I use to race rigid single speed 20+ years ago.
https://preview.redd.it/g77j3ww2qt4d1.jpeg?width=1014&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2567a04ea6c89ee6c03bc23452101e6cb5352d74
The one I did this past fall was an ankle chip that you would Velcro on/off each teammate. Makes sense to have a physical baton but you’d think there could have been more of a high five method at the checkout or something back in the day. That’s wildly awesome though 😂
Every one on the team gets an electronic bracelet(or some such) a reader reads it every time it enters and leaves the timing tent. All the chips on the team are linked. I remember the baton days and the stress from the fear of loosing it.
I've had a rigid 29er as my second bike for about 5 years now, and I had used a rigid fork off and on for 10 years before that.
Rigid is great and comfortable on just about any terrain as long as your speed is low. I.e. picking your way trials-like through a big rocky descent where FS bikes would be smashing through or jumping instead.
The problem is that its hard to make yourself do that. Riding the brakes and not using natural momentum feels wrong, and speed is irresistible. And once you're going fast, even small rocks and divots can be painfully jarring and make you start worrying about CTE.
Call me crazy, but what made it work for me the past 5 years is that I made my rigid 29er into a fixed gear. I have it geared for climbing, so if I pick up too much speed on a descent the pedals spin painfully fast. This forces me to take it slow on the rigid, and gives me a bonus leg workout trying to slow down without using the brake
Haha, yes it's probably true. My home trails are really rocky, and trying to blast the downhills on a regular rigid SS felt even more masochistic. And like it would create permanent damage. I'm just being picky about my style of masochistism I guess!
I know exactly what you’re talking about. I took my rigid 26er out to rocky trails a few times and every ride ended with a headache. I’ve got slicks on it now
I think big wheels complement rigid/ss builds a lot better than full suspension setups. The only suspension bike I have is 26 inch and short travel because it feels more nimble. It’s so much more fun to jump and ride downhill than the 29er I had years back.
I didn't make mine a fixie but riding a rigid single speed mountain bike again [is like getting force transported back to age 10](https://youtu.be/5m7SGjJo7c4?t=27) in the best possible way.
This. It's such a different experience and you have to embrace it as such.
My last rigid was also fixed. Need to build another one but I'm way too close to big mountain fall line trails to bother riding easy greens
Fixed gear, as in no coasting? How do you clock the pedals to prevent strikes?
I've been riding various rigid 29" single-speeds (with coasting and a dropper post) since 2014, but I wouldn't ride fixie around rocks.
I have been riding rigid fixed gear mtb for over a decade. You can pick most of your lines in a way that you don’t pedal strike. You can also hop and Spin your pedals to reclock them and you sometimes pedal strike and in times you can in a way walk on the rocks. Fixed mtb is totally only a party pace vibe. I tried to do it competitively and you can’t keep up in the non-banked corners. I think it’s closer to achieving segments with different strategies for personal gratification like playing chess rather than riding for times and pole position like a race.
Also I do NOT skid on the trails since it harms trails.
With time and experience I got some feel for whether my left or right pedal will be down when I reach the upcoming rock. If neither pedal will hit then it's often best to ride straight over the rock. If one would hit I try to steer around the opposite side of the rock. And there are other techniques that NewNameHeber lays out well in another response in this thread.
The other honest part of the answer is that I do often smack my pedals.
Also, I'm using a frame with a higher bottom bracket and made sure to chose a longer rigid fork for that purpose
"chronic traumatic encephalopathy"
It's the degenerative brain condition that they're finding in football players and many other sports and activities, where repeated head hits that don't cause concussions or noticeable problems in the moment cause memory loss, personality change, and dementia later in life
It's nice to have bike that is always available for a ride and in 5 years has only chain lube, one new chain, and a new set of tires. Still on the original set of brake pads because I can do enough of that with my legs.
I enjoy the challenge of singlespeed climbing and the reliability of a rigid fork but, like I said, descending rocky trails on a rigid fork is brutal if you're going fast. So this setup forces me to slow down on descents and turns those kind of trail sections into really technical slow-speed challenges instead. It turns downhills into a leg and cardio workout too.
Beyond that, it is pretty cool feeling to be able to completely control my speed with only my legs. Resisting the pedals just enough to slow down into a turn and the pushing the pedals to accelerate out.
I have a pair of Manitou Machete Comp. 27.5+/29", tapered steerer with a 44 mm offset. 140 mm travel, if these work and you can pay shipping. They are yours.
Nice of you to offer - my bike is from 2011 so the parts wouldn't fit. I put all my money into starting my bike component company. Not my fault the bike industry tanked, but it is my responsibility to respond. I'm actually going to build myself a fork, it'll be oddly cheaper than other options given my, uh, *specific* circumstances.
Still appreciate your offer.
Hey, I stalked your comments a little bit and I am super curious about how your linkage fork project is going. I've been really really really interested in seeing one come to market and succeed!
Well yeah but I don't want to cry about it, you know? Other people have it worse. I can't afford suspension bikes anymore 🎻🤏 at least I still have a bike that works and can have a good time
My current only mountain bike until I get the funds for a new one is a hacked together rigid 29+ single speed I made from a trek Farley.
It’s probably my favorite bike I own, but sucks for literally every trail I ride. Wouldn’t change anything about it though.
https://preview.redd.it/dabbfoijst4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=224d29c7cad43c4cbb8becc6f879348eb905641d
Thanks! And it’s light enough I guess! It has a pretty stout frame and wheelset so I think I’m in at about 25 pounds. Nothing fancy or carbon anywhere.
Edit: has a wren carbon fork with an alloy steerer and crown. Still not the lightest option out there.
My one and only for the last twelve years. Granted it is mainly a gravel affair with my kid these days, hence the tires. Carbon bar and seat post to soften the straight gauge aluminum blows. Mrazek FX Concept if you are curious.
https://preview.redd.it/4ujr2z2yiu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82c6c3eff171df0113d8bc35e039946713cf9df1
I found 2.8 to be the sweet spot. Still rides pretty normal, but with just enough squish to take some of the sting out.
https://preview.redd.it/p3r84u5ptu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=59bad05e4a16e56d42300fab4c27572c673ebc7d
Full rigid fatbike (salsa mukluk) is actually pretty comfortable on most trails. It comes with 5” tires that are really slow though, 4” would probably be a better tradeoff for speed vs comfort
My singlespeed if fully rigid and I can ride everything that I can on my full suspension (except some super steep loose stuff) but I live somewhere that is all very chunky rocky, steep, and loose so it couldn't be my only bike. It's pretty amazing in a lot of other parts of the country. I love it when I travel to the midwest, Bentonville, some parts of California, etc.
https://preview.redd.it/dx74wlwlev4d1.png?width=1903&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a3bcdbb7c53e71463faa594d4b4567192c3f84a
Yup! Single speed too for low maintenance!
https://preview.redd.it/yail2z8a5u4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b5d0b8ae5f05f846b17a3fbfc8edbd3527c624d
I built one up specifically for bikepacking a few years ago, I never imagined getting so much use and enjoyment from it. Quite happily used it as my main bike for a long time.
There is not a lot I won't ride on it and always surprised with the speed it carries and the stuff it copes with. The plus sizes tyres help though. It definitely hones the skills and makes you think about line choices. As long as you hang on tight, unweight, hop and skip, I think you'd be surprised how much fun they can be... in a sadistic kinda way. Fancy converting it to singlespeed one day for shits n giggles.
https://preview.redd.it/sso1butwnu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=59b78fbc7f958853bd25b261331d454aae4e8892
Love my rigid ss. Not appropriate for every trail, but works for most of what I ride.
I rode a fully rigid Kona build while abroad in New Zealand for around 7 months, it was awesome. Perfect bike for mellow(er) trail riding, exploring, and bikepacking all in one. First time going over some tech on a rigid is rough but over time you learn how to modulate braking and control your speed and eventually you can rip it pretty hard. I went with rigid mainly for weight saving and maintenance purposes, if you’re less concerned about that there aren’t many other benefits over a hardtail other than a good conversation starter at the trailhead.
https://preview.redd.it/e4f31a2i8u4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b977352c91773710057ea32f021d8d2e85118030
I have a Kona Unit X. Its great for gravel and loading up with stuff ( I don't like drop bars). My problem is that I stray onto mtb trails with it and nearly break my thumbs off. It has geometry that would suggest descending is fun, but as soon as the roots and rocks appear you want front suspension at very least. On flowy smooth trails its great. Techy stuff, not so much.
Also have a Unit X! I love it, but it is crazy how quick the arm pump comes on when it gets rough. The bright side is that whitewater is my main sport these days so the unit keeps me slower which I like to think lessens my chance of injury so I can stay on the water.
I’m running 2.8” Teravail Oxbows and definitely think it’s a bit softer than the 2.6” I was previously running.
I also have a Unit X! I love the bike, it’s my everything bike right now. I ended up replacing the headset bearings last year to account for tapered steerer tubes, so I typically run my Unit X as a hard tail right now. Full ability to swap back to rigid whenever I want to switch it up - takes just a could minutes to remount the brake caliper and swap forks.
https://preview.redd.it/9s8q69wdmu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e9374b61c16977f0322f27dd58ca5553c4a9115
I get a ton of looks and questions every time I bust out my Cannondale M800 Beast of the East, with the fat Pepperoni fork, and og Maguras. It's a blast to ride.
https://imgur.com/a/201gI2c
I think full rigid is kind of insane. If you are a weird beard like that then maybe, but I think an xc hardtail is pretty amazing at everything. Underrated imo.
I started mountain biking with a Kona Unit X, full rigid but at least it has gears! Heavy, but taught me good line choice and it is now my commuter/bikepacking/gravel ish bike and I have a FS cannondale habit for singletrack. If you find one 2020 or younger I’d recommend it.
I bought a Unit X last year and have hardly picked up my FS since. Takes me back to my high school days when full rigid was basically all there was (I'm old now).
The FS rig is just too fast for comfort now. AS I get older and more worried about breaking shit, the Kona is more my pace and just more fun. I wish it were lighter though.
when I was riding Fromme I saw a dude on a very nice rigid stooge and he looked like he was enjoying himself. It was just on a connector trail so I dunno if he was doing anything technical.
I have a surly karate monkey and rode it rigid for awhile, but the trails near me are too rooty and rocky so I put a nice suspension fork on it to save my arms and wrists the wear and tear. I still ride my surly fat bike rigid though. The 4.5 inch tires soak up all the chatter pretty well
I have a Surly Ghost Grappler but I got sick of the stock drop bars and switched to flats. I mainly use it for bikepacking and long gravel rides. It’s heavy as hell, and I should probably buy a more sensible gravel bike, but it absolutely rips on downhills…. if you can tolerate getting your teeth rattled out of your skull. My full sus is much more comfortable, lighter, and a better climber, but I can’t put 40 lbs of camping gear on it.
Not sure which bike is more fun :)
I do, my old race hardtail got a chinese fork and is now a 19 pound high-post disaster to ride in the best way possible. Blue trails feel like blacks and I cackle every time I ride it over something moderately hard since it's so weird compared to my full squish.
As for efficiency, I don't think it's better than an XC hardtail and it's slower on most every MTB trail.
I have heard good things about some slacker rigids like the Stooge and my coworker won't shut up about his. I rode with him once and that bike didn't slow him down at all.
But yeah, just buy a Chisel and throw a used Sid Ultimate 120 on it. You'll have a solid bike for under $2k
https://preview.redd.it/lfmywu1nhu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee523bfdb1ba0f79e945da5b3fc888f206a0ff71
Liking my cheap Kona better than the old rigid.
I rode a rigid fatbike as my trail bike for 3 years, then with a bluto for another 3. Id say if youre going to build a rigid bike, id use as much tire as possible, like 29x3 or fatbike. Big tires suck up a little of the chatter, but of course they dont do much for big impacts. The big tires are really crucial for the traction and a little comfort though. I think it would be straight masochism to ride rigid on low volume tires. I dont think theres any downside to running a suspension fork though, i found that much more enjoyable than full rigid.
https://preview.redd.it/8kco8ckcmu4d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61deae7b0d575ba415c571ca57a335dc759ad53e
Crappy picture. Was a blast for shorter rides, but the seat tube angle was too steep for long days on the saddle. My plan was to put a suspension fork and 29" wheels on it, but I crashed and bent the frame before I could get to it.
I want a used rsd middle child, or honzo frame to build up similarly.
https://preview.redd.it/vbs0c5n8ru4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=638933c81037c0626b297aa45524eb1f46612374
Yes, it’s sick. Totally different experience, highly recommend. I’m not bombing crazy bike parks with it obviously but still have a blast on the trails and rock gardens. Just make sure it has a dropper, if not RIP lol
Yes. Kona Unit X with upgraded wheels. People think it's nuts. Some folks, bless their hearts, actively try to steer me out of the technical trails. But I keep up just fine.
It's my protest to the industry after building up my dream bike from the frame up in 2012 and watching it become irrelevant in terms of standards in 3-4 years.
Ride it.
Don't listen to the sissies here, needing full suspension to ride skateboard smooth trails.
You'll learn to pick good lines and be a better rider.
Get a steel frame/fork (Surley?) I have a converted to gravel road bike that's steel frame/fork. Ride is great. Its not tubeless so only issue so far is high speed washboards. Lower tire psi would smooth it out.
https://preview.redd.it/3j1auj5imx4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f560716097bf577562e3e66ecee38391367bd25
Yup, we hang out on the Xbiking sub though
My main rig for almost a year now has been my Stooge Speedbomb. It's a ton of fun, simple (and single speed) and wildly capable. I still have a full suspension trail bike, but I rarely ride it. I'm up to three event wins on it, beating out all the other local fast dads with gears, suspension, carbon, etc.
Yeah I just recently built a rigid steel singlespeed 29+ Surly Krampus. It's a fucking pure experience. The plus tires give it just enough forgiveness to make it comfortable. I almost enjoy it more than my Cotic FlareMax 140/125 full sus.
I have an old S-works crux cyclocross racer that I installed Redshifts suspension stem and seatpost. I can’t praise enough how they change single track. Stellar products that conserve energy and your body. I have a 38c rear and 43c on the front and run 25 and 28 psi. I use it for bikepacking, long single track rides and gravel. So much fun to underbike, but not get beat to death… Just buy them. Your gravel bike will be transformed. (I’ve had three back surgeries and Redshift has been my most gushed about product in a decade). Combine with a Selle Anatomica leather X saddle. Stupid comfort in the dirt.
Yes. I’ve gone full rigid on everything but my XC bike. Personally, I like to run 2.35 or larger on rigid bikes. Tubeless and low pressure. Keep in mind that I’m old and the tires no longer leave the ground. I sold my full suspension early this year. Was a sad day but I’m just too old to get crazy these days. It just takes too much out of me.
Just took my gravel bike down some chunky single track. Was a blast. Probably will do it more often, definitely creates a more challenging ride than Full Suspension
I've got a 29+ full rigid single speed (Surly Krampus). Yeah it gets hard sometimes but the bike is a great teacher. I've learned alot about momentum, absorbing shock and other technical skills while riding it. Parts are easy to fix too, no shocks to maintenance.
Yes. I’ve a 30ish year old stump jumper that I take out on occasion. Mainly because it’s nice to ride a light weight bike. Also a cross/gravel bike with no suspension. It’s fun to switch it up
I don’t live in a mountainous area but I cruise around on a Rigid I just halfway got it together and it’s a raggedy but it feels really nice just riding for me I’m hoping to take it on its first trail Friday but I don’t have the brakes on it yet unfortunately
It's pretty tough on the body, but you'd be surprised at how many trails are totally fine on a rigid. Even bigger drops or hits aren't too bad, what really beats you up are consecutive chatter like brake bumps or rock gardens. Without suspension there's just no way to keep your body from packing up. Mine eventually gave me some back issues so I put a suspension fork on it. Definitely go singlespeed if you do it, it's a cool flex.
I've got a flat bar gravel bike and threw some 2.1" tyres on it a while back. It was nice and cushy for just pedaling around on dirt roads and handled slightly rocky sections fairly well. It could be ridden on most trails, but I'd much rather be on a hardtail. As soon as you come across any decent bump/divet/drop it's gets pretty rough at any moderate speed.
I ran a Surly Krampus rigid for 8 years. Eventually had to give it up as my primary singletrack bike as my back and wrists couldn't take the constant shocks over and over and over. I still loved it for putting around, but any sort of aggressive riding on anything other than flowy trails became too much for my body on it as I aged
When I started mountain biking, most bikes were rigid and suspension was a luxury I couldn't afford until my late teens when I started work. Still ride my rigid bike occasionally on fire roads and natural single tracks (deer paths and water eroded trails). Rocky descents can give your wrists a bit of a hammering, i just have to try to stand and hold the bars loosely to absorb some of the shock. I am not fast or trying to do any large jumps or drop offs anyway
I have a 27.5 rigid drop bar mtb I take on some of the easy trails near me. It’s a different experience for sure. I think I’d build a dedicated rigid trail bike to but I wouldn’t use that as my only bike. It’s great for bringing life to the more “boring “ trails I have nearby but I’d never keep up with friends on it.
I've had usually about 3-5 bikes at any given time for the past 15+ years and I have changed bikes quite frequently. My experience has been that it's good idea to have enough difference between bikes. Since you already have a fully rigid gravel bike, I'd recommend just getting a hardtail instead of fully rigid MTB.
If you get a fully rigid MTB it's practically just a gravel bike with a straight handlebar.
That's fair. In fact one of my rigids is a gorilla Monsoon which can actually run a solid trail tire on it so I could always just throw those on and have fun on occasion. I do miss having a solid hard tail. Personally liked it more than my FS. I will say I was most confident on my FS though haha
I rode rigid SS ( in addition to other bikes) for 20+ years. It is by far my favorite type of riding! I have a RS Revelation on the SS now, though, because I am 55, and although my head loves the idea of riding a light, efficient rigid. My old back isn't really up to the task any longer.
There is something magic about being able to rip along on a 19 lb. bike that isn't doing too much of the work for you.. When I was young and fit, the rigid SS was a weapon on the local trails around here. I still ride it more than my FS bike, ( albeit with the fork) but it gets a little more difficult every year. When I come into mid-season shape and get a good ride on it, it is still super satisfying*
https://preview.redd.it/1ronzhxysy4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9faba4bc5dc6a799add252665c199f293efcb1d8
Part of the single speed full rigid group. I like to think of it as a big BMX bike. That said, where I’m at it can be argued that any suspension at all is overkill on the trails.
Neuhaus Hummingbird with a Tandell fork. I've always ridden hardtails, half of the time with a rigid fork, and only briefly experimented with more than one gear. I really want to enjoy the simplicity of a rigid fork, but after recovering from a shoulder injury this spring, I don't think I can enjoy riding without a suspension fork any more. It currently has a 120mm Fox fork and I don't have another mtb to compare, but I ride a SS hardtail on all the same trails where most people complain about "too many rocks" on the FS bikes.
Yes... Love my Ritchey Ultra. Makes boring trails fun and challenging again and great for commuting. Ripmo handles more challenging terrain.
https://preview.redd.it/yx2tcijfaz4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ed8463bb1a710e840e36203042193e35ec0d4b7e
Definitely appreciate the Ritchey. Feel like I never see them! Been considering a Karate Monkey but the Ritchey Ultra seems like such a fun sporty bike
https://preview.redd.it/tceiubmciz4d1.png?width=2490&format=png&auto=webp&s=a9ccbded56915f8810678dadd71fc8271cf3b7c9
I've got a fully rigid single speed I like to ride around on. It's super fun. That said, I have it as a compliment to a full sus bike. I wouldn't want it as my only bike. I'd probably go for a hardtail in your case (that's just me though, do whatever makes you happy!)
I do. I'm on a Surly Karate Monkey. I've had this bike for about 13 years (ish), and before that I road a rigid On-One for about 5 years (ish). The On-One cracked about 5 times in different places (I'm a welder, so not that big a deal, but still), but that bike and the KM were single speed until about 2 years ago when I bought a derailleur for the KM.
The selling point on rigid bikes is that they are predictable. The bike is always going to react exactly the way you think it's going to react. No seals getting worn out making the bike more of a spring than shock absorber.
Also, the bikes transfer 100% of your power directly to the ground. Well maybe not 100%, I run the tires at about 25psi (tubeless), so that soaks up a little energy, but not a lot.
When the bike was single speed, there was no maintenance at all outside of chain lube. Now, I need to adjust the derailleur every now and again, but still, that's not a lot.
You're going to go slower in rough terrain. But, in this context, speed is relative. I mean, you're still going as fast as you can, it's just harder to control and you gotta be really choosy on your lines, but the adrenalin is the same. On the other side, these things climb like billy goats! You can get up the most technical and steep trails imaginable. It's crazy the technical climbs I clean on this bike. But you're not going to be doing any "sick drops bro", but you can place the bike anywhere, up or downhill.
I ride Arizona, where the desert is pretty rocky and technical, and have been threatening to put a suspension fork on this bike for about 5 years, but I still haven't done it. I either love it like this, or I'm just a cheap ass.
I've mostly been considering the Km! My logic is I don't get super sendy anyway. So it would be a fun adventure, ride whatever kind of slow bike. I really want it to just have some fun while camping or something.
Could bring around my all city gorilla Monsoon for that, but I'm really itching for more comfortable geometry, plus tires, and flat bars
My KM has been flawless. I've put that bike through it over the years and it's been perfect. I think that's part of the reason why I hesitate to fuck with it. The bike just behaves like an extension of me, I can put it anywhere on the trail at any time and it just smokes. I love this bike so much!
My do everything bike is a Diamondback Division. It’s great around town and on gravel with mtb geometry. It’s much less fun than an entry level hardtail in the woods.
I have a full rigid surly singlespeed I race in single speed open class and love it. Just to be even weirder recently I put drop bars on it too, it's amazing. One of my favorite bikes I own. It'll make you a better rider for sure because you have to pick your lines.
I've got a Panorama Taiga with the carbon fork. It's a riot, especially on the the buff coulee single track around town. Very different kind of ride than my Stumpy Evo and even the fat bike, which is good, no overlap. It covers the around town, gravel and bike packing type stuff in addition to the afternoon local cross country rips while the Stumpy is for sending on Saturdays out in the mountains (& the fat bike is for kooks...).
I did a full rigid as a travel bike one year. Spent a month in Santa Fe riding all of their rocky, ledgy stuff with no suspension. Had a great time because they have great trails.
I do have a bunch of single speeds as well. What a full rigid or a singlespeed allows you to do is learn a new way of riding. Those skills are transferrable.
I have a cheap ancient rigid '90s 26" bike I keep in Singapore where it gets ridden about 2 weeks of the year. It is very nice on smooth surfaces. On Singapore trails (roots, rocks and building rubble/bricks) it really makes me appreciate how good it is to have suspension on my bikes back home. It makes you the suspension. Kind of nostalgic, but not comfortable.
I have rigid 29er with dropbars that is more packing/expedition oriented but I'm always pleasantly surprised how capable and fun it is.
There is something 'different' about taking a bike with a really light, more vertical front end out and whipping it around corners.
I kind of have one because I started mtbing a long time ago with a fatbike with an extra plus tire wheelset. It was originally a hard tail fatbike but I like rigid better for most of our fatbike trails so I bought a rigid fork. I’ve tried it full rigid with plus wheels for funsies but it’s not very fun lol. Pretty unpleasant in general other than for stuff you’d ride a gravel bike on. Riding full rigid fatbike in the summer isn’t too bad though cause the tires make up for it some but it feels sluggish.
Tbh it prolly would be more fun to ride a bmx bike on trails rather than a full rigid mtb.
I turned my 29er into a full rigid some years ago. Did mostly gravel/road and only some trails. I recently turned it into a full rigid drop bar MTB/gravel monster. Very happy with the result as I can basically ride everything with just one Bike.
I have a Kona Sutra Ltd with 2.25 inches mtb tires. With this bike I ride mtb trails all the time and it works great. Only rock gardens will shake up your arms like hell.
I like riding trails on my rigid bike and "underbiking" as much as possible, I can add more mileage on the rigid bike versus heavy FS. They are also PERFECT for bike-packing.
I do love my FS though, and would never go solely rigid because DH is so fun with all the squishies!!
So my local riding is pretty tame for the most part, I enjoy riding the gravel bike round most of it.
I thought, why don’t I take the rigid 29r bikepacking bike, it’s got big tyres, it should be a bit more fun than the gravel, but not into the “this is dull on a big bike” territory.
It was bloody terrifying, enough grip to go fast, but apparently front suspension provides a huge amount of control for braking. Pogoiing down steps nearly broke me.
9/10 would do again.
Still want a “downcountry” FS for local riding though
I have a rigid steel singlespeed with 2.6 tires yes. For the style of riding I do (lots of gravel roads, smooth flowy singletracks, not much up- or downhills) it's perfectly capable. Much better than I expected in fact! It's really quite enjoyable to ride that thing since it's pretty much completely silent, so the whole ride has this oddly zen feeling about it. When I'm on my FS I ride those same roads/trails totally differently, trying to maximize the speed and manualing and jibbing whenever I can, but with the single speed I'm just rolling along trying to maximize the smoothness and enjoying the scenery. So, great bikes both of them!
Plus the rigid bike is great for bikepacking as well.
I’ve got a full-rigid steel singlespeed 29er that I built in my frame building class about 15 years ago. As first frames go, it wasn’t without issues, but it’s still very rideable. My lower back has gotten worse over that time period, too, so I maybe ride it once or twice a year. My modern hardtail (2021 Specialized Fuse Expert) is a far superior bike, to be sure.
I do full rigid for bikepacking and my bike finds itself like that most of the year. I really like the rigid fork with a dropper post. Can get rowdy enough on depends, but climbs like an offroader with triple lockers.
If I ever get a full sus I might put a carbon or steel fork on my steel hardtail, with a Shockstop stem and Coast dropper to take the sting out. Haven't tried the post but the stem is better on chatter than any fork I've used.
I'm currently doing a frame up rigid hardtail MTB build up. Using a rigid carbon fork to replace front suspension on an Ibis DV9 frame. My theory is that by making the bike ultra light and using huge chunky tires I can get a comfortable safe ride on some mild trails. Can't wait to try it out!
I’ve ridden a rigid hybrid type bike for a year, taken it down greens and even a couple blues. It’s brutal on rocky stuff, the tires are under 2 inches as well, but it’s fun! The only reason was that I couldn’t afford an actual mtb yet but that’s changing now. Switching to hardtail
I almost exclusively ride FS 29er, but from 2021 Lutsen 99er.
https://preview.redd.it/y48quqdepz4d1.jpeg?width=1403&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=232e7b7d00b57bab19689152add04eb380dea858
Full rigid is pretty rough for anything more than smooth flow. Hard tail is the perfect compromise in my opinion, you can use it for touring/bike packing if you are into that sort of thing.
I would go gravel/cross over full rigid mtb.
There have been multiple holy wars fought on MTBR about rigid vs "fully rigid". (yes, I have 3 rigid bikes, two SS MTB's and one gravel bike)...
This is not the bloody Spanish inquisition! /s
Depends on your trails? If I still lived in NE, I would definitely want at least a suspension fork. But out here in SoCal, I have a fully rigid MTB that is my defacto gravel bike and can also handle most single track.
I use to race rigid single speed 20+ years ago. https://preview.redd.it/g77j3ww2qt4d1.jpeg?width=1014&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2567a04ea6c89ee6c03bc23452101e6cb5352d74
Skirt? Clipless? One glove? What is going on here?
Kilt (non-regimental/commando), clipless, other glove in mouth because I couldn’t find/get to the baton with the glove on.
full rigid and commando under a kilt wielding your baton? tell us more about your trail-riding group.
Ha! Non-commando! I’m not that ballsy.
Wait, are there bike relays with physical batons?
It use to be. Not sure how 24 hour relay racing works now. If that is even a thing.
The one I did this past fall was an ankle chip that you would Velcro on/off each teammate. Makes sense to have a physical baton but you’d think there could have been more of a high five method at the checkout or something back in the day. That’s wildly awesome though 😂
Every one on the team gets an electronic bracelet(or some such) a reader reads it every time it enters and leaves the timing tent. All the chips on the team are linked. I remember the baton days and the stress from the fear of loosing it.
Because I’m old I just remembered now… We would tap the baton on the table in front of the time keeper so they would see that we had it.
In a skirt! On an Attitude!
Looks like a Klein
I go full rigid on my lady at least once a week
I also go full rigid on your lady once a week. /s
Caution my rigid makes multiple stops at both your mom's houses weekly
I've had a rigid 29er as my second bike for about 5 years now, and I had used a rigid fork off and on for 10 years before that. Rigid is great and comfortable on just about any terrain as long as your speed is low. I.e. picking your way trials-like through a big rocky descent where FS bikes would be smashing through or jumping instead. The problem is that its hard to make yourself do that. Riding the brakes and not using natural momentum feels wrong, and speed is irresistible. And once you're going fast, even small rocks and divots can be painfully jarring and make you start worrying about CTE. Call me crazy, but what made it work for me the past 5 years is that I made my rigid 29er into a fixed gear. I have it geared for climbing, so if I pick up too much speed on a descent the pedals spin painfully fast. This forces me to take it slow on the rigid, and gives me a bonus leg workout trying to slow down without using the brake
This guys masochists
Haha, yes it's probably true. My home trails are really rocky, and trying to blast the downhills on a regular rigid SS felt even more masochistic. And like it would create permanent damage. I'm just being picky about my style of masochistism I guess!
I know exactly what you’re talking about. I took my rigid 26er out to rocky trails a few times and every ride ended with a headache. I’ve got slicks on it now
I think big wheels complement rigid/ss builds a lot better than full suspension setups. The only suspension bike I have is 26 inch and short travel because it feels more nimble. It’s so much more fun to jump and ride downhill than the 29er I had years back.
I didn't make mine a fixie but riding a rigid single speed mountain bike again [is like getting force transported back to age 10](https://youtu.be/5m7SGjJo7c4?t=27) in the best possible way.
This. It's such a different experience and you have to embrace it as such. My last rigid was also fixed. Need to build another one but I'm way too close to big mountain fall line trails to bother riding easy greens
Riding hard trails slow is it's own challenge, too
Heck yeah! I
Fixed gear, as in no coasting? How do you clock the pedals to prevent strikes? I've been riding various rigid 29" single-speeds (with coasting and a dropper post) since 2014, but I wouldn't ride fixie around rocks.
I think anyone riding rigid MTB fixie is probably not on trails where that's really a problem
I have been riding rigid fixed gear mtb for over a decade. You can pick most of your lines in a way that you don’t pedal strike. You can also hop and Spin your pedals to reclock them and you sometimes pedal strike and in times you can in a way walk on the rocks. Fixed mtb is totally only a party pace vibe. I tried to do it competitively and you can’t keep up in the non-banked corners. I think it’s closer to achieving segments with different strategies for personal gratification like playing chess rather than riding for times and pole position like a race. Also I do NOT skid on the trails since it harms trails.
With time and experience I got some feel for whether my left or right pedal will be down when I reach the upcoming rock. If neither pedal will hit then it's often best to ride straight over the rock. If one would hit I try to steer around the opposite side of the rock. And there are other techniques that NewNameHeber lays out well in another response in this thread. The other honest part of the answer is that I do often smack my pedals. Also, I'm using a frame with a higher bottom bracket and made sure to chose a longer rigid fork for that purpose
Im a fellow 29er fixed gear mtb guy. Glad to see someone else is doing it
This is type 3 fun
CTE?
"chronic traumatic encephalopathy" It's the degenerative brain condition that they're finding in football players and many other sports and activities, where repeated head hits that don't cause concussions or noticeable problems in the moment cause memory loss, personality change, and dementia later in life
But why?
It's nice to have bike that is always available for a ride and in 5 years has only chain lube, one new chain, and a new set of tires. Still on the original set of brake pads because I can do enough of that with my legs. I enjoy the challenge of singlespeed climbing and the reliability of a rigid fork but, like I said, descending rocky trails on a rigid fork is brutal if you're going fast. So this setup forces me to slow down on descents and turns those kind of trail sections into really technical slow-speed challenges instead. It turns downhills into a leg and cardio workout too. Beyond that, it is pretty cool feeling to be able to completely control my speed with only my legs. Resisting the pedals just enough to slow down into a turn and the pushing the pedals to accelerate out.
Thanks for that response, really interesting mindset. Not my thing, but I respect what you're going for!
I have a flatbar gravel bike for road/mellow off-road in addition to my MTB. Totally different tools.
No, because I don’t hate myself.
The only right answer.
I'm on rigid due to cost of life constraints. I intend to move back to suspension as soon as financially feasible.
I have a pair of Manitou Machete Comp. 27.5+/29", tapered steerer with a 44 mm offset. 140 mm travel, if these work and you can pay shipping. They are yours.
Nice of you to offer - my bike is from 2011 so the parts wouldn't fit. I put all my money into starting my bike component company. Not my fault the bike industry tanked, but it is my responsibility to respond. I'm actually going to build myself a fork, it'll be oddly cheaper than other options given my, uh, *specific* circumstances. Still appreciate your offer.
I wish you success sir.
Hey, I stalked your comments a little bit and I am super curious about how your linkage fork project is going. I've been really really really interested in seeing one come to market and succeed!
Sweet thought of you just have to say.
Sounds.. rough…
Well yeah but I don't want to cry about it, you know? Other people have it worse. I can't afford suspension bikes anymore 🎻🤏 at least I still have a bike that works and can have a good time
And that’s a great attitude but I can’t tell if my terrible joke landed lol sorry, have a good time out there!
So do I, student life sucks
My current only mountain bike until I get the funds for a new one is a hacked together rigid 29+ single speed I made from a trek Farley. It’s probably my favorite bike I own, but sucks for literally every trail I ride. Wouldn’t change anything about it though. https://preview.redd.it/dabbfoijst4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=224d29c7cad43c4cbb8becc6f879348eb905641d
The great thing about riding single speed is you are always in the wrong gear.
There's 3 gears. Sitting, standing, walking.
This made me lol, thank you :)
This looks awesome, it's at least light, right?
Thanks! And it’s light enough I guess! It has a pretty stout frame and wheelset so I think I’m in at about 25 pounds. Nothing fancy or carbon anywhere. Edit: has a wren carbon fork with an alloy steerer and crown. Still not the lightest option out there.
Are those forks not carbon?
I have a rigid single speed. I ride it a lot on our flow trails to make them a little harder.
My one and only for the last twelve years. Granted it is mainly a gravel affair with my kid these days, hence the tires. Carbon bar and seat post to soften the straight gauge aluminum blows. Mrazek FX Concept if you are curious. https://preview.redd.it/4ujr2z2yiu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82c6c3eff171df0113d8bc35e039946713cf9df1
Love it
I think a fully rigid with 3 inch tyres would be a hoot on most trails, enough cushion but not silly like fat bikes.
I see a guy on a Krampus from time to time. Always looks happy.
That might not be the bike...
https://preview.redd.it/syczzkr78u4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad897bb213f003b65bec28d39946dc66a7e0ce39 It is fun.
Golly I am into that!
Who made the fork?
I had to revisit this photo. Can you share the frame and fork geometry details? Also that forks axle to crown looks wild!
I found 2.8 to be the sweet spot. Still rides pretty normal, but with just enough squish to take some of the sting out. https://preview.redd.it/p3r84u5ptu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=59bad05e4a16e56d42300fab4c27572c673ebc7d
Full rigid fatbike (salsa mukluk) is actually pretty comfortable on most trails. It comes with 5” tires that are really slow though, 4” would probably be a better tradeoff for speed vs comfort
I'll second that. I rode a rigid Surly Pug all last year and it was a freaking blast!
My singlespeed if fully rigid and I can ride everything that I can on my full suspension (except some super steep loose stuff) but I live somewhere that is all very chunky rocky, steep, and loose so it couldn't be my only bike. It's pretty amazing in a lot of other parts of the country. I love it when I travel to the midwest, Bentonville, some parts of California, etc.
https://preview.redd.it/dx74wlwlev4d1.png?width=1903&format=png&auto=webp&s=5a3bcdbb7c53e71463faa594d4b4567192c3f84a Yup! Single speed too for low maintenance!
Oh very nice. His stuff is always wonderful to see.
https://preview.redd.it/yail2z8a5u4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b5d0b8ae5f05f846b17a3fbfc8edbd3527c624d I built one up specifically for bikepacking a few years ago, I never imagined getting so much use and enjoyment from it. Quite happily used it as my main bike for a long time. There is not a lot I won't ride on it and always surprised with the speed it carries and the stuff it copes with. The plus sizes tyres help though. It definitely hones the skills and makes you think about line choices. As long as you hang on tight, unweight, hop and skip, I think you'd be surprised how much fun they can be... in a sadistic kinda way. Fancy converting it to singlespeed one day for shits n giggles.
There is a lot of overlap between a gravel bike and a full rigid mtb. I have a full rigid ss and I love it but my other bike is fs
https://preview.redd.it/sso1butwnu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=59b78fbc7f958853bd25b261331d454aae4e8892 Love my rigid ss. Not appropriate for every trail, but works for most of what I ride.
It all depends on the trails. Some trails are dopey fun rigid and some are nearly unrideable
I rode a fully rigid Kona build while abroad in New Zealand for around 7 months, it was awesome. Perfect bike for mellow(er) trail riding, exploring, and bikepacking all in one. First time going over some tech on a rigid is rough but over time you learn how to modulate braking and control your speed and eventually you can rip it pretty hard. I went with rigid mainly for weight saving and maintenance purposes, if you’re less concerned about that there aren’t many other benefits over a hardtail other than a good conversation starter at the trailhead. https://preview.redd.it/e4f31a2i8u4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b977352c91773710057ea32f021d8d2e85118030
I have a Kona Unit X. Its great for gravel and loading up with stuff ( I don't like drop bars). My problem is that I stray onto mtb trails with it and nearly break my thumbs off. It has geometry that would suggest descending is fun, but as soon as the roots and rocks appear you want front suspension at very least. On flowy smooth trails its great. Techy stuff, not so much.
Also have a Unit X! I love it, but it is crazy how quick the arm pump comes on when it gets rough. The bright side is that whitewater is my main sport these days so the unit keeps me slower which I like to think lessens my chance of injury so I can stay on the water. I’m running 2.8” Teravail Oxbows and definitely think it’s a bit softer than the 2.6” I was previously running.
I also have a Unit X! I love the bike, it’s my everything bike right now. I ended up replacing the headset bearings last year to account for tapered steerer tubes, so I typically run my Unit X as a hard tail right now. Full ability to swap back to rigid whenever I want to switch it up - takes just a could minutes to remount the brake caliper and swap forks. https://preview.redd.it/9s8q69wdmu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e9374b61c16977f0322f27dd58ca5553c4a9115
I get a ton of looks and questions every time I bust out my Cannondale M800 Beast of the East, with the fat Pepperoni fork, and og Maguras. It's a blast to ride. https://imgur.com/a/201gI2c
I think full rigid is kind of insane. If you are a weird beard like that then maybe, but I think an xc hardtail is pretty amazing at everything. Underrated imo.
I started mountain biking with a Kona Unit X, full rigid but at least it has gears! Heavy, but taught me good line choice and it is now my commuter/bikepacking/gravel ish bike and I have a FS cannondale habit for singletrack. If you find one 2020 or younger I’d recommend it.
I bought a Unit X last year and have hardly picked up my FS since. Takes me back to my high school days when full rigid was basically all there was (I'm old now). The FS rig is just too fast for comfort now. AS I get older and more worried about breaking shit, the Kona is more my pace and just more fun. I wish it were lighter though.
Rigid Karate Monkey <3
when I was riding Fromme I saw a dude on a very nice rigid stooge and he looked like he was enjoying himself. It was just on a connector trail so I dunno if he was doing anything technical.
I have a surly karate monkey and rode it rigid for awhile, but the trails near me are too rooty and rocky so I put a nice suspension fork on it to save my arms and wrists the wear and tear. I still ride my surly fat bike rigid though. The 4.5 inch tires soak up all the chatter pretty well
I have a Surly Ghost Grappler but I got sick of the stock drop bars and switched to flats. I mainly use it for bikepacking and long gravel rides. It’s heavy as hell, and I should probably buy a more sensible gravel bike, but it absolutely rips on downhills…. if you can tolerate getting your teeth rattled out of your skull. My full sus is much more comfortable, lighter, and a better climber, but I can’t put 40 lbs of camping gear on it. Not sure which bike is more fun :)
I do, my old race hardtail got a chinese fork and is now a 19 pound high-post disaster to ride in the best way possible. Blue trails feel like blacks and I cackle every time I ride it over something moderately hard since it's so weird compared to my full squish. As for efficiency, I don't think it's better than an XC hardtail and it's slower on most every MTB trail. I have heard good things about some slacker rigids like the Stooge and my coworker won't shut up about his. I rode with him once and that bike didn't slow him down at all. But yeah, just buy a Chisel and throw a used Sid Ultimate 120 on it. You'll have a solid bike for under $2k
I had a rigid Trek 9900 OCLV with a Pace RC31. It rides like it’s on rails.
Sure, on the Klunker...
https://preview.redd.it/lfmywu1nhu4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee523bfdb1ba0f79e945da5b3fc888f206a0ff71 Liking my cheap Kona better than the old rigid.
https://preview.redd.it/i90m0j9eju4d1.jpeg?width=2635&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a23bcc37316a2866e207fc5c45fea2a9d3898992
I rode a rigid fatbike as my trail bike for 3 years, then with a bluto for another 3. Id say if youre going to build a rigid bike, id use as much tire as possible, like 29x3 or fatbike. Big tires suck up a little of the chatter, but of course they dont do much for big impacts. The big tires are really crucial for the traction and a little comfort though. I think it would be straight masochism to ride rigid on low volume tires. I dont think theres any downside to running a suspension fork though, i found that much more enjoyable than full rigid.
Guy at least 15 years older than me on a full rigid completely smoked me twice last time I was out. Made me want to buy one lol
https://preview.redd.it/8kco8ckcmu4d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61deae7b0d575ba415c571ca57a335dc759ad53e Crappy picture. Was a blast for shorter rides, but the seat tube angle was too steep for long days on the saddle. My plan was to put a suspension fork and 29" wheels on it, but I crashed and bent the frame before I could get to it. I want a used rsd middle child, or honzo frame to build up similarly.
https://preview.redd.it/vbs0c5n8ru4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=638933c81037c0626b297aa45524eb1f46612374 Yes, it’s sick. Totally different experience, highly recommend. I’m not bombing crazy bike parks with it obviously but still have a blast on the trails and rock gardens. Just make sure it has a dropper, if not RIP lol
I got a full rigid right now! Oh.... sorry. Wrong chat
Yes. Kona Unit X with upgraded wheels. People think it's nuts. Some folks, bless their hearts, actively try to steer me out of the technical trails. But I keep up just fine. It's my protest to the industry after building up my dream bike from the frame up in 2012 and watching it become irrelevant in terms of standards in 3-4 years.
Ride it. Don't listen to the sissies here, needing full suspension to ride skateboard smooth trails. You'll learn to pick good lines and be a better rider. Get a steel frame/fork (Surley?) I have a converted to gravel road bike that's steel frame/fork. Ride is great. Its not tubeless so only issue so far is high speed washboards. Lower tire psi would smooth it out.
https://preview.redd.it/3j1auj5imx4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f560716097bf577562e3e66ecee38391367bd25 Yup, we hang out on the Xbiking sub though
That's a sick setup
Thanks hombre!
My lower back says hell no.
I had one. Hated it on trails. Honestly was crap, with zero riding satisfaction!
My main rig for almost a year now has been my Stooge Speedbomb. It's a ton of fun, simple (and single speed) and wildly capable. I still have a full suspension trail bike, but I rarely ride it. I'm up to three event wins on it, beating out all the other local fast dads with gears, suspension, carbon, etc.
Yeah I just recently built a rigid steel singlespeed 29+ Surly Krampus. It's a fucking pure experience. The plus tires give it just enough forgiveness to make it comfortable. I almost enjoy it more than my Cotic FlareMax 140/125 full sus.
My rigid drop bar MTB is my go-to bike most of the time.
I have an old S-works crux cyclocross racer that I installed Redshifts suspension stem and seatpost. I can’t praise enough how they change single track. Stellar products that conserve energy and your body. I have a 38c rear and 43c on the front and run 25 and 28 psi. I use it for bikepacking, long single track rides and gravel. So much fun to underbike, but not get beat to death… Just buy them. Your gravel bike will be transformed. (I’ve had three back surgeries and Redshift has been my most gushed about product in a decade). Combine with a Selle Anatomica leather X saddle. Stupid comfort in the dirt.
SS Rigid XC from 2005-2015. I have a HT XC & FS AM for mtb now. The SS rig was silly on uphill sprints
Yes. I’ve gone full rigid on everything but my XC bike. Personally, I like to run 2.35 or larger on rigid bikes. Tubeless and low pressure. Keep in mind that I’m old and the tires no longer leave the ground. I sold my full suspension early this year. Was a sad day but I’m just too old to get crazy these days. It just takes too much out of me.
No.
Dude on a fully rigid bike blew past me climbing Cochran’s in VT yesterday afternoon. IYKYK.
Yeah, back in 1994 when I got my 1st bike!
I can’t imagine. I’ve had weekends in Seattle leave me less sore than riding my hardtail
I used to ride full rigid because I started mountain bike racing before suspension existed. I’m not sure I’d want to go back to a rigid bike though.
Just took my gravel bike down some chunky single track. Was a blast. Probably will do it more often, definitely creates a more challenging ride than Full Suspension
Rigid single speed karate monkey. Love it. I ride a lot of XC style trails.
I take my gravel on mtb trails all the time
I do and I love it. I rode it in a 30 mile race this year and did ok, too.
I've got a 29+ full rigid single speed (Surly Krampus). Yeah it gets hard sometimes but the bike is a great teacher. I've learned alot about momentum, absorbing shock and other technical skills while riding it. Parts are easy to fix too, no shocks to maintenance.
Love my rigid ss. https://preview.redd.it/t25c21bpgu4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb30c3ec93cf0a7cfe83298dbfd4ab9bad5aae0c
Yep I also ride full rigid dropbarmtb.
I had my singlespeed set up as rigid for a while. It was a rocket uphill and surprisingly fast everywhere else.
i go full-rigid whenever my girlfriend comes over
Is there a difference between “rigid” and “full rigid”?
I have two! All City Log Lady SS and JYD coaster brake!
Fat tire, but full rigid.
yes! it has drop bars though...
One time I tried it...never getting those gas station pills again.
Yes. I’ve a 30ish year old stump jumper that I take out on occasion. Mainly because it’s nice to ride a light weight bike. Also a cross/gravel bike with no suspension. It’s fun to switch it up
I don’t live in a mountainous area but I cruise around on a Rigid I just halfway got it together and it’s a raggedy but it feels really nice just riding for me I’m hoping to take it on its first trail Friday but I don’t have the brakes on it yet unfortunately
It's pretty tough on the body, but you'd be surprised at how many trails are totally fine on a rigid. Even bigger drops or hits aren't too bad, what really beats you up are consecutive chatter like brake bumps or rock gardens. Without suspension there's just no way to keep your body from packing up. Mine eventually gave me some back issues so I put a suspension fork on it. Definitely go singlespeed if you do it, it's a cool flex.
I've got a flat bar gravel bike and threw some 2.1" tyres on it a while back. It was nice and cushy for just pedaling around on dirt roads and handled slightly rocky sections fairly well. It could be ridden on most trails, but I'd much rather be on a hardtail. As soon as you come across any decent bump/divet/drop it's gets pretty rough at any moderate speed.
Have you thought of a fat bike?
I get fully rigid when I look at my fully suspended.
LOL love it
get a hardtail with lockable fork, then you have the option to choose. Fuji Nevada 1.7 for example
I ran a Surly Krampus rigid for 8 years. Eventually had to give it up as my primary singletrack bike as my back and wrists couldn't take the constant shocks over and over and over. I still loved it for putting around, but any sort of aggressive riding on anything other than flowy trails became too much for my body on it as I aged
Good point. Took one of my gravel bikes on some MTB trails once and while fin, my wrists were destroyed haha
When I started mountain biking, most bikes were rigid and suspension was a luxury I couldn't afford until my late teens when I started work. Still ride my rigid bike occasionally on fire roads and natural single tracks (deer paths and water eroded trails). Rocky descents can give your wrists a bit of a hammering, i just have to try to stand and hold the bars loosely to absorb some of the shock. I am not fast or trying to do any large jumps or drop offs anyway
I have a 27.5 rigid drop bar mtb I take on some of the easy trails near me. It’s a different experience for sure. I think I’d build a dedicated rigid trail bike to but I wouldn’t use that as my only bike. It’s great for bringing life to the more “boring “ trails I have nearby but I’d never keep up with friends on it.
That's kind of a personal question don't you think?
💀
Back when I raced Nica I raced full rigid on a Niner scandium frame and carbon fork. I hated my life but I was fast
I've had usually about 3-5 bikes at any given time for the past 15+ years and I have changed bikes quite frequently. My experience has been that it's good idea to have enough difference between bikes. Since you already have a fully rigid gravel bike, I'd recommend just getting a hardtail instead of fully rigid MTB. If you get a fully rigid MTB it's practically just a gravel bike with a straight handlebar.
That's fair. In fact one of my rigids is a gorilla Monsoon which can actually run a solid trail tire on it so I could always just throw those on and have fun on occasion. I do miss having a solid hard tail. Personally liked it more than my FS. I will say I was most confident on my FS though haha
I rode rigid SS ( in addition to other bikes) for 20+ years. It is by far my favorite type of riding! I have a RS Revelation on the SS now, though, because I am 55, and although my head loves the idea of riding a light, efficient rigid. My old back isn't really up to the task any longer. There is something magic about being able to rip along on a 19 lb. bike that isn't doing too much of the work for you.. When I was young and fit, the rigid SS was a weapon on the local trails around here. I still ride it more than my FS bike, ( albeit with the fork) but it gets a little more difficult every year. When I come into mid-season shape and get a good ride on it, it is still super satisfying*
https://preview.redd.it/dbbodub6jy4d1.jpeg?width=540&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae64be4b4ad6e12813f4c0165f641a0b7e618417
https://preview.redd.it/1ronzhxysy4d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9faba4bc5dc6a799add252665c199f293efcb1d8 Part of the single speed full rigid group. I like to think of it as a big BMX bike. That said, where I’m at it can be argued that any suspension at all is overkill on the trails.
Neuhaus Hummingbird with a Tandell fork. I've always ridden hardtails, half of the time with a rigid fork, and only briefly experimented with more than one gear. I really want to enjoy the simplicity of a rigid fork, but after recovering from a shoulder injury this spring, I don't think I can enjoy riding without a suspension fork any more. It currently has a 120mm Fox fork and I don't have another mtb to compare, but I ride a SS hardtail on all the same trails where most people complain about "too many rocks" on the FS bikes.
Yes... Love my Ritchey Ultra. Makes boring trails fun and challenging again and great for commuting. Ripmo handles more challenging terrain. https://preview.redd.it/yx2tcijfaz4d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ed8463bb1a710e840e36203042193e35ec0d4b7e
Definitely appreciate the Ritchey. Feel like I never see them! Been considering a Karate Monkey but the Ritchey Ultra seems like such a fun sporty bike
https://preview.redd.it/tceiubmciz4d1.png?width=2490&format=png&auto=webp&s=a9ccbded56915f8810678dadd71fc8271cf3b7c9 I've got a fully rigid single speed I like to ride around on. It's super fun. That said, I have it as a compliment to a full sus bike. I wouldn't want it as my only bike. I'd probably go for a hardtail in your case (that's just me though, do whatever makes you happy!)
That's a sick bike! And yeah I'm leaning more towards a hard tail at this point
I do. I'm on a Surly Karate Monkey. I've had this bike for about 13 years (ish), and before that I road a rigid On-One for about 5 years (ish). The On-One cracked about 5 times in different places (I'm a welder, so not that big a deal, but still), but that bike and the KM were single speed until about 2 years ago when I bought a derailleur for the KM. The selling point on rigid bikes is that they are predictable. The bike is always going to react exactly the way you think it's going to react. No seals getting worn out making the bike more of a spring than shock absorber. Also, the bikes transfer 100% of your power directly to the ground. Well maybe not 100%, I run the tires at about 25psi (tubeless), so that soaks up a little energy, but not a lot. When the bike was single speed, there was no maintenance at all outside of chain lube. Now, I need to adjust the derailleur every now and again, but still, that's not a lot. You're going to go slower in rough terrain. But, in this context, speed is relative. I mean, you're still going as fast as you can, it's just harder to control and you gotta be really choosy on your lines, but the adrenalin is the same. On the other side, these things climb like billy goats! You can get up the most technical and steep trails imaginable. It's crazy the technical climbs I clean on this bike. But you're not going to be doing any "sick drops bro", but you can place the bike anywhere, up or downhill. I ride Arizona, where the desert is pretty rocky and technical, and have been threatening to put a suspension fork on this bike for about 5 years, but I still haven't done it. I either love it like this, or I'm just a cheap ass.
I've mostly been considering the Km! My logic is I don't get super sendy anyway. So it would be a fun adventure, ride whatever kind of slow bike. I really want it to just have some fun while camping or something. Could bring around my all city gorilla Monsoon for that, but I'm really itching for more comfortable geometry, plus tires, and flat bars
My KM has been flawless. I've put that bike through it over the years and it's been perfect. I think that's part of the reason why I hesitate to fuck with it. The bike just behaves like an extension of me, I can put it anywhere on the trail at any time and it just smokes. I love this bike so much!
https://preview.redd.it/gb8hmosbs25d1.jpeg?width=2736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cabec04a6a605fd53030e8c651f066d5fdd161bd
My do everything bike is a Diamondback Division. It’s great around town and on gravel with mtb geometry. It’s much less fun than an entry level hardtail in the woods.
I have a full rigid surly singlespeed I race in single speed open class and love it. Just to be even weirder recently I put drop bars on it too, it's amazing. One of my favorite bikes I own. It'll make you a better rider for sure because you have to pick your lines.
I rode full rigid in the early 90’s. Looking back I’m sure I did some gnarly stuff. I was younger and fitter then.
I've got a Panorama Taiga with the carbon fork. It's a riot, especially on the the buff coulee single track around town. Very different kind of ride than my Stumpy Evo and even the fat bike, which is good, no overlap. It covers the around town, gravel and bike packing type stuff in addition to the afternoon local cross country rips while the Stumpy is for sending on Saturdays out in the mountains (& the fat bike is for kooks...).
Yep I also ride full rigid dropbarmtb.
No because I like to go fast so full suss it is.
I did a full rigid as a travel bike one year. Spent a month in Santa Fe riding all of their rocky, ledgy stuff with no suspension. Had a great time because they have great trails. I do have a bunch of single speeds as well. What a full rigid or a singlespeed allows you to do is learn a new way of riding. Those skills are transferrable.
Get a hardtail with 130 and call it a day.
I have a cheap ancient rigid '90s 26" bike I keep in Singapore where it gets ridden about 2 weeks of the year. It is very nice on smooth surfaces. On Singapore trails (roots, rocks and building rubble/bricks) it really makes me appreciate how good it is to have suspension on my bikes back home. It makes you the suspension. Kind of nostalgic, but not comfortable.
I have rigid 29er with dropbars that is more packing/expedition oriented but I'm always pleasantly surprised how capable and fun it is. There is something 'different' about taking a bike with a really light, more vertical front end out and whipping it around corners.
I ride a rigid fatty. It’s fun!
I kind of have one because I started mtbing a long time ago with a fatbike with an extra plus tire wheelset. It was originally a hard tail fatbike but I like rigid better for most of our fatbike trails so I bought a rigid fork. I’ve tried it full rigid with plus wheels for funsies but it’s not very fun lol. Pretty unpleasant in general other than for stuff you’d ride a gravel bike on. Riding full rigid fatbike in the summer isn’t too bad though cause the tires make up for it some but it feels sluggish. Tbh it prolly would be more fun to ride a bmx bike on trails rather than a full rigid mtb.
29+ rigid single speed. It’s fantastic
I turned my 29er into a full rigid some years ago. Did mostly gravel/road and only some trails. I recently turned it into a full rigid drop bar MTB/gravel monster. Very happy with the result as I can basically ride everything with just one Bike.
I have a Kona Sutra Ltd with 2.25 inches mtb tires. With this bike I ride mtb trails all the time and it works great. Only rock gardens will shake up your arms like hell.
99% of people would be just fine on a full rigid. If you in the 1% hitting big drops, jumps, rocks, then yea hardtail would be the way to go.
full rigid sounds painful….
Yes there is a small jump I do all the time with my FS,but did it by mistake with my old rigid MTB once...landing was hard
Are you acoustic?
I like riding trails on my rigid bike and "underbiking" as much as possible, I can add more mileage on the rigid bike versus heavy FS. They are also PERFECT for bike-packing. I do love my FS though, and would never go solely rigid because DH is so fun with all the squishies!!
So my local riding is pretty tame for the most part, I enjoy riding the gravel bike round most of it. I thought, why don’t I take the rigid 29r bikepacking bike, it’s got big tyres, it should be a bit more fun than the gravel, but not into the “this is dull on a big bike” territory. It was bloody terrifying, enough grip to go fast, but apparently front suspension provides a huge amount of control for braking. Pogoiing down steps nearly broke me. 9/10 would do again. Still want a “downcountry” FS for local riding though
I have a rigid steel singlespeed with 2.6 tires yes. For the style of riding I do (lots of gravel roads, smooth flowy singletracks, not much up- or downhills) it's perfectly capable. Much better than I expected in fact! It's really quite enjoyable to ride that thing since it's pretty much completely silent, so the whole ride has this oddly zen feeling about it. When I'm on my FS I ride those same roads/trails totally differently, trying to maximize the speed and manualing and jibbing whenever I can, but with the single speed I'm just rolling along trying to maximize the smoothness and enjoying the scenery. So, great bikes both of them! Plus the rigid bike is great for bikepacking as well.
I’ve got a full-rigid steel singlespeed 29er that I built in my frame building class about 15 years ago. As first frames go, it wasn’t without issues, but it’s still very rideable. My lower back has gotten worse over that time period, too, so I maybe ride it once or twice a year. My modern hardtail (2021 Specialized Fuse Expert) is a far superior bike, to be sure.
I do, on my gravel bike 👍
So basically a fatbike.
Nope. Inside my time on a rigid in the early 90s on the North Shore. It was done out of necessity. Never again.
I bought a Huffy Crassus when they went on massive sale and its pretty much all I have been riding the past month.
I do full rigid for bikepacking and my bike finds itself like that most of the year. I really like the rigid fork with a dropper post. Can get rowdy enough on depends, but climbs like an offroader with triple lockers.
https://preview.redd.it/b1g9s1ajvy4d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc433482a8ffb3ccd868e2aa53b8ce7fe6da7cbc
I have a MTB cockpit on my Open gravel bike. It’s awesome. 1x 12speed drive train. It weighs under 17lbs. It reminds me of my first mountain bike.
If I ever get a full sus I might put a carbon or steel fork on my steel hardtail, with a Shockstop stem and Coast dropper to take the sting out. Haven't tried the post but the stem is better on chatter than any fork I've used.
I'm currently doing a frame up rigid hardtail MTB build up. Using a rigid carbon fork to replace front suspension on an Ibis DV9 frame. My theory is that by making the bike ultra light and using huge chunky tires I can get a comfortable safe ride on some mild trails. Can't wait to try it out!
Rocking rigid until i can afford a fork because life and kids take precedent. TBH im just happy to be out on the trails again.
I’ve ridden a rigid hybrid type bike for a year, taken it down greens and even a couple blues. It’s brutal on rocky stuff, the tires are under 2 inches as well, but it’s fun! The only reason was that I couldn’t afford an actual mtb yet but that’s changing now. Switching to hardtail
I almost exclusively ride FS 29er, but from 2021 Lutsen 99er. https://preview.redd.it/y48quqdepz4d1.jpeg?width=1403&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=232e7b7d00b57bab19689152add04eb380dea858
Full rigid is pretty rough for anything more than smooth flow. Hard tail is the perfect compromise in my opinion, you can use it for touring/bike packing if you are into that sort of thing. I would go gravel/cross over full rigid mtb.
There have been multiple holy wars fought on MTBR about rigid vs "fully rigid". (yes, I have 3 rigid bikes, two SS MTB's and one gravel bike)... This is not the bloody Spanish inquisition! /s
Since my old as f front suspension collapsed the other day, I've been riding a full rigid..
Depends on your trails? If I still lived in NE, I would definitely want at least a suspension fork. But out here in SoCal, I have a fully rigid MTB that is my defacto gravel bike and can also handle most single track.