[RatBikeRod]

So I have been seriously considering SS’ing my 2019 Trek Stache 7. I think it is a bike that would be a lot of fun as a SS.

I have a Surly Ogre with Shimano 12 speed gear set for longer trips or bikepacking and I have an older Trek Rig SS that I recently converted to a pseud-drop bar with a Surly Corner Bar.

Riding that Rig again after many years reminded me how much I enjoyed a SS and the Ogre covers me for most all my geared needs.

I am not an aggressive trail rider, preferring non-technical trails and here in Texas elevation is not normally a huge issue.

So I recently got the bug to SS the Stache. My thoughts are to build a new full rear SS wheel from scratch so I can switch back easily if I find I do not like it.

I think I want either a Hope Pro 4 or Swiss DT350 hub with either Wolftooth stainless steel chain ring and cog, probably in 32:19. Not sure about the rim, but something around the i36-40.

What do you guys think?

 

[Impetus]

Either a Hope or DT hub and any alloy rim (Spank, DT, RaceFace, Stans) will be a solid no-frills setup. Wolftooth makes great cogs.
I've been running a Hope Pro4 SS/T with a Spank 345 (i30) rim, laced by DT comp spokes and a variety of Endless KickAss cogs for years.

I gave up on 'plus' wheels a long time ago due to the fact that a 2.6 works almost as well, is lighter (or burlier for the same weight if you need that) than 3.0s, and are easier to find.
I can get a 2.6 for just over half the price of a $109 Vittoria Bomboloni.
I got REEEEAAAAALLLL sick of slashing a $100+ tire at 20% worn. 29+ is getting harder and harder to find, which is all you're gonna want with a i40 rim.
IMO- i36 rims are a weird no-mans land where it's not ideal for 3.0's and it's too wide for 2.6's

That said....I've found that popping the cassette off a regular HG driver and slapping on a SS cog takes literally a few minutes and you don't have to futz with keeping a SECOND wheel true, tire inflated and sealant topped up.
I kinda regret building a dedicated SS wheel. because I'd do this for the rare occasion I want a geared HT. my 35# 160mm enduro bike isn't always the right tool for the job, but neither is a singlespeed.
I built my wheel on a Hope SS/T because it was very easy to lace (inherently no dish) and it was a 100% SS dedicated bike when I built the wheelset. The extra PoE was nice, but not required. SS/T is 88 PoE, reg Pro4 is 44PoE.

 

[BansheeRune]

Cannot say I have sliced or diced any tire in the last 30 years, A goat head or a cactus thorn but filet-o-tire is for someone else to perform!

That is outta da way...
On to the Stash... SS that thing and ride to your heart's content. Wanna change it back to gears, no worries, it goes really quick for that deed.
i35 or i40 will do just fine with 2.8 or 3.0. Trouble these days is finding 3.0.

 

[RatBikeRod]

Yea, I should have said I ditched the 3.0 a while back for a 2.8 Teravail Coronado and really have enjoyed the switch. It felt sluggish with the 3.0, but that went away with the 2.8.

I was keeping the wheel width up so I could keep running a 2.8.

I was thinking that building the wheel up would make for a slightly stronger setup and maybe easier to swap cog sizes quickly. I have not done this so I may be wrong. Also, I wanted a hub with a bit better engagement.

I have not suffered what others have with the Duroc 50 pooping spokes, but again, I am not an aggressive rider. That said, I am a big guy, (6’6” 235-250lbs) so I am also considering that from a strength setup.

 

[BansheeRune]

What 3.0 were you using? Tire choice is make or break regardless of width! Some roll very well and serve even better. Others are sluggish and weigh as much as the 35's on my pickemup!
I have tested many and remove sluggish tires after a few hundred meters of travel.
I also get the engagement thing. Nothing pisses me off like three revolutions of freeplay! (For those that cannot figure out sarcasm, that was sarcasm) I fell in love with my Onyx hubs and would have em on my trials bike if I thought they would withstand the destructive forces trials bikes endure.

 

[RatBikeRod]

I went from the stock Bontrager team issue 3.0 to the Teravail 2.8. The Team Issue’s were good trail tires, but for what I do the Coronado’s were better for me.

 

[BansheeRune]

I went from the stock Bontrager team issue 3.0 to the Teravail 2.8. The Team Issue’s were good trail tires, but for what I do the Coronado’s were better for me.

I ordered a pair of Coro 27.5 x 3.hellyeah for kicks n grins. Really wanted the tan wall version but the price goes from 50 to 70 per tire.

 

[RatBikeRod]

I ordered a pair of Coro 27.5 x 3.hellyeah for kicks n grins. Really wanted the tan wall version but the price goes from 50 to 70 per tire.

I felt like I was too heavy for the cushy tan sidewalls.

 

[racefit]

Some people were having issues running the Stache SS at one point. Think the stays were flexing and causing chain issues.

I think TREK responded by saying not to run it SS even though originally they said it was ok.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RatBikeRod]

I have a local Trek dealer I can check that against.

 

[BansheeRune]

I felt like I was too heavy for the cushy tan sidewalls.

Go with the durable version.
Being I am light on riding style as well as physically, I can get away with lighter, more supple tires.

 

[RatBikeRod]

Yep that is what I got.

 

[natepac]

I’ve had several broken chains running the stache SS…….I guess it’s due to the frame flex? I ran my nimble 9 for years SS and no issues.

 

[RatBikeRod]

I’ve had several broken chains running the stache SS…….I guess it’s due to the frame flex? I ran my nimble 9 for years SS and no issues.

Hummm, I have read that it is. Chain popping and snapping. Guess there is no way to know until I try it.

 

[wschruba]

I've been riding my stache (aluminum, not carbon) single-speed for 2 years. Zero problems other than 1) annoyingly short adjustment window (you may need to use normal rings/cogs/a half link, or switch up/down sprocket sizes) and 2) creaking/occasional popping sounds (so, par for the course for the red-headed-stepchild bicycle).

Setup your hub sprocket in-line with your chainring. Measure them--don't assume--and check your math. You may get the occasional creak/pop, but if the chainline is spot-on, and you use singlespeed specific sprockets, you aren't going to throw a chain.

If you break a modern, new chain, pat yourself on the back, and maybe pack a few spare links.

 

[BansheeRune]

If you break a modern, new chain, pat yourself on the back, and maybe pack a few spare links.

Obviously, you have not met my trials bike! If a chain can survive the rigors of trials bikes, they are approved to be used on my one speed automatic.
There is good reason for front freewheel to be the common drive used. Rear will explode in short order so the rear is fixed. Having a chain let go during trials is a hospital bill incoming.

 

[wschruba]

Obviously, you have not met my trials bike! If a chain can survive the rigors of trials bikes, they are approved to be used on my one speed automatic.
There is good reason for front freewheel to be the common drive used. Rear will explode in short order so the rear is fixed. Having a chain let go during trials is a hospital bill incoming.

Yes, but we're not talking about a trials bike here, right? Most "normal" parts would explode under those conditions.

 

[RatBikeRod]

Trails not Trials.

Something in my life has to be normal.

 

[BansheeRune]

Yes, but we're not talking about a trials bike here, right? Most "normal" parts would explode under those conditions.

There are required qualifiers regardless...

Trails not Trials.

Something in my life has to be normal.

Trialsin during my rides is routine even under cancer treatment, the only norm right now is trails n trials!
The Redsky is my singlespeed testing ground for durable, reliable parts.

 

[RatBikeRod]

So I am decided. I will begin looking for parts to build up a SS rear wheel. So if you have good parts let me know.

I will be going with some mix of the following;

• Hope Pro 4 hub
• Swiss DT 350 hub
• Wolftooth chain ring an cog
• Thinking of starting with either a 32:19 or 34:20 setup
• i36-i40 wheel - Stans?
• Teravail Coronado 2.8 tire