[labrat73]

I am currently riding an ENO converted 15 year old steel frame and thinking its time for a new frame. I heard about the great deal Jenson's is having on the SASS and I think I really want one, but after reading the reviews, I'm a little hesitant. Here are the best questions I can think of to help me make the desision:

1) Are you happy with your SASS?
2) Would you buy one again?
3) If not, what would you buy?

Thanks!

 

[miSSionary]

I am currently riding an ENO converted 15 year old steel frame and thinking its time for a new frame. I heard about the great deal Jenson's is having on the SASS and I think I really want one, but after reading the reviews, I'm a little hesitant. Here are the best questions I can think of to help me make the desision:

1) Are you happy with your SASS?
2) Would you buy one again?
3) If not, what would you buy?

Thanks!

I love my SASS and I bought it a year ago too big as I didn't want to wait for another to come in. Most of the reviews are people who don't own one. I like mine more than I ever liked my Trek Fuel 100. No I would not buy one again. This is just because I like custom frames the more SS dedicated I get (I ride Black Sheep Bikes now). It is a great ride, good luck with your choice. I raced mine from 28mi races to 24hr solos, the bike rocks!!

 

[GregC]

What in the reviews made you hesitate? The reviews I read were all pretty positive, and although my wife only has 2 rides so far on her SASS (from Jenson!) she loves it.

 

[labrat73]

My biggest concern is chain tension. I'm a big rider (220lbs) and I tend to really torque the drive components and some folks had trouble with the chain coming loose while riding. That happens to me now and it really gets on my nerves. Also, several said that the chainline was off from the factory, and several had their chainstays break. It seems that the really enthustiastic reviews are just excited to be on a SS, and I already know I love it. I just want to get a bike that I can set up and not worry about. I guess I still go back and forth between something in the SASS/surly arena to a used custom frame. Not really sure if its worth the jump, but you never know til you try!

 

[GregC]

I think the issue with the chainstays breaking was with the earlier Bianchi SISS...check the SASS reviews - http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/singlespeed/product_123801.shtml I think Bianchi got their act together after all the problems with the SISS. (although the stock headset on the SASS still sucks!) Chainline on the bike we got from Jenson seems to be right on the money and no problems yet with tension...of course, my wife weighs about 125lbs, so it's not exactly a good comparison to your situation!

 

[trail topher]

I like it

I'm putting my gear on to hit the trail on my SASS right now. It's definitely a great bike for the money. It's not as nimble feeling as my aluminum SS but it feels very very stable off small drops and on the downhills. The only upgrade I would get for it is a front shock so I think the Jenson deal is awesome.

 

[miSSionary]

I'm putting my gear on to hit the trail on my SASS right now. It's definitely a great bike for the money. It's not as nimble feeling as my aluminum SS but it feels very very stable off small drops and on the downhills. The only upgrade I would get for it is a front shock so I think the Jenson deal is awesome.

Very nice, you'll enjoy it until the next step of custom for sure, it is a great bike!! :thumbsup: Consider a headset change with the fork, other than that she's one great ride!!

 

[mtnpat]

1) Are you happy with your SASS?
2) Would you buy one again?
3) If not, what would you buy?

Reasonably happy with it. I actually bought a SISS but when the frame broke I was given a SASS frame as a replacement.

The only issue I have with the design is the short fork. While this gives you fast steering, it also makes it hard to lift the front end to get over obstacles, pop wheelies, etc. I am actually about to purchase a Surly Instigator fork as a replacement, it is 1.5" longer.

Actually, a couple of other issues, since resolved. The bearings in the rear hub went in about 2 months, I replaced them and have had no problems for a couple of years now. Same with the BB, it went quick and had to be replaced. Both were crap parts stock.

Mine is now outfitted with a Chris King headset and White Industries ENO freewheel for a totally bulletproof ride.

I would buy another. A lot of good parts came on the bike for the price, to include the brakes, seatpost, seat, stem and handlebars.

 

[jugdish]

I bought a Unit earlier last summer after checking out the SASS. The local shop with the SASS wouldn't work with me, the guys with the Unit would. Love the Unit. Later, in October @ Veloswap I was lucky enough to pick up a SASS for 350 I think. It's a bit bigger than the Unit but I think the SASS rides better. The back tire does slip at times, or did until I got it dialed and I only weigh 145 but like to think I hammer. I saw that deal also and thought briefly about picking another up to send to my parents house to ride on vacation and stick the shock on my wifes bike. I think the bike looks freakin' awesome in a old school BMX way as well. Still ride it rigid and only swapped out the bars so far, headset does suck. Wheels are heavy but sh!t, what do I care?

 

[Boris Batenov]

I got my SASS a few months ago. It is my first SS, so I have nothing to compare it to. I ride it all the time. My wife likes that because now she gets to use the Maverick. I've commuted on it, mtn. biked on it, and trained for and raced the 24 Hours of ERock solo on it. I did throw on a 16 tooth for the 24 hour race. I'm loving it so far. I'm sure I could build up lighter, and I probably will at some point, but I'm not in a hurry to do so. I do have some issues of the rear wheel slipping occasionally, but nothing major. Like one of the other posters, I'd like to think I have pretty good power and I weigh in at 165. The only reason I would not buy another one is because I'm now sold on SS's and when I do get a new one, I'll probably build up something that's lighter. I have no regrets buying my SASS, though, and I've recommended it to several of my friends. You can lead a friend to a SS but you can't make him/her ride it...

 

[miSSionary]

You can lead a friend to a SS but you can't make him/her ride it...

Ha ha ha, or you can lead a friend to a SS...and then watch the pain rush over their face as they have turned the whole SS idea into something much more masochistic inside their own heads!! ut:

 

[labrat73]

Sure we're crazy, but its just so fun, I cant stop!

Thanks for all the great info guys. I really appreciate it. I checked out the dimensions and the fork does seem a bit short. I'm gonna call around and see if I can find one to ride before making my final decision.

Its tough to get modivated to spend a bunch o' money on a new bike when I have a perfectly good one at home.......but new bikes are soooooo fun!

 

[trail topher]

Rationalization

I rationalized buying the SASS to reduce wear and tear on my full suspension bike. My fs bike has been clean and tuned up in my garage for the last month now. It's definitely a good idea to try before you buy. Make sure the bike feels good for you.

 

[labrat73]

Yea, I'm one of these guys that thinks you can make any bike fit if you're willing to buy a new fork/stem/riser bar/seat post etc, but then you're taking about a bit of cash. Maybe I'm wrong. I've always test rode to see if the bike 'fit' and if I liked it. I really wonder how much that really has to do with anything.

 

[danthesoundman]

I used to lust after certain bikes after seeing their pictures or even seeing them sitting there at the LBS. Then, after a parking block test drive, I would completely dislike them. On the other other hand, I ordered a frame from the ebay and I love that thing. I never got to test ride it, I just knew from the picture; I feel the same way about the Bianchi SASS pictures.

I've always wanted a chrome bike, never had one. Ever since all my friends had chrome BMX bikes in the eighties. It makes sense to me to get a big, chrome bmx bike.

The Jensens' deal is incredible, and I want to do it. Slipping rear wheel?

 

[norton05]

I've been drooling over a SASS for quite a while. It is the only bike I have ever seen and wanted from first sight, but the wallet will just not allow it. I did a few parking lot tests and I love how it rides.

Anyway I'm posting because my local Bicycle Village has them on closeout for $469, way better than Jensen. They're a big chain so it might be worth checking out if one is near you!

 

[Ziggy-Stardust]

The rear wheel should not be "slipping" on the SASS. The rear tensioning system is rock solid and completely standard for SS, there's nothing unusually weak or deficient about it. In fact it's the best tensioning system I've used yet on an SS. The SASS uses KMC's el cheapo chain and it stretches pretty easily and wears rapidly. This is probably why people think the rear wheel "slips" in it's dropouts, when in fact it's just the crap chain getting stretched out. Plus newbie SS-ers who've always depended on a derailleur to take care of chain tension don't always appreciate how much even a decent quality chain can stretch while riding an SS, especially if you're a clyde.

Also, the chainstay breaking problem was in the previous year model (SISS). It was fixed for the SASS, haven't heard of anyone snapping one on the SASS's yet and it's been out for a couple years now. The rear wheel bearings aren't bad on the Spot hub, it just needs to be tweaked and loosened up a bit to reset the bearings so they wont bind. Check the Spot rear hub reviews for the lowdown. The headset is cheap, best to replace it, but push comes to shove it will last for more than a year if you keep it clean and lubricated (I still have mine after three years). The chainline was out, removing the bashring and moving the chainring to the outside cured the problem. I wore out the ISIS BB in about a month, your mileage may vary. Otherwise the SASS is a good bike at a good price, dig it.

 

[croaloha]

Bass

I own a 1999 BASS, which is for the record "bad ass single speed," and could not love it more. I do also experience the rear wheel problem; as to whether the phenomenon is caused by a stretching chain I can't say. Otherwise the bike is totally solid. I believe that all of the singlespeed MTB's made by Bianchi are of the same frame geometry and all have at least the main triangle made of aluminum. Since the SISS was produced ~ 2 to 3 years after mine, I wonder if I have anything to worry about with respect to the chainstay? If anyone has anything to share on the subject of (slightly) older Bianchi MTB's I sure would appreciate hearing it.

 

[warmseth]

i have a 2002 diss, which for the record is "disc interegrated single speed". it's te first year that they threw disc brakes on it. it is also aluminum (while i believe the sass is steel). anyway, it is my first ss. i've owned it for about 2.5 years. i am no lightweigh (as much as 210 a year ago...down to 175 now) and i beat the tar out of it every few days. no troubles AT ALL. great great bike. for the price, especially. i have zero regrets about buying it. if i had the same $ i did when i bought it, i'd definitly buy it again. as it is my next ss may very well be a high bux custom that i build slowly with an eye towards light-weight.

 

[rick watts]

i have a 2003 diss, which for the record is "disc interegrated single speed". it's te first year that they threw disc brakes on it. it is also aluminum (while i believe the sass is steel). anyway, it is my first ss. i've owned it for about 2.5 years. i am no lightweigh (as much as 210 a year ago...down to 175 now) and i beat the tar out of it every few days. no troubles AT ALL. great great bike. for the price, especially. i have zero regrets about buying it. if i had the same $ i did when i bought it, i'd definitly buy it again. as it is my next ss may very well be a high bux custom that i build slowly with an eye towards light-weight.

i have a large sass frame/fork/wheelset for sale 250.00