T here are times when I thrive on the forward thrust of the bicycling industry. It has a collective sense of constant momentum that can be inspiring. Many times, it feels good to be a part of that. But just as often, I find myself moving back towards the great simplicity a bicycle can provide. The biggest R&D budget in the world can’t buy the repetitious circles carved out at a varying cadence over miles and miles. Riding is more than just being the fittest and fastest. Sometimes the simple act of pedaling gives you so much more.





T hat brisk feeling on my way to the trails while wondering if I have overdressed for the first cold weather ride of the year. The latest and greatest this forward-looking industry produces cannot give you that feeling. Simply riding does.





I always try to keep myself grounded in that way—constantly striving to remind myself why it is I ride a bike. So often stripping away all of the extracurricular accoutrements makes me feel closer to knowing exactly what it is that gets me out of a warm bed in the morning to suffer.













I t was with this idea in mind—and light pocketbook in hand—that I set out to build my newest MTB: a singlespeed Cannondale Trail SL 29’r with many a modification. The best part of a singlespeed is that it is not a huge commitment. This one, as it comes from Cannondale (before my extras) comes in under $1,000, which seems to be an increasingly rare feat in the performance bicycle world these days.





R iding a mountain bike is an activity that sells itself, and riding a singlespeed, while daunting at first, can be a joy for anyone who sticks with it. I won’t muddy this up with my words—rather I will just show you the build and let you appreciate it for what it is: a simple machine that I love to ride.





Check it out:









It's a slick looking ride...

I tried Q-rings for my SS on a whim and was not disappointed

Cannondale and WTB collaborated to develop the new Nine Line 2.0 tire that I am running on the rear. I'm a big fan. 'Nuff said.

Garmin 500 and Ergon grips complete the cockpit.

Cannondale changed the geometry of this frame dramatically for 2013--mirroring their amazing Flash geometry from previous years. For some reason though, they decided to shorten the head tube--making it not readily compatible with their Lefty fork--which was confusing, but non-compatibility is no match for the creative minds of Jamie Brock and myself in the shop...

These aren't exactly XC bars, but I got them because they are wide and have a lot of sweep, something I like for a SS bar. I have trimmed them slightly, but still run a pretty wide bar for the extra leverage.

I've ridden Egg Beaters for years now and never saw a reason to change.

The WTB Bronson 2.2 is my rubber up front. It has great side nobs to really grip in the corners.





As a bonus, I'm gonna include some more pics of another SS build we are working on in the shop right now. Can you say custom steel Ritte 29'r?





A custom steel 29'r from the new masters of cycling style from California.

A Niner Bio-centric BB makes chain tension a breeze even with vertical dropouts.





It's all about the details...





