SteveS

Here are a few pics of my single speed project which has been finished at last. The completed bike weighs 9.88kgs excluding pedals but including 125ml slime per tyre (thanks to the 0.7kg rigid fork). Thanks to all the guys giving me advice re the rigid fork, cranks etc. There has been a few guys complimenting there LBS on some of the forums. I would like to mention Jacque from Eagle Canyon Cycles. He has helped transfer parts from other bikes and install new parts not bought from him (i.e. shock from CRC) onto this bike. He managed to play around with the chain / sprocket set up that enabled me to chuck out the Chain tensioner and he took an old chainring and cut it up to make custom spacers to convert the LX crankset to a single crankset.

Thanks Steel Niner. I think that the XT option is starting to make the most sense, because I will be upgrading two bikes for the price of one. Have you built up your Reynolds steel frame yet? (Post some pics in the SS thread) Nice chatting to you on the spruit the other day.

Thanks Rock Looked at the the Raceface Ride. There is only R 200 difference between that and the SLX or Raceface Evolve.

I need to replace the old truvativ crank that I have been using on my single speed and I need some advice. My first option is to take the Shimono LX (2008) off my MTB and put it on my SS and upgrade my MTB with an XT crank (amazing special ar CRC - R1359 ex VAT). Is the XT better and lighter than the LX to warrant the effort? Second option is to buy the Shimano SLX double with bashguard and then remove the small chainring making it a handy SS crankset for. The only issue is i am currently using a 32/16 ratio and changing to a 36t front means a new chain and different back sprocket Third option is to buy a dedicated SS crankset. I am looking at the Raceface Deus XC or Evolve XC Some feedback and advice from the SS guys (Steel Niner, Rock, Holy Roller, The Thug or anybody) will be appreciated.

Thanks Thug for your input. That settles it rigid fork here I come

Thanks for the input. This is the fork that I am looking at getting http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=29729 Free: What pressure do you run the 2.35 at?

Hi I have a rockshox tora 302 (2.4kgs) on my single speed GT. I find the front quite a bit heavy compared to the back sans Derailleur and cassette. I am playing with the idea of going for a carbon rigid fork (0.75kg) with a larger front tyre i.e. 2.3. This would give me a weight saving of 1.5 kgs off the front of the bike. I use the single speed when I train on my own, mostly on the Spruit. How forgiving is a carbon rigid or can I kiss my wrists goodbye. Anyone have experience with carbon rigids. Should I maybe just look out for a good deal on a Rockshox Sid or similar. Thanks Steve

Hi Hans I have just replaced my 2008 Tora 302 with a 2009 Reba Race and saved 0.8 kgs. Apart from the weight saving the bike will handle much better and you do not have to rebuild the whole bike. I saved a futher 0.15Kgs by replacing the handlebar and stem which was done at the same time.

Thanks Jules

Thanks Thug. It is seldom that the cheapest option is the best option. So do you guys think I can use the 8 speed chain?

Hi Steel Niner. Thanks. Thats sounds like the best idea. Will the 8 speed chain that is on there currently work with the 18 tooth cog that comes with the DMR tensisioner?

Hi I am busy converting an old Diamond Back MTB into a single speed. I already have a DMR chain tensioner with 18 tooth cog. I now need to convert the Truvativ triple chainring MTB crank into a 32 tooth single speed. I hear it can be done with some sort of adapter and a SS chainring. If so where in JHB can I buy this or am I looking at a new SS crank? Thanks Steve

Hi. Welcome to the hub form another rookie. Unless you are flying down I think it is time that you get a roof rack and one of those Thule Proride racks. Just got one for the Honda and it takes like seconds to put the bike on the roof. I once went to Cape Town and rented a bike for a week. The bike cost the same to rent as our hired car

Thanks for replying guys. Has anyone actually done this conversion and were they happy. Apart from the RST being a much better shock the weght saving is almost 0.9kg's. For R3440 for the shock less what I would get for my shock if I had to sell it, makes it Rand per gram an excellent investment.

I am sure this has been discussed at lenght before but I would like to know if the change in geometry going from 80mm travel to 100mm would be that big that it would affect the bikes handling. I am looking at replacing my Rock Shox Tora 302 85MM fork with one of the 100mm RST's that Kiwi is sellling. According to him the the new fork would change my bikes steering by 1 degree. Surely that is nothing to worry about. What do you guys think? Thanks

Thanks Spinnekop. Any other opinions?

It is the Carbon STI Rival versus the standard Ultegra not the gunmetal grey groupset.

Hi I am looking at buying a new groupset from CRC. Which is better, the 2008 Shimano Ultegra 6600 groupset or the 2009 SRAM Rival groupset. The SRAM will work out approximately R 1000 more expensive. Thanks