Anyone gone back to basics?

[rhinochopig]

I have a full sus, but bought a cheap frame and made up a winter bike from spares and sales bin bits at the start of this winter. I've now gone back to rigid forks and have to say am having more fun then ever before. It's made MTB challenging again without having to do 30+mph or drop down silly steep hills.

There is definitely a greater sense of achievement when you pick your way down a track rather than just float down the fall line. Anyone else found this or am I just getting old and risk averse?

[pdV6]

The bike I use for commuting has been stripped back to basics. Rather than spend some serious cash on rebuilding the forks I stuck a set of rigid Project-2 forks on there (~£40) and they're brilliant!

Not sure I'd like to take it off-road in commuter trim, though.

[prand]

I've done similar for my commuter bike (old marin). I stripped all the gears, replaced with a single speed & tensioner, and put some rigid forks and slicks on. I love the simplicity and effifiency of the bike now - and even done a bit of off road.

[sjg]

The bike I commuted on last winter (and used for shopping / pub now) is like that. Old MTB, DIY respray, singlespeeded. Total cost well under £100 including building new wheels.

[mk1fan]

I'm hankering for a steel s/s rigid too. I rode my local trails last summer using a set of Marathon Plus 'slicks'.

Although I really don't want a Mong-One Chavbred though (aside from my commuter).

[Nick_F]

Genesis steel frame looks nice as a start point, but it could just be that I'm a sucker for the colour; can you live with an eccentric BB?

[rhinochopig]

I have an eccentric on my 'Dale MTB tandem. They can be a little problematic in terms of them seizing. If you do get one make sure the shop (or yourself) strips it immediately and absolutely blathers it with copper slip or other anti-seize compound. This should be done at least every year if you wash the bike a lot. I've never had a problem (nor has anyone else I know with them - 5 others) as I was warned to do this when I bought the bike.

[g_stacey]

From a choice of (too) many bikes I often nick’ this from my son to scoot about on. Very therapeutic.

[mk1fan]

Other than finding room to accomodate another bike, I would start out with the intention of building up a cheap s/s rigid hack bike but end up spending too much. Pace forks, Juicy Ultimates, Thomson, Hope, Mavic etc... Oh well, I deserve it.

[atom111]

mk1fan - You don't just deserve it, you need it you'd be crazy not build a bike with those bits on.

[mk1fan]

I wondered when you'd turn up to validate me.

[atom111]

happy to help

[WildCards]

mk1fan said:

validate me.

Only if it's consensual.

[mk1fan]

It's certainly sensual

[atom111]

it's all in his mind

[WildCards]

This thread has got me thinking. I've got an old (very old) Trek 8200 rigid 6 speed mountain bike in the garage, mostly it is buggered, but I reckon I could rescue the frame and forks for a single speed build similiar to what's being spoken about here. Is there a one stop shop for all my single speed conversion needs?

[mk1fan]

Wiggle, Chain Reaction, Woolly Hat Shop, Mong-One.

All carry what you'll need.

You'll need a s/s freewheel kit. A doofer (chain tensioner). Some washers to space the chain ring bolts properly so that you can take two rings off. And that's it.

[lingus75]

'Back to basics', I never left



XC Pro canti's, they stop sort of.

[Teggers]

After a brief foray into the bouncy world on a GT Agressor, I have returned to my trust 1992 (!) Kona Explosif. I have NEVER ridden a more fun/responsive bike. Sorry, no pics at the moment though!

[istoo]

i acquired a mid ninties rock lobster the other month for the sole intention of going back to basics, and further back on the grounds i fancy a single speed as well.

Some lovely bikes here as well, someone pointed me at retrobike last year, what a site with loads of machines i lusted over in years gone by.

Is it an age thing wanting to do this, or a trend i dont know but it really appeals to me as well.