[14max]

All - I recently joined MTBR and this is my first post.

I am blown away by all of the knowledge you guys have shared on this forum. I am a former roadie and 29er convert. Following a revelation that I had way too much road bike stuff and wasn't having any fun with any of it, I decided to start from scratch and go simple. I sold my road bikes and gear and have embraced single speed.

My new ride is a Redline Monocog Flight which, I'm hoping, will be more than enough bike for me for a while. With my 8-year old son taking to riding this summer, I'm getting out a lot more than I was alone on my road bike and having a lot more fun in the process.

While my MC Flight is stock at the moment, I was hoping those of you in the know would point me in the right direction to upgrades in the future. Many thanks...

 

[AZ]

Welcome , as far as bang for the buck upgrades , wheels are usually a very good place to start .

www.notubes.com

www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com

 

[ruppster]

If you're not unhappy, is there reason to upgrade?
What is your goal? If it's lighter, most likely tires, then wheels.

 

[bigdrunk]

The biggest difference maker would be a nice set of tubeless wheels. Depending on your weight, build something around Stans Arch/Flow with a decent quality hub. Not sure what the stock wheels weight, but I would not be surprised if you were able to drop close to a pound if you went with Arch's. Once you get that out of the way, buy some big meats (2.3"+), air them up tubeless and enjoy.

 

[14max]

I think lighter would be great. It's not a beast and the frame is very upgradeable from what I've read. I was thinking of a Thomson stem and post, lighter tires (sub 500g), and maybe a carbon fork. Wheels are a definite possibility as well.

 

[Yolden Gears]

Gears and a suspension fork? Kidding!

 

[14max]

Gears and a suspension fork? Kidding!

Funny. I could go 1x9 later. For now, I really like SS.

 

[Climber999]

Thomson are bike jewelries. They won't make much of a difference in ride characteristics. That's close to $200 saved.

A carbon fork is also overrated. Yes, it will save you weight, but again, the difference between a steel fork and a carbon fork are not staggering in terms of ride characteristics (some even prefer the former).
Ti fork is a different matter, but beyond the scope of this discussion. So here you got at least $250 saved.

Add $150 and you get can get a nice wheel set for $600. That will be you best upgrade. Moreover, if you really enjoy the SS ride, you are bound the upgrade your rig at some point. The wheels is an expenditure that can depreciated on the new rig as well.

My 2c.

 

[shiggy]

All - I recently joined MTBR and this is my first post.

I am blown away by all of the knowledge you guys have shared on this forum. I am a former roadie and 29er convert. Following a revelation that I had way too much road bike stuff and wasn't having any fun with any of it, I decided to start from scratch and go simple. I sold my road bikes and gear and have embraced single speed.

My new ride is a Redline Monocog Flight which, I'm hoping, will be more than enough bike for me for a while. With my 8-year old son taking to riding this summer, I'm getting out a lot more than I was alone on my road bike and having a lot more fun in the process.

While my MC Flight is stock at the moment, I was hoping those of you in the know would point me in the right direction to upgrades in the future. Many thanks...

Do nothing until it breaks, wears out or is not working well.

Tires are a possibility to suit your local conditions and a better model may not be lighter.

 

[14max]

Do nothing until it breaks, wears out or is not working well.

Tires are a possibility to suit your local conditions and a better model may not be lighter.

Wise words. I believe the stock components are pretty good on the MC Flight overall. There are a few house brand bits that may not stand up (hubs and headset) but, for the most part, I feel like this one will last for a while.

 

[14max]

Thomson are bike jewelries. They won't make much of a difference in ride characteristics. That's close to $200 saved.

A carbon fork is also overrated. Yes, it will save you weight, but again, the difference between a steel fork and a carbon fork are not staggering in terms of ride characteristics (some even prefer the former).
Ti fork is a different matter, but beyond the scope of this discussion. So here you got at least $250 saved.

Add $150 and you get can get a nice wheel set for $600. That will be you best upgrade. Moreover, if you really enjoy the SS ride, you are bound the upgrade your rig at some point. The wheels is an expenditure that can depreciated on the new rig as well.

My 2c.

Thanks for that. I noticed that the carbon fork I was considering (Origin 8 Black Ops) weighs almost as much as the stock Sanko steel fork. Same goes for the weight difference between the stock Ritchey Comp stem/seatpost and the Thomson. The weight difference is negligible.

I am really considering an upgrade of the wheels and tires though. I could gain a lot by just doing that.

 

[[email protected]]

I agree 100% with Shiggy, don't replace it until it breaks unless if something just doesn't fit you. I ride a std MC29 and stock it was about 28.5lbs and now it's down to 26.5lbs, but bottom line I really don't notice it much, It's a little easier to bunny hop and the CF bars help take a little edge off the rigid front end but that's about it.

I just did my 1st race on the beast in the beginner class and can't tell you how many more expensive bikes I passed along the way. In fact I was the least expensive bike in the crowd, except for an old school 90's GT, so every bike I passed was more expensive. Just ride it and enjoy it until it breaks. (BTW: not much to break on a rigid SS)

 

[14max]

I agree 100% with Shiggy, don't replace it until it breaks unless if something just doesn't fit you. I ride a std MC29 and stock it was about 28.5lbs and now it's down to 26.5lbs, but bottom line I really don't notice it much, It's a little easier to bunny hop and the CF bars help take a little edge off the rigid front end but that's about it.

I just did my 1st race on the beast in the beginner class and can't tell you how many more expensive bikes I passed along the way. In fact I was the least expensive bike in the crowd, except for an old school 90's GT, so every bike I passed was more expensive. Just ride it and enjoy it until it breaks. (BTW: not much to break on a rigid SS)

John - Thanks much. I'll keep it bone stock for a while. I'm sure I'll get the itch to upgrade the wheelset, headset, and grips but I'll leave it alone otherwise.

 

[29ftw]

Most folks I know with that bike upgraded the brakes from BB5s to BB7s...huge diff

 

[GreenLightGo]

Thanks for that. I noticed that the carbon fork I was considering (Origin 8 Black Ops) weighs almost as much as the stock Sanko steel fork. Same goes for the weight difference between the stock Ritchey Comp stem/seatpost and the Thomson. The weight difference is negligible.

I am really considering an upgrade of the wheels and tires though. I could gain a lot by just doing that.

As Shiggy said - the Monocog Flight is a great bike as is. I've had one for a while now (it's my forward deployed bike in Colorado). Just spent the past week on it and am reminded how well they nailed the geometry and how well the Sanko tubing rides (rigid, SS).

I initially ran mine with some Hope/Stans Flows - so if I were to steer you towards anything down the road - it would be a good set of wheels - however, what it has now is not worth dumping just on principle. Ride it for a while and adjust to the bike.....it's a pretty good machine.

 

[sslos]

With my 8-year old son taking to riding this summer, I'm getting out a lot more than I was alone on my road bike and having a lot more fun in the process.

Best upgrade yet.
To quote the greatest cyclist of all time. "Ride lots."

Los