Ok, my first post…here it goes. I don’t ride right now but I spent a lot of time as a kid riding and racing BMX bikes. I’ve been reading the forums a lot and have decided I want a fat bike…I’ve also decided I want it to be an SS. I have my choices narrowed down to either the new Pugsley SS which my LBS says will run $1500. My other option is to buy a 1X1 and build it up as a 26+…trying to keep it around $1500 or less. I’m 6’3” so I’m thinking either I need either the 20 or 22. Anyway, here is my question. I want something fun to ride (handles well...can handle the occasional smallish jumps) and I’ll mostly be riding single track. Which of these options do you guys think is the best? I know a lot of it comes down to personal preference but I don’t believe my LBS keeps Surly in stock so I can’t take a test drive. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Pugsley SS vs 1x1
Steve-O11
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Ok, my first post…here it goes. I don’t ride right now but I spent a lot of time as a kid riding and racing BMX bikes. I’ve been reading the forums a lot and have decided I want a fat bike…I’ve also decided I want it to be an SS. I have my choices narrowed down to either the new Pugsley SS which my LBS says will run $1500. My other option is to buy a 1X1 and build it up as a 26+…trying to keep it around $1500 or less. I’m 6’3” so I’m thinking either I need either the 20 or 22. Anyway, here is my question. I want something fun to ride (handles well...can handle the occasional smallish jumps) and I’ll mostly be riding single track. Which of these options do you guys think is the best? I know a lot of it comes down to personal preference but I don’t believe my LBS keeps Surly in stock so I can’t take a test drive. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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I ride my Pug SS and also have a SS 1x1 in 26+ format (Dirt Wizards).
Jamiedyer on here also has the same, SSPug and a 1x1 with Dirt Wizards.
I can't help thinking you need both.
The 1x1 is nippier and lighter, but it is restricted to singletrack and that's the rub. When you get a Pug, you'll find yourself sticking a wheel in places that you previously thought were unrideable and wanting to go to places where skinny wheels don't go.
Both bikes are quite capable on singletrack (within my riding capabilities). I have raced both, but would always pick the Pug for several hours - you can get off with all sorts of stupid lines (such as you end up on because you're tired) when you're on a fatbike.
I don't jump so can't comment on that side of things.
Jamiedyer on here also has the same, SSPug and a 1x1 with Dirt Wizards.
I can't help thinking you need both.
The 1x1 is nippier and lighter, but it is restricted to singletrack and that's the rub. When you get a Pug, you'll find yourself sticking a wheel in places that you previously thought were unrideable and wanting to go to places where skinny wheels don't go.
Both bikes are quite capable on singletrack (within my riding capabilities). I have raced both, but would always pick the Pug for several hours - you can get off with all sorts of stupid lines (such as you end up on because you're tired) when you're on a fatbike.
I don't jump so can't comment on that side of things.
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$1500 for a SS Pugs? Wow, that is total price gouging. I would buy a geared Pugs, convert to SS, and keep the geary parts for later at just a little more. You could probably build one for less if you are patient.
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Would buy the regular and convert to SS....also at 6'3"...recommend the 22 frame. That is what I ride
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I like SS, but not so much on the Pug. In it's preferred terrain, gearing would be best around 1/1. Get the geared and try both.
I have similar background in BMX and am thinking about building an SS fat for ripping single track. I know the thread is comparing Pugs vs. 1X1 but why not open things up to other frame choices?
Personally I ride a Canfield Nimble 9 and am looking for something with similar geometry. The Ventana El Gordo looks like it might be a consideration.
I'm also wondering if 170 rear spacing is better for SS assuming most will be running 60-80mm rims?
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Personally I ride a Canfield Nimble 9 and am looking for something with similar geometry. The Ventana El Gordo looks like it might be a consideration.
I'm also wondering if 170 rear spacing is better for SS assuming most will be running 60-80mm rims?
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246 Posts
I'd think you could build one for less shopping around a bit.
Frame set is 575
SS specific wheelset might be 400
Rim strips, tubes, tires around 200
Cranks can be had for 150 maybe less
Could scavenge other parts for little dough, less than 100
Probably less if you find some second hand parts.
I have a pugSS and love it.
Frame set is 575
SS specific wheelset might be 400
Rim strips, tubes, tires around 200
Cranks can be had for 150 maybe less
Could scavenge other parts for little dough, less than 100
Probably less if you find some second hand parts.
I have a pugSS and love it.
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1,135 Posts
Even better would be buying a stock used Pugsley and converting it yourself. Save a ton of dough and don't have to scrounge through parts bins.
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1,241 Posts
If you want a Surly bike for single track dirt and you are 6'3" it is the Karate Monkey. I have an old 1x1 frame hanging in the basement from 2005 in XL that sees no use, and a singled-out Mukluk. Not to dis the fat, it is fun but just keeping it real. if you don't ride and $1500 is a stretch I would suggest you demo these options on some dirt if you can. This time of year the bike I keep hopping on is a SS 29er.
a lot of folks are dumping their pugsley for the newer fat bikes with wider hubs.. with the advent of cheaper fatbikes, it also means the pugs' resale value is plummeting.
you can pickup a lightly used pugs complete someone is likely selling for less than $1K... convert it to SS..
your LBS asking 1.5K??? LOL
you can pickup a lightly used pugs complete someone is likely selling for less than $1K... convert it to SS..
your LBS asking 1.5K??? LOL
Actually there are far more options hub options for the pugsley, its a standard 135mm rear hub.
Building up a 1x1 and replacing the fork with a non offset pug fork would be the route I would go especially if you are dedicated to using this as a SS setup. I have 3 pugs and have replaced all stock forks with non offset. This will give you the option of running a wider rim or tire up front. I generally run something a little more narrow on the rear of all of my off road bikes.
The 1x1 will take a 65mm wide rim in the rear no prob. If you are building from scratch yourself I would really recommend the 1x1. Spoke calculation and wheel building will be a heck of a lot easier since there is no offset to take into account. The other thing to mention is that the 100mm bb on a fat bike can take some getting used to. Most people I know who try one mention soreness in their knees or hips that they dont typically get on other rigs.
The 1x1 will take a 65mm wide rim in the rear no prob. If you are building from scratch yourself I would really recommend the 1x1. Spoke calculation and wheel building will be a heck of a lot easier since there is no offset to take into account. The other thing to mention is that the 100mm bb on a fat bike can take some getting used to. Most people I know who try one mention soreness in their knees or hips that they dont typically get on other rigs.
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I think you tend not to notice that if your bike is set up as a singlespeed because you are out of the saddle a lot with the bike moving around under you.
I only notice it on my Alfine equipped bike where I am sitting more of the time in low gears, and it's just an oh yes, that's a bit wider.
Then again, I never bolt my feet to the pedals either.
BTW I still think the Pug is one of the most versatile mainstream fatbikes being made.
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1,135 Posts
Huh? Do people not understand what 135mm offset is? You have 100x more hub options for the Pugsley than all other fatbikes combined.
ok, a 135mm hub is standard mtb rear hub, been around for years, thousands of types,
the pugsley offsets the frame's rear triangle 17.5mm to the driveside, so the chain running to those gears on a standard hub can fit around the not-standard wheel/tire.
so if you have a normal mtb wheel at home, that hub will work on your pugsley, but because the frame is made offset to the right- the rim must be laced offset to the left to get it centered in the frame.
the pugsley offsets the frame's rear triangle 17.5mm to the driveside, so the chain running to those gears on a standard hub can fit around the not-standard wheel/tire.
so if you have a normal mtb wheel at home, that hub will work on your pugsley, but because the frame is made offset to the right- the rim must be laced offset to the left to get it centered in the frame.
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