Tag: single speed

Redline Monocog 29’er

After converting an old bike I had over to Single Speed I set out to find a dedicated Single Speed 29’er

Almost went with the Nashbar 29er, but after reading a few reviews saw the ‘Cog referenced a few times as being a more sensible choice for someone planning to upgrade parts.

Went to the local dealer who didn’t have any in store, but would order one and sell it to me for MSRP. I opted to look around, found another dealer’s online blog with a new 2010 left over that they had upgraded to Tektro Disk brakes on sale. I called, reserved it and drove down the next day.

I’d already figured on the following upgrades/changes

  • Avid BB7 Disks and FR7 Levers
  • Jagwire cables
  • Framesaver
  • Niner 32T Chainring
  • Shimano BB

Also ended up swapping out the crankset with one by FSA I’d originally bought for another bike.

Dissassembly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfLSlX8dyG4

Framesaver Application

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTmxkcWn-_I

Switching Chainrings on the new Crankset

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz-2D8btW5o

Installing new Disc Rotors and Cog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Iyky13gAPY

Assembly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmubjzuaquE

Jagwire Cable Install

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuVseVBrRM4

Finished Bike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXnaFmV4pBw

Bike turned out great. Even with the upgrades it cost less than a new stock bike. I’m now sold on Single Speed and 29’er wheels.

Video of me riding it on some local trails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_GTDBuh-h4

And more video, this time I was also messing around with different helmet mount locations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp_bhAFpSpU

The Bike stand I’m using is by RAD Cycle Products.

Single Speed Indoctrination

I had an old 2001 Specialized Rockhopper FS, my wife bought it for me and based on bad advise from a (now out of business) Local Bike Shop got a 21″ frame and urban tires. Back then I was only interested in riding trails so this wasn’t the best for that. I ended up buying another mountain bike and this one sat for a while until it was briefly reborn as a Motorized bicycle with a poor black repaint.

I got rid of the 2 stroke engine when I got a Motoped and had been reading about single speeds, did some browsing on eBay and got a used singleater chain tensioner, rear sprocket and spacer set and a niner chainring for $30…. Cheap enough to give it a try.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv7Rebp64bE

First time I rode it I knew I was going to buy more single speeds, third time out was a 33 mile ride along the Cape Cod Rail trail and it did great for a mountain bike with 1.75″ tires and off road gearing (32/18)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRxREXVr9Nw

Ended up selling this, but only because it got me wanting a dedicated Single Speed mountain bike more my size and after the rail trail I decided a road bike would be a good idea too.