just got the SS up and rolling on the Novara frame.

results: i'm lovin' it

freaking awesome!
yeah, it's like a big BMX now, but it's fun as all get-out!

i rolled up to Long Sandwich Express (only to find out they're closed... no more boba [sniff])
then I hit Subway for a $2.99 special BMT, rolled to Winco for a Ripit energy drink, rolled down to the AR bike trail behind the office, hit up a picnic table for a bite, snapped a few pics of the dirty beast SS w/ the camera phone, then rolled down to the folsom powerhouse on the bike trail and back all in my hour lunch!

gonna throw on some shorts and a dryfit tomorrow and hit the trail staright away and see how far i can get...maybe get it down to be able to lap Lake Natomas.

found out a 32/16 is too short for paved parts and the downhills. a little too much pumping.
but it worked okay for the flats and hills on the dirt trail portion.

next i'm gonna try my 42/20 and see how that is.

as far as the SS conversion went, the Forte SS conversion kit from Perf Bike is a DEAL at $22.
you get a tensioner, 3 cogs (16t, 18t & 20t), spacers (8 5mm & 5 3mm), lockring and instructions.

just added a $10 SRAM SS chain and i was set!
:bananpants::bananpants:

 

That's awesome, pozzi. Another one converted to the darkside of SS!

 

yeah i'm gonna bomb the hardpack trail that runs parallel to the AR bike trail around Lake Natomas today and see how far I can get.

if my 32t/16t gearing is too short i'm gonna try swapping the front rings and see if the 42t/16t is too much gear. I can always go up to a 18t or 20t in the back.
that's part of the fun is finding the right gearing...

once i find a good gear selection i'm gonna get a new SS specific front ring w/o the ramping.

my next purchase is a Surly Tuggnut for the new Fetish frame that should be here by the end of the week.

 

That looks cool dude. Like I was telling you yesterday I was thinking of building up an SS frame for winter riding. Maybe next year

 

yeah the conversion kit is a nice kit for taking a vertical drop-out geared frame/wheelset and making them a SS.
it's not a "true" SS w/ the tensioner, but it works the same.

once I get the new frame i'll make it a little more of a purest bike.
less is more.


oh, BTW, anyone interested in the kit can take a look at it installed:




and the completed rig:


sorry for the crappy camera-phone pics.

it's a great kit for any vert drop frame!
available through Performance Bicycles (one on Madison & Sunrise and another in Sac around the Auburn Blvd area) for around $25 (not on sale, i've seen it as low as $17 ON SALE).

 

That looks like a decent single speed conversion. Any problems with your chain falling off?



I'm doing a Downieville ride this Saturday with my roommate. I hope to make 1 or 2 downhill rides. My girlfriend will be playing shuttle girl and reading the new harry potter while she waits...

I dunno if anyone was interested....

 

it's really simple and i've had no problems with the chain slipping so far. i'm running the 16t too so if it's gonna slip, it'll happen on that cog.
the Forte cogs included are very deep so i think they capture the chain well.

i'm thinking of getting a 8-spd chain though, since the SRAM PC1 is pretty wide and allows the chain some sideways movement.
1/8" wide chain may be just too much for these cogs & chainring.

the only thing i wish it did was push UP from the bottom rather than puling down like a standard derailier. that way it would help keep the chain pressed into the rear cog that much more.
i may mess with it and see if i can't get it to pull up on the chain. i'm hoping it will just take disassembling the tensioner and flipping the spring so it applies pressure to push instead of pull.

but overall it's been a really clean, easy, well designed kit.


Downieville, eh? that's supposed to be a great ride.
have fun and take some pics.

 

Sounds tempting...I was thinking Hole In The Ground, but Downieville could work. Last time I did Butchers>3rd Divide>1st Divide and had a great time. I was so out of shape last time I had to walk up that hill after the bridge

I may have to take you up on it...what's the details for the day???

 

I have to work.

 

I'm going to ride GB early Saturday morning if anyone wants to join me.

I will be in no shape to ride Sunday.

 

Granite Bay gives me poison oak

 

Then you would love South Yuba.

 

South Yuba was fine. What do you mean?

 

Downieville was a blast. It was totally worth it. If you haven't done at least once, do it! You won't regret it.

It took roughly 2.5hrs to drive to Downieville. The town has taxi services that drives you to the top of a mountain (i'd estimate it to be 8,000ft) where the trail starts. The drive from Downieville to the top of the mountain took 45mins itself. It cost $20 per person and i'd say it's very worth it unless you have a significant other who can play "taxi girl" all day.

The ride down took about 2.5-3hrs. I'd guess we rode down 6,000 feet. I was expecting to do two rides on Saturday, but one was good enough. I consider myself in great shape from all the local trails I do, but this trail beat me the hell up. I was able to ride for about 1hr straight with huge downhills and little climbing. But.... my fingers and forearms where the weak links from all the braking and holding on for dear life. The death grip I had on my bars took it's toll. After the first hour I had to stop nearly every 20mins to rest my hands.

I guess I need to look into strengthening my fingers and forearms so I can enjoy the long downhills a little more next time.

I'll try to post up pictures and videos. My roommate had a high res hermit cam which recorded the entire ride. I'm going to try and get a good highlight reel together.

 

So, Drew, do you most do XC riding or you a downhill guy? What kind of bike do you have?