[nitrousjunky]

How many people have built up an AM HT SS bike and stayed SS with it?

I'm building up another HT 29er frame and I can't decide if I want it to be SS or 1x9. I love the simplicity of SS, but I keep thinking some gears for more downhill speed might be nice with the AM setup.

My other bike is a rigid/ss/29er and is staying that way.

 

[Sparticus]

How many people have built up an AM HT SS bike and stayed SS with it?
...

I have. But it's 26".

--Sparty

 

[boomn]

I would say my Inbred, although still an XC bike at heart, is built towards the AM side of things (and currently sitting at 13.4" BB height) and I've been riding as such. I definitely haven't felt limited by the SS gearing. I've never really felt spun out except on long, gradual downhills without any tech or chunk, but I don't really have much of that besides a bit of fire road.

The normal advantages of SS still apply, maybe even more so, such as no chain slap and dropped chains when you're flying through chunk and without having to buy a full chainguide

 

[nitrousjunky]

The normal advantages of SS still apply, maybe even more so, such as no chain slap and dropped chains when you're flying through chunk and without having to buy a full chainguide

I did think about this advantage!

 

[ssumo]

I usually keep rigid for the wet winter and spring and throw on the 120mm for the summer and fall months up here in the Pacific Northwest. Just put on the 120mm Fox and was amazed on much faster I can go. Now when I take off the Fox and install the rigid fork I will say WOW it's really light and fast rigid I had a dedicated rigid and hardtail bikes built up but found it was difficult for me to jump between the two(One9/Sir9), plus I preferred the feel of the One9 over the Sir9. At some point I decided to go custom around a 110mm lefty and 490mm rigid forks. Dropped the lefty this year as I was sure I was going to keep the custom frame rigid.....well a Fox fork around and I couldn't resist No problems going from full squish to full rigid. Weird huh? I'd say if you are thinking about SS or gears you should have the guides put on...just in case. I did not go this route but have not had the desire to add gears on the rigid/hardtail as I love SS. If it could be run both ways it would probably sell easier too.

When I have it rigid I lust for all these new hardtails that get posted, when set up as a hardtail I lust for all the rigid porn. Hard to keep myself in check.......

 

[MMcG]

On the frame in question - some gears might be good, not just for going faster on flats/downhill sections of trail, but also giving you the gear combination to allow you to loft the front end to get up and onto trail obstacles/features and also off of them (wheelie drops and the like).

Just a thought.

 

[jbaitzel]

+1. Depending on how "all mountain" you want the bike, some gears would be nice for the climbs. More fork will give you a more raked geometry, which is awesome for the descents, but sucks like a bmx when you're climbing.

On the frame in question - some gears might be good, not just for going faster on flats/downhill sections of trail, but also giving you the gear combination to allow you to loft the front end to get up and onto trail obstacles/features and also off of them (wheelie drops and the like).

Just a thought.

 

[boomn]

+1. Depending on how "all mountain" you want the bike, some gears would be nice for the climbs. More fork will give you a more raked geometry, which is awesome for the descents, but sucks like a bmx when you're climbing.

slack front ends don't seem to effect climbing on SS bikes the same way they do on sit-and-spin geared bikes IMHO. Since most climbing on an SS is done while standing the front end doesn't get light and floppy since your weight is up and over or close to the stem

Gears may be "nice", but so is rear suspension and my personal preference is for neither one and I don't find either one necessary to enjoy the up or downhills

 

[Aquaholic]

Keep it simple

Sometimes...I just can't be bothered with gears.

 

[perttime]

but also giving you the gear combination to allow you to loft the front end to get up and onto trail obstacles/features and also off of them (wheelie drops and the like).

If I have a little bit of speed, I prefer to lift the front without pedal work. At loooow speeds, reasonable SS gearing allows wheelies.

I find that gearing for the climbs (to barely make it) works for me. Down the hill, gravity makes me fast enough, maybe with a little sprint to get started at the top - if I feel the need for speed...

 

[Sparticus]

Sometimes...I just can't be bothered with gears.

I don't feel inadquate in the least right now. Sheesh!

--Sparty

 

[Mr.P]

Nothing to add except the joy of not passing on trail features due to having a properly strong bike cannot be understated.

P

 

[nitrousjunky]

Did any of you guys try 1x9, but ended up going back to SS on a similar setup??

 

[TahoeSS]

Steve

Sometimes...I just can't be bothered with gears.

How have you been? Riding a SS mostly now? Been living the high life up here in Truckee. Miss seeing you out on Noble on the weekends. Come up to visit sometime. Joy and Gina are coming up in a couple of weeks. Still going big I see.

Denton

 

[jackspade]

I used to 1x7 and the chain is so noisy which is the set up is already pissed and I have to be precise with my thumb for shifter. I hate the chainline problem stuffs. I use a cheap 3 bucks oldschool shimano SIS shifter so I won't regret if I don't like gears later - and I am glad.

After ride for two hours I go to the nearest bicycle store and SSed my bike. On too steep uphill road I walk and the good thing I don't have to hear the stupid chain/RD noise.

 

[Aquaholic]

How have you been? Riding a SS mostly now? Been living the high life up here in Truckee. Miss seeing you out on Noble on the weekends. Come up to visit sometime. Joy and Gina are coming up in a couple of weeks. Still going big I see.

Denton

'Sup Dent?!!

I hear you guys are doing well! It must be nice having real dirt to play on.

I need to get up there. Still working on a late fall trip.

I killed my RFX off once and for all. So, I spend the majority of my rides on the SS's these days.

I do have this purple beastie, though...for my heavy flow days.

Cheers!

AhhhQua