Building a BEAUTIFUL Fully Rigid Single-Speed MTB - Flip Bike

[@mtbikesam68]

I try to work the words "single speed" into every sentence just so people know how cool I am. Seriously though, I have been riding a titanium single speed hardtail with a suspension fork as my primary bike for about two years now. The way I have mine built, it hits the scales at 21 lbs. without and gear on it. I would say the key to starting and continuing to ride single speed is work your way up, gearing wise. I started with a 30x20 and worked my way through 30x19, 30x18, 32x19 and now I ride 32x18. I would say the part of my body that feels the most strain is not my knees but my back. I am 55 years old, however, so that may play a part. I recently completed a 50 mile mountain bike race, the BT Epic in Steelville Missouri, on this bike in five hours and nineteen minutes, including around 5,300 feet of climbing. I think it just takes time to build the strength you need. I have to say, it is my current favorite way to ride, day in and day out. Great video, as usual!

[@leonox7313]

That's a cool story! To be honest, I had never even heard of single speed mountain bikes until this video, but it does sound fun. As for the back pain, I have heard some good experiences with sus seatposts

[@iamthetinkerman]

Thanks for sharing that. I've not been riding a long time because I lost interest in my Kona Cinder Cone. The gears were noisy and high maintenance etc, so I stopped riding altogether. Since hearing about single speed I'm amped to try it, but the hardest part was working out where to start with hear ratios. I first opted for 30/20 because that's what I heard people were starting with, but because I know I have powerful legs I ordered a 32 and a 34 front sprocket to try on a 18 cog. I'm running a 27.5 wheel with a 2.25 tyre. Do you think that'll be alright for the slightly hilly area where I live?

[@mtbikesam68]

@@iamthetinkerman I think I would start with the 32 x 18 for a few rides. I bet with the 27.5 wheels you could end up going with the 34.

[@pablosnackbar6417]

Been riding for years and am in the process of building a bike exactly as you describe. I’m 39 now so I think ti hard tail ss will be my end game bike as I get older. Glad to hear you’re loving it. It gives me confidence I’m on the right track with mine.

[@tombeck129]

Yes, single speed mountain bikes are an acquired taste. I have been savouring it for 15 years.

[@kawasaki4119]

a wise man once said with a single speed you don't have to worry about being in the right gear because your never in the right gear

[@fixieebro]

...I think you meant, because you are Always in the right gear!

[@MrTwister420]

Seen this on so many single gear videos 😂

[@yigitkaragozoglu390]

because you are always in the wrong gear

[@brianmgrim]

@kawasaki4119: A broken clock is accurate only twice daily. I gave up on single speed at 16 when I outgrew my 20” BMX bike.

[@Agent-Ate]

Love that the flip bike series is coming back!

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

I love that you can actually do it now, used prices came down quite a bit.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I hate when I flip my bike. Usually pretty rough on the body being middle aged.

[@anaboveaveragedog]

@@exothermal.sprocketlol

[@siltstrider6812]

​@LaurentiusTriarius that's for sure man. finding stuff like crazy on the market like crazy lately.

[@nafelowcostyardmaintenance7353]

The first time I chucked a wheely on my 29er I ended up flipping it my kids will never forget that wheely

[@jay_stne]

Yessss more weird bike content! Not long now until Seth turns an 80s rigid mtb into a cargo bike with a 20 inch wheel on the front

[@davidt3880]

The labels for the olive and barb are a great idea! Keep the video informative without messing with the feel and flow. 👍🙏

[@atlasonal]

That is a real HARDTRAİL

[@ninjasrose1653]

I recently got back into MTB riding at 39. I bought a Kona Unit. Best decision I have ever made, SS Rigid is honestly more fun that I ever thought it could possibly be.

[@swunson]

I keep seeing people mention this bike. I should check it out

[@ninjasrose1653]

@@swunson You really should mate. It’s an incredible bike. Extremely well built and ready to ride through an apocalypse lol

[@gilbertferguson1685]

Enjoying your videos Seth. I am 80 and still riding thanks to guys like you.

[@jddallager1699]

Gilbert: Good on ya, buddy! I'm 76 going on 77 and really appreciate Seth's insights and accomplishments/contributions to MTB'ing. He was an early KZbin adopter, a highly skilled rider, an entrepreneur, and is a genuine contributor thru ideas and efforts to allowing more people access to and resources for enjoying MTB'ing. Kudos to you and Seth for your example and role modeling!!!! 🙂

[@Allie_MTB]

LETS GO GILBERT!!!

[@jakeskelton8080]

Singlespeed user here. Albeit a 1980s steel road bike. Best bike build decision I've ever made - now every commute is great fun, even in a hilly city!

[@esidarapmot]

What ratio you running?

[@jakeskelton8080]

​@@esidarapmot52/23 which is a bit lower than usual for an urban fixie. The big chainring is just cause I kept the original crankset

[@henryleydon2775]

8:30 There you have it folks. Seth himself said it; "Having more bikes makes you a better rider."

[@shafismscarservice7825]

Who else here want more flip bike videos?

[@shafismscarservice7825]

I know I do

[@grahamc2923]

Me!

[@IWsdRmk]

Me

[@MsLibs34]

yes

[@MsLibs34]

meeeee😊

[@608Jaystone1982]

Finally someone put out some salsa timberjack content. But the timberjack didn’t get the love it deserved when the rigid fork was installed. The timberjack is a fun bike and under rated.

[@theakh4238]

With regards to crank arm lengths, I am 6'2" and run crazy long 180mm XT cranks on my single speed. I have run 32x18 and 32x20 on 29's all over Appalachia in the SE. Sure, you need to hike a bike on occasion, but its mostly doable. Never had issues with my knees and I'm 200lbs. I also feel like the longer cranks help you ratchet and apply even power in tricky technical climbs. My longest ride was 37 miles and nearly 6800 feet of climbing in north Georgia.

[@matthconphoto]

Oh yes, I love it! My go-to bike in winter is a 29" single speeder with an On-One steel frame and a Salsa CroMoto Grande riged fork - just kept it simple for the muddy season.

[@HajrhJsjcjus-oe5ek]

Nice man, what on one frame? I ride one too!!

[@matthconphoto]

@@HajrhJsjcjus-oe5ek It's a pretty old bright orange Inbred - what frame you are riding? Cheers from Germany

[@mattvanderwalt6220]

Yup - i ride an On One Inbred SS 29er with a Haro Mary rigid fork. Sweet bike.

[@hugejackedman1951]

love the salsa cromoto on my ss. best upgrade (downgrade?) i ever made 😂👍

[@chadburke1938]

Rigid SS is the best for wet season. No cracking pivots, no worries of grit on your fork stanchions scratching them up, just hose it off and lube the chain and you are good to go.

[@umarsyed7]

Been watching your videos since 2017. Ever since you had your beginner Trek in the backyard, which actually inspired me to get my Trek Marlin 6 back in 2020. Seeing how you have upgraded your shop, exceptional skills and high quality videos brings a smile to my face. Really appreciate the great content delivered so consistently.

[@arlanhowe91]

Always love seeing single speed stuff and especially happy to see a rigid bike. My rigid single speed is my go-to for almost everything. One thing I learned from my rigid bike is people always talk about how important line choice is and I found that a lot of times the best line is as straight as possible. Up and over the big obstacle. Don't try going around. Now when I ride suspension bikes I find that same technique makes you faster most of the time. Something I like about single speeds is a lot of times. People think you're never in the right gear, but I find more often than not. I'm never quite in the wrong gear... Of course that's once you get it set up correctly.

[@nascarisawesome5018]

KZbin has been giving a lot of great attention to full rigids the last few weeks. I love it!. First Jeff Kendall-Weed with his Klunker DH bike and now Seth with his version.

[@TommyOD1980]

Nice! I did the same thing to a Timberjack a few years ago. Got a frame/fork/headset for $100 and built it up entirely with old parts lying around the shop. I used bb7 brakes and those old Shimano XTR brake/shifter combo levers. I kept it mid-2000's BMX with a thick slick rear tire and knobby on the front. Fun bike! Definitely switch to longer cranks. I used 175mm.

[@jefferybaker159]

Hell yeah! After getting my old mountain bike stolen, I bought a Gravity Deadeye - cheapest thing I could find. 27.5+ with 2.8" tires. Singlespeed. Rigid fork. It's been fun and I think it's been teaching me, a novice mountain biker, a lot! Seeing someone shred on MY kind of bike is SO cool! Now I see the bouncy rough ride I'm used to is just part of the fun!

[@pantkowski]

Great solution for a winter bike. I'm riding SSp since 2004 and absolutely love the simplicity of it. It is also great for learning how to pace your speed especially on climbs. I'm running 32x13 an it fits me well for where I live.

[@XR4turbo]

I JUST built a steel rigid single speed, finished it today. Brand new Soma Riff frame (on sale for $265!) with MRP rock solid fork & Surly Sunrise bar. Its like a big BMX bike.

[@aaronthewhiz3160]

I love the lack of music while you're riding on the trails. It makes the riding feel more pure, which I think is what you were going for with this bike

[@marcomendez502]

Just picked up a Salsa Timberjack frame to make it a single speed. Purchased the same single speed converter. Can’t wait to complete the build and ride it!!!

[@swunson]

oo those are cool

[@aaronmosser]

That's great. Been riding full rigid and Love it. Converted to single speed for some time and plan to go back, after the winter on my Farley

[@MTBPerspective]

My Redline Monocog still gets a lot of use and I even hit the BMX track with it this year! I only ride it on certain singletrack trails in my area but it is a great "zen" type experience every time. Having a silent freehub makes it even better!

[@markmazurkewiz5572]

I loved my Monocog for several years. A nearly bullet proof frame.

[@OzFamily06]

Yup! Love the "Flip this bike" series! I do that as a hobby!

[@bryancopeland2540]

I absolutely love PNW! Glad to see you using some of their stuff!

[@swunson]

it just works so well

[@RobBanks]

as someone who rides a single speed 26" gunnar with a hard surly fork, I love this!

[@TeeLichtet]

5dev cranks, carbon wheels and MT200 brakes. That's the spirit!

[@Voidclown.]

Biggest crime to date. At least a pair of M5000 with some rotors that actually could take sintered pads if need be.

[@oreocarlton3343]

​@@Voidclown. No need for super brakes on a rigid bike

[@ivanmilensky9408]

Nice bike build on a budget, I ride a single speed rigid and enjoyed the vid, I bet who ever sold him the Salsa frame; watches this video and wants his bike back now! Probably be a fun snow or sand bike with the big tires. I would go with a 170mm crank, 32 x 18 gearing, and then use 2.35 tires with a carbon fork,,,,i bet you the weight would be 22 lbs. Great work Seth

[@rantingwrench]

I switched my main bike to a rigid single-speed plus bike a few months ago and honestly it's an absolute riot. It's amazing what you can get down (and up) on a bike with good geometry, and there's no hiding your weaknesses! I've also conceded and stuck with a dropper, tubeless tyres and hydraulic brakes but other than that it's very bare-bones.

[@AluinKali]

I have a fully rigid mountain bike with 29x3 inch tires that I use for Bikepacking. Descending on something like that makes you really appreciate how much grip and compliance a suspension fork gives you.

[@thereeder5rs]

Big fan of Single Speeds. I have a Redline Monocog Flight. 21 lbs and a blast to ride single track. It’s an experience of soulful simplicity!

[@swunson]

that’s light!

[@Rik.Boland]

Hi, I love the videos. I just wanted to thank you for the motivation. I broke my back a few years ago from a bike accident. I can walk now, but my balance is no good, so sitting back on a bike is impossible. I got a tricycle and just got back from a ride. I just wanted to say thank you for confidence and encouragement to get out and ride!

[@swunson]

best of luck in your recovery

[@robinheil]

A lot of my fellow riders here in Minnesota ride single speed and even rigid MTB. I think the cold makes us crazy. I found the lack of music during the riding portions of this video refreshing. It put more focus on the mesmerizing audio and visuals.

[@swunson]

sounds about right

[@matticus6339]

Love it. I am a full time single speed rider but not rigid. Rigid when climbing is awesome but I got 130mm up front right now.

[@Bicycle_Fungi]

My 2009 full rigid Karate Monkey is still the best bike I’ve ever owned and still makes me smile. So versatile, so tough. Single speed is still relevant and although not for everyone, it’s an adventure worth trying.

[@sheridaninstalls]

I started riding SS about 7 years ago for the British winter mud, I ended up riding 3 out of 5 rides as addictive and great fitness for when your back on gears. As long as you get the ratio for where you ride, they are Epic!!

[@EtienneBernard-x3r]

As a Marin pine mountain 1 rigid and fixed gear rider I am really happy to see this episode. Cheers to everybody riding a bike!

[@NathanMilburn-y6o]

I converted to a singlespeed the other week and on my first ride had the ideal singlespeed experience of while cresting the biggest hill on the trail had another rider see me and say "oh wow that's a one-speed! Awesome!"

[@mistermoore5784]

I purchased a Seven Cycles Verve, put a rigid titanium fork, laced some carbon rims to Paul hubs with a 72 point Halo freewheel and I felt like I was 14 years old again and caught myself perceiving my routes much more accurately.

[@surfhealthy4272]

Thank you bringing back Flip Bike....One of my favorite series :)

[@swunson]

me too!

[@ericsundell9978]

Rigid SS 29ers are a load of fun. This build looks awesome. Cool to see you doing it.

[@TheBirchCreek]

I have one full rigid single speed, large frame, big wheels... well, because it is an old-timer, built shortly after WWII (don't know the exact year), and many bikes from that era were just that. I don't ride it often and I don't ride it everywhere, but it's great in its own way. :)

[@ericmosher6969]

I'm 54, and when I started mountain biking, single speed rigid is all we had, lol

[@isitafox]

When I got my 29er a couple of years ago I had On One swap the Rockshox for a set of their own carbon fibre boost forks. Such a fast and fun bike!

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

175mm cranks on my SS. And 2.8 mullet tires. So fun. And honestly, rigid is way better for some reason.

[@alfonsoortizavila4373]

Sickest build in a while my boy!

[@ryanstrembicki5234]

I picked up an old full rigid 91 steel rockhopper a few months ago and built up with some modern carbon bars, 90s Mavic wheels, nice Victoria tires, and a 1x11 drivetrain and absolutely love it. Only problem is I keep grabbing it instead of my full suspension bike when I go for a ride lol.

[@twiora]

I learned that I need a fully rigid single speed Salsa Timberjack. That bike is gorgeous.

[@sibzter]

The no music bike footage was awesome!

[@Vodkamartini5526]

Finally a new flip bike episode!

[@MrSlyyydog]

Perfect bike for this type of trails. I ride rigid ss and rigid geared bike, both with compliant steel forks (singular swift and salsa cromoto) and not planning to go back to suspension👌

[@swunson]

rigid is fun!

[@TheMainCore]

I LOOVE it! I'm in the process of building something similar. Rigid and single speed, yeah boy!

[@anthonyscuderi9931]

I saw a guy on a full rigid the other day on some rocky AZ trails and I was quite impressed! Great video as always Seth!

[@swunson]

single speed AZ sounds interesting

[@simonklein9528]

Love the Flip Bike Series 😊

[@swunson]

same here!

[@jjonesmtb]

Utah rider here. My single speed is set up 32t chainring and 20t cog. Great for climbing. As long as you don’t mind doing standing climbs.

[@theachaplin3276]

6 bikes in the shed and the only one that will never be sold is the aluminum rigid ss! ❤

[@FourIntoOne]

Ahhh rigid mountain biking - just like it used to be. Started out with a first gen Marin Pine Mountain. Epic bike, miss it still to this day.

[@1barzx3]

I have that exact frame! Bought it and built it up during covid shutdown and its one of my favorite bikes ever. I have it set up as a 27.5 plus bike and it is great in the Florida sugar sand.

[@svdg7]

I have a Salsa Timberjack and I love it!!! So happy that you ride one as well. Hopefully they see this video and sponsor you. Love your channel! Greetings from Ecuador

[@trbotimmmmmmmeh]

ive been hill climbing on non suspended retro mtbs for a while now and it is really fun and rewarding to get through your local trail and the pump track style sections in your woods will be sooo fun.

[@swunson]

pump tracks feel so much better

[@mc540flip]

Rad Seth! One of my favorite episodes of yours is the conversion of the Diamondback to SS a few years back. I currently own a Surly Karate Monkey that I’ve ridden rigid (same fork, now 130 mm) and SS as well. It’s now geared, but I picked up a Superfly SS (100mm fork, 30x20- nice and easy). My buddy that got me into SS is on a rigid Stache, and loves it, as well as a Salsa Cutthroat for gravel. I really dig the flip bike content and especially all of your SS stuff. Please keep it coming!

[@trickyp03]

Awesome build! I have been running a fully rigid 29er for years. I live in the Midwest where we don’t “need” suspension… save braking bumps and likely early onset carpal tunnel… I love it! Hope to see you rocking this in another video!

[@samebert4344]

I used to ride a fixie to work and it was a very interesting experience like this. Extremely light and only one gear plus feeling every little tiny bump and only having one brake... I imagine this would be nicer with the tires on there since that bike had something like 1 inch tires. I'd ride it though! Always fun to try something new!

[@charltonmooney978]

Thanks Seth, enjoyed the video. Been riding single speeds in North Texas for years. To old for full rigid these days. Longer crank will help. I am running 180s with a 32x17 (we don’t have mountains☹️😂).

[@dfiler2]

I rode single speed for over a decade. It really teaches you to stand and pedal on a tall gear. To this day, the fastest riders on our local trails are single speed. But yeah, they get crushed on downhills. Still, overall, somehow they're the fastest. Maybe the fastest riders go single speed as a flex. I don't know. But it's always been fast.

[@joejoeshmoe]

Great video! You mounted the heaviest 29er fork in the world to that frame. Surly forks can also be used as boat anchors. 😂

[@TyBraek]

I love full rigid singlespeed. Super simple and bulletproof. I have an old dirt jumper thats the same and its so much fun I have a long seatpost just to cruise around.

[@tonkshred]

Just building my very first modern MTB… No more 1 1/8” headset, no more vee brakes, a whole new wooooorld 😊 . I chose an RSD Middlechild- it takes both 275 and 29, and had a moving 415-430mm chainstay ! And it is steeel which makes my old mind relaxed … When I get my first modern full sus I will make this HT a singlespeed ! No experience like riding pisgah gnarly singletrack with a singlespeed.

[@EatsPumpkins]

I have an RSD Middlechild for exactly those reasons - it's great!

[@RealMTBAddict]

"vee" haha

[@tonkshred]

@@EatsPumpkins can't wait !

[@ArchieJS96]

This has to be my favourite flip bike to date, I’m slowly but surely building my own rigid, single speed MTB. I just love the simplicity of this set up.

[@jakobbeelar]

Love full rigids. Nothing better for bike packing long distances

[@Driver8takeabreak]

Riding a rigid SS can make familiar trails completely new to you.

[@mikeconnolly5742]

As a fixed gear rider, mashing up hills is silly and I love it. Fixed fork is more fun for my winter fat bike because getting air off rollers is a blast.

[@shawnpritchard366]

Way better looking than any modern fully.

[@seagulls4life12]

Seth you are an animal. Putting carbon wheels with i9 hubs on a rigid single speed. Pure madness. Only a man with a parts bin as deep as yours could build such a bike

[@jonthesailorman]

Those new PNW bars are legit. Running them on my hardtail and loving the additional compliance on extended high speed descents. Great video Seth, one of these days it’d be cool to see you ride a bike with extremely progressive geo, like a Pipedream Serius or an ESD, and then have you explain how geo works on hardtails like that.

[@bobtaco99]

Super refreshing build, it's definitely unique! got me thinking About building something like this for myself one day

[@swunson]

right… me too

[@TNSurly]

Nice find, love my SS Timberjack.

[@dadsideofcycling]

I ride a fully rigid Kona unit x on my bikepacking adventures. They are great for feeling in complete control of your bike

[@BradWadeNL]

I ride a Kona Unit as a rigid single speed. 32x17 with 29x2.8 tires. It is the perfect combination for where I live, but it did take some getting used to. You ride so much differently compared to a geared bike.

[@swunson]

totally different

[@brianhenneuse4385]

Woot woot - the Forge and Bond guys are great! They Stepped up to get my son a set of wheels (not for free obviously) in time for the Utah Cycling League championships. Thermoplastic CF is more compliant as well so good choice for a rigid bike.

[@cardboardcraft6688]

I have to say, I love watching you ride without music! Just the sound of tires on dirt, the cassette body, and the crunchy leaves :)

[@matt.3.14]

I love this. It's like a cousin to my Surly Karate Monkey rigid with 3.0 tires. Granted, I have Deore 12s on it because of hills, but it's just so refreshing to have so little to adjust or maintain on the bike.

[@AFugax]

More bikes in the stable, more options for fun!

[@Drive-Dude]

I’m really happy to see flip bike back! I love to work on bikes (almost more than riding😅) your flip bike videos always inspire me for a new project and take my fear away from newer bike technology.👍

[@James_R_]

I grew up BMXing (which got stolen) but I got a free road bike so that is what I do now. I have a huge appreciation for the fixie. I recently road a friends full suspension. It's not something I'm used to at all. I'm more used to soaking up the bumps myself, and getting air. I would ride the crap out of that bike! I miss doing lazy tap 360s.

[@bermchasin]

I have a Peace 9r fully rigid single speed.... I got it cause I started MTB in Florida. Not many hills and I was a teenager, so my body didnt care. Since moving to TN, I got a full squish, and let my girlfriend ride the Peace! Priorities boys!

[@rustyjunkgarage1418]

I bought a bike that was converted to a rigid fork last fall. Felt like my wrists were gonna break just riding up the road. Not only that, it "lowered" the front of the bike and totally threw off the head tube angle. Safe to say I put a suspension fork on this bike, and it totally brought it back to life.

[@Tahir667]

Love your content berm peak

[@comandreja]

Respect every decision made on this build

[@ryang5441]

I absolutely LOVE full rigids. This is a bike I would build for sure. Let's just say I have more fun on my 90's 26er full ridgid commuter than on my proper trail bike.

[@kyleessex6301]

Love my rigid single speed! This build is beautiful

[@kyleessex6301]

Also, If legit for sale.. I would absolutely buy this thing!

[@kimbersal1]

I’ve been riding mtb longer than you’ve been alive. Not a brag, just a fact. After building and riding the very best bikes available at any price, I still ride my one speed Santa Cruz Chameleon , hardtail, if you know you know , and will follow almost anyone down almost any trail. It’s all about the chosen line. Love your channel.

[@MarkneilSagana]

i miss watching bike content and suddenly i remember berm peak i love this channel 2 years ago before i got injured and my frame are just memories now

[@Levi-e9q]

Wicked Bike build I prefer the single speed rigid bikes. always great content on this channel

[@swunson]

they’re cool

[@hardmtnbiker]

The more compliant handle bars are the 31.8 carbon bars. I think 35mm can be comfortable too but you can see the flex in some 31.8” carbon bars. I’ve built a few rigid SS Mtn bikes and they’re pretty cool. My current SS has a 34Fox 120mm fork but I will probably build up a new rigid SS soon.

[@dgriffinm]

That is a sweet bike, I own a Timberjack ( with gears) And a Salsa El Mariachi , it's a single speed.

[@derekmartel7355]

I enjoy my surly karate monkey as a single speed. It was full rigid at first with a one up dropper, but recently just added bomber Z2. 😊Completely fun to ride.

[@JVJSA]

I LOVE these bike building videos. They are what got me inspired and into MTBing during lockdown.