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

It has been a while since I built a single-speed mountain bike, and I don't believe I have ever built a modern full rigid. So today, we're taking it to the extreme while also putting a unloved Salsa Timberjack frame back on the trail!
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[@shafismscarservice7825]

Who else here want more flip bike videos?

[@shafismscarservice7825]

I know I do

[@grahamc2923]

Me!

[@IWsdRmk]

Me

[@MsLibs34]

yes

[@MsLibs34]

meeeee😊

[@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!!!! 🙂

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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☹️😂).

[@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!"

[@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!

[@twiora]

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

[@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.

[@bryancopeland2540]

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

[@swunson]

it just works so well

[@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

[@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!

[@jakobbeelar]

Love full rigids. Nothing better for bike packing long distances

[@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

[@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.

[@ThatDude7788]

Hell yeah a new episode of bikeflip

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@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.

[@BeefyBoy50]

Seth, I love that you're doing such a weird bike for flip bike. I used to have a single speed rigid Redline Monocog 29 set up similarly to your bike. I set the gearing to be comfortable on my local climbs (I live in western WA so a lot of climbing) and actually enjoyed the single speed a lot. I found I didn't miss the gears that much and the 29in wheels partially made up for the lack of suspension. However, the rigid fork got pretty old pretty fast - I was tired of feeling like I was operating a jackhammer every time I got off the bike. I bet that you'll change that if you keep this bike around. Now I have a Raleigh XXIX single speed belt drive hardtail and I really love riding it. I'm interested to see if you ever have any luck selling this weird bike because the market for weird bikes like this one is not very big - but I'm sure whoever comes to take it off your hands will be a pretty dedicated rider!

Love single-speed MTB bikes! Looks great!

[@gabbadj]

I went from racing BMX to road bike riding with little MTB riding in between. When I did dabble in MTB riding I never really liked hardtail or full suspension, full rigid was always just more fun for me to ride and I was always more comfortable with takeoffs and landings. I do like your advice about body posture and getting used to different bikes, different terrain and different styles of riding.

[@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.

[@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!

[@anaboveaveragedog]

Please keep the Flip bike vids comeing

[@comandreja]

Respect every decision made on this build

[@faZzz84868]

Ohh boy am I enraged, but also... kinda mesmerized... That's one great looking, impractical bike! Great job as always, love the flip bike series. Much love from Uruguay 🙏🏽🤗

[@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

[@Dorkbike]

In a new world of over complex bikes on the market, this bike build makes me very happy. Long live simple.

[@TheDeadlyKind]

Literally my dream mountain bike.

[@JVJSA]

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

[@shawnpritchard366]

Way better looking than any modern fully.

[@ChrisTrunek]

One of my all time favorite bike hacks: Short caged road derailleur, with a short length of cable ran through so the end stop sits in the barrel adjuster. A PERFECT, fine tunable single speed tensioner that, paired with a stack of spacers, makes dang near any bike single speedable. Run that cage as far forward as you can (shortest length of chain possible) and it runs just as smooth as a purpose built singlespeed. It really works amazingly and is better than any actual tensioner I've ever tried. Single speed rigids are hardcore! Everyone needs one and with they type of setup any shitty old mtb can breathe new life and they are sooo easy to keep running.

[@ChrisTrunek]

Gear it for climbing and you got a makeshift trials bike, and the lack of a highspeed gear makes you milk the trail for speed everywhere which makes it extra fun/rewarding

[@Vodkamartini5526]

Finally a new flip bike episode!

[@liov4856]

Love this series Love the build Videos Please never stop :)

[@danielvelasquez7708]

Oh boy another flip bike last time I remember watching one was the Trek Roscoe video before the scam, learned my lesson never take ideas from someone well known, a rigid fork not what I had in mind, and Seth is the reason why I am applying for jobs in the bike industry.

[@huskyplayz4944]

YESSS FLIP BIKE IS BAAACK!!!!

[@estebanfranco8955]

I built something similar to this like 10 years ago with a cheap steel Walmart bike, the kind that have the giant dropouts for wheels with nuts. I will now be on the lookout for a free old bike and build another.

[@razzor4708]

With small adjustments : it might be a good winter bike. Simple and reliable, and quick with those wider tires

[@chrisperrywv]

The decision to not have music playing on those downhill clips was superb. That sounded like so much fun.

[@QuesoObsesso]

honestly seth the firepole was one of the most fun additions to your garage yet. that transition was really fun to watch

[@MrRay645]

built a rigid but geared mountain bike for trips I want to carry camping gear on, expected it to be harder on real mountain bike trail but was a little surprised with how much traction and comfort a suspension fork adds even on super smooth easy green trail. Love it packing I wont be moving very fast loaded down with bags anyway but tons of respect for those who can navigate mountain bike trails with any speed on one.

[@briansnydermi]

I just put those PNW Loam handlebars on my hardtail this weekend. Excited to try it out.

[@jimcheese5534]

Dude, first off, thank you for all of your videos; each are chalked with unprinted wisdom. You are an awesome rider and backyard-brewed mechanic; that's something earned, not just entitled. May I suggest a similar bike set-up, but go steel frame, carbon fork, platform pedals and mechanical disc brakes? Ride and pump on the legs, no saddle relaxing and let me know your thoughts?

[@blondebeard6335]

Had a single speed 29er for the past 15 years climbing the hills of WV and have had no regrets! P.S. full rigid.

[@edgerat]

rigid SS MTBs are about the most fun I have had in the woods.

[@johnbertram]

That's a clever rear dropout adjuster. Love the build. Also, 'clipping' in to a 'clipless' pedal. Huh? That always makes me chuckle 😅

[@grahamc2923]

Clip pedals are the ones that go around your toe yes it is confusing but we all get used to it

[@johnbertram]

@@grahamc2923 Yes, I know. Was making the point that it sounds contradictory. I guess someone forgot to invent a better verb.

[@jimjohanson8152]

The quality of these videos is so insane

[@Craigge1]

Single Speed is really, really popular here in the Tennessee foothills/Smokey Mountains. Just about every XC race has a Single Speed category, and more often than not they are some of the fastest bikes on the course. Not unusual to do 5,000 foot of climbing over 25-30 miles and you really don't "need" those gears. A watt is a watt...LOL

[@wrench_n_ride8159]

I rode a full ridge Surly Karate Monkey for years and loved it. 😁

[@gman6059]

Probably the perfect candidate for 27.5+ wheels/tires. Very cool bike.

[@PerkasetPXPodcast]

I would buy this bike. Great Build!!!

[@kellyriffle4750]

Just bought a ‘19 Timberjack off marketplace for the exact same reason…. Perfect DuPont,Bent Creek,& even some Pisgah bike! Can’t do fully rigid any longer….

[@whateverrobert]

I got a Salsa mtb and love it. Back in the day I had that as a sponser the red n yellow bike I rode was super cool to stare at.

[@danielgraham602]

YESSSSS I've missed flip bike. This is not the typical flip bike but was still good.

[@SmokeyMirror1313]

My one and only mtb is a rigid steel single speed. Yes, a dropper is mandatory!!! Also clipless pedals.

[@BobMcKerrell]

Had a Cannondale 1FG. Super fun to go riding alone or with others that had single speed. 😬👍

[@Vincent-_-123]

Congrats on the 1 million

[@ktkace]

Tinkering and wrenching is fun in the right doses!!

[@Ryan.p852]

Amazing video Seth, I like how you put the olive and barb labeled as you install it as I’ve installed them over 300 times and just learned it was called a barb 😂

[@theakh4238]

Used to ride SS full rigid for years. It requires so much more energy to ride. I finally gave in and got a suspension fork. The first time out, I wrecked in a technical rock garden section because I was so used to popping the front wheel over the rocks with the rigid fork. The suspension fork took out all the momentum, I stalled out, and tipped over 😂. Lesson learned real fast. I still only do SS, but I would never go back to a full rigid.

[@BlueTrane2028]

Frame looks a touch smaller than I'd be interested in, but I adore the concept. Most of my riding is single speed...

[@swunson]

he may be a bit smaller

[@newttella1043]

I feel your n+1 is complete. I love single speed mountain biking. Mechanically simple: Ride, rinse, repeat.

[@Icanreadgood1]

such a clean bike, I love it.

[@yoondaman316]

Your cranks cost more than your frame, headset, bottom bracket and chain. Combined! Can't say I don't blame you. Those 5Dev cranks are drop-dead gorgeous!

[@ortega9115]

Surly makes full 3.0 29 tires. The dirt wizard! I love those things

[@chrisplath2435]

I have an old Kona that is a single speed. I’d love to see more in depth look at single speeds, like how to select your gearing and how to optimize the bike as a single speed.

[@huskyplayz4944]

no way seth just made a bike with no suspension!

[@abzaman77]

You should do this kinda video more often as it's really fun to watch and can help your channel afloat with continuous videos. 🍟

[@Noop-Noop56]

Love this. I love my rigid ss. I run a karate monkey set up damn near identical to this. Gearing 32x22. Stoked to see this.

[@stevenmay8763]

More flip bike please I loved those videos

[@AaronHendu]

I might install a single speed drivetrain on my emtb...I know you dont care for em, but I was run over by a car and over a dozen screws hold my ankle together. Ebikes have kept me riding through recovery. My bike is powerful enough and me light enough I dont really need gears anymore...the motors alone can get me up any hills in the escarpment town I live in. I already went to a single chainring on the crank, but find I never switch gears at all now and I no longer need my climbing gear. It would be lighter and cleaner and no chance of breaking derailleur hangers. I am doing a bit of an overhaul over the winter so I will add that to the list of maybes. Got some new tires about to show up...gonna try those budget Schwalbe Tough Tom in 26x2.35. Replacing the decade old OEM Bontrager 26x2.0.Two of those Tough Tom was only like $55 Canadian New brake cables and some other minor bits.

[@mochunk]

I rode my Surly Pugsley SS for years on my local trails and it rips in that config. With light tires tubeless, carbon fork, it comes in around 27-28 lbs and is easy to climb with as you almost never run out of traction. The only real downside is that I seem to bust a lot of rear spokes. From the extra torque? I would totally buy this bike.

[@stujm8376]

I’d buy it in a heartbeat, absolutely love it. I live in Europe though so the shipping and import duty would probably be more than the bike itself…

[@loganwiebe1427]

Rigid single speed is the goat. 34x16 for life

[@markhagal]

Flip bike for life❤😍

[@andrewdwight934]

Throwback to your BMX riding roots, but with big hoops and beefy meats. I'm surprised you didn't run your front brake hose through the head tube so you could do bar spins - seems like a total Seth move. I'm 60 and ride a Rocky Mtn Instinct E-MTB now, but often wish for the simplicity of my SS. I rode a 26" M4 Stumpy SS between 2001 and 2005 with the Surly 1x1 rigid fork, and loved it on smooth trails. I had a lot of leftover parts on it so it wasn't crazy light, but it was still sub-23#. It did have the old Spinergy Spox wheels (Berd was not the first with vectran spokes) which rode very similar to how Berd's are described, and took a lot of the weight and sting out. I lived in Eugene Oregon at the time, and it was my preferred ride to shuttle the McKenzie river trail on with my dog. While the upper part of that trail is seriously tech and rough, the bottom 3/4th's is some of the buffest swoopiest singletrack you'll find anywhere. We'd park in McKenzie bridge and hitch a ride up to Clear Lake and ride the trail down the 25 miles to where we parked - early 2000's. Still some of the best MTB memories of my life with the best dog in the world. SS made it easier on my dog Bax because I had it geared low, and I would just coast when I was spun out of my gear at about 12 MPH. He could "lope along" all day. IDEA (with almost impossible logistical / scheduling constraints): I know you don't make riding vids anymore, but if you were to do one, I would love if you, Alex, and Eric Porter (and boys) went out to California and spent some time at Everstoke with Brian, and then rode a bunch of other trails in the area. I think there would be great chemistry and riding, and would make for some great vids. You'd be my scouting mission as well. beginners

[@gac5664]

Honestly, this is the kind of bike I need down in Wilmington.

[@pewsician2388]

I have zero interest in rigid or single speed mountain bikes and yet i find myself watching this video. There aren't many channels where I watch every video. You're one of the elite few. I do miss the trail build videos though. Hint hint. 😉

[@mattmason7498]

I rode a rigid SS on the Colorado Trail last summer. It was a hoot and there’s 75,000 feet of climbing.

[@raycoleman1724]

i love this bike, damn i wish i was still strong enough to ride a single speed again

[@Seanlejawn]

That thing looks soooo fun!

[@seancbrophy]

I really like this build!

[@cirotalisman12]

Man I used to race SS in Colorado with a 34 in front and a 19 in the back! lol not now , love your videos.

[@UniversalHaven.]

FLIP BIKE IS BACK OMG!! PLEASE SETH MORE

[@UniversalHaven.]

WE NEED IT

[@kbd13-n9c]

Honestly this would be fun in lower speed/less chunky stuff. Been riding single MTB on my local trails that really only have some short and steep punchy climbs. Guy from WV who lived here for a while used to smoke us on a rigid SS. I’m riding 32x19 or 19x32. Whatever the proper way to say it is.

[@zzezzobike]

Fantastic Fantastic it's so great video about a bike I abandoned because of my hip fracture but man I would die riding rigid hardtail ❤

[@ewenwilby6495]

Great video and awesome bike Seth.

[@redrider3141]

Hey Seth! Long time listener, 1st time keyboard warrior. I'm excited to see the future Timberjack videos before you sell it. Why? I'm glad you asked! Because I too ride a Salsa Timberjack as a singlespeed. And as such, just like a vegan, feel compelled to tell you. 😂 I do however have an extremely plush Pike in the front to complement my 2.8" tires. Both makes up for my lack of skill.

[@donaldbreis5771]

Hope to have it thank you

[@Sam321go]

it's back. love flip bike

[@ericzingeler7140]

It sounds as rigid as it looks. Great video.

[@Jesticles85]

that thing looks like a blast! i would ride it for sure

[@UHollis]

the timberjack is a fun bike dude

[@Drt0Kkdo]

Okay, Im building an old alloy 26er to become a singlespeed "always on the wrong gear" bike and 50/50 about using a steel fork becuase of how it might look. Boy was I wrong that Salsa with a surly fork looks sick.