pre-load is set at the factory at 5-8mm. But as with a spring the Elastomer will take a set from compression or sag after putting some miles on it. The best way to check this is to unscrew the Pre-Load cap (see illustrations at bottom of page) until it is loose. Place a plastic zip tie around the Shock Shaft and slide the zip tie all the way down the Shock Shaft until it makes contact with the Wiper/Seal Cap. Now screw the Pre-Load Cap back in until it stops and measure how much the Shock Shaft has extended. This distance should be somewhere between 5-8mm. If not you need to either replace the elastomer or add spacers inside the Pre-Load Cap between the cap and the Elastomer to reach the desired thickness needed to obtain the 5-8mm of preload. To make things simple a dime is the perfect size and you can stack a few to reach the desired height, do not use more than 7mm of spacers (five dimes). If you need more it is time to replace the Elastomer. After you set the pre-load you will need to check the sag. To do this use the same zip tie you installed on the Shock Shaft. Slide it back down again to make contact with the Wiper/Seal Cap and simply sit on the bike with both feet off of the ground (you may support yourself in a doorway to prevent a fall). Now dismount the bike again and check the distance. This number works best at 3-5mm. If this number is off you may want to change the Elastomer. There are two choices a 92A Blue Elastomer and a Yellow that is 82A's the Blue being stiffer and the Yellow being softer. If you already have a new Blue Elastomer installed on your bike and it is still not stiff enough you can increase the pre-load to max from the 8mm number to 10mm if necessary and this will stiffen it up. On the opposite side If the Yellow Elastomer is to soft you can decrease the pre-load to 5mm but it is not recommended to go below that number. If you want to get creative you can also mix Elastomers by cutting them into sections to create a perfect combination for you.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
Proper and routine maintenance of your KHS Soft Tail series frame is simple but nevertheless important to assure years of trouble free riding enjoyment. It is best to take your KHS Soft-Tail to your local KHS dealer periodically for regular maintenance and suspension inspections. How often this is needed will depend on usage, anywhere from a minimum of once a year, to two or three times a year. The Shock Shaft Bushing will wear with normal use and must be kept in good condition. Your professional dealer can help you keep your Soft Tail in perfect working order. It is suggested you keep your Shock Shaft clean and free of heavy dirt or mud. After you ride in wet conditions always wipe the Shock Shaft and lightly lube it with a Silicone spray. It is important you check your frame periodically for cracks in the tubing and welded areas. If any cracks are detected you should not ride the bike and take your frame to your local KHS dealer ASAP. Early detection is important for your safety. It is also important you check your frame periodically for loose nuts and bolts. If any loose bolts are detected you should tighten them immediately if you do not have the proper tools take your bike and to your local KHS dealer.
Keep it clean and squeek free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zim
a Cross Country Rider
from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Gravity Sports | | Strengths: | Well priced and well built, sweet looking ride!
Swap out the chromoly fork for a suspension fork, add disk brakes, clipless pedals and this would be a cool cross country bike! | | Weaknesses: | No chain tensioner! Headset was loose from the factory had to add another spacer to tighten it up. Brakes are ok but discs would be the way to go. | | Similar Products Used: | Redline Monocog. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 black medium chromoly frame, stock set up; 33:16 gearing, soft-tail, flat pedals, chromoly fork with disc brake tabs, Tektro v-brakes and levers, WTB headset and seat, TruVativ bars and crankset, Kenda tires and Sun rims.
I added a Surly "Tuggnut" chain tensioner to the drive side of the bike, this made a big difference; prior to installing it I had to re-tighten the chain after every ride especially after any hill climb where a lot of torque was put on the drive train. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good bike for the price, I shopped around but this was the only one resonably priced other then the Redline Monocog (chromoly) and Flight Monocog (aluminum). I have been riding it for the past month in everything from dry to wet to icy (snowy) conditions and other then having to install the chain tensioner and tightening the the headset it has stood up very well.
It's a nice light bike and climbs suprisingly well for a single speed, the light weight really helps; sub 20 pounds.
The soft-tail isn't that noticeable but it does take the edge off when hitting bumps and hoping curbs; 1/2 to 3/4 inch travel.
I think the only thing that could be improved is to add a chain tensioner and quick release to the rear hub.
If your new to the single-speed scene get used to high rpms on the flat (max 24-26 km/hr), thigh burning grinds up inclines and not being in a particular hurry to get anywhere.
I love this thing because I don't have to worry about shifters and cables causing problems in bad weather, it makes a great all weather commuter! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a
from Indiana
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Johns in Burbank | | Strengths: | Simple, Price, good feel to it. | | Weaknesses: | Tweak it before you ride it. | | Similar Products Used: | Some SS road bikes, some geared mtb, a couple BMX bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2005 | | Bottom Line: | I got an Early 2005 model back in november. Didnt have anything break on me yet. Probably should get a tugnut as suggested above, but adjusted the rear wheel once and have had great results once it was torque. Was careful to make sure the seatpost was tightened before going out, if not, it does move. My trail riding consists of flat indiana woods/forest riding and commutes to campus.
Bike has treated me great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Belleville
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Low price but aparently you get what you pay for!! | | Weaknesses: | Riding this bike is like riding a wet noodle that creaks with every pedal stroke. Parts rusting after one ride. Heavy frame. | | Similar Products Used: | A bunch of singlespeed conversions. None of which had this much flex or noise! | | Bike Setup: | White industries hubs and freewheel, Chris King Headset, Hope Hydro disc, Mavic rims, Easton stem and post....blah blah blah..... | | Bottom Line: | This bike flexes so much while cornering or sprinting it is scarey!! Steel is real but this thing must be 50% rubber!!! Also emits a noise from the rear softail that annoys everyone who is riding with you. Rear wheel a pain to remove with disc brakes. Hardware on rear damper rusting after first ride. One trail ride and mine is for sale!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter milne
a Cross Country Rider
from guelph, on, canada
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Revolutions bicycle | | Strengths: | Nice cush in the rear. | | Weaknesses: | Disc mount doesn't slide with wheel. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Chameleon | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, very fun and can ride it all day without a sore back at work the next day.
Nice feel to the chro-mo. Comes with a great spec of parts. I added a Sid 100 and will add a front avid disc soon. Very fun, easy to maintain.
Love it!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan Vinson
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma City, OK
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | New Draper | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$596.00 | | Purchased At: | Celystial Cycle | | Strengths: | Weight | | Weaknesses: | long top tube adds for slow turning, and then seat broke on a weak a** fall, the headset on thrid time I rode it broke, Don't touch the rear soft tail. I oiled with everyday lube and ruined the bushing on the inside.(My mistake.) Well you've heard the rest of the defaults from the other people. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing, first single speed. | | Bike Setup: | stock with Specialized bike seat from other bike since I broke the stock one it came with. | | Bottom Line: | I like the single speed but I wish it came with better componets via the saddle and headset otherwise it's been a good first month. My other bike is four years old and I have never had any trouble with it. It is a Specialized Rock Hopper Comp FSR the old Y frame(the best frame) thats all I have to say. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Nor Cal
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | to many to list | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Cheap, 4130 steel, 3/4's of an inch of rear wheel travel. Pretty nice component mix for the money. Nice rigid fork, Fun to ride. | | Weaknesses: | 3/4's of an inch of rear travel at the expense of rear triangle flex. No chain tensioner, limited rear tire clearance, gearing | | Similar Products Used: | DIY Jamis SS build | | Bike Setup: | RF air Alloy bar, Gearing changed to 32-18, Surly tugnut tensioner, Stylo team crankset, Avid mech front disc brake, Kenda 2.1 nevegal (r) and a WTB 2.4 mutanoraptor up front otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is fun to ride once i personalized the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lizards | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Price, Price, Price.... Once you get it set up to your liking, it turns out to be a very nice bike. Did I mention the price, most frames cost this much... | | Weaknesses: | First, would be the seat post which flex's and creaks every time you spin the crank.. Second, no chain tensioner, without this you will spend most of your time readjusting the rear tension.. Third, headset does not seem to be all that great, lots of popping sounds during decents.. Fourth, seat post clamp, doesn't seem to hold tight enough, must readjust seat height every now and then.. | | Similar Products Used: | Old bmx bikes, Torker, | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, added the Surly Tugnut and a 20T rear cog for those heart hammering, lung blasting, out of the saddle ascents.. Oh, and a new chain, the stock one didn't seem to be strong enough.. | | Bottom Line: | My opinion is this, the bike is great once some minor modifications have been made. At first, without the chain tensioner, one steep incline and the rear wheel was totally out of wack and rubbing. Since making the mods, I have not had one problem with the bike. I find myself riding this bike more than my Santa Cruz superlight or my geared hardtail, I guess the challenge makes the rides more interesting. I love the feel of this bike and with the rigid front fork, it carves single track like its on rails. However, when it gets real steep with lots of rocks, bumps, roots, whatever, your head feels like its inside a blender or something.. I seriously have a hard time focusing on the trail when these sections arrive, my vision gets almost blurry. Anyhow, its a lot of fun, I will probably get a suspension fork for it, but it must have a lock out on it. Climbing standing up for 20 minutes with no lock out would be a death sentence for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Rock
a Racer
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Montezuma Falls, Tasmania | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | 1. Value for money.
2. Low maintenance.
3. Steel is real.
Being a light bike it allows for great acceleration and handling on the trail. I'd even add that the rigid forks were a great way to test my skills (until I wimped out and went for suspension). The 38-18 gearing on the 2003 model also gave me a great workout and I got used to it and got stronger. This has been a great intro to SS for me. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of chain tensioner - I mentionded this to Jenson and they didn't think it was necessary. It is necessary! Cheap parts needed upgrading, especially the headset. I have also had problems with the non drive side cranks coming loose, however this may just be due to overtightening.
The softtail does cause a sketchy back end when pedalling hard or fast, but I am ok with this given the subtle softness it gives over bumps. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Bomber forks, Mavic x317 rims, carbon bars. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is unbeatable value, is low maintenance and has made me a stronger rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -SMARTLY spec'ed parts (rims, brakes, pedals, etc)
-Stealth paint job (black EVERYTHING - hubs, spokes, rims)
-Nice fork w/ prodigious clearance
| | Weaknesses: | -Heavy seatpost & cheap seatpost clamp
-Softtail squeaks (unless lubed)
| | Bike Setup: | flite titanium saddle
wtb mutanoraptor 2.4" fronts
next upgrade probably avid mech disc fronts, and lighter weight seatpost
everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | excellent bike. details like the axle nut tells you that this bike was well thought-out. front fork & hub is disc-compatible; and you only need discs in the front. levers are really nice sd5--ready for the (avid mech disc) upgrade. smooth, wide platform pedals for those of us who dont like clipless. pretty crank & bashguard... nothing really much else i can ask for. bike is a bit large (so downsize), and top tube & wheelbase is not short enough for mega quick manueverability ... it'll ride the hell out of a trail, though. welds are excellent for taiwan factory bike. terrific value.
btw, since i got it, my geared hardtail started jumping gears and acting unmanageable on me (despite my meticulous care & maintenance)... funny huh? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Westfield NJ
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | On Line | | Strengths: | Cheap, reasonably light for steel, great parts spec'd except for seat post collar, all black color. | | Weaknesses: | Seat post clamp | | Similar Products Used: | On One, Scalpel, Fuel too damn many | | Bike Setup: | Avid 5.0 V brakes, Truvative FireX crank, bar and stem, Kenda Stick E Rubber Kineteics, Sun CR18 Rims on PowerTools hubs | | Bottom Line: | For the price and parts you cannot beat this deal. KHS has put together a great package for an unbelievable price. I race and have ridden numerous bikes over the years but this one is pure fun. However don't buy one if you don't enjoy climbing because this bike takes a bit of adjustment in pedaling compared to your normal 27 geared machine. Cro-Mo fork is great and the rear shock is just enough to take the edge off. If you have the chance try one out you'll understand why they became so big over the last few years | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a Racer
from Jax, FL
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | San Felasco | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | This review is for the 03 bike. Nice feel from steel softail frame. Inexpensive way to try singlespeeding | | Weaknesses: | Some cheap heavy stock components. Needs a chain tensioner for drive side dropout if you're going to really put some torque down.
| | Similar Products Used: |
| | Bike Setup: | king headset,carbon bars,rock shox duke fork, bontrager race-lite tubeless wheels,thomson stem,BMX chain tensioner on drive side dropout,etc... | | Bottom Line: | I ride this bike in a very rutted root infested area. The stock rigid fork was fun in that it offered precise handling and forced me to ride a very different line than I would with my Racer-X, however the pounding started to detract from the experience after several rides. It's now a lot more usable ride for my local trails with a front suspension fork & tubeless tires (a wide range of inflation pressure means fine tuning the ride for conditions). Handling is sharp, however do be aware of low bottom bracket clearance & possiblity of pedal strikes if your normal ride is a full suspension bike which generally have 1/2"- 1" more BB clearance. Softail offers some low tech softening of ride, however the movement is not dampened on either compression or rebound. This can give a springy ride especially with higher rear tire pressure. I enjoy this bike a lot. I would buy another one. It is not a substitute for a Surly, but is an inexpensive way to try singlespeed to see if you really want to throw down $$ for the real deal | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lynda Ransdell
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | city creek canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Strengths: | price, looks, light weight, climbing ability/frame geometry | | Weaknesses: | rear shock doesn't really work | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike for the price. I bike commute about 150 days a year and this bike has been a solid performer in all types of conditions. I also like to do hill training on it. I haven't ridden it off road too much because I love my other bike (Specialized FSR) The best thing about this single speed bike is that it needs minimal maintenence and it has made me a stronger rider on mountain trails. I'd love to put a front shock on this bike and try it on the trails more. Guess I'm a wimp when it comes to riding this bike without shocks on the trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trail Nazi
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, TN
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Thunder Rock Express | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Very strong frame, extremely hard to bend back once you've bent it. Unique singlespeed softtail design that everyone asks about. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap junk components that come stock. The only thing I kept stock was the rear wheel/hub. No chain tensioning devices included. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Chameleon (which is what I ride now) | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crosslink front wheel, avid arch rival 50 brake set, panaracer fire 2.1's, Marzocchi x-fly 100, Raceface stem, Titec seatpost and handlebars, 32:18 rings using an old XT crank with a Raceface bashguard, LX BB, Oury's, SI Flight Saddle | | Bottom Line: | For a first single speed, its a great bike to get ya started. If the SS bug gets you though, you will quickly want to upgrade everything on the bike. I really enjoyed riding the bike, and its really well suited for not-so-technical endurance rides, but if your planning on doing some tricky/ technical riding, the frame may be a bit much. I found it to be too spread out in reference to the top tube/ seat tube junction. I prefer a rather compact geometry for technical riding and the Solo-One just flat out frustrated me. Tip though, if or when you get frustrated with this bike or any bike in general, dont throw the damn thing; bad idea. I bent the rear tringle by doing so and now I'm on a Santa Cruz Chameleon SS which has a compact frame. Expensive lesson.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mad Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from La Mirada
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This is a follow up - still a great value, fun bike. Tires are great, Kenda Kharma. | | Weaknesses: | Weak chain. creaked at first, but that went away, I had to add Tuggnut tensioner on drive side it should have been stock. | | Similar Products Used: | Monocog, converted geary | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except Marzocchi MX pro fork, Avid mech disc in front, XT 180mm crank with Surly 32 tooth ring and Spot Gaurd. 18 tooth freewheel, Odi lock on grips | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up I've had this bike for several months now and I like it a lot. I dumped the Rock Sux pilot fork that I had on it initially in favor of a Marzocchi MX pro.
I don't feel like the small amount of travel significantly hurts efficiency, but it does help smooth the ride.
I did have trouble keeping chain tension and added a TuggNut to the drive side. I still had trouble and knew my wheel was not slipping. Yesterday after a ride with some hard climbing, my chain was loose again. My LBS checked it and showed me where it had stretched several mm, more in some places than others. I replaced it with a Wipperman chain. It could be that there is a slight change in distance from the chainring to the cog when the chainstays flex on the softtail that is a factor in the quick failure of the chain (under 150 miles) I hope the problem was just a cheap stock chain too weak for the torque generated by a 245# guy grinding up hills.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Danny Hooks
a Cross Country Rider
from Blue Springs
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | landau park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Great value for the money. N |
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$ 569.00
