Kona Fire Mountain ATB - single speed conversion
I
got this frameset-plus-a-buncha-parts last summer at work for a
song, and decided to set it up as a single speed bike, both for
fun AND for a projected foray into cyclocross in fall 2009.
Components:
--Origin8
crankset
--Poverty BMX pedals (these MAY get upgraded but for now the Poverty
pedals work great; and yes I'll ride cross with flat pedals. I'm
SUCH a BMX throwback!)
--Surly stainless steel chainring, 110 x 39t
--Surly steel cassette S/S cog (currently 21t but I have a 19t in
case 21 turns out to be too easy)
--Soulcraft "Convert" chain tensioner and cassette spacer kit
--KMC "Premium" 3/32 BMX chain (model 610HX)
--Club Roost "CrossMax" tires (these will be upgraded to Schwalbes
for cross season)
--KHS 1 1/8" quill stem and old-school MT bars with a downhill stabilizer
added for my own peace of mind. (IMHO, it doesn't look bad, either.)
I
may swap in a longer stem once I dial in my saddle position where
I want it.
Since
this bike will be ridden primarily on dirt and gravel paths and
in the mud, I'm not going to worry about putting a fancy saddle
on it; the one that came with it seems to work fine for my purposes.
The
bike came with surprisingly decent basic wheels that include Shimano
Parallax hubs and Mavic rims, and for my purposes they'll serve
for now.
When
I finished setting it up I took it for a short maiden voyage around
the neighborhood. While some final fitting still needs to be dialed
in, the bike feels great. Best of all, it reminded me of how much
fun I had riding BMX bikes as a kid. I'm looking forward to taking
it up into Forest Park very soon.
bikelovejones.livejournal.com
veloquent.blogspot.com
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